CW: mentions of cannibalism, pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, mention of death by torture, domestic abuse

This is only my second book by the author but once I finished reading Paladin’s Grace, I decided not only that I needed to finish that series but also anything the author writes. This one just happened to be her latest and though the premise sounded a bit too creepy for my taste, I just had to give it a try. And wow what a ride this turned out to be.

This fantasy is definitely unlike anything I’ve ever read and I was definitely expecting something unique from the author, but this was way above my expectations. The author just throws us in the middle of a very creepy situation where we don’t know what’s happening and then goes back and forth to set the buildup for that creepy beginning. But the best part of the book is that the author manages to drastically change the tone of the narrative from creepy to sad to slice of life to happy to adventurous to high stakes, and it’s all done so brilliantly that we never find it difficult to navigate. The writing also has this way of being subtle but packing a punch and all the emotions come out at very unexpected times, so it’s a very unpredictable reading experience but that’s what makes this so much fun. The pacing is also perfect, taking its time at the smaller moments and moving faster at crucial sequences, making for a very immersive read and the mood as well as setting changes also work perfectly. Another most surprising part are the settings themselves - there is a blighted land, there are cannibals, saints, a goblin market, fair folk, magical godmothers, creepy catacombs - we never get the why of any of them; they all exist and are part of this world and we just get to go along with the author’s quirky imagination.

But I also think it’s the themes the author incorporates here that makes this such an impactful story. There’s a lot of indirect and direct commentary on the status of women in the society, how they are constrained by the roles they have been assigned, and how difficult it is to get out of them. The domestic abuse depicted isn’t shown in any graphic detail but the implication of it is very stark in the silences, the helplessness a wife can feel when her husband is an abusive man with lots of power is laid out for us in a way that scares us, and through our main character we realize that the only way out of that helplessness is for someone to decide enough is enough, and do something to help out the victim. Every single character here is in someway feeling constrained by what they think they are allowed to do, and only when they try to help out each other are they able to get out of the rut and find their freedom. Even when the story feels horrific and dark, it’s the hope and kindness that keeps us going.

And the embodiment of that kindness first and foremost is our main character Marra. She is the third princess of a small kingdom but politics and diplomacy is not her cup of tea. She finds more fulfillment when she is sent to a nunnery and spends many years there working on her weaving and embroidery, as well as helping women during pregnancy and childbirth. This also gives her a unique perspective on the kinds of issues women face in society, and motivates her to do something about saving her sister from her abusive marriage. I also liked how the religious order she is a part of was very practical about helping out and doing the required things, rather than just preaching faith.

Once she starts on her journey to save her sister, she collects people (and some not people) to help her out and they all become this very quirky found family which is amazing. First is the necromancer dust wife (and she doesn’t need another name) who gets exasperated with the conviction of Marra and can’t help but go along with her. Following them are a bone dog and a demon possessed chicken and just don’t ask me why they are there… you just get attached to them and it’s inevitable and there’s no need to know what their purpose is. Next we get a warrior called Fenris who is still guilty about his past actions and is happy to have a new purpose in his life. While the dust wife is more on the grumpy side, Fenris is a good man who is very considerate about Marra’s boundaries and concerns and they make for a good team. I really liked their low key friendship and it’s potential for more. And the final piece of this found family is Agnes, Marra’s godmother who always blesses every child with health but is hiding so much more. She is the perfect example of someone saying no to their destiny and choosing decency and I loved her. She definitely adds some cheer to the somber proceedings.

We also have many other side characters who make small appearances but everyone is quite memorable. Marra’s mother is a queen and she will do whatever is required to ensure the safety of her people, even if it makes her daughters unhappy and unsafe. Marra’s sister Kania has strength of her own, surviving with what means are available to her, waiting for the day she’ll get the opportunity to get out of her situation. We also have the Northern Kingdom’s very old godmother who has mysterious powers and I really liked the little glimpses we got of her story. All of them together make this story very very uniquely memorable.

In conclusion, this is a book I didn’t know I needed, but I’m so glad I picked it up. This is the kind of fantasy I’m excited to explore - subverts tropes and fairytale expectations, is very thematic but in a way that’s very organic to the story, a very unlikely cast of characters who will slowly grow on you, a perfect blend of dark and creepy and optimism, and overall a story that sucks you in and never lets you go. What I got from it was that we should all try to help someone out in anyway that we can and be kind, and maybe we’ll find our own happiness that way. I deeply enjoyed it and this cements my conviction to read more of the author’s works soon. And I already feel like I’m gonna have a very tough time coming up with my favorites list at the end of the year, but this will surely be one among them.

