If you're a fan of T. Kingfisher, I can say "this is exquisitely T. Kingfisher" and know that you'll run for a copy of this book. (Fair warning: book does include reference to family violence, and an abusive partner.)

If you're not already... maybe you're a fan of Angela Slatter? Kingfisher's books remind me of her work too.

What does that mean?

They're both doing fascinating things with fairy tales... except not really fairy tales, because they're not always familiar stories, but it's the vibe of fairy tales - fairy tale logic - fairy tale expectations and narrative structures. And I don't mean Disney versions, I mean grim/m and sometimes gritty and meaty and fully embedded in the world, where not everything is lovely and wonderful but sometimes they are, and sometimes by force of personality you can make a change in the world and sometimes you just have to roll with the world's punches.

I loved this book a lot.

There's a princess who doesn't especially want to be and who is really sure that she's good at it, and a bone dog, and two godmothers, and a dust-wife. Also a quest and a heavy dose of gritted-teeth determination and a good level of snark, generally dished out by old ladies, which is of course the best sort. It goes at a good pace - not so fast as to leave you spinning, but you're also not just sitting around always admiring flowers. I read this quickly and it felt just right.

This book keeps Kingfisher as one of those novelists whose work I just read pretty much automatically. I mean, it includes such gems as: "My dog trusts me... My dog is witless and also dead" and also this, addressed to a chicken: "I know you aren't broody, demon, but you're going to make an exception or so help me...".

Definitely should go on your to-read shelf.

Nettle & Bone is a fun, tender-hearted fantasy about a woman (and princess) named Marra. She is given three impossible tasks to save her sister and her kingdom. Task one: make a cloak of nettle; task two: make a dog of bones; task three: capture the moon in a clay jar. Marra is able to overcome these tasks because nothing will stand in her way to depose the harsh and cruel Prince Vorling, her sister's husband and abuser, from his throne.

When I first opened the book, the dedication is for chickens everywhere. I knew I was going to like this book. Marra is joined in her quest with a dust=wife, a woman who speaks to the dead, her fairy godmother, a demonic chicken, a dog made of bones, and a disgraced knight. This is perfect for fans of fantasy; it reminded me of the Princess Bride.

**Thank you to Netgalley, Tor, and T. Kingfisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. **

Like the tasks set before her main character Marra, T. Kingfisher does the impossible with Nettle and Bone by weaving together a wholly original fairytale that kidnaps the reader and drags them along on the most delightful journey to kill a prince. If you love stories involving middle-aged princesses, bone dogs, godmothers, goblin markets, and demon chickens, then you are going to love this book.

Featuring a cast of loveable characters, beautiful prose and storytelling, and a magical plot line, do yourself a favor and cancel your plans, brew yourself a cup of tea, curl up with your favorite companion, and read this book. You can thank me later. As for me, everyone I know will be hearing about this one for a long time.

Marra has never been much of anything. The third-born daughter of a small kingdom parked between two larger kingdoms, she has seen her two older sisters married off, one after the other, to a wicked prince. Something has to be done to stop the cycle, but what can Marra do? She’s not particularly courageous or bright or witty, but she’s determined to do something. And so she seeks out a dust-witch, and is given three impossible tasks to complete.

Marra no longer had much faith in fate. She had been born a princess, which should have been lucky, but the price for never going hungry was to be caught in a struggle between people too powerful to call to justice.

This was incredible.

At first, though, the beginning was incredibly confusing and weird because it plops you right in the middle of the story, during task two. But after the dust settles and the bones are set, it gets right to the point, covers the backstory and boom, I was on my merry way reading this book that felt like a fairy tale while very much being its own thing—and also providing rather insightful critiques into fairy tales and fairy tale politics.

I have never read a T Kingfisher book, despite having many of her works on my tbr (and my kindle) for longer than I care to admit. This is more shameful than I care to admit, because I have followed her on Twitter for years (highly recommend, also because her mutuals and their online discussions are hilarious).

