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A Review of T. Kingfisher's "Hemlock and Silver" (audiobook)

What do I love best about T. Kingfisher? One, she retells fairy tales. Sure, a lot of people do that, but not in same way she does. She doesn't just "fracture" them or tell the story from a different perspective of a character you already know. She takes the kernel of the story and goes off in an entirely new direction with it. 

Take "Hemlock and Silver," for instance. From the title, you'd have no idea it was inspired by Snow White. There is, in fact, a character named Snow and another named Rose, and a mirror is definitely involved, and maybe there is a reference to a heart getting cut out. None of these tropes, however, appear in the way the reader expects. The story is told from a fresh, new perspective as well. Anja is a poisons expert who is called in by the king to diagnosis and hopefully cure what ails his daughter, Snow. I love that the main character is a woman who has spent her life perusing a passion rather than a man. She maybe thinks love is off the table at this point, but, really, who knows? 

The other thing I love about T. Kingfisher—or maybe this is more about the team who she surrounds herself with—is the narrators used for her audiobooks. I have never been disappointed by the voice or the character the voice actor creates. They always fit perfectly with the main character's thoughts, age, background, etc. Jennifer Pickens as Anja was no exception. I felt as if I was listening to Anja really tell her story rather than Pickens reading a text. 

I really can't ever wait for the next T. Kingfisher story to hit Libby, NetGalley, or wherever I can find them. They are entertaining, inventive, and always provide a happy ending worthy of a fairy tale. I recommend "Hemlock and Silver" to any reader who enjoys fantasy, fairy tales, and strong female leads. I received the audiobook from NetGalley. 

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