What would you do to save your sister? For Marra, the youngest princess from a small kingdom, the answer is complicated. Sent on an impossible quest by a dust witch, Marra must build a dog of bones
, sew a cloak of nettles
, and capture moonlight in a jar. Challenging for a convent-raised princess, yet Marra remembers her sister's pain and anguish and somehow, she makes do. Nettle and Bone is a dark fairytale, perfect for fans Juliet Marillier and Holly Black.

I can say for certain that T.Kingfisher is one of my favorite authors, I will be getting everything they buy. This book was wonderful, I couldn't put it down but I did have to get some sleep. I think my favorite character has to be the gravewitch and the fairy godmother, they made me laugh out loud at points. Then there is Bonedog which he had my heart and now I really want a bonedog. I also had the audio of this book, and I highly recommend to get it as you follow along with the physical book. I can't wait to read more from T.Kingfisher.

Thank you Netgalley, Tor Books and Macmillan Audio for letting me read and review Nettle & Bone.

Nettle & Bone is the first novel I've read by T. Kingfisher – but I can tell you right now that I'm adding every other book of hers to my TBR list. I loved this one so much. Please make the time to read Nettle & Bone; you won't regret it!

Marra is the third daughter – the third princess. That offered her some level of protection, though it forced her to watch her two eldest sisters handed off to the same abusive prince. Now Marra is done sitting back by the sidelines. She's going to find a way to stop him. No matter the cost.

Her only hope is the help of a grave witch. Tasked with three impossible things, Marra keeps moving forward with her quest, determined to find a way to shatter the protection surrounding the prince and his kingdom. It's the only way to save her sister.

Nothing is fair, except that we try to make it so. That's the point of humans, maybe, to fix things the gods haven't managed.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Nothing could have prepared me for Nettle & Bone; that much is certain. This book blew me out of the water – and I want more. I am ranking Nettle & Bone on my top ten list for 2022 (so far); it is THAT good.

First, let's talk about the world. It is complex, magical, dark, and fascinating. There were times when it felt like we were hopping from one world to the next, as each location is vastly different. Honestly, I would give anything to go back and explore some of those areas (and their citizens) in more detail.

The characters are a delight. Marra is a bold lead that brought readers many unexpected twists in her journey. Naturally, I also adored Bone Dog and the other characters that come into play (I'm trying to avoid naming them to avoid spoilers).

There were so many parts of Nettle & Bone that made me happy. Or upset and concerned. In other words, this book got me fully emotionally invested in the story. Frankly, I'm amazed at how much T. Kingfisher was able to fit in a mere 256 pages.

Long story short, Nettle & Bone is incredible. Go read it.

Undoubtedly my favorite book fo the year so far. I started it earlier this month, read a few pages and was like hmmm I don’t know if this will be for me. But then @simoneandherbooks read it and talked about how much she loved if, so I tried again, and thank goodness for that. It’s very weird and very funny and so very heartfelt. It’s also short! I loved the crew that Marra picks up along the way to rescue her sister — they’re all such fun, unique characters, and they form the best group. I can’t wait to get my preordered copy, and I actually bought another T. Kingfisher book as well because she has a heft backlist, and I can’t wait to get into it!

Thank you, T. Kingfisher, and thank you, publisher, for the delight that this book turned out to be. Funnily enough, there was a week in my life when I loved two NetGalley books featuring a strong likable female protagonist bringing bones to life!

I loved this book.
What a lovely thing, protagonists that are 30-ish, not 16, still being able to be awkward and vulnerable and hopeful and able to fall in love.
What a delight, their witty banter.
What magical creatures and places.

Right after this book, I read another of Kingfisher's novels, Swordheart, another story featuring the elements above. Loved that one too :)

This is a wonderfully imaginative little story, perfect for adult readers missing the extravagance of childhood fairy tales. In traditional fairy tale fashion, Kingfisher weaves a dark tale where the stakes are high and the answers are improbable, if not impossible. And thus our lovable and colorful cast of characters sets out on a quest to find various things and accomplish certain tasks to prevent The Bad Thing from happening. I realize my descriptions make it sound terribly formulaic, but I promise that I only mean it in the best way. All the hallmarks of a fairy tale are present, but amplified and much more mature for an adult audience.

