Hemlock & Silver by T Kingfisher

Hemlock & Silver by T Kingfisher

Hemlock & Silver by T Kingfisher came out in August of 2025 and immediately went on my list of books to read. Just look at that cover, how could I say no? I had previously read Nettle & Bone and had really enjoyed the writing, so I couldn't wait to try another. Hemlock & Silver became a New York Times Bestseller and is an Amazon's Editors' Pick for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy. It deals with death, terminal illness, toxic relationships, vomit, kidnapping, grief, murder, gaslighting, and references of animal and child death.

Healer Anja doesn't really consider herself a healer, but that's what others refer to her as. In fact, she really doesn't know the first thing about healing someone from a common injury or illness. Don't come to her with your broken or runny nose, she doesn't have the faintest idea what to do with that. But if you've been poisoned, that's something she can handle. Anja's life is turned upside down when the king comes to her workroom and asks for her help. He believes that his elder daughter is being poisoned but no one can figure out how it's being done, what is being given, or who is poisoning her. Anja takes the job, nervous about failing and allowing the young princess to die, but one does not say no to a king.

I really loved this book. A protagonist that we are not used to seeing, Anja is a woman focused on her work. She's funny, especially when she's talking in her own head (which she nearly always is) and quirky in a "I keep a venomous snake not really as a pet but as a sort-of colleague" kind of way. Hemlock & Silver is a very loose retelling of the Snow White and Rose Red fairytale, and while sometimes Anja's analytical nature got a bit confusing, everything else was very easy to understand. I loved the writing, the characters (there's only a few), Anja's inner dialogue. The world building was great, especially for a standalone novel. I can't wait to read more by T Kingfisher.

I'm giving Hemlock & Silver by T Kingfisher 4.5 stars out of 5. There is no spice, and very little romance whatsoever. If you like fairytales, this may be the book for you.

For more from the author, check out her instagram @redwombatstudio

Pairs well with pickled radishes and not being pedantic about the terms "poisonous" and "venomous".

My favorite quotes:

"Up until the time I was six years old, our king had been a man named Bastian the Demon. It was not a title given out of affection."

"Of course he'd find me revolting. Sometimes I found myself revolting."

"'Windows are just glass and they manage to have another side.'"

Review of Nettle & Bone by T Kingfisher