This method of storytelling allows for the readers to learn of the characters’ backgrounds and motivations while at the same time, read the events as they occur in real time. The narrative is told from the point-of-view of six characters: Miryem, Wanda, Irina, and three other characters that have close ties to the three female protagonists.

However, no one can avoid the Staryk or their goal. At the same time, they and the rest of the kingdom are all trying to avoid any confrontation with the Staryk: magical humanoids with silver hair and silver eyes who have an affinity with ice, snow, and anything related to winter. The plot is simple: three women from different socioeconomic (and religious) backgrounds are trying to make the best of their current situation and live up to their families’ expectations. Martin! Once again, we are pulled into a world where magic and talent are desired and have consequences. And no, this will NOT remind you of George R.R. This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin takes place in the same universe as Uprooted (2015)-according to Novik herself-only this time we get a battle between the elements of fire and ice. The Staryk always wanted gold (Chapter 5).

My father sat down at the table and covered his face, but I knew it was my own fault, talking in the deep woods, in a sleigh driving over the snow, about turning silver to gold. And then my mother drew a sharp breath and looked at me and said, low, “They want you to turn it into gold.” I couldn’t think why they had left it, yet there it was on our table, shining like a message we couldn’t understand.

So we knew that the Staryk had not given us a purse of silver to be kind. PLEASE NOTE: The following contains spoilers from this novel. Genre: Fantasy/Folklore/Fairy Tale Retellings

Spinning silver