This story just couldn’t have been written by anyone else. It’s a Kingfisher book through and through, with everything I love most about her writing: empathic and relatable characters, slightly older female leads whose main strengths aren’t their looks but their intelligence, dedication, and work ethic; chickens and quirky animals; plenty of dry humour; a tender romance; and, above all, a darkly twisted originality.

I wouldn’t really call this a Snow White retelling, since almost nothing follows the original and the story stands entirely on its own. Not being the biggest fan of Snow White, I was completely captivated by the mystery at the heart of this book and couldn’t put it down. It lasted me about seven hours, even with the somewhat slow start.

Absolutely perfect for Kingfisher fans and for anyone looking for a dark tale tempered with humour.

<i>I would like to thank Pan Macmillan | Tor and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the eARC for an honest review! </i>

"So she was no one, and nobody missed her. Except an old one-eyed cat that she'd pulled out of a pond once." Devastated. I cried while reading that, and it's been a while since I cried while reading a book.

Other than that tho, this book was not that heartbreaking, it was funny and smart and so soo entertaining. I loved our FMC, and I missed reading about a character that I actually love and don't find annoying.

So far, T. Kingfisher has never disappointed me, and I'm off to buy a new book from this author!

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan | Tor for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion! Needless to say, as always, all thoughts are my own and I have not been influenced in any way.

I feel pretty mixed about this book. At one point, I was quite excited to discover more, but little by little – although the story itself is interesting – I found it dragging on. I just kept reading without really feeling much else. I’m not even sure what I was expecting.

This book is a reimagining of Snow White, and I do think, at its core, it was well executed.

Maybe I was expecting a bit more romance. The little there was felt like it came out of nowhere, not fully developed, especially given the healer x bodyguard/knight trope.

The story itself remains interesting, particularly with the focus on mirrors, but after a while I found myself getting lost in it. For me, it was definitely slow-paced, and at times some developments could have been cut without losing much.

The end seemed a bit rushed to me.

That being said, I still enjoyed the read overall.

I also kind of loved reading about a character who was so deeply interested in poisons — that was a pretty cool aspect.

Since my first Kingfisher I adore her ideas and concepts. Hemlock & Silver is no different - and again totally different to previous books.

I love the fact that Kingfisher is always able to let her stories sound distinguishable to her other novels. At first I thought that maybe Anja and I wouldn't "get along". But soon I learned to love the way she broke the fourth wall to the reader and how Anja perceives the world.

Anja is a very relatable character: good in what she knows best but in every aspect lost and makes fast assumptions that tend towards catastrophizing. It was hilarious (but still: very relatable) how she started spiraling when a thought hits her. Luckily she is able to snap out of it often enough - often with help from the outside.

I love how Anja interacts with her surroundings. Always considerate but slighty clumsy. How she connects with the King, Snow, Lady Sorrell and Aaron and especially Javier is adorable. I love how Javier accepts certain truths and falls for Anja.

The reimagination of Snow White is cleverly done. I loved to see nods to the original story and how the title "Hemlock & Silver" starts making more and more sense throughout the story.

In the end this book is another hit by one of my favorite authors and I'm looking forward to buy a copy for my shelves!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the arc of this book!
I've been wanting to read T. Kingfisher for a long time, so I was thrilled to receive this arc. It’s a beautifully twisted retelling of Snow White. I absolutely loved the blend of cozy fairytale charm and moments of genuine creepiness! The story is dark in places, but still manages to feel warm and inviting, filled with wonderful characters, a dash of romance and clever humor. The mystery at the heart of the plot kept me interested, and Anja’s journey to uncover who or what is poisoning the princess was as compelling as it was atmospheric.
I can't wait to get to some other popular books by T.Kingfisher and would recommend to read this one especially now that the fall season is apporaching us.

If you have enjoyed any other fairy tale retellings by T Kingfisher and found yourself captivated by them, then this book is destined to become your new favorite.

This is a haunting and emotionally charged horror retelling of Snow White and Alice in Wonderland. Anja, a healer specialized in poisons, is faced with a chilling task when the King asks her to examine his daughter. After the devastating loss of his wife and youngest child, he fears his daughter Snow is haunted not just by grief but something darker. But beyond the mirrors of this palace lie secrets far more terrifying than mere poison.

