*4.5 stars* Thank you Netgalley for the arc. T. Kingfisher continues to thrive when it comes to atmosphere and witty banter. The characters were very flushed out and very fun. Even though this is a short book it packs a punch.

I always really enjoy the synopsis of T Kingfisher’s books but I struggle with the actual books and I think that potentially is because they mix dark themes and traumatic experiences with very light hearted or comedic tone and it misses the mark for me. I think for people who enjoy very traditional fairytales this would be ideal but I find myself wishing for it to go deeper into the darker aspects or to lighten the themes so the tone fits better.
I know this originated as a short story and I feel that format may have been better for me.

A bone dog, a demon chicken, a cursed puppet, and a thief wheel. These are just a few of the things you will encounter in Nettle and Bone.

I LOVED this story, and it was clearly a case of “right book wrong time” when I first tried to pick it up. When I came back to it, I was immediately sucked in to this world where Princes are evil, nuns can save the day, and the dead are a lot more angry than maybe they should be? Either way, this book was fantastic, immersive, and cozy all at once. Marra’s story is one that we can all relate to, with feelings of inadequacy, sometimes bumbling our way to the right path. I’m also here for a Fenris/Marra novel as well as a Godmother/Dust Witch novel!

This was such a unique take on a
Fairytale. Kind of gothic and dark. I liked the magic and the authors writing style. Throughly enjoyed read in one sitting and can’t wait to read more from this author. Would definitely recommend

“It's because you're too much alike. What did the abbess used to say? That our own flaws infuriate us in other people?”

I wanted to like this one more than I did but I never felt rooted in the world or the story. I may have to give the audiobook a try instead...

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So I requested this because I saw chicken possessed by a demon, set my expectations accordingly and went in for the ride. Ho lordie did I have fun with this! If you are looking for a fun, quirky, slightly dark fairytale vibes, I’d recommend starting here. I was so concerned at the initial section with Marra creating a bone dog… the dog’s already dead, the dog can’t die right?! (We’re all good).

I adored Marra’s strength and determination, the twist on the usual happily ever after and the fact that Marra is aware of the situation, understands the politics of the world and her families’ position and still chooses to do what’s right by the people. There were twists and turns and whimsical throughout. I loved the charming nature of this and how we got to take a look at the darker side of fairytales (mostly because if I end up in one, I will be the dark villain). I appreciate the length and don’t think it was too short, I just fell so in love with these characters I wanted to spend more time with them!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and the author, for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

The story begins with Marra, our protagonist creating a bone dog!! A bone dog!! that was the sweetest thing ever. As the story progresses we get to know more about Marra who is the youngest princess to a small kingdom destined to be at the mercy of the big empires surrounding it, always at the risk of invasion. She is sent away to a convent as a 15 year old, so as to live as a reserve to be the wife of the sadistic prince of the northern kingdom. But she is actually biding her time till she has to go and save her middle sister from the abusive hands of the same prince, who killed her eldest sister. Marra takes story in her own hands when she goes and seeks out the assistance of a dust-wife to KILL the prince. What follows is a poignant tale of a girl, barely loved now grown up into a woman, seeking to take her destiny into her own hands, to save her family, her kingdom while assembling the most unlikely group of people, and then falling in love and creating her own happy ending.

The story was brilliant, I loved the dark vibes, the goblins, the demon chicken, the fairy godmothers and the curses. It took me by surprise at various points with twists I didn't expect. The only disappointment was that for some reason, I thought it was YA. But I guess that's on me for thinking, just because the blurb said princess she is in her teens! The highlight of the story was obviously bone-dog and the demon chicken, you cannot change my mind.

TW: Domestic/ Physical/ Sexual Abuse (off page), Parental neglect, Loss of child, death, torture, childbirth

This is a story about about an impossible task… and there’s a bonedog!!!

I have nothing bad to say about this book. If you’re looking for something that is simultaneously spooky and whimsical- this is the book for you . It’s a horror fairytale, and it was so charming & unexpectedly lovely.

