Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher
Standalone
Fantasy (Fairy Tales - Gothic - Quests - Ghosts)
Publication Date: April 26, 2022
TW: Domestic Abuse, Death

Marra, the youngest of three sisters, is sent away to a convent after the second sister marries her brother-in-law the Prince, following the death of the first sister. Marra discovers nefarious actions on the part of the Prince and sets out to gain the help of a Dust-Witch who can help her kill the Prince and free her sister and their kingdom.

This book has all the fantastic elements of a fairy tale with dark, gothic vibes. It contains a romance but one that is very mild and takes up no more than a few paragraphs. It is secondary to the main plot.

It’s a story of a Princess turned almost nun, a clan warrior freed from slavery, a dust-witch, a godmother, a demon chicken and a bone dog, who when listed like that don’t really make sense together but, their dynamic works. Each plays a part in the journey and has something to gain.

This was a fantastic and easy read. I think the author’s note wherein she talks about how she came up with the concept was almost as fascinating as the story itself.

Why is this my first T. Kingfisher novel?! This has me itching to read a Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, which has been on my TBR for far too long.

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

I had no idea what to expect going into Nettle & Bone, but this ended up being a fantastic fairy tale (like) story full of the darkness and wonder with a finale of hope that makes a good fairytale excellent.

Marra is the third daughter of the king of Harbor Kingdom, and she lives most of her life in a convent for Lady of Grackles after her eldest sister was married to prince of Northern Kingdom and came home, dead, so her middle sister had to take Damia’s place. While living in the convent, Marra helps Sister Apothecary with midwifery, and quickly realizes that her sister, Kania, is getting pregnant too often and only one baby had been born. When her niece dies of a fever, it’s at the funeral that she realizes her sister is being abused and decides to free her sister, and in order to do that she must kill the prince. What follows is an adventure of godmothers, dust-wives, a dog made of bones, and a warrior rescued from the goblin market.

This was a fascinating book and truly has so many elements I love in fairytale type stories, and does not shy away from being weird or uncomfortable. Nettle & Bone is compulsively readable and deeply enjoyable, and I definitely recommend it for folks fond of the darker side of the fairytale genre. I don’t want to give too much away, but this is unique and interesting and utterly compelling!

“But don’t get any ideas. We’re here for a straightforward regicide, not to level the city.”

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC!

I have to admit, this is my very first T. Kingfisher book, although I have heard many a good thing about this author in the past. Nettle & Bone did not disappoint in the slightest.

A fun, low-commitment novel coming in at about 240 pages- I have no idea how the author managed to capture such an adventure in such little time.

We have Marra, the not-quite-a-nun princess, hell bent on stopping an abusive prince from harming her sister. Supporting cast includes:

-reluctant dust-wife who REALLY didn't think Marra could accomplish the impossible tasks (hence the name of the tasks) and her demon chicken
-Bonedog, a dog of its own namesake
-A handsome disgraced ex-knight who at times seems just as pleasantly dense as Marra
-An adorable fairy godmother who may or may not suck at her job

Goblin markets, ghosts, demon puppets, asshole princes, curses, blessings-

All bundled up into a fast paced whimsical read.

I couldn't get enough!

4.5/5

Mara is born a princess but never felt comfortable in that role, so she's relieved when she's sent to a convent instead of forced to marry and possibly have children who would compete with her older sister's progeny for the throne. But when she discovers that her sister is being abused by the king, she decides to come out of the shadows. Aided by a sorceress who can command the dead, a quirky fairy godmother, an outcast knight, and a resurrected dog she created from bones, wire, and magic, Marra journeys to the city with an assassination plan. I really enjoyed this fantasy story; it's a bit dark but also funny and ultimately happy. The ending is satisfying and the oddball characters are so much fun to spend time with. There's even a demonic chicken who helps save the day!

Nettle and Bone is a wonderful dark, imaginative fairy tale about characters I want to be friends with.  I’ve read Kingfisher’s horror fiction before, but not her fantasy, so I didn’t know what to expect — and I absolutely loved this.

Nettle and Bone has one of my favourite fantasy tropes: found family.  The story follows a princess, a witch, a soldier, a godmother, a possessed chicken, and a dog made of bone who all set out to kill an evil prince to save Marra’s sister. Marra and her friends are each brave and smart in their own, non-flashy ways.  

