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A review by niftynaturalist
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was such a delight to read. It covers some hard topics, so pay attention to the content warnings, but most things weren’t graphic or explicit.
While telling a completely fresh and original narrative, this book holds on to the tone and energy of traditional fairy tales. Marra, the youngest princess of a small kingdom trying to avoid being taken over, sets off to free her older sister of a terrible and cruel husband and picks up a real cast of characters along the way, including the dust-wife, a warrior, and a godmother who is not entirely what she seems. To do so, she must complete seemingly impossible tasks and travel to faraway lands. Each character is flawed but beautifully well rounded and complex. T. Kingfisher does an excellent job of weaving a tale that constantly keeps you engaged and wondering what’s next, and wraps up with a satisfying (if a bit open) ending.
I enjoyed every moment of this book, the heartbreaking and the hopeful. If you are someone who enjoys fairy tales and fairy tale retellings, you will love this book.
While telling a completely fresh and original narrative, this book holds on to the tone and energy of traditional fairy tales. Marra, the youngest princess of a small kingdom trying to avoid being taken over, sets off to free her older sister of a terrible and cruel husband and picks up a real cast of characters along the way, including the dust-wife, a warrior, and a godmother who is not entirely what she seems. To do so, she must complete seemingly impossible tasks and travel to faraway lands. Each character is flawed but beautifully well rounded and complex. T. Kingfisher does an excellent job of weaving a tale that constantly keeps you engaged and wondering what’s next, and wraps up with a satisfying (if a bit open) ending.
I enjoyed every moment of this book, the heartbreaking and the hopeful. If you are someone who enjoys fairy tales and fairy tale retellings, you will love this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Cannibalism
One thing that is more graphic has to do with teeth; there is a short scene where the MC has a tooth magically removed and feels her teeth “dancing” in their sockets.