As a devoted fan of T Kingfisher's work, I was eagerly anticipating this book. Unlike some of her previous works, this story dials down the humor and elevates the chilling, intense feelings of horror. I adore how she masterfully blends fantasy, fairy tales, and horror into a seamless tapestry. I appreciate that her protagonists are strong, realistic women with realistic bodies. Anja is a beautifully crafted character, and her tender romance with her bodyguard adds a touching warmth amidst the darkness. I also want to emphasize the remarkable research on poisons—their history and antidotes—which shines through vividly. Anja's knowledge feels meticulously researched and brilliantly woven into the story, adding layers of depth and authenticity.

It was a fun journey. Poisons, mysteries, mirrors, surprising animals. It was captivating from start to finish, cozy, cute at times, and creepy at others. Perfect balance. T. Kingfisher's stories always please me, they have an interesting sense of humor and secondary characters that add to the story.

4.25⭐️
👻 standalone dark reimagining of Snow White
🍑 a lil bit of romance
👻 evocative imagery
🍑 kings bodyguard MMC x healer FMC
👻 plus sized FMC in her 30s
🍑 mystery elements
👻 themes of drugs and death
🍑 a sarcastic narcissistic talking cat


Firstly a huge thank you to Pan Macmillan for this eARC!

~My Thoughts~
This is my third Kingfisher book and I feel like she will now be an autobuy author for me because damn.

There is just something about the way Kingfisher writes that makes me lose all sense of the real world. You cannot help but be swept up in the amazing writing, clever plot and witty dialogue. And then four hours later, you realise you've done nothing but read.

The story is so clever, fast paced and keeps you on your toes. There's also just the right amount of horror where you'll read something and think 'cool imagery' and only a short time later do you stare at the walls thinking 'nooo that was so creepy?!' Such a good feeling and I'm not very good with horror!

Anja as an FMC is so fun and unique and her blunt medicinal and clinical view on life makes all of her dialogue so fun to read especially when partnered with grunting bodyguard Javier.

I just loved it so much. So clever and so brilliantly twisted. If you're a fan of Kingfisher's work, you'll love this. And if you've never read a Kingfisher, I highly recommend you start with this one.

I feel like this may be the best dark reimagining of Snow White that I've read 🤩

Highly imaginative and deeply gothic retelling of Snow White ! Loved this twisty tale and the haunting descriptions the author uses

As a devoted fan of T. Kingfisher I knew I'd love this dark and intriguing retelling of Snow White. The premise alone had me hooked!

he story draws inspiration from the tale of Snow White, but I feel like this is more of an original story than a real retelling, and to le that made it way more interesting.

The world building is subtle but so magical, and the characters are compelling and complex.

I absolutely loved the main character. She's smart, funny, unapologetic and so relatable.

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher is a gorgeously eerie fairy tale reimagining, weaving wit, warmth, and creeping dread into a story that feels both familiar and startlingly fresh. Kingfisher’s gift for blending horror with humor shines here, creating a narrative that balances charm with genuine menace.

The pacing falters slightly in the middle, but the atmosphere and character work more than make up for it. A darkly enchanting 4-star read that proves once again why Kingfisher is a master of modern folklore.

T. Kingfisher has long proved herself to be the queen of the twisty, dark, satirical, genre-blendy fairytale retellings, but I think she truly outdid herself in Hemlock & Silver. Is it a fairytale fantasy? A portal fantasy? A horror fantasy? A cozy fantasy? A romance fantasy? Honestly, who even cares. It’s just a damned brilliant book steeped in Kingfisher’s trademark dark humour and wit that had me intoxicated from start to finish.

“The cat sighed the sigh of the much put-upon. “I didn’t plan to educate a human today,” he said.”

I mean, just read the first line of Hemlock & Silver and tell me you don’t immediately want to keep reading: “I had just taken poison when the king arrived to inform me he had murdered his wife.”. THAT is what I call a strong opening; the hook is planted, the tone is set, and the intrigue is already just oozing off the page. Then add to all that some strangely haunting mirror worlds, a mysteriously ill princess, addictive toxic apples, a narcissistic cat with a big ass personality, and an introverted bodyguard who is really distractingly attractive (how unfair of him!).