I don’t want to give too much away because this is one where I feel that reading it without expectations or summary (beyond the initial, somewhat misgiving blurb) heightens the magic.

“If I’m in a fairy tale, I might actually have a chance.”

“Fairy tales,” said the dust-witch heavily, “are very hard on bystanders. Particularly old women. I’d rather not dance myself to death in iron shoes, if it’s all the same to you.”

Anywho, I did love how the story warps and weaves, spinning through various fairy tales that feel familiar but are tweaked in several interesting ways. There is the “good but weak” fairy godmother, the “all-powerful wicked” fairy godmother, the witch, the knight, the prince charming who wasn’t, the princesses (including the princess in the tower and the third born princess), and the queen, and the curse wrapping them all into a storyline. There are loyal animal companions and ghosts. There is a quest, and then another quest. There are fairies and magic and promises and dead things that lurch and creep in the night.

It’s a story both dark and light, with a kind of dark humor that twists and spins and is hilarious in a oh shit everything is doomed and all we can do is laugh way that is also a well that’s a hilariously insightful way of critiquing fairy tales.

I’m purposefully talking around the plot itself, because, again, this is one that just needs to be experienced.

But the insights. The social commentary. The whole to what do we owe each other, if anything debate. The way trauma is handled, how privilege is examined, and how power (and its varying degrees) is depicted, along with right and wrong, obligation and need, womanhood and the patriarchy, and the fact that not everything is as cut and dry, black and white as we think, but woven together into increasingly complicated threads that tangle into knots instead of an elegant tapestry.

Anywho, my absolute favorite character is the dust-wife, mostly because I am partial to sarcastic, powerful old women who have lost all desire to flex and just want to get this shit over with already so they can go back home and manage their graveyard and chickens.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a book that is critical of fairy tales while also being a fairy tale, to those who are yearning for nostalgia while also wanting something new, and to anyone looking to dip their toes into Kingfisher’s written waters.

I highlighted so many quotations in this book because they just spoke to me, but I’ll leave with just one final quote.

But just because you need someone doesn’t mean they are under any obligation to provide.”

If you need me, I’ll be reading (heh, procrastinating) her very extensive backlist.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nettle & Bone releases April 26, 2022 from Tor Books.

My review will post on April 4, 2022.

I have a sixth sense for when a novel started out as a short story, and this was no exception. I was not surprised when I arrived at Kingfisher's author's note and learned that the first few chapters of the story once comprised a piece of short fiction that was retooled into a longer form tale. This story is BRIMMING with imagination, but Kingfisher's creativity doesn't quite make up for the reliance on over familiar archetypes and tropes later in the story. I feel like I could have copypasted both Marra and Fenris from other Kingfisher novels: the only characters who felt unique were the grumpy dust-wife and sweet natured, bumbling wicked godmother.

The beginning, in which Marra tackles her three tasks and rescues Fenris from the goblin market, and the middle section in which Marra and the gang explore a ghost-ridden tomb, were the most interesting story-wise. No other sections of the novel captured the same magic, and I was irritated by the plot points that were dropped in and abandoned without sufficient explanation (The blighted land of literal cannibals introduced at the outset set a VERY misleading tone, for example). I think Kingfisher thrives the most on clever details: bone dogs and evil puppets and demon infested chickens, which make the story fun and interesting, but in this instance did not manage to make me look past the awkward, psuedo-quirky dialogue, bland romantic undertones, and ill-established world-building.

There's nothing quite like a stand-alone fantasy novel in my opinion. It delivers all the magic with no strings attached. And Nettle and Bone does just that. In just 250 pages, we meet a wild cast of characters collected by our main character to help complete a single task. In this case, to kill the king. No pressure.
I did have a hard time getting into the story and had to push through the first 50 pages or so, which is reflected in my rating, but once I did get into it I couldn't put it down. A story could have no plot whatsoever, but if it has fun characters I'm sold. And Nettle and Bone had both. I think this is going to be a story that a lot of people are going to really love, so add it to your TBRs now.

