I really enjoyed Hemlock & Silver, though it took me a little while to get fully into it. It is a dark, fairy-tale-inspired fantasy with a lot of clever twists. It is a loose retelling of Snow White, but from a completely different angle.

The main character, Anja, is a healer who tests poisons on herself to find antidotes. She’s super logical and science-minded, which felt refreshing in a fantasy setting. Her internal monologue is sharp and sometimes funny, and I liked how she approached magical problems like puzzles to solve.

The world is full of eerie details enchanted mirrors, cursed apples, and all the fairy-tale trappings you’d expect but everything’s filtered through a more grounded, almost clinical perspective. That contrast worked really well for me. I also enjoyed some of the side characters, especially Javier (a gruff but kind guard) and Grayling (a wonderfully arrogant cat).

That said, the pacing was a little slow especially at the beginning of the middle third. There’s a lot of setup, and Anja spends a lot of time thinking through things. The tone also swings a bit between modern and traditional, especially in the dialogue it didn’t bother me much, but it pulled me out of the setting a couple of times.

Also, while the main trio of characters are strong, some of the supporting cast felt a little underdeveloped. I wanted more from them, especially since the world feels rich and strange enough to support a wider cast.

Still, once the plot kicked in, I was hooked. There are some solid twists, a bit of mystery, and an ending that felt both satisfying and emotionally earned. If you like fairy-tale retellings with a dark edge and a smart, practical heroine, this is definitely worth picking up.

My thanks to both Netgalley and the publisher Pan Macmillan for an e-arc and an honest review.

T Kingfisher is one of my favourite authors, absolutely solid writing every time, there’s not a bad book out there.

Unsurprisingly , I loved this. It’s a reimagining of the Snow story, with Snow, the Queen, and lots and lots of magic mirrors.

Poison expert, Anja is sent to try to work out what is wrong with Snow, and she’s pretty reluctant, but with the help of some surprising characters, will she work it out?

Wonderful!

My thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully unusual and unique retelling of Snow White, this was really quite disturbing but absolutely wonderful at the same time.
Snow is ill but no one knows why, although poisoning is suspected no one knows how. Her sister was killed by their mother, the Queen, who was put to death. The king employs Anja, a healer to try and discover the secrets of the castle. Anja is obsessed with poisons, and finding their antidotes, she is not good with people and especially not young princesses.
This uses the traditional tropes familiar to Snow White but twists them into something completely new and exciting. I’m not going to say more, but trust me, this is one of Kingfisher’s best retellings

ARC Review - Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely adored this! I loved that the main character, Anja, is in her thirties - not an impossibly young prodigy, not a chosen one, just a smart, flawed, determined woman doing her best with herbs, poisons, and a stubborn streak. Honestly, it was a relief to follow someone with life experience who still second-guesses herself sometimes.

This is a Snow White retelling, but it’s not the version you know. T. Kingfisher gives us something far more twisted and satisfying: full of poison, mirrors, quiet dread, and bitey humour. It’s dark, but not heavy; witty, but not flippant. And the humour? Chef's kiss. Genuinely made me laugh out loud more than once.

The writing is sharp, the characters feel real (I need more of that narcissistic cat), and the balance of creepy tension with warmth is just so well done. This felt like cozy fantasy got drunk on hemlock and started muttering secrets in a locked garden.

If you like clever women, morally complicated magic, and fairytales with teeth - highly recommend.
Also, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

T Kingfisher really is a master of using fairytales as a starting point for unique stories. Hemlock and Silver has Snow White as its seed, but this is not the story we know. The protagonist of this novel is original character Anja, a merchant's daughter in her thirties who spends her days researching and attempting to cure poisons.

The book begins with a visit from the king, who engages Anja to investigate his daughter's mysterious illness in case she is being poisoned. This leads to Anja's entire life being disrupted as she is escorted under armed guard to a palace with no guarantee that there is even any poison involved. The King's twelve-year-old daughter, Snow, suffers from debilitating bouts of sickness but seems convinced that Anja will not be able to help her.

I really enjoyed this book. T Kingfisher excels at writing female viewpoint characters with strong and distinct personalities, and I liked that Anja is old enough to have settled into the life she has chosen through following her genuine passion for poisons. The non-humans in this book do rather steal their scenes - as ever, T Kingfisher writes brilliant animals and creatures and I would have loved to see more of the cat. The supporting human characters are also great, particularly the previous king's mistress, who now lives in the palace and occasionally dispenses wisdom. Anja herself is an imperfect but very relatable heroine, who speaks and acts rashly but also worries about the consequences of her actions.

While there are Snow White motifs - bewitched apples, magic mirrors and an evil queen - this is not a straight retelling and this book does not follow the structure of the fairy tale. It is an original fantasy novel with a fairytale flavour. Hemlock and Silver is beautifully written, and I highly recommend reading it.

Thank you to the publishers for providing a free copy. This review is left voluntarily.

As per usual I loved this book, I think T. Kingfisher is slowly becoming one of my auto buy authors.
In this story we follow Anja a “healer” who gets called to court to figure out what is wrong with Snow, the princess. There however she faces a lot of challenges especially since the poison is not common and it seems to be related to magical mirrors. Alongside a guard and a talking and sassy cat, Anja will have to figure out a solution before it’s too late for Snow.
This was equally cozy but also with a very interesting plot line. I liked how Snow White was retold here since I’m not a big fan of retellings. The characters as per usual I loved especially his graciousness. Both Anja and Javier were so awkward but relatable for me so I loved following their story. Overall a really solid read.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Got to give this a strong 5 stars. T Kingfisher makes old stories seem fresh and brand new, makes the unbelievable believable, builds worlds with unspeakable horrors and breathtaking wonders and creates characters you root for all the way. She can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned, if she rewrote an old telephone directory she'd make it fresh and exciting. In Hemlock and silver we meet Anja a healer specialising in the study of poisons called by the king of her realm to help discern if his daughter Snow, is being poisoned. Along with a wonderful Motley crew of palace guards, servants and a talking cat, she enters a mirror world to help the young princess. loosely based on the fairy tale of Rose red and Snow white, my ONLY slight niggle is that we are introduced to Anya as she complains about her ageing bones aching and bemoans her old maid status making me envision her as a 50 or even 60 something woman until it transpires she is actually 35!! Hmm.

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.