Needless to say, T. Kingfisher has taken the tired, old Snow White fairytale and spun something uniquely refreshing and exciting out of it. But the real magic that makes this loose retelling stand out from the crowd for me is the fact that it’s told from such a refreshing perspective: a blunt, headstrong, plus-size (and autistic-coded?) 35-year-old healer and poison expert who is both (deservedly) confident and embarrassingly awkward all at the same time. In other words, Anja is the woman of my dreams.

“Tact is overrated anyway. And if I started being tactful now, he’d probably die of shock.”

Now, I can see how some people might find the pacing of Hemlock & Silver a bit rocky in places with its slow set-up and very hectic ending, but I personally didn’t care at all as there was truly not a single second where I was not entertained. Anja is just so charming and funny without even trying to be, and processing all the increasingly weird events of this mystery investigation through her pragmatic and deadpan perspective made it all the more fun.

Moreover, Anja is extremely competent and clever without being cocky about it, and I loved how her incredible knowledge of all things poison, herbology, and faith (which she passionately spouts out at the most (in)opportune moments) just made the entire world come to life. Kingfisher’s boundless imagination is truly on full display, and it’s honestly astounding to me how much rich and unique worldbuilding is packed into such a tight standalone novel. Sure, it might have taken me quite a while to wrap my head around the intricacies of the eerie mirror realm magic, but Anja seemed to understand how the logic was logicking, so I was just along for the wild ride and I eventually caught up (I think?).

“After a moment I swallowed hard and said, “I’ve gone mad.”
“That,” said the cat, “is also none of my business.”

Anja’s strong (and dare I say, intoxicating) first person narration just had me completely immersed and engrossed the entire way through, and the unconventional way that she interacted with the world and the people around her was honestly beyond amusing to me. Especially her deep despair over having to work with a volatile 12-year-old princess (help, how do you deal with CHILDREN?!), her sharp banter with her unexpected, sassy animal companion, and her undeniable attraction to her wonderful bodyguard who accidentally gets roped into her crazy rollercoaster of an investigation just had me constantly smiling and feeling all the feels (please tell me where I can find myself my own Javier, thank you very much).

In a way, the dynamic between Anja and Javier reminded me a lot of the romances in Kingfisher’s Saint of Steel series, except in Hemlock & Silver the romance is just simmering in the background and never becomes quite as explicit. The tender, slow-burn yearning was just sooo delicious, and I loved how that subplot balanced out the diabolical darkness that is packed within these pages. I mean, talk about some horrifying visuals, sickening sensations, pulse-pounding action and heart-wrenching twists and turns. Also, don’t expect Hemlock & Silver to conclude with a perfect fairytalesque ‘and then they lived happily ever after’ ending. Yes, this is a very satisfying standalone, but I would honestly sell my soul to get a sequel someday to follow up on some of the tantalizing threads left dangling.

“That’s humans for you, I suppose. In dreadful danger, with the weight of the world crushing us down, we’ll somehow still find ourselves thinking: I wonder if he likes me?”

At this point I have read almost the entirety of Kingfisher’s catalogue, and Hemlock & Silver is not just one of my top favourites, but I’d dare say it’s also one of her best works yet (which is saying a lot, because she honestly just doesn’t miss). So, whether you love T. Kingfisher mostly for her fantasy works like A Sorceress Comes to Call and Nettle & Bone, for her horror works like The Hollow Places and What Moves the Dead, or her fantasy romance works like Swordheart and Bryony & Roses, I think Hemlock & Silver is a masterful blend of all those styles that will satisfy cravings you never even knew you had.

3.5 stars

How does this author even come up with ideas like this?! The Snow White retelling in 'Hemlock & Silver' contains a mysterious and magically wierd twist to the classic fairytale.

The princess has been poisoned, and the poison expert has been hired to save her. We have an egotistical animal companion (and don't forget the rooster), a stoic and protective gaurd, a magic mirror, and a dash of horror that I hadn't expected but absolutely should have considering the grimdark fantasy themes of this authors previous works. Parts of this book also reminded me of Alice in Wonderland with how unusual and random it could be, which is definitely part of this authors charm!

