Book Review: Hemlock & Silver

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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