4.5 ☆
oh this is why i love anything this woman writes!
this was so much fun to read, never am i disappointed in these worlds Kingfisher creates. this took a turn i never expected from this story but i was never disappointed and always enjoying my time. i always love Kingfisher’s characters, they’re always so funny and likeable. especially anja! i didn’t expect much of a romance in this story but this one still had my giggling and blushing. my favourite men will forever be Kingfisher’s.
thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this arc.

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher – ★★★★★

This book was everything I love about T. Kingfisher’s writing — eerie, smart, funny, and unexpectedly heartwarming.

Hemlock & Silver follows a sharp and clever poison expert who’s called upon to treat a poisoned princess, only to find herself drawn into a world of dark magic, twisted monsters, and ancient secrets. What starts as a mysterious medical case quickly unravels into something much bigger — and far more dangerous.

As always, Kingfisher weaves fantasy and horror together effortlessly, with just the right amount of cozy vibes to make the story both chilling and comforting. The atmosphere is filled with tension, strange magic, and a quiet sense of dread that lingers beneath the surface — but it’s balanced with fantastic character work and humor that had me laughing and giggling more than once.

I absolutely adored the main character. Her intelligence, stubbornness, and sharp wit gave me major Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries) vibes, and I loved how unapologetically herself she was. The side characters were just as memorable, and every interaction felt layered and meaningful.

This story had me completely hooked from start to finish — a new favorite for sure. T. Kingfisher has once again proven she’s a master at crafting fantasy horror that doesn’t lose its heart along the way. Highly recommend this if you’re in the mood for something clever, spooky, and deeply satisfying.

Even when it’s not my favourite T. Kingfisher book, it’s still five solid stars. That’s how good her work is! I haven’t read any of Kingfisher’s horror books, but I’d say Hemlock & Silver sort of straddles the line between her horror and her romantasy work. It’s creepy, swoony, sweet and horrifying in equal measures and I can’t imagine many other authors being able to balance those elements nearly as well as Kingfisher does.

There is also just enough of the Snow White story in elements for this to be an utterly original reimagining. Was it clever? Yes. Was it romantic? Yes. Was it easy to read? Yes. Will I ever look at mirrors the same way? Hell no.

Thank you to T Kingfisher, Pan Macmillain | Tor & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review Hemlock & Silver prior to its release.

In this book, we follow healer Anja, a poison's expert, as she is tasked with investigating the suspected poisoning of princess Snow.

Although Hemlock & Silver is inspired by the story of Snow White, it is not a retelling but more of a reimagining that features some of the key elements of the fairy tale but transforms it into a unique story.

Once again, T. Kingfisher gives us a quirky, older protagonist whose first-person point of view is full of humour. The romance element fits in seamlessly with the main story and there are enough twists and suspense to entertain. I didn't love it as much as some of her other books, but it was still a really fun read.

A recommended read for fans of T. Kingfisher and fairy tale reimaginings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In Hemlock & Silver, T. Kingfisher once again proves her mastery in blending fairytale familiarity with fresh imagination, sharp humor, and a pinch of creeping horror. This is a Snow White retelling, but only in the loosest sense—yes, there’s a poisoned princess, cursed apples, and unsettling mirrors—but Kingfisher flips every expected trope on its head and spins something completely her own.

At the heart of the story is Anja, a prickly, brilliant healer who’s as obsessed with poisons as she is uncomfortable with small talk. She’s a delightfully grounded protagonist—practical, awkward, funny, and utterly uninterested in fitting into anyone’s expectations. When summoned to the royal palace to save a dying princess, Anja quickly finds herself tangled in a mystery that reaches far beyond medical science and into the strange world hidden behind enchanted mirrors. Add in a protective, good-hearted guard named Javier and a talking cat with secrets of his own, and you have the perfect ingredients for a darkly whimsical tale.

Kingfisher’s prose is cozy, conversational, and deeply immersive. Even the slower-paced opening draws you in with its intimate insight into Anja’s mind and her solitary, fascinating world of herbs and venoms. Once the magical elements kick in, the story shifts gears into something darker, faster, and deeply imaginative—creatures in the mirrors, haunting reflections, and twisted magic keep the pages turning at high speed.

The romance is subtle but rewarding, built on trust, mutual respect, and friendship. It’s a slow burn that never overshadows the main plot and feels refreshingly realistic. And thankfully, there’s no fairytale ending where the heroine marries a king—Anja remains true to herself, her passion, and her principles.