I think the author did a brilliant job of honouring the darkness and horror of the original tale by The Brothers Grimm. This book was eerie and unsettling and sent shivers down my spine while still having the cosy and fantastical theme of a fairytale.

T.Kingfisher delivers such compelling and atmospheric storytelling in immersive environments. The setting of the desert for this story was an interesting one but it made the tale all the more unique and stand-out.

The main character, Anja, tells a blunt and hilarious narrative. The dry humour and wit was fantastic and her ramblings on passionate topics made her endearing to me.

While I loved her quirks, I did find her personality a little underdeveloped. Anja was very focused on her mission and the book felt mostly plot focused, whereas with other books from this author, I have absolutely adored the characters.

Anja's thoughts were also often distracted by her recalling memories, and info dumping about plants and poisons and lots of pieces of knowledge she'd collected. Her mind wandered so often it stuttered the pacing quite a bit.

I'm always so invested in the quirky tales that this author tells, however I did struggle with this one. I was intrigued but I feel like the lead up to the discovery of the magic mirror dragged on for much too long; so, instead of feeling excitedly intrigued, I just found myself losing interest.

I personally found this book to be creeepy, so I think it would be great for an autumnal or halloween read due to its spooky and mysterious tone.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

*I received this book as an arc for free in exchange for an honest review*

T. Kingfisher's upcoming Snow White retelling, "Hemlock & Silver" ticked all the right boxes for me. We follow researcher/healer of all things poison Anja, who has been summoned by the king to help cure his daughter, Snow. Once she arrives at the King's residence, not everything is as it seems. Anja sets out to get to the heart of the matter, alongside her trusty guard, as well as a curious, seemingly uninterested, feline companion.

It was so refreshing to read about an FMC who was in her mid-30s and did not conform to the stereotypical looks and age of a heroine in most stories that are popular nowadays. I enjoyed Anja as a character, and I especially appreciated her blunt honesty. She was such a breath of fresh air. Aaron, Javier, Grayling, and Lady Sorrel were honestly such fun side characters, and I wish I could have spent more time getting to know them.

This book was a great retelling, and put everything I love about the original classic fairytale in a new perspective. I would warmly recommend this book to anyone who loves retellings, fantasy, and a no-nonsense FMC.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher is intriguing and refreshing, with a fairytale-esque vibe that instantly hooks you. Kingfisher’s trademark mix of darkness and humor shines, especially in the snappy banter and her effortless knack for sentient animals. The talking cat easily steals the show, strutting across the page with perfect feline contrariness and feeling so believable you almost wonder why every book doesn’t have one.

Unfortunately, Anja herself is harder to connect with. Her entire identity revolves around poisons and cures, leaving her flat outside that one note, and her self-doubt gets repetitive fast. The intrigue of the beginning promised so much, but the mystery falters—clues and reveals lack satisfying payoff, and the plot density made me skim more than once.

Still, the atmosphere is strong, the humor hits, and the cat alone almost earns an extra star. For me, it lands at a 3.5, enjoyable but missing the spark that could have made it stellar.

Another wondrous tale by #TKingfisher I'm honestly not sure how she manages to write so many wonderful books at the rate that she does. Genius, talent, an amazing imagination all wrapped up in a cute name! 📚

This is such a complete twist on a Snow White retelling that it feels like it isn't one at all, more that it's a new story with a fairy tale running in the background. I mean, there is a girl, many apples and a Queen. There's even a mirror, well actually there are rather a lot of mirrors 👸🏻🍎🍏🪞👑 But the story is about our tall, scientific, plain-speaking Anya.