Thank you so much @netgalley @torbooks & @macmillan.audio for the e & audio editions. I loved this 🖤

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

Marra has been living in a convent for the last fifteen years of her life, waiting for the day she is needed to save her sister. The younger princess of a small kingdom, she has been kept in reserve as the wife of a wicked prince, who caused the death of her eldest sister, and is currently married to, and abusing, her middle sister. Enough is enough, and now Marra is strong enough to seek out the assistance of a gravewitch, and discover her own powers to stop the prince once and for all.

Well, I had really high hopes for this one, and am disappointed. First of all, I really thought this was YA, but it clearly isn't when the MC is in her thirties. I don't know if I've been looking at a different book or whatnot, but this was not what I was expecting. I liked the premise of the story, and the way that Marra definitely grew stronger the further into the book we got. However, I just was never really hooked. I could've put the book down a number of times and wouldn't really have been too fussed about returning to it if not to clear my NG backlog. The ending was worth pushing through, I guess, but I don't think I'll be returning to this author any time soon.

Marra is the youngest of three princesses from a small kingdom stuck between two larger powers that covet her kingdom's port access. To ensure the kindom's survival her parents marry her eldest sibling to the prince of the kingdom to the North. Tragedy ensues shortly thereafter and the eldest sister dies. No worries, the middle sister is quickly married off to the same prince! However, since she takes a while to conceive and no-one wants Marra to marry and birth a rival she is sent off to a convent. Typical for a quasi-medieval setting, but things in Marra's world are a bit different. When her middle sister finally gives birth, Marra is allowed to visit for the birth and celebrations but finds out that her sister is in an abusive relationship and will most likely be murdered the second she gives birth to a son and heir to the throne. Marra then decided that her sister's husband, the prince, needs to be removed from the equation.
To do this, Marra enlists the help of a dust-wife (a woman who can speak to and control the dead and tends to a cemetary) who has a demon-possessed chicken (yep) as a companion and a magical dog made from bones and wire. The dust-wife and Marra have a plan, but need to visit the land of the fae, where they pick up a soldier from another land who is running from a death sentence and wound up captured and enslaved, and finally, a fairy godmother who is a very sweet older woman who is only a good fairy godmother because she refuses to allow her magic to curse people.
The book is a cross between a twisted fairy tale and a fantasy travel adventure. Marra starts out as a rather naive child (around 15) but between the convent and the realization the danger her sister is in she grows up and gains more confidence in herself. As she says, she's not good at all the people and political stuff (I can relate) but she feels that she has no other option to save her sister. The highlight of the book is less Marra, and more the bone-dog, dust-wife, and fairy godmother. These characters have more life to them than the tradition princess and knight-type. Overall a good, somewhat dreamy meander through a fairy-tale-ish land.

Nettle and Bone is the first book I've read from Kingfisher and I thought this was a solid fairytale like story. I'm now very interested in reading more of her horror books. I'd recommend to anyone who likes a good quest, but doesn't want to read 10 books in a series. The only issue for me was it dragged in the middle at times, but it quickly picked up.

Sadly this book did not work for me. I felt like it was a little too storytale esqe and the story was being more told at me than with me. This made it really hard to connect or care much about the characters.

“Hate, like love, was apparently complicated.”

Nettle & Bone is very different from the books I normally read, but the synopsis had me intrigued and so I decided to give it a go. The book tells the story of princess Marra, a third daughter of the Harbor Kingdom, who is ready to avenge her older sisters, one dead and one being abused by a vicious prince. At first, Marra has to complete three seemingly impossible tasks for the dust-wife. The story continues with the continuation of Marra’s quest, where she, with a band of the most unlikely fellow travelers, including a fairy godmother, her Bonedog and a chicken possessed by a demon, sets out to save her sister.