This is Kingfisher at her best: a story full of adventure, wit, and eerie wonder, with a heroine you can’t help but love. Hemlock & Silver is for readers who want their fairy tales clever, their magic unsettling, and their characters fiercely human.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review

This is a Snow White retelling, and T. Kingfisher really did that. This is soooooo entertaining, immersive, creative, and just FUN. The perfect dark fantasy/fairytale to get lost in. There's also a sprinkle of heartwarming romance and a talking cat that sounds and acts exactly as you'd expect a cat to sound and act like.

Our FMC is strong, clever, and very much her own person. She's also so damn funny! I was laughing out loud often, and that doesn't come easily to me with books. The plot is gripping, and it was executed perfectly, in my opinion. I can't think of a single thing about this book that didn't work for me.

Also, the audiobook does the story justice. The narrator did an amazing job, the voice matched perfectly, and she had great comedic timing. Overall, if you already love T. Kingfisher and how she usually takes retellings to another sphere, there's no way you won't enjoy this one.

A retelling of Snow White minus the dwarves, Healer Anja is hired by the King to try and heal his daughter, Snow.
This was a very enjoyable read although it was very slow to get started. Anja is a great heroine because she is relatable, and it is great to see a plus size character that is the hero of the story rather than a figure a fun.

The way that T. Kingfisher takes well loved fairy tales, switches things up, adds a tinge of horror, and cooks up a masterpiece of a story is absolutely magical! There are some things the same, in this case, a poisoned princess, mysterious apples, and special mirrors which keep the Snow White reminders but then it goes off in a whole new fascinating direction with the wonderfully real and likable healer Anja summoned by the king to save his daughter. She may be prickly (so understandable, especially when people whisper she is a mistress of the king) smart, funny, unapologetic (even when she accidentally kills the conversation with a fact about a venomous creature) but she sure knows her poisons and will do anything to get to the bottom of the sick princess, hopefully before it is too late. The mirrors were fantastic and creepy, and really sparked something fresh and new to the story. And I absolutely loved that cat, who mostly behaves like a cat but has quite a few secrets of his own. With his help and that of a certain handsome guard (Javier is sweet, strong, brave and will do anything to keep Anja safe!), it really gets into the swing of things for the last half and all the crazy stuff that happens in the mirrors and the race to help Snow before she succumbs. And of course the ending is so sweet and thankfully it does not end with Anja marrying the king or something silly (though of course she is much too reasonable to fall for that!)

I will happily read all the fairy tales and odd or horror or anything that T. Kingfisher writes and I am so grateful for the chance to read another winner of a novel which I will recommend to everyone. Many many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this fantastic book!

** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 **

Thank you Netgalley & Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

Urgh. T. Kingfisher can do no wrong in my book.
As always the story was delightful, whimsical and dark. She just has a way of writing that sucks the reader in. I wasn't sure where the story would go and how it would build - but she never misses.
Any one who is a fan of hers will not be disappointed but this.
It's a beautifully written, Snow White retelling with just everything I could ever want from it.
1000% recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in return for my review. All opinions are my own.

Healer Anja regularly drinks poison. Not to die, but to save – seeking cures for those everyone else has given up on.

But a summons from the King interrupts her quiet, herb-obsessed life. His daughter, Snow, is dying, and he hopes Anja’s unorthodox methods can save her.

Aided by a taciturn guard, a narcissistic cat and a passion for the scientific method, Anja rushes to treat Snow – but nothing seems to work. Nothing, that is, until she finds a secret world hidden inside a magic mirror. This dark realm may hold the key to what is making Snow sick. Or it might be the thing that kills them all . . .

I am absolutely loving every T.Kingfisher book I have ready so far! This story is based off Snow White and I loved T.Kingfisher’s spin on it.

Firstly, I loved the character of Anja, she was very witty and I found all her inner thoughts funny. She had a thirst for knowledge and was smart in her ways. I loved her budding relationship with Javier, it was something I didn’t really see coming but enjoyed it when it did happen. I also liked how she wasn’t skinny and mentioned her body shape which made her super realistic and relatable.

The first half of the book sees Anja trying to rule out the reasoning of Snow’s sickness, by observing her, examining surroundings and questioning staff. I liked how the options were talked through and presented logically. I was fascinated whenever Anja spoke about different poisons and their cures.

The second half of the book introduces mirror magic alongside a talking cat (who probably is my second favourite character after Anja). I think the story moved away from poison to magic, which was okay but like I said before, I loved all the talk about poisons and plants and cures!

I loved all the narration in the book and I felt like the pacing was fine. A lot of people have said it was slow in the first 40% but I don’t mind that. I enjoyed T.Kingfisher’s humour throughout the book.

I definitely would recommend this book and can easily have it in my school library as there was no spice. Looking forward to continuing my T.Kingfisher journey!!

