NetGalley Buddy Readers discussion

This thread is for Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher for the beginning of August.
Anyone is welcome to join

Healer Anja regularly drinks poison.

Not to die, but to save—seeking cures for those everyone else has given up on.

But a summons from the King interrupts her quiet, herb-obsessed life. His daughter, Snow, is dying, and he hopes Anja’s unorthodox methods can save her.

Aided by a taciturn guard, a narcissistic cat, and a passion for the scientific method, Anja rushes to treat Snow, but nothing seems to work. That is, until she finds a secret world, hidden inside a magic mirror. This dark realm may hold the key to what is making Snow sick.

Or it might be the thing that kills them all.

I have the audio version of this book. Today I got through ch 5 (15%) of the audio.

(view spoiler)[I like Ajna. She is very matter-of-fact. I thought it was hilarious when she was being dragged to the dress maker and was signaling NOOOO! This is for sure a different kind of retelling of Snow White. I love retellings. (hide spoiler)]

I can't fit in reading today. I am very excited for this one. Thorn Hedge is a favorite book. I think I did get to 8% yesterday. I will chime in tonight!

I am going to be out of town for a couple days, so I probably won't get too far, though I should still have some book time :)

I read a little farther. I am at 20% now. (view spoiler)[ So she is on her way to see Snow. The King has summoned her a few times to talk. I like how level-headed Ajna is. She is quite passionate about her field of study, but holds her own when speaking to royalty. I like her as a character. (hide spoiler)]

I'm planning to start in the next few days so I may come crash your buddy read 😊😂🤣

Awesome Trisha!

I am at 40% now. (view spoiler)[Ajna is at the palace and has met Snow. So far she does not know what is causing the illness, but since this is a Snow White retelling, I am guessing it has something to do with the Queen. I like the King's "Aunt" too (I am not remembering her name right now). I love how matter of fact Ajna is and just talks about death by poison in front of Snow while her nanny gets all horrified, lol! (hide spoiler)]

I just finished ch 14 (52%) It is getting interesting!
(view spoiler)[Ajna discovered Snow's apples but we don't know who is giving them to her. But the most interesting development is Ajna's finding the mirror world. I am looking forward to seeing how this develops further! (hide spoiler)]

I am 64%
(view spoiler)[Ajna has been exploring the mirror world and Javier caught her coming out so she had to let him in on it. They found Snow's candy in the mirror world so they know she has traveled there as well. Ajna knows that she had actually seen Snow in the mirror - that would creep me out! I would definitely also cover all the mirrors! I love how Javier is just thinking all about how the mirror world could be used militarily. I wonder about the look of disgust that Ajna saw on Javier's face when she grabbed his hand in the mirror world. I feel like it wasn't directed at her like she thinks it was. (hide spoiler)]

I am 91% done - wow, this got a little darker than I expected!
(view spoiler)[I love the line Kingfisher is walking between fantasy and horror at this point with a perfect dash of humor to lighten it. Those hand creatures are so creepy! (I am forgetting what they are called right now). The scene with the Queen was also creepy. And her whole plan involves mirror people eating the hearts of their counterparts?!? Whoa. (hide spoiler)]

I'm currently out of town, so I'm starting later than I'd hoped but i'll jump in when I get home! oooh I can't wait!

sounds like it's good??

Yes I am enjoying it!

I finished. (view spoiler)[I thought this was a fun, though dark, retelling. Well, I guess the source material is kind of dark too, lol. I liked the mix of horror and fantasy with some humor. I really liked Ajna as a character. I was hoping that Lady Sorrel wasn't going to be "a bad guy" so I was pleased that even mirror-sorrel was helpful. I call this one another win for Kingfisher! (hide spoiler)]

Getting back to this now. So much has gone on. Looking forward to reading your spoilers after I make a little headway. :-)

I'm looking forward to your thoughts!

I love this! Talking cat!

Your Gloriuosness!

Katrisa wrote: "I just finished ch 14 (52%) It is getting interesting!
[spoilers removed]"

Yea, this is cool! I am still figuring out the mirror world. I think I am at about 60% right now. I am very much enjoying this retelling.,

finished. 5 stars!