Spinning Silver

It was lovely to read this story. Yes, some parts of it were convoluted and abstruse but I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. I loved the characters, they all felt real and well-fleshed out. Although I didn't always agree with their choices, I understood them.

I loved reading a book with three female characters who were strong in different ways, who had been beaten down by life but refused to just accept what the world thought was their due. I loved all three characters but I must admit to liking Wanda the most. The power of her 'NO' is something of beauty. Also, I loved the idea that if you proclaimed something to be true and when challenged did it 3 times, then you would possess that power. And then also, it was interesting how none of the characters including the tsar, was truly free. I ended up appreciating his character a lot. He who had been sold to this horrible thing from birth in order to appease his mother's aims of advancement. And then yet still, we had to pause to consider, what may she also have been fleeing in her life to make the bargain that she did? I liked this book because after reading it I was left considering the power of bargaining and all the ways big and small that we betray other people and ourselves in order to gain an easier, simple life. But also, the ways in which sometimes, we can put our own needs aside and simply fight for what's right even when it imperils us greatly. I loved the book and by the end hated none of the characters. Not even the Staryk King. They were all flawed characters who were trying to eke out a little enjoyment from an otherwise bleak existence. .

While I primarily read romance, I would have thoroughly enjoyed the book without any of the little romance it contained. In fact, I was a bit troubled by one of the romantic pairings as I didn't believe that relationship was based on mutual respect and regard. I understand the Staryk King because he and his people did to the Lithvians what Irina was willing to do to them and I still loved her anyway. However, I am ambivalent about his relationship with Miryem. I felt that he was unfeeling and condescending in the beginning with little respect for her personal autonomy. While their relationship may have changed during their 6 months together, the readers didn't get to see much of it. Also, there were no proper reparations nor apologies made for all the harm the Staryk had done. But I guess I wasn't mad that Irina made no apologies for possible harming the winter people. So I guess, I don't really know. I have complex feelings about their relationship and I would have liked the book more easily if their relationship wasn't a part of it. Still, that was one tiny aspect of an otherwise great book. And ultimately I feel like that lack of black and white is why I liked the book. For better or worse, I can't stop thinking about it.