Spiderlight is a clever, dark twist on classic fantasy tropes, with Tchaikovsky’s signature intelligence and originality. While I enjoyed the ride, I personally prefer some of his other books—this one felt a bit more experimental. Still, it’s a sharp, fast-paced read with plenty to admire.

At first I didn't think I'd like this standalone novel from veteran fantasy author Tchaikovsky. There were multiple switches of viewpoint, often poorly signalled, which was confusing, and the characters seemed two-dimensional. But I stuck with it as there were also aspects that were good, and I was glad I did. By about a quarter of the way in things got much better. The viewpoint changes were easier to follow and the characters became deeper and much more interesting, and in the end I hugely enjoyed the book.

The story starts in a forest ruled by that beloved trope of fantasy writers - giant spiders. A bunch of questors on the side of the Light (with a capital L of course) are attacking the arachnids. Amongst the eight legged defenders is Nth (pronounced 'enth'), whose viewpoint we get first as he rushes to defend his mother. By the end of the chapter, the heroes have their weapon - a spider's tooth - and have blackmailed the spider queen into offering one of her children - Nth - as a guide. To disguise his true form, the magician in their company (naturally there is one) transforms Nth into a hideous near-human. The unlikely band set off across the land with the aim of defeating the Dark Lord Darvezian, encountering various perils and adventures along the way as you would expect, but also being forced to question what they think they know about 'Light' and 'Dark'.

The story unashamedly uses plenty of familiar fantasy tropes, but at its heart it is a lot cleverer and more subversive than I at first imagined, and I did not expect the ending at all. Nth is - surprisingly perhaps - a very sympathetic and likeable character, who retains a spider-like quality whilst also being relatable. As time goes on, I also became fond of most of the other questors, even the bombastic but socially inept wizard Penthos. I really loved the roguish thief Lief. The plot developed in a way I didn't foresee - despite the essential elements being familiar from every classic fantasy, the way they are delivered and the development of the characters and their thinking take it in different directions.

Tchaikovsky describes brilliantly how it might feel to be a spider, and then to be a spider in a human body and with human thoughts. The 'spidery' sections are really evocative - shudderingly so if you have degree of arachnophobia - but his depiction is not unsympathetic or designed to shock. From the very beginning as a reader you question why these creatures are 'Dark' when they are not essentially evil, simply animals obeying their nature and trying to survive and live their lives. And that is really the theme of the book, but you aren't bludgeoned with it - by the time the point is being made explicitly in the text, the reader has already had all those thoughts themselves. It's a good example of 'show don't tell'.

If you enjoy fantasy adventures, and want one that makes you think and is original without losing the classic tropes that we all love, this is a very good choice. If like me you aren't sure at the start, do stick with it, as the rest of it is well worth it.

Ever been in one of those doomed D&D adventures, where the fate of the world is in your hands, but you are not sure you are going to survive until the end? This is what Spiderlight felt like to me, which is just about perfect.

The prophercy was a tricky one, how to beat the Dark Lord that was threatening th good people of the land. The Church of Armes has finally brought forward a champion that has figured it out. Now with a group of adventurers ready to bave the dangers ahead, they head into the dark forrest to reach the spider queen. The Spiderway goes through her, but that means going through an army of spiders first.

I loved this book. The characters are brilliantly flawed, no one there for a good reason, not even the good guys. The twists and turns you do not see coming, and I love that. It is a book of epic fantasy that will keep you on your toes, as you watch the adventurers question their own morals the whole way through.

Typical Tchaikovsky, just making everything look amazing and easy.

Not actually a new novel, the indicia indicates that this was originally serialised back in 2013. Knowing that, it’s easy to spot in the shape of the book, which feels like a novelisation of several D&D sessions (albeit ones put together by a DM with a fondness for the philosophical conundrum alongside the stealing and the stabbing and the setting things on fire). It’s a quick and simple read, with a lot of good gags and with enough going on under the surface to raise questions around personhood and free will. Nothing groundbreaking, but a good diversion for a few hour

Spiderlight by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a sharp, subversive fantasy that plays with classic tropes while delivering a fast-paced, surprisingly thoughtful adventure. With a band of mismatched heroes, a reluctant spider-turned-human companion, and a quest that spirals into unexpected moral territory, the story is both witty and unsettling.

Tchaikovsky’s writing balances humor, darkness, and philosophical depth without slowing the pace. The character dynamics shine, especially as the lines between good and evil blur. Spiderlight is clever, compact, and memorable—a solid 4-star read that entertains while challenging the genre’s conventions.

Can Tchaikovsky do no wrong? I fell in love with his sci-fi books; I never read fantasy, but I like his writing so much that I thought I'd give it a go. I'm so glad I did.

Spiderlight does an amazing job of appearing as a fun fantasy adventure, only to come crashing down on you with a strong moral message. Have I been rooting for the right person? Am I aware of my own limitations?

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

The beauty of Spiderlight is that the author effortlessly gets you to root for the Dark-spider-transformed-into-a-human, rather than the humans which are on the side of Light but treat him like dirt and rush into battle against 'enemies' who haven't even done anything vaguely intimidating. To start with it feels like it's poking fun at the Good vs Evil fantasy trope in a satirical sort of way but it turns more serious and ends up as a fantasy story that dives deeply but gradually into themes like morality, hypocrisy, bias and righteousness.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Tor and NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.