This book is relatively short and moves on at a quick pace. It works perfectly that way, but I would have gladly spent more time with these characters as they traipsed around their exciting magical world. If the author ever returned to this place or these characters, I'd be first in line for a copy. Two copies, if I knew it had Bonedog.

I'm very glad I got to experience this book. I know I'll be chasing the childlike feeling of wide-eyed wonder this book provided for a long time to come.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by T. Kingfisher, so I wasn’t sure what to expect; but the tag line sold me - “This isn't the kind of fairytale where the princess marries a prince. It’s the one where she kills him.” I mean how could it not immediately be interested?! I wasn’t disappointed! It was a wonderfully crafted creepy fairytale inspired story. The middle did drag a bit for me, but not enough to lose interest. I became quite fond of bonedog, how could you not?

I think this is the first time I have read a horror fairytale book and it was so good! This isn't a true scary horror book, but there are pieces that make this book fall into that realm.

I love the witty humor along with the amusing characters. These elements really make this book fun to read.

This is the second book I have read by T. Kingfisher and I cannot wait to read her next book. They are very entertaining and they are a quick read.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

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Nettle and Bone was so good! I loved the magical elements and the rag tag team of characters. It was like a fairy tale, but dark and a little horrific where being a princess wasn’t something to be envied.
So far, the author is a huge hit for me and I really enjoy her writing. I highly recommend this one and I flew through it!

Absolute perfection. It grabs you from the first line, and doesn't let go the whole way through. It has that signature T. Kingfisher combination of horror leavened with unexpected humor (see, e.g., demon chickens), along with really thoughtful insights into the human condition. Beautifully written.

I’ve loved all of Kingfisher’s books, and this one didn’t disappoint. Her books always seem original, even when they are playing on well-worn tropes, as this one does. Kingfisher blends really dark topics with humor and sarcasm in a way I always enjoy, just as she blends fantasy with modern-day realism.

In Nettle & Bone, Marra is the youngest of three sisters who is trying to free one sister from marriage with an abusive and murderous prince. The book begins mysteriously, with Marra in a strange land populated by cannibals, digging in a pile of bones. Then she somehow wires together a dog out of those bones, and we go back in time to learn who she is and why she’s there. She’d been packed off to a convent so she couldn’t get in the way of her sister giving birth to the kingdom’s heir – but finds she has much more freedom and room to grow in the convent. When she realizes how much her sister is suffering, she sets out on a nearly impossible quest. To begin, she’ll need to complete three magical tasks…

Kingfisher’s book is atmospheric and dark while also subverting many of the tropes of fairy tales. She writes about women not having control over their bodies (she “felt a stab of envy for anyone who could go through life so unconcerned about possible physical violence”).

There are some terrifying but memorable elements to this book, like the one where they meet a curse-child: a woman who is controlled by a wooden puppet who yanks on a cord around her throat. (If I’m the only one with a fear of marionettes who come to life and control you with strings, this won’t bother anyone else. But I’m betting I’m not.)

I appreciated that Marra is an older character. She spent her first 15 years in a privileged household, then spent the next 15 years in a convent. She’s strong and determined, though fairly sheltered. She has no interest in love and even less in having children.

If you like fantasy and fairy tales, there’s nothing not to like in this book. You get fairy godmothers, a captured knight, a witch who communicates with the dead, an underground labyrinth, and a chicken possessed by a demon. You get a band of misfits who grow to depend on each other. You get curses and journeys and hidden clues. All of it told in Kingfisher’s unique style.

Note: I received an advanced review copy of this book from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan – Tor/Forge. This book published April 26, 2022.

"Magic never seemed to be much use at doing the things you wanted done in a reasonable time frame."

Nettle & Bone starts in an incredibly dark place, but it wasn't long before I was rooting for Marra and her ragtag group of friends.

I read this right after House of Salt and Sorrows, so I was in the perfect mindset for a creepy fairy tale - it can be difficult to get a handle on the tone here, though. Sometimes deeply horrific, often darkly humorous, Nettle & Bone walks a fine line between a traditional fairy tale and a ghost story. In the end, it's a story about a group of friends and their journey to kill a prince.

"'How did you get a demon in your chicken?'
'The usual way. Couldn't put it in the rooster. That's how you get basilisks.'"

Each of these characters is multi-faceted and fascinating; they have their roles to play, both in this world and on this mission, or as they all said many times:
"it's a fool's errand and we'll probably all die."
At times they may appear a little simplistic, but I attributed this more to the fairy tale type of storytelling than to any limitation of the writing.