Nettle and Bone feels fresh and imaginative, and in only 250 pages I feel like the author immersed me in enough lore for an entire series.  This world feels completely real and lived in.  The mythology developed is cool, unpredictable, and wise. Kingfisher plays with themes around the structure of fairy tales and the value of older, non-traditional heroes.

Although this is fantasy, not horror, I love that Nettle and Bone also embraced the creepiness of fairy tales.  There’s a puppet that will haunt my nightmares for sure, and a chase scene set in the catacombs beneath a castle that had me holding my breath.

I think this one will appeal to fans of Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver, Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series, and Melissa Albert’s Hazel Wood.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for my review copy of this book.

Nettle & Bone was such a fun and creepy little read. I had zero expectations when picking this up and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Kingfisher’s writing was wonderful to read and I really liked the fantasy world they created here.

I did have a tiny bit of a hard time getting situated during the first few chapters. The opening narrative was a little confusing for me, considering it was non-linear and a bit all over the place, but I managed to find my footing soon enough! The setting and world-building here was so much fun, if dark at times, and I really enjoyed how Kingfisher developed all of the magical elements throughout.

Mara was also a really interesting narrator. Her love for her sister was so touching and I loved how revenge tied into that and was basically the driving force behind the plot. The side characters, especially those with Mara, were so so so so good! I really loved how intriguing they all were and how much they enriched the novel; they were all so unique and obviously had something to contribute to the story. Bonedog was probably my favorite, but I also loved Lady Fox and Agnes.

The plot was well developed, though the first half moved a little slowly for me. The band getting together was an interesting journey to go through and I did have fun as Mara gathered everyone together, but I very much preferred the second half when they went about defeating the enemy. The way that came together and how that unraveled was incredible and the ending left me so satisfied I wanted to hug my ebook copy lol

A mythology in its own right. Kingfisher weaves haunting prose with striking imagery that leaves you at their feet begging for more. Absolutely stunning, bound to be a sensation.

"Fight for your Fairy Tale. It does exist." (Unknown)

T. Kingfisher never disappoints. She takes us on an enchanted journey into faraway kingdoms. Much turmoil is about. Kingfisher sees to it that the tale is justly complicated at exacting points and brightly glowing with color and intrigue in all the right places. Eyes wide open......

Marra is the youngest of the three princesses of the Harbor Kingdom. Her mother, the queen, has arranged marriages for the older two sisters to the Prince of the Northern Kingdom. Vorling is a cruel ruler who seems to have taken hostages instead of wives. His sight is set on an heir to the throne. It doesn't quite seem to be happening to his deep dismay.

In order to avoid the wrath of Vorling, the queen sends Marra to the convent of Our Lady of the Grackles for safe keeping. But Marra knows that she must do something to save her surviving sister, Kania. In a nun's attire, she takes to the road to find a dust-wife who will require three tasks from her in order to help.

Kingfisher pulls out all the stops from here on out. We'll travel through a goblin market that abides by fastidious rules. Marra will be accompanied by Bonedog which she erected from fall-away bones. There's also the dust-wife who balances her darkly feathered, demon-possessed chicken on her staff. An out-of-work godmother and an imprisoned knight will round out this crowd. Onward to save Kania from the vicious Vorling.

Kingfisher has a mind lined with the most creative and imaginative mirrors. She tells a tale like no other. There are always fine bits of humor and multi-faceted characters chasing well thought out actions and challenges. It's always the Land of Make Believe in adult size. Charming, inventive, and engaging, Nettle & Bone is a pure delight for all of us.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Tor/Forge Books and to the talented T. Kingfisher for the opportunity.

Thank you NetGalley, T. Kingfisher and Macmillan-Tor/Forge, for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc.

I loved this book so so much. It has a bone dog (wish I could make one of my own), magical godmothers, women who can raise the dead, and a sweet slow burn romance. I finished this one way too quickly and now feel ejected out of a world that I wish I could live in a little bit longer.

For a book that opens with cannibalism, this is nowhere near as dark as I was anticipating. I went into this relatively blind and I’ve only read a horror novella by Kingfisher before so I was expecting the same here. Nettle & Bone is truly best described as a dark fairy tale. She’s taken the bones of familiar fairy tales and created something so original. I really enjoyed this one! It’s under 300 pages so it’s a quick read and you definitely won’t want to put it down. Immersive and very well written. I love how the beginning drops us straight into the plot before backtracking to give us the background of Marta’s quest and what led to it. I’m a huge fan of a band of outcasts on a mission and this checked off all the boxes! Great banter, nicely developed characters (no easy feat for such a short book), and a very satisfying ending. Kingfisher is absolutely an auto-buy author for me and I cannot wait to purchase a copy of this when it’s released.

