Reviews tagging 'Infertility'

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

37 reviews

sarahbethhh's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

why so many chickens tho

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Child death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, and Death

twistykris's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A uniquely funny, scary, dark book that was a joy to read. This is NOT a cozy fantasy by any means. There are elements of cozy fantasy: found family, adventure, humor. But there is a lot of dark content and some mid-high stakes. Please check the trigger warnings.

The world-building was fantastic and it felt like every character was truly fleshed out. The dust-wife was just an absolutely grumpy gem that I adored and her demon chicken made me laugh out loud multiple times (though I wish we could have seen more of what the demon chicken could do and how she came to have a demon inside of her). Marra was a great character, though sometimes her self-doubt got to be a little grating; it felt like every chapter had her inner thoughts of "I can't do this, I'm making a mistake, this is a dumb idea, these people don't want to help me." I understand it to an extent, but it just felt whiny at times.

Not exactly a page-turner at certain points- some of the pacing was a little off for me and it felt like it jumped from plot point to plot point in a weird manner that I only realized later on that it's meant to read like a fairy tale (which makes sense, I feel silly for not recognizing it earlier). Overall a very enjoyable read!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Death, Miscarriage, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abortion, Child death, Grief, Infertility, Medical content, and Misogyny

Minor: Cannibalism and Injury/Injury detail

glitterdeww's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Nettle and Bone starts off in a dark landscape, quickly showing the determination and bravery of it's main character, Marra. But as the reader begins to understand the stakes of this quest, something surprising happens. From a point of seriousness, hardness, and just all of those aspects we associate with "Grimm" versions of fairy tales... hope begins to light it's way through the cracks. As I read this book I noted it slowly, thinking that maybe I was merely placing some positivity where I, as a reader, wanted it. But I believe this is both intentional and one of the core messages to this story. The story is actually funny, on purpose, and the humor and kindness come through when Marra's character needs it most. I was surprised how lovely I ended up finding this story. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy

Moderate: Infertility, Child death, and Domestic abuse

toastedoats42's review

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Violence, Chronic illness, Murder, Sexual assault, Torture, Child death, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Abortion, Miscarriage, and Physical abuse

Minor: Death of parent, Infertility, Medical content, Animal cruelty, and Medical trauma

kshertz's review

adventurous inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This story had me invested from the get go. An adventure in a fantasy land to save her family. The protagonist is amazing. The side characters are fantastic. You root for everyone. You want to see the takedown. The ending is satisfying. It’s everything I’d want in a fantasy novel. It’s YA so although I’d have requested smut, I know why it’s not there. A must read !

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Abandonment, Body horror, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Violence

wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Infidelity, Misogyny, Infertility, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Sexual content, Confinement, Death, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Vomit

microbemom's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, Physical abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Pregnancy

treehuggeranonymous's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book is centred around a protagonist in her 30s - all the main characters are middle aged or older - some significantly older. If nothing else, it's really refreshing to have a fantasy book that isn't about a teenager. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Pregnancy, Cannibalism, and Infertility

Does the dog die in this book?

yes, the dog dies twice but not permanently

cyanscrump's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was surprisingly precious after finishing it. I could really relate to the, "would a hero be doing laundry or splitting firewood when they are supposed to be doing hero things?!" It was an interesting look into who a person is at the core instead of the with assigned to them based on the things they do.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Infertility, Abortion, Child death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Miscarriage, and Death

Minor: Confinement

jodepi's review

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

Often called a cozy fantasy, it is definitely a nice story. But there are some darker themes. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Death, Infertility, and Miscarriage