Oct 9

Oct 9 Nettle & Bone

Author: T. Kingfisher
Publisher: Tor Books
Goodreads | The StoryGraph

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Note: Content and trigger warnings are provided for those who need them at the bottom of this page. If you don’t need them and don’t want to risk spoilers, don’t scroll past the full review.

Cover Description

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

TL;DR Review

Nettle & Bone is a solid, fast, fun read — an utterly delightful snack of a fantasy novel. I highly recommend if you’re looking for something quick and entertaining!

For you if: You like dark fairy tales (and the funny chicken from Moana).

Full Review

Nettle & Bone, finalist for the 2023 Hugo Award, is an utterly delightful snack of a fantasy novel.

Our main character is the youngest princess of a small kingdom named Marra. When we meet her, she’s assembling a magic dog out of bones in the middle of a cannibalistic wasteland, which is one of three “impossible tasks” she must complete in order to kill a prince. We flash back to learn why she wants to kill him, and then we move forward as she sets out with her companions: “the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon,” as the book jacket says.

While the dark, dramatic first half of the book doesn’t really match the road trip comedy of the second half (and the backdrop of cannibalism felt super random), that didn’t stop me from having a fantastic time reading this book. It takes a Grimm-style fairytale premise and tackles dark subject matter, but it also plays with tropes in a lighthearted and entertaining way. That alone makes this worth reading. Plus, the characters aren’t deep, but they are lovable (chicken possessed by a demon! need I say more?).

All in all, a solid, fast, fun read for anyone who likes fantasy and fairytales.