Description

‘A gorgeous read. The sort of book one reads again and again’ – Genevieve Cogman

Rumours have drawn unexpected attention – and now her life hangs in the balance. From the author of the award-winning Uprooted, Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver is a rich, original tale inspired by the folktale of Rumpelstiltskin.

Will dark magic claim their home?

Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father is too kind-hearted to collect his debts. They face poverty, until Miryem hardens her own heart and takes up his work in their village.

Her success creates a rumour that she can turn silver into gold, attracting the fairy king of winter himself. He sets her an impossible challenge – and if she fails, she will die. Yet if she triumphs, it may mean a fate worse than death. And, in her desperate efforts to succeed, Miryem unwittingly spins a web which draws in the unhappy daughter of a lord . . .

Irina’s father schemes to wed her to the tsar – he will pay any price to achieve this goal. However, the dashing tsar is not what he seems. And the secret he hides threatens to consume the lands of mortals and winter alike.

Torn between deadly choices, Miryem and Irina embark on a quest that will take them to the limits of sacrifice, power and love.

‘I loved this book so much’ – Laini Taylor, author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series

‘I couldn’t put it down’- Katherine Arden, author of the Winternight trilogy

Publisher Review

Novik outdoes herself in Spinning Silver... A fairy tale in the most epic of ways, but one with a strong, proud and beautiful heart at the centre of it -- The Bookbag, 5 Stars Novik has created something that deserves to be a sure fire hit - a tale that's ancient, contemporary, traditional and yet forward thinking -- The Bookbag, 5 Stars A remarkable achievement... Confirms a huge step forward for Novik -- SFX Magazine, 5 Stars This gorgeous, complex, and magical novel...rises well above a mere modern re-imagining of classic tales...Novik probes the edges between the everyday and the extraordinary, balancing moods of wonder and of inevitability. Her work inspires deep musings about love, wealth, and commitment, and embodies the best of the timeless fairy-tale aesthetic...This is the kind of book that one might wish to inhabit forever -- Publishers Weekly, Starred Review Uprooted has everything I love: a great heroine, new takes on old myths and legends, and surprising twists and turns. A delight -- Cassandra Clare on Uprooted The magic in Uprooted, with its realistic moral dimension, is so vividly believable that it almost seems you could work the spells. But the book will do that for you -- Ursula K. Le Guin on Uprooted I didn't know how much I wanted to read a book like this until it was already in my hands. Uprooted has everything I love about Novik's writing style, with the added bonus of some old world magic and the flavor of a dark faerie story -- Patrick Rothfuss on Uprooted Enchanting, in every sense of that fine old word. A charming and inviting story that looks unflinchingly at the strangling roots of hurt and revenge -- Robin Hobb on Uprooted Lovely, intricate and strong. A gorgeous read. The sort of book one reads again and again -- Genevieve Cogman Dauntless women, cruel lords and wayward fairies come together in a beautifully realised world. Brimming over with fairy-tale magic, SPINNING SILVER proves Naomi Novik to be a master fantasist at the top of her game -- Zen Cho A book as cool and mysterious as a winter's night, with two marvelous heroines at its heart. Spinning Silver pits the cold of endless winter against the fires of duty, love and sacrifice. I couldn't put it down -- Katherine Arden Cool and clever and warm and satisfying and dire and wonderful; I loved this book so much -- Laini Taylor