Nettle and Bone takes a basis of many fairy tale elements and builds a more modern story on top of it. It has unexpectedly witty and humerous narration and dialogue.

The style is enjoyable and easy to read, the pace is quick, and story plot-focused, which may help people who aren't even used to reading finish and enjoy it. But I also think this is its weakness. Character relationships is really where this book could shine and become unique, and it was lacking in that area. We have a very unique cast of characters whose personalities, besides maybe the main character, we could only get a small glimpse into.

This is my first T.Kingfisher book and I can say it will be the first of MANY. What a captivating, enchanting and clever world that has been created here. I just can't wait to read more.

What an absolutely fabulous book. This is the second T. Kingfisher novel I’ve read, and I have to say, I’ve fallen in love with her writing. Nettle & Bone was so original and unique. It felt natural and it was funny and it was both heartwarming and raw. It was such a cool spin on the idea of fairy tales and I just really really enjoyed this book! I can’t wait to own a physical copy!

T. Kingfisher's latest novel is the stuff of fairytales - a noble goal (to save her sister), three impossible tasks to earn the tools she needs, and terrible villains. I won't go too much into the details because really - you should just read it.

I loved this book. It was by turns creepy, relatable, heartwarming, odd and unexpected. The characters were interesting, the world was detailed and I could not help but be drawn in. I can't say I have read many stories like this - but I can't wait for more books from T. Kingfisher because I could not put this one down.

If the blurb intrigues you at all - pick it up and read it, it is absolutely worth it!

I chose to receive an e-ARC from NetGalley because of the picture and title. It intrigue me. This is such a well written story for all ages, with humour and gentle drama. Imagination and finding new stories and settings is so important for an author. At the end of the book T Kingfisher explains how the kernel of an idea developed into this wonderful story, full of characters that entertain. A story of determination against impossible odds, of finding the right people at the right time and the strength to accept who you are to be able to right the wrongs. Your have to read this book for the dog and chicken alone! But you will find so much more. Simply and sublimely written entertain fantasy.

I am torn on how to rate this.. This story was so atmospheric and creepy….. I found myself turning the lights on after reading. Sometimes having to read it during the day instead of my preferred nighttime reading. The story was so very unique and I was drawn into it immensely. The weird level is pretty high, however, leaving me feeling conflicted. I loved the quirky weirdness but also a part of it nagged at me.

Overall I would highly suggest picking this book up … it is strange but wonderfully strange.

This fantasy adventure novel hit all the right notes with its combination of dark fairytale, memorable characters, and humor woven throughout. Marra is the third princess of a small kingdom, and we first meet her in a pit of bones as she searches for the parts she needs to build a dog of bone. As her tale unfolds, we learn that her two older sisters were married off to an abusive prince of a neighboring kingdom (the first died and the second is now suffering terribly). Marra is on her second of three impossible tasks in order to win the tools to kill the prince. The story just gets better and better from there as she undertakes her quest along with two powerful elderly women, a disgraced knight, the utterly adorable bonedog that she brought to life, and a chicken possessed by a demon. I loved everything about this novel and I look forward to reading more of Kingfisher's work. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge Publishing for the digital review copy.

My first book by this author and I'm already keen to read more ! Our story starts perhaps a little oddly with a woman in a cursed land building a dog made out of bones but quickly pulls the reader in as we learn of Marra's past and exactly what has brought her to this point. It certainly gathers pace as she collects three people to help her save her sister and indeed ultimately herself from a heinous life. I will not offer spoilers or indeed clues as to what transpires but will say I got completely behind these assorted characters and thoroughly enjoyed this magical tale. My advice ? Read it !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

LOVED this! What a good general adventure with a truly worthy cause - getting someone out of an abusive relationship. Filled with unexpected humor and positively dripping with the macabre, I loved this from start to finish.