I really enjoyed Nettle & Bone. Dark and surprising, the narrative transported me to a fantastical world where I could never be sure what would happen next. With all the hallmarks of a traditional fairy tale - one of the original ones that are nice and creepy - I appreciated the dark humour and enchanting storyline.

I have been on a bit of a T. Kingfisher roll lately and I’m really enjoying it. The other books I have read been more of the horror variety but I liked them so much I decided to dip my toes into the fantasy pool of Nettle & Bone.

I am not really a fantasy reader but I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic tale. Kingfisher has a way of creating quirky and unique characters that grab the reader and immediately pulls them into their world. Although it starts out a bit on the slow side, this atmospheric fairy tale slowly drew me into it’s world and enthralled me so that I could not put it down.

My two favorite things about this novel are-
a) Kingfisher’s wit. She manages to slide her wry humor in at the most unexpected places and that keeps the reader off balance and on their toes so as to not miss a bit of it
b) I loved that this was a modern fairy tale. No knight on a white horse to save the princess, but rather a devoted sister, a bone dog and demon chicken among others.

This book is both light and dark with flashes of humor amidst the eerie darkness. It enticed and enchanted me and I think I just might try some more fantasy novels. Thank you to @netgalley and @torbooks for an arc in exchange for a review.

3.5 stars

A fascinatingly fun take on a handful of fairytales. Admittedly though, I did struggle with the way the author chose to open this story which was not at the beginning of the tale but in the middle of a rather bizarre scene. I feel like the author was trying to draw readers in with all of the questions this scene posed, but it almost had the opposite effect on me and if I hadn't already been a fan of Kingfisher I'm not sure I would've been able to stick with it. Once the story comes full circle and the character's beginnings are explained, I was captivated. Thoroughly enjoyable, although it did oftentimes feel like a protracted short story.

This is one quest I would have joined; A half nun, former knight, fairy godmother, a dust-wife, joined by a bone dog and a chicken possessed by a demon! What could possibly go wrong?

You guys, I adored this book. From the opening sentences this magical, dark twisted, fantasy took hold of me and wouldn't let go. I grew so fond of each character and was invested in their outcome! I was on this quest with them, you can't convince me otherwise!

Marra loves her sisters, one lost her life to the prince and then the other was delivered into his clutches. Realizing there is no hero to swoop in, Marra decides she will be the hero her sister needs. On her journey she ends up with a unique set of people that will help her accomplish her goal; kill the prince.

If you like quirky, creative writing and slightly twisted tales, like The Princess Bride, then you'll not want to miss this one!

Thank you so much to Tor for the gifted arc copy! I will treasure it!

This book is interesting piece to read. Main character - strong-minded with kinda tendency to overthinking and being too emotional sometimes. Bit of fairy tale, bit of fantasy, generally nicely written story with this 'something' in it to keep you reading and find out what Marra will do in certain situations to reach her goal. I enjoyed reading it.

A hearty hello to one of my new favorite books. Seriously, Nettle & Bone was the EASIEST FIVE STAR RATING I'VE GIVEN ALL YEAR!!! I absolutely adored this story from the very first moments. T. Kingfisher positively swept me up into the humorous, enchanting fantasy quest of my dreams.

Nettle & Bone follows Princess Marra of the Harbor Kingdom on a quest to save her sister. Marra is the third-born daughter in her family. The first born was married to a particular Prince. It didn't end well. Now the second-born daughter, Kania, is married to that very same Prince and Marra suspects that he is hurting her. Vorling, the Prince in question, has his sights set on a male heir. If this second sister can't produce one for him, guess who is next in line?

Marra! This isn't her main concern though. I mean, yes, that would be absolutely terrible. This guy is basically Joffrey Baratheon reborn. Regardless, Marra's only concern is getting Kania out of danger. She is literally willing to do anything in order to free her, including commit murder.

Unsure how to even begin, Marra enlists the help of a Dust Wife. I won't go into what exactly a Dust Wife is, just trust, this one is one of the coolest characters ever written! The Dust Wife asks Marra to complete three impossible tasks and then she will help her. Before long, the two set off on the road to the Northern Kingdom, along with the Dust Wife's hen, who happens to be possessed by a demon.