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

My first time reading from this author and I’m simply obsessed! Yes, some would say the first 30-40% of the books are slow. But personally? I ate it up! I love how we got to know Anja, our fmc, from these first few chapters. We could see how she thinks, how smart she is, how amazing she is!! The way she obsessed over poisons! *chef kiss*

I also loved the writing, I don’t know if this is the usual T. Kingfisher writing but I loved it. It was as if Anja was talking to me, as if I was out there listening to her, and admiring and adoring her. It gave me cozy vibes despite the darkish themes in the book and I couldn’t feel happier.

And then when we get into the magical fantasy world, I just fall even harder for this book. The pace certainly grows faster, we get to see the magic, the mirrors, the small twists happening with it and last but not least we have a talking cat, creepy mirror creatures, the guard Javier who follows Anja through her mirror adventures.

I loved the pace, I loved the magic, and I loved how true to herself Anja stayed until the end. I adored her and Javier’s relationship progress until the end. It felt realistic because they became friends who trusted each other to lovers and it was perfect.

This book is officially one of my favorites this year and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it early!

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the arc!! I appreciate it so much!

This was absolutely enchanting!!!

I’m so glad I got to read another one of T. Kingfishers brilliant works so soon and yes, like always, she delivered.

She’s an exception for me for so many tropes and things in books I usually don’t like or have a hard time finding ones I like: romantasy, horror, retelings etc. And yet again, even though this book has all of that in one, it’s definitely already one of my favorites of the year and maybe one of my favorites she has written (and I’ve read almost everything).

Snow White retelling but make it embedded in poisons, and venom and very passionate weird kids becoming very passionate and weird adults through childhood trauma = obsessed with poisons ✨✨.

I absolutely adored all the characters but especially Anja. She is so human and clear and genuinely awkward about anything unrelated to her passion. I adored the touch of T. Kingfisher brand of romance and the absolutely twisted adventures that reminds me of The Hollow Places is all the best ways.

And of course we can’t forget the animal companions and the fairytale fantasy world it’s in that’s still sober about almost anything. Or maybe that’s just Anja.

Definitely recommend to anyone wanting a genuinely
great time, with lots of adventures, a spark of romance and a fairytale world!!

A classic from Kingfisher, weaving her signature horror with a new and interesting take on classic fairy tales, you'll want to keep reading it in one sitting. I highly recommend at night in the pitch black for the full feel.

T. Kingfisher continues to prove she’s in a league of her own when it comes to reinventing classic fairytales. This dark and enchanting retelling of Snow White manages to feel both comfortably familiar and completely new — a rare balance that few authors pull off this well. With sharp wit, eerie atmosphere, and characters who feel lived-in and real, this book had me completely hooked.

At the heart of the story is Anja — our version of “Snow White” — who isn’t your typical fairytale heroine. She’s over thirty, tall, grounded, and clever, with a dry sense of humor and just the right amount of social awkwardness. What I loved most is how capable she is. Anja has devoted her life to studying poisons and antidotes, and the scientific precision she brings to her work adds such an original spin to her character. Honestly, if you’ve ever wanted a version of Snow White who gives off “medieval biochemist” energy, this is the book for you.

There’s also a slow-burn romantic subplot that unfolds gently and with heart — the kind of romance built on respect, mutual admiration, and quiet moments rather than grand gestures. It never overshadows the main plot, but it adds a soft emotional core that gives the story even more depth.

And, of course, what’s a fairytale without a magical animal companion? Enter one of the sassiest, most delightfully unbothered cats I’ve ever encountered in fiction. Their interactions had me genuinely laughing out loud, which happens rarely with books — Kingfisher’s dry, offbeat humor lands perfectly.

The world itself is a little strange, a little dark, and wonderfully weird — and I mean that in the best way possible. There are creepy elements, mysterious happenings, and a tension that slowly creeps in as Anja begins to uncover truths about her past. It's not horror, exactly, but there’s an unsettling undercurrent that keeps you slightly off-balance in a way that’s totally intentional and very effective.

If I had one small gripe, it’s that the beginning does take its time. The setup leans a little slow, and it took a bit for me to find my footing. But once I hit around the halfway mark, I was fully immersed. The pace picks up, the stakes rise, and I found myself unable to stop reading.

Overall, this is a strange, smart, and emotionally satisfying reimagining that breathes new life into an old tale — without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard. For readers who love unconventional heroines, morally grey magic, dry humor, and fairytales with bite, this one is a must. Kingfisher might just be one of the most original voices in fantasy right now, and this book cements her as an auto-buy author for me.

