Hemlock & Silver
by T. Kingfisher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Is there any mash-up of ideas Kingfisher can’t make awesome? I'm starting to wonder if she didn’t sacrifice her soul to a demon to have the ability to write such wonderful stories!
Hemlock & Silver is both alike, and different from what I’ve read from her before. Just as the story itself and magical set-up are like Snow White meets Alice in Wonderland; and yet unique in its own way. Between magical apples, poisons, mirrors, a queen’s daughter, and a main character who’s a healer but not a healer, Hemlock & Silver takes us on a wild romp. We have a sweet little love interest, whom is relevant though-out the story, but not the main focus, creating a nice balance of romance with critical fantasy elements. I wish many more of my favourite fantasy novels could strike this perfect ying and yang of horrific elements and soft romance. Kingfisher is truly a witch with her ability to integrate everything at just the right level to make it consumable for most readers. A tricky undertaking that she makes look easy.
Clever, unique, engaging, sweet, and featuring a feisty cat, and a pet snake (awh!). I couldn’t help but love every stage of this novel that brings us in fast and doesn’t waste much time getting to the point, and plot. Kingfisher secures her place as a top, must read author for me (again). She continues to please, amazing, wow, and entertain me in each of her (sometimes very different) novels.
Above all else the story of her adopted cat in the acknowledgements makes everything about this world bending story even better. I’ve always hated mirrors. I instinctively cover them up in hotel rooms, and have none outside of bathrooms in my home. Apparently I am on to something according to this story. I believe it, I really do. Mirrors are weird, creepy, fantastical, and ripe with opportunity. All of which Kingfisher takes and runs with in this stand alone must read fantasy.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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Stitching and reading; all on epic proportions. From giant projects and thick books to many works in progress and over 100 books read a year!
Monday, December 22, 2025
Friday, December 12, 2025
Book Review: The Incandescent
The Incandescent
by Emily Tesh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Easily a top read for the year. I love how genuine and messy this book is. Emily Tesh takes us on a journey of a magical world from the eyes of a school headmaster in her late 30s. And while I was a little insulted she refers to herself as old at times (I’m 43, lol) I get the concept here that this is not a main character who is 19 or 21. What a breath of fresh air!!
Our leading lady is in a ‘real job’ situation. She works, a lot; has people relying on her (students and teachers) and while she knows her life is perhaps odd (living on site at a boarding school) she actually loves it. As someone who is content with their place in the world, in an unglamorous life (according to many) I totally get this. We can’t all be Taylor Swift after all. The one thing that kind of brings this around to fantasy (besides the awesome, elaborate magic system) is that our MC is still super special as she is one of only a few people with her power in the world (le sigh). Yes I know we want to read about powerful special people. So I will forgive Tesh for falling into one trope area (lol).
We have queer characters (including a bisexual one who actually describes being bi perfectly!!!), quirky teenagers, magic, demons, a Hogwarts like school, and more than enough drama to go around. At the end of the day there is a ‘big bad’ to fight, a lot of magic tossed around, and more than enough teen and adult angst/love to share. This is a fantasy story you cannot miss out on if you like academia stories, dark demonic magic, a (frustrating at times) love story, and a twist you won’t likely guess until just before the reveal.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Easily a top read for the year. I love how genuine and messy this book is. Emily Tesh takes us on a journey of a magical world from the eyes of a school headmaster in her late 30s. And while I was a little insulted she refers to herself as old at times (I’m 43, lol) I get the concept here that this is not a main character who is 19 or 21. What a breath of fresh air!!
Our leading lady is in a ‘real job’ situation. She works, a lot; has people relying on her (students and teachers) and while she knows her life is perhaps odd (living on site at a boarding school) she actually loves it. As someone who is content with their place in the world, in an unglamorous life (according to many) I totally get this. We can’t all be Taylor Swift after all. The one thing that kind of brings this around to fantasy (besides the awesome, elaborate magic system) is that our MC is still super special as she is one of only a few people with her power in the world (le sigh). Yes I know we want to read about powerful special people. So I will forgive Tesh for falling into one trope area (lol).
We have queer characters (including a bisexual one who actually describes being bi perfectly!!!), quirky teenagers, magic, demons, a Hogwarts like school, and more than enough drama to go around. At the end of the day there is a ‘big bad’ to fight, a lot of magic tossed around, and more than enough teen and adult angst/love to share. This is a fantasy story you cannot miss out on if you like academia stories, dark demonic magic, a (frustrating at times) love story, and a twist you won’t likely guess until just before the reveal.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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