I am having a hard time summarizing my feelings about this one, precisely because it is so different from what I would normally read. I am not sure this is my genre, but Kingfisher surely has a marvelous way with words. I loved the travelling/questing aspect, especially as the heroes in the story were such… antiheroes in a way. The dialogues in the book were witty, funny and quite strong altogether. I liked the fairytale aspects. I liked the idea of choosing your own path and standing up for what you believe is right. Not so much the horror-esque parts of the book.

T. Kingfisher just doesn't miss. Show me a miss? I'll wait.
Seriously though, all of her books are a delight, and I love that. she's often in the fairy tale or gothic realms. What more do you need?

This was my very first T. Kingfisher book and it will definitely not be my last. The story was wonderful as was the characters (I would die for the bone dog). Would love if Kingfisher would write more (longer) books about this world as it is so interesting and there’s a lot of stuff that could be explained more. I’m dying to know more about the Goblin Market and the other people trapped there like the knight was. Overall a wonderful read.

I finished the novel SO fast because it is everything I ever wanted in a Fantasy/Myth/Folklore/Fairtale kind of book. T. Kingfisher made every character feel like a real person I knew and their humorous touch me smirking and laughing in equal measure. Do not mistake it though, the details about putting the bone dog together are creepy and amazing. I talked this up to a friend by prefacing, "The Grimm Brother's wished they wrote folklore like THIS!"
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking drew me to T. Kingfisher and Nettle and Bone has made me a fan for life!
Her work is witty. blunt (in the best way), sarcastic, and a bit creepy when needed.

The book opens with Marra a princess and third daughter and our reluctant heroine, who is shy and convent raised taking on a near suicide mission to save her older (2nd) sister who is being abused by her husband, who likely killed his first wife, also their sister. She must make a nettle cloak, a dog from bones, and catch moonlight in a jar. When she does the impossible, the book shifts from Marra alone to a ragtag group of friends (including a chicken that's housing a demon!) going on a road trip to commit murder and save a sister. I cannot gush enough about how much I loved this book. I really hope there is more to come in this world. While the ending was satisfying, I felt it was open enough for more in the future. Five stars all around!!

I usually shy away from anything involving horror but T. Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon) does an amazing job of weaving it into fantasy, romance and humor for a thoroughly original blend that is impossible to put down. Make no mistake though; the creepy parts are very creepy.

The heroine is a Marra, a princess who has fled the intrigues of court life for a gentle life of weaving and gardening at a convent. Her much-loved elder sister was married to a powerful nearby prince and when she died, her second sister, not so much loved but still her sister, was given to him as a bride. At her niece's christening, Marra realizes her brother in law is a cruel, violent domestic tyrant and that her sister is in danger of losing her life...which would put Marra in the line of fire as wife no. 3. With a reanimated dog wired together of bones, a professional soldier rescued from the Goblin Market, a "dust wife" (necromancer) with a demon-haunted chicken, and a vague but powerful magical godmother, Marra hopes to kill a prince, rescuing her sister and perhaps liberating her own future. But how can this ragtag bunch succeed?

This book had everything I loved about fairytales as a kid, plus a rewriting of the gender roles and the addition of very complicated (and often - though not always - beautiful) female friendships. It was a delight to read, full of truly magical ideas; it made me laugh, it horrified me, I couldn't put it down. Just wonderful.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC I received. I didn't get to it in time, so this review is based on the final printed version of the book.

This is a gorgeous, gorgeous book. I love everything about it, from the cover to the plot to the demon chicken. I read the first bit and then put it down for a few days, because it's very very hot where I am right now, and it seemed more like a rainy day book. But then it had to go back to the library, so I had to sit down and finish it and I'm so glad I did. There's an abrupt plot shift as we go back to the beginning of Marra's story and find out how she ended up where she starts.

There's just something about the way Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon) writes that's magic and draws the reader in. I love how so many of her heroines are just ordinary people put in extraordinary circumstances, and spend a great deal of time confused about how they got there (see also Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking). I also love the humour sprinkled into an otherwise very dark fairytale.

I want to say so much more, but spoilers, so message me if you also love it and we can yell about it together.