Hemlock & Silver is a delightful twist on the well-known and loved, Snow White story, where Snow remains a central character but thankfully, does not need to be rescued by a prince this time around. No, instead this time, the ladies are more than capable of rescuing themselves - albeit with the assistance of a rather cool cat and a gorgeous bodyguard.
Both dark and twisty, this storyline is also a rather cosy fantasy and is a fast-paced, intriguing tale. As with all of T. Kingfisher's work, I was instantly enthralled and loved this world.

I got to read Hemlock & Silver ARC from Pan Macmillan, however my review is my own. This is my 2nd T. Kingfisher book and I had such a good time reading this. The FMC is a overthinking, hard on herself 30+ healer who is requested to investigate a potential poisoning of the kings daughter. This story took me by surprise and I loved the idea and story of her discovery! Loved the humour and narration to the reader and I couldn’t put the book down. The So fun! It takes a minute to take in all the information and figure out what’s what but such a good story! Loved Grayling and omg urgh!! Mirror-gelds so creepy!

ARC and ALC review

"Hemlock & Silver" by T. Kingfisher is a is a dark reimagining of Snow White.

I received an ARC from Pan Macmillan and an ALC from Macmillan Audio.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

This is the first book that I read from the author and I liked it.

The story has a single POV, Anja, a healer tasked to find out what is wrong with Snow's health.
I liked Anja very much. She is in her mid thirties, experiments with poison and antidots and has a pet snake.

The audiobook is narrated by Jennifer Pickens that did a great job with all the characters.
Also, listening to the story made me enjoy it more and I felt part of it.

The first part of the book has a slower pace, but after we get introduced to the mirror world things get intense.
There is also a romance subplot with one of the bodyguards that protect Anja.

Overall I would recommend the book for the beautiful writing and well developed characters.

I have conflicted feelings towards this book. I absolutely loved the characters, the ideas around the mirror world, and the writing style. I did however find the pacing a bit slow in the first half. It did pick up but I found it hard to be as invested in it as I would have liked. The romance was quite sweet and I enjoyed watching that play out, especially as they are both so awkward! Grayling was obviously the best part of the book.
To be honest, I was actually more interested in Anja when she was talking about poisons!

I wasnt sure what to expect from a re-imagining of Snow White but this certainly didn't dissapoint. Excellently written, I was hooked right from the start and the constant plot twists made it very difficult to put down.

The way T.Kingfisher included diverse characters so naturally to the plot is definitely something other authors could learn from. The FMC is a plus size 35 year old woman who has the same insecurities as the rest of us despite the fact that she is brilliantly smart and respected in her field.

The story had just enough references to Snow White without piggy-backing off the original fairytale so it can work as a stand alone even if you had no idea what the original story was about. T.Kingfishers books just seem to be getting better and I cant wait to get a physical copy once its out.

Thank you to Netgalley for this e-ARC

Overall: 4.25/5
Goal: 30/50

As a person with a background in medicine, also in her mid-thirties, this books synopsis seemed to have been made for me!

We follow Anja, a healer slash poison tester in her mid-thirties, who experiments on herself with poisons and antidotes, and who has a pet snake she milk for its venom. Anja is being tasked with trying to find out what is wrong with the Kings daughter, after his wife and child died. So we have a murder-mystery on our hands, set in a forlorn mansion in the middle of the desert. The aspect of „Retelling of Snow White“ is more of a backdrop, which suits me well enough!

We mostly follow Anja doing her observations of Snow and the staff, and finding out about a mirror world, thanks to the most adorable sidekick – Grayling, a very seasoned and snarky cat with a tragic backstory (I was NOT prepared for this!)
I’m a very big Kingfisher fan and lots of her books are in the list of my favourites. With this one I struggled a bit – the writing was good and decent, but it didn’t grip me as much as did „A Sorceress comes to call“ or “The Saint of Steel” series. Might be because the book started rather slow and took a while for the plot to tighten and pick up – as soon as it did, with the discovery of a parallel mirror world, my reading speed increased and I devoured the book in a few sessions.

The mirror world and its implications were fantastically crafted and executed. It was the perfect balance of uncanny valley, creepiness and sadness, with a few creatures that became unexpected allies. I loved how Anja managed the final resolution to Snow’s conflict, it felt really good to give the poor child her agency back.

The romance plot between Anja and Javier felt a bit underdeveloped, to be honest. Maybe I was spoiled by having read two Paladin books just before this one, which had flawlessly executed romantic plot and tension. I was happy for them, but I felt it could have been better. Readers should go into this, not expecting the romance to be front and centre.
Finally, I want to emphasize that Kingfisher is a master of foreshadowing. The solution to Snow’s final problem was teased very early on! I blame myself for not realizing it sooner!
4.5 stars!