Thus it begins, the most perfect quest. They gather traveling companions along the way, such as a former, and arguably sexy, knight, as well as a Fairy Godmother. It's safe to say that I love this story with the same passion, and frankly, for the same reasons, that I love The Princess Bride. Kingfisher is delivering all the classic Fantasy Quest tropes I adore, while glazing the entire tale with a healthy layer of humor.

Additionally, I enjoyed how she was able to mix real-life themes into this story. For example, partner abuse, which we all know is very real, the way that was explored in this fantastical setting was quite interesting. As I mentioned earlier, from the very start I was hooked on this story. Previously, I have only picked up Horror stories from Kingfisher, but this proves her talents know no bounds. She crushes any genre she writes in.

I am so happy to have found a new book to add to my all-time Favorites list. I will definitely be picking up a hard copy of this and rereading it at some point in the near future. As an aside, I did listen to the audiobook and highly recommend that format. The narration was fantastic and kept me dialed in the entire way through.

Thank you so very much to the publisher, Tor and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copies to read and review. It was such an enjoyable reading experience and the good news is, this isn't it from Kingfisher in 2022. I'm so excited to check out What Moves the Dead very soon!!

Truly one of the best books I've read so far this year. Impeccably written, darkly funny, and full of great characgers.

Somehow I seem to have missed out on T. Kingfisher. She’s a fairly popular and pretty universally beloved fantasy author. And yet…here I am, I think reading my first book from her! And, spoiler alert, I really did myself a disservice by waiting this long to read her books! You can likely look forward to seeing her name crop up quite a bit from here on out.

Marra has been the lucky princess. The one to escape the confining life of a princess to grow up at a convent, largely unknown and allowed to become a grown woman free of the trappings of royalty. But while she has been afforded this quiet life, she’s watched her sisters suffer at the hands of a cruel prince. When it becomes clear that her sister’s life is teetering at the brink of her husband’s rage, Marra knows that only she is willing to risk the wrath of the prince and his kingdom to save her. And so she sets out on a perilous quest to find the power to overcome a man protected by a powerful godmother’s gift. Along the way, she picks up a ragtag troupe of fellow outsiders. Together, can they save Marra’s sister?

Oh man, I loved this book. It was everything I love about fantasy fiction. The story has a very fairytale vibe, especially in the first half of the book when Marra is attempting to complete three magical tasks to gain the aide of a powerful gravewitch. The fantasy elements included were all unique but grounded in fantasy traditions that are familiar and oddly comforting. Godmothers with curses and blessing. Goblin markets with capricious deals. And animal companions of the most bizarre sort. We have both a possessed chicken and a dog made of bones! And man, who would have thought you could get so attached to a bone dog? Tears may have been shed (but in a good way).

I also loved the way the story was told. In the first bit of the book, the story jumps between Marra’s current quest and brief glimpses of her growing up. In this way, we’re immediately grounded in the high action of Marra’s current storyline, but we are also quickly filled in on her character, life history, and motivations through these flash backs. The second half follows a more straight-forward arc, but by that time, we fully understand the stakes involved and have come to know Marra more fully. From there, the action is fast and fun. There are numerous smaller conflicts, all touching on unique magical elements, before we get to the big confrontation at the end. And there, the story definitely goes about solving this challenge in a surprising way.

Marra was such a great main character. She was strong, funny, and determined to do what she can for her sister. Her task is almost impossible from the start. And we see as the story unfolds that she is successful purely due to sheer stubbornness and the insistence that if know one else will act, even if she’s not the best person for the job, she will do it herself. There’s also a very sweet, slow-burn romance that develops in the second half of the story. For me, this was the perfect balance of a smattering of romance alongside the more central rescue story at its heart.

I also really loved the writing style. It was lyrical and descriptive when painting the magical scenes and elements, fast-paced and exciting during the action scenes, and surprisingly funny throughout the entire thing. So many of the side characters are quirky and hilarious, and there were a number of entertaining observations about people and life sprinkled throughout the book.

This book is definitely not trying to be literary fantasy or any complicated epic. Instead, it feels completely comfortable for what it is: a fun, sweet fairytale. And I think it’s important to not see it as anything lesser for that fact. There’s a tendency to dismiss these more simple, straight-forward fantasies as somehow not as worthy of acclaim as massive tomes of epic fantasy or magical realism that leans heavily on commentary of human existence. But these fantasy stories have just as much value. And I will give this the ten rating I think it deserves simply because it feels like the best of what these kinds of books can be.

Rating 10: A perfect mixture of romance, comedy, action, and tragedy with unique magical elements sprinkled throughout.