I loved this! T. Kingfisher does it again. It’s a fairy tale turned on its head. Instead of a princess being rescued by a prince, this is the tale of a princess who sets out to murder a prince.

We watch this naive girl uninterested in being a princess become a woman who gathers an unlikely group together to save her sister from a cruel husband. Bonus- she creates a great bone dog companion, too.

The incorporation of magic into the story was interesting. There were fairy godmothers, a goblin market, and captivating writing pulling it all together.

I couldn’t put this book down. I read it during commercials, while making dinner, during every spare second I had. I highly recommend it. It comes out April 26. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan/Tor-Forge, and Tor Books for my copy.

A royal hostage situation that has her older sister in mortal peril sends set-aside youngest daughter Marra (a woman happily in her 30's) out of the convent and into the world of witchcraft, subterfuge, and murder as she desperately schemes to free her family from the clutches of a foul prince. Marra and her recruited companions, who consist of an incredible graveyard witch and her demonic chicken, an aging knight, a friendly and mortally challenged dog, and a fairy godmother are incredibly fun characters to follow. This book reads like a dark fairy-tale, with light horror elements and twisty environments and worldbuilding that you'd want from a story like this, but with Kingfisher's signature spin on characterization and tension.

A very good read and an honestly incredible amount of worldbuilding and some stand out characters. Keep an eye on the dust-wife, as they quickly became one of my favorite characters of the year. A safe choice for fans of the author's previous books and definitely something that you'd want on your shelves.

I didn't exactly know what I was expecting when picking up this book but I had such a delightful reading experience.
I surprisingly really enjoyed the darker elements of a fairy tale retelling mixed with the almost cosy humour woven throughout.
This story has such strong and memorable characters with well written connections between them.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys classic grimm fairytale retellings with some hints of Baba Yaga.
4.5 stars

Possible Triggers:
Death | Physical Abuse

Summary:
This is an entirely new fairytale from T. Kingfisher that pulls from multiple aspects of classic fairy tales to make something all its own. It is not in the same setting as her ‘Clocktaur War’ or ‘The Saint of Steel’ Series. If it is in the same world, it's in a different area than we have visited before.

Characters:
The story is told from 1 point of view (Marra’s).

I don't think I particularly liked Marra. I really enjoyed the side characters that made up her adventuring group, most especially the other two ladies of the crew. Marra I found to be very frustrating at times- I think it was her lack of drive to GO. DO THE THING. NOW. WITH SPEED.

Positives:
+ Reads like a (not quite so violent) Grimm fairy tale. Basically instead of mutilation and murder think creepy and dark. Sure there is violence but there is also hope, which always seems to be missing in the older fairy tales. Unlikely Heroine, meets a group of unlikely accomplices, to go through various seemingly insurmountable tasks to save a loved one.
+ Dust-wives are probably one of my new favorite things. I would love to read stories entirely about them. All of my favorite parts of the story were because of the magic they possess.
+ More of T. Kingfishers’ trademark fantasy; with older main characters (in their 30’s and above), slow burn…feelings, awesome female characters that have strengths in non-traditional ways, and that eensie bit of dark twist somewhere.

Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed this story. I liked that we were getting to read a fairy tale that felt modern but still kept to the same kinds of feeling you get when you read the classics. If you enjoy T. Kingfisher’s other works, you will probably also enjoy this one. While I did have a good time with this read, I don't find this particular story super ground breaking or memorable. I would be interested in reading more stories in this setting, especially about the Dust-wives or Godmothers.

I loved Nettle & Bone so much!
This is the 3rd book I've read by T. Kingfisher and I can definitely say that they've definitely become a new favourite authour of mine!
I loved all the characters in this story and I really did love the dark fairytale vibes.
I highly recommend this book!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.