Favorite quote:

“Lots of people deserve to die,” said the dust-wife finally. “Not everybody deserves to be a killer.”

Nettle & Bone is not a retelling of any one fairytale, yet it feels like one: it's a blend of horror, adventure, the domestic and everything in between.

There's a godmother (two, actually), a prince, a quest. But there's also a bone-dog, goblin market, and city of the dead. Our hero is a little late to the journey, setting off at thirty after her innocent (perhaps juvenile) beliefs become incompatible with her sisters' violent reality at the hands of a neighboring prince.

Above all, the story feels balanced. Original, yet familiar. True to reality, while steeped in fairy tale lore. Whenever adventure/the domestic lingers, horror creeps right back in (you've been warned!)

Kingfisher balances the wholesome and horrifying on a knife's edge, and does so spectacularly. It's the best fantasy/horror I've read since Kingfisher's own Bryony and Roses. And if you liked Bryony and Roses, I strongly recommend Nettle & Bone!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So I have previously rated Kingfisher’s books three stars. And this one sounded <i>really</i> good to me. It had all the hallmarks of being a book that would keep my attention. As a note, this book has horror components as do most of Kingfisher’s works, but the horror in this book takes place in a fantasy world that is much like a fairy tale. Grimm fairy tales really. So, saying that, there are dark parts of this book, but they’re not terribly dark I would say. There are a few CW like domestic abuse, being buried in a coffin that might be triggers for some people.

I felt that this book was engaging, it made you keep wanting to turn the next page and find out what happens. It is very much an adventure story, but the framework to me feels like how fairy tales are formatted. Even some of the writing felt like that as well. It made the story work! But there were parts too where it turned fairy tale conventions upside down, and I thought that was well done as well.

I enjoyed the writing immensely, as well as all the characters in the book. Marra was such a great character, and I loved the way she looked at the world, and how she acted. I felt she was a well-rounded character that was likeable, as were the others. They all had distinct personalities that shone through and made the characters feel real.

I found that they were intriguing, and there were some good moments throughout the book, and humor woven in as well, despite the darkness of the tale.

Where this book really succeeded was the atmosphere. It was dark and it was creepy and it gave me the chills. I kept shivering through certain parts.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book! I think fans of retellings, dark fantasy, horror and fairy tales would probably enjoy this book!

This book is a terrific read! The author did an amazing job flushing out the characters and giving them each a unique voice. Not to mention that the fantasy world she created is so lush and complex. This aspect of the book makes me wish for more books by the author set in the same world. The dash of romance was also a very well done slow burn! I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Well, that was one of the most backward fairy-tales I've ever read. T. Kingfisher comes in and says, happily ever after doesn't also involve the princess and the prince!

Godmothers? Check. Royalty? Check. Blessing and curses, check and check. But those things we've always viewed as evil or bad in fairy tales are spun around and placed front and center--and not a Disney Villainess way either.

I loved this book quite a bit. Although, the epithet used throughout the book got a bit on my nerves. But Kingfisher's writing is engaging, her imagination is a place to be, and I find that she is increasingly moving toward the fandom that I reserve for Neil Gaiman, if I'm going to be honest. I can't wait for the next book of this series (if there is one, if there isn't ... why not?).

So why not five stars? Honestly, the book seemed too fast in areas. I needed to know more about specific areas that our main character found herself in. I also felt as if the journey could have been so much more filled with adventure. Also, the ending just came so quickly! Alas, perhaps there will be more of those things in the next book (again, because there needs to be a next one!).

Bluebeard clashes with fairy godmothers. A fun, independent team of castaways seeks to save a sister from harm without starting any wars.

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

Pros: light romance, fun magic, interesting world

Cons: some readers might be put off that certain matters are skirted over

Marra’s older sister is married to the prince of their larger neighbouring kingdom. After a death and some unpleasant revelations, Marra is determined to save her sister, like a hero in the stories she read as a child. But how does one become a hero, and how do you kill a prince?