Anya, our hero, is fascinated by poisons and Snow appears to have been poisoned. There's a cute cat: contrary, demanding, elusive. There's even a monosyllabic guard. And that's pretty much all I'm saying as it's such a wonderful story to go into blind and let it just reveal itself 👩🏻‍⚕️🐈‍⬛🗡️

I enjoyed this enormously and would have finished it in one sitting had my Kindle not given up! In tone, this is similar to A Sorceress comes Calling or the Paladin series. It's sweet, scary, imaginative and I love that Anya is nothing like a fairy tale princess. She's strong, capable, 30+, a 'spinster' (I hate that word!) and likes a cup of tea 🫖 She prefers her snake to people 🐍

You are able to purchase this from 21st August and you really should. It's fantastic 😊

Thanks to @PanMacmillan @TorBooksUK and @Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc, all opinions are my own.

T Kingfisher writes a dramatic woeful story and still makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

A new take on Snow White and it was completely enthralling. The magic was unusual and Anja was an excellent main character, smart, quiet and not one for small talk, I instantly loved her.

I have preordered this book!

Yet another incredible book by T. Kingfisher! Very quickly becoming a favourite author of mine!

This book was incredible from start to finish. It's a retelling of Snow White, although it definitely would work as an original book as well. It was perfectly dark and beautiful.

Also, the slow burn was BURNING. I adored them all, especially the little feisty animals. I adored Javier so much, and our Anja. The romance didn't actually start until like 60%, or around there, but it was so good.

T. Kingfisher is incredible at causing me so much pain, and I thank her for it. I love the blend of horror, humour and fantasy, with the romance.

This might be my favourite FMC! She's so unapologetically herself and I love her for it, she's funny, sarcastic and just all around a great character.

Our MMC needs a hug (or multiple hugs, preferably multiple hugs a day), I adored him.

Snow was such an interesting character as well, I loved her storyline in this book.

I am already looking forward to the authors next book! I can't wait to cry and be hurt again, just to have the perfect ending.

Thank you for the ARC!

Absolute perfection!

I adore T Kingfisher's writing style and the way she weaves her narratives. Anja, is totally not a poison expert. Nope not at all. She is a healer who obviously needs to know poisons to know how to heal right? This is a Snow White retelling, although I use retelling loosely here. I would really say it is inspired by Snow White. We follow our FMC as she tries to find a cure to the King's sickly daughter.

The characters in this novel are wonderful. Well developed, with motives of their own and a joy to learn about and root for. There is a little Romance, but it is more a subplot than anything else and does not distract from the overarching plot at all. It was cute and sweet and I LOVED it.
I categorically adore Anja, she is funny and clever and a little quirky. The writing is engaging and well thought out. Honestly, T Kingfisher is one of the best authors out right now in my opinion, so if you've read her work and you enjoy it you will love this. If you haven't read her work, I do implore you to give this book a try because it is GLORIOUS.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Fairy tale retellings that are a little darker in tone, whilst still being full of heart and hope. Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

Hemlock & Silver is a wonderfully offbeat, darkly whimsical take on Snow White, with all the hallmarks of a T. Kingfisher story: quirky characters, odd magic, unexpected humor, and a heroine who’s equal parts brilliant and socially awkward.

The setup is instantly intriguing. Anja, a 35-year-old poison researcher with a dry wit and a deep love for antidotes (and a venomous snake for company), is summoned by the King to investigate his daughter Snow’s mysterious illness. The mystery starts strong, blending slow-burn investigation with some cozy fairytale vibes. Kingfisher really shines when weaving in unsettling, horror-tinged elements just beneath the surface.

Anja is a standout character: pragmatic, a bit prickly, and refreshingly mature. Her inner monologue had me laughing out loud more than once, and I enjoyed how her curiosity and logic clashed against the stranger magical elements later in the story. The talking cat, Grayling, is pure chaotic gold, and the romance, while not my favorite aspect, was subtle and sweet enough to complement the plot without overtaking it.

That said, once the core mystery is revealed, the story loses some steam. The pacing slows, and while the mirror magic is clever, it doesn’t feel quite as engaging as the earlier, grounded investigation. I also found the resolution a bit predictable, especially if you’re familiar with Kingfisher’s character archetypes.

Still, this was absolutely worth reading. It’s not my favorite of hers, but it’s a solid entry with a satisfying mix of dark fairytale, weird science, and cozy charm. Fans of Kingfisher or anyone who loves offbeat heroines, creepy mirrors, and morally dubious poultry will find plenty to enjoy here.