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The Summer War

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The Summer War

By: Naomi Novik
Narrated by: Ella Lynch
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

In this enchanting, poignant novella from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Spinning Silver and the Scholomance trilogy, a young witch who has inadvertently cursed her brother to live a life without love must find a way to undo her spell.

Celia discovers her talent for magic on the day her beloved oldest brother Argent leaves home. Furious at being left behind, she lashes out, not realising her childish, angry words will suddenly become imbued with the power of prophecy, dooming him to a life without love.

While Argent wanders the world, forced to seek only fame and glory instead of the love and belonging he truly desires, Celia attempts to undo the curse. Yet she cannot find the solution – until she learns the truth about the centuries-old war between her people and the summerlings, the immortal beings holding a relentless grudge against their mortal neighbours.

With the aid of her unwanted middle brother, Celia may be able to undo her eldest brother’s curse and heal the lands so long torn apart by the Summer War. But what price will she have to pay?

© Naomi Novik 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Dark Fantasy Epic Family Life Fantasy Genre Fiction War Magic Magic Users
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I always wait impatiently for Novik’s latest works - she is a master storyteller and this is another tale I will listen to on repeat

So good

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A short but delightful tale expertly told and performed perfectly. The vibe is very much like spinning silver.

A delightfully spun faerie tale

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The main plot is all right, but perhaps better as a short story rather than a novella. The MM romance part ruined it for me because it was confusing (especially the opening scene, it happened when Argent was 12?!?), unrelatable (hence made me feel no emotional engagement with the story) and annoying because it felt like another attempt at being politically correct and showing acceptance towards diversity, not original and flowing.
The narrator didn't help either. She tried to make it more dramatic by exaggerating the emotions and instead made it less emotionally engaging.

The first book by the author which I don't like.

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