The opening of this book grabbed me by the throat and immediately pulled me into its world. Though the plot has some unpleasant elements the book on the whole is surprisingly upbeat. I loved the subtle humour, especially when the romance thread entered.

Marra doesn’t do politics well, which is a problem for a princess. It was nice seeing her build a group of friends who helped with her quest. They’re a quirky bunch and a lot of fun to read about. I loved Kingfisher’s take on the godmother mythos.

The magic is never explained and appears in various guises. There’s a goblin market, a woman who can talk to the dead, and Marra is able to complete two impossible fairytale quests.

I needed a lighthearted read so I appreciated that the book glossed over the disturbing elements of child death and physical abuse. Some readers might be put off the fact that the author doesn’t show the full fallout of these impactful events. I had the impression Marra was supposed to be neurodivergent, and so she doesn’t pick up on things the way others do. As the point of view character, this colours how the reader sees the world as well.

I found the story quick moving and compelling. This is an uplifting book with an excellent wrap-up that leaves you feeling content with the world.

Marra was sent to a convent, and maybe that's why it took her years to realize that her brother-in-law killed on of her sisters and is abusing the other. And once she figured that out, she knows that she has to mount a rescue. With the help a gravewitch, a bone dog, a mysterious swordsman, a demon chicken and a godmother, Marra sets off to do the impossible... far too late to prevent harm but maybe in time to save at least one sister.

Why I started this book: Found Kingfisher with Minor Mage but fell in love with her writing in Paladin's Grace.

Why I finished it: Read it in a day, and loved it. I appreciate that Kingfisher doesn't skip the "boring parts." The parts of the story where the protagonist is learning, struggling and overwhelmed with the monumental tasks in front of them. And I love that Kingfisher emphasizes the need for friends and support. Plus, I love the wry acknowledgement that not everyone can save the world by themselves, but that we still have a duty to try and make it less miserable for those around us.

Grab a cup of tea and settle in because this is a book you can devour in one sitting!

Journey with Marra as she fights to save her family and kingdom while finding an unexpected family along the way. Marra, the youngest of three sisters, watches her older sisters suffer at the hands of a cruel prince. She soon realizes that no one is going to save her sister and takes matters into her own hands.

Along the way Marra is joined by a necromancer, a demon possessed chicken, a dog made of bones, a banished knight, and a fairy god mother. This found family is full of sarcastic quips and sweet moments that will keep you hooked.

I love the sinister twist on a classic fairytale in this story. The fantastical elements didn’t take away from the serious themes of the plot but there were lighthearted moments mixed in that made their mark.

This was my first introduction into T. Kingfisher and I will definitely be picking up more books as well as re-reading Nettle & Bone!

Thank you NetGalley and T. Kingfisher for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Beautiful. Just beautiful. This book had me giggling and snorting in so many places. I loved the adversion to the fairytale aspect. This had one of my all time favorite tropes, found family. This books had me invested in every page, every word. This is the second book I've read from this author and I loved both!

This one was so good! I picked it up solely because of the cover, but I ended up loving it so much. Plus, it was so much fun to read with its horror vibes. Perfect read for a cozy night

My favorite thing about this was definitely the found family. Agnes, Madam Fox, Bonedog, the demon hen, Fenris, and Marra were such a fun group. Their interactions had me cackling, and I was so attached to them. My personal FaceTime might have been Madam Fox/the dust-witch, her dry humor was everything I've ever wanted. They all worked so well together, and the way their family built was excellent.

I also really loved the romance! It wasn't a main point, but it was so adorable. It was a romance that made you go "awwwwww" constantly. It wasn't angsty, it wasn't full of drama. No, it was just sweet, and I loved it so much.

And the perversion of the fairy tales was so amazing. It was witchy and slightly horrific, but so much fun. It took the things we love (and hate) about fairytales, and flipped them so completely. I felt like I knew what was coming, but was still surprised by which form it took. I was in the mood for a darker, immersive read, and this one was perfect for that.

Finally, I really enjoyed Marra as a main character. She wasn't the typical feisty, driving, powerful MC we normally see. She was more simple and peaceful, doing it all for her family and not power. It was an interesting dynamic, and one I'm very interested in seeing more of.

Id definitely recommend this one! It was a fast read, but one that sucks you in so completely, and won't relinquish you from its grasp.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!