TW (spoilers) for:

physical abuse (spoken about, not on-page), child death, extreme claustrophobia (message me if you need something more specific here - it's very late in the book and VERY spoilery).

I was really intrigued by Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher when I first heard of it. The first two lines of the blurb - "This isn't a fairytale where the princess marries a prince. It's one where she kills him." - hooked me right from the start. And it was so bloody good!

Marra is a princess of the Harbour Kingdom, a small and shabby kingdom, but one that has something the Northen and Southern Kingdoms want - the harbour. The Queen of the Harbour Kingdom has married off her daughter to Prince Vorling of the Northern Kingdom, to keep either Northern or Southern Kingdom attacking for the harbour. Marra has lived in a convent since she was 15, at the insistence of Vorling. He's obsessed with making sure that it's his child, his bloodline, that ends up on the Harbour Kingdom's throne, so his family has control of both kingdoms. So Marra is sent away to be kept chaste. But when the truth comes out that her eldest sister Damia, who married Vorling first, was actually killed by him, and that Vorling now hurts the middle sister he's now married, Kania, she is determined to do something about it. She has to kill the prince. There is no other way to save her sister. But she's not a very good princess, and she's barely a nun, and has no idea of what she can do. She seeks out the help of a dust wife, and it's not too long before a ragtag motley crew are making their way North to save Kania.

Nettle and Bone has a lot of fairy tale imagery and symbols; royalty, fairy godmothers, animals with more to them than meets the eye. But while there are glimpses of fairy tales, nods towards them, I really like how Kingfisher took any of our preconceived ideas and turned them on their head. This is not the fairy tales we have come to expect. In fact, it's something a lot closer to original fairy tales. It has a very dark underbelly. Because at it's heart is domestic violence. A prince who wants to control over everything, to whom women are property. His wife wanting to sit vigil over the death of her daughter brings about a terrible fury. Vorling is terrifying. He killed Damia, and he beats Kania to death. Marra can't sit with this knowledge and do nothing. But there's nothing she can really do. Until she hears of a powerful dust-wife, one who might be able to help.

But Nettle and Bone is also surprisingly light. It definitely has a number of very dark and horrifying moments, but it's also really very funny. It's not a simple case of Marra getting the help of the dust-wife and off they go. There ends up being a group of them; Marra, an awful princess and not-quite nun, a powerful dust-wife who only has power over the dead, a warrior from another kingdom, Fenris, whose honour has him seeking death for wrongdoing, Agnes, a fairy godmother with very little power - or so she'll have you believe, a bone dog brought to life by Marra during one of her three impossible tasks for the dust-wife, and a chicken with a demon in her. I absolutely adored the dust-wife - who never gives her name, but who Fenris calls Lady Fox - and Agnes. The dust-wife is grumpy, stern and forthright, and has some brilliant one-liners. Agnes is slightly doddering and sweet, wants to see the good in everyone, and can't stop talking. She's also incredibly funny and very endearing. Seeing both the dust-wife and Agnes bounce off each other is just comedy genius, and I adored them. Plus the chicken with the demon in her and Bonedog both have their own personalities, and bring their own laughs. Honestly, this group is wonderful!

But on paper, Nettle and Bone shouldn't be a book I enjoyed. I have never read a standalone fantasy I have loved until now. I do not get on at all with comedic fantasy, I tend to find the humour really grating, and would rather the author stopped making jokes. And I really do not like high fantasy stories that are stop-start, stop-start, because there's no real flow to them. Nettle and Bone is a wonderfully short (for a high fantasy, at 324 pages), but completely satisfying standalone high fantasy. It's bloody hilarious. And it managed to have flow despite the numerous times they had to stop on their journey, with the incredible friendship in this found family. Honestly, I absolutely adored it!

I really, really loved Nettle and Bone, and will soon be adding T. Kingfisher's other novels to my bookshelves. I'm really so excited to read more of her work. If you want a quick high fantasy that doesn't get bogged down in complex world building, and balances the dark with so much light, Nettle and Bones could be for you.