Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Nettle & Bone

Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

28 reviews

rainbowpizzastars's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

Pacing of the story is uneven, and the flashback split storytelling at the beginning seemed odd. Certain things also aren’t explained, that while perhaps not directly relevant to the story, left me wanting an explanation (trying to avoid spoilers here). Interesting story concept though and

I love Bonedog

. I think because the story is so character-driven that it got more enjoyable once there were more characters and their personalities.

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emeraldrina's review

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dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

If you feel like summoning dark magic to tear down a patriarchal society built on “women’s blood and women’s wombs”, then this my friend is the book for you! Really beautiful writing and characters, an empowering story of freeing women from society’s shackles, and a sweet love story on the side. Also an undead skeleton dog, can’t go wrong with those.

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mishshell's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

3.75

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eleonorehilbig's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny 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

4.0

this was a cute book.
the only real issue i had with it was the tone shift with it starting out quite grimly with lots of gory elements and then becoming a sort of lets go on an adventure with a bunch of people who dont seem to be who youd pick for that adventure. however i enjoyed it thoroughly especially the internal struggles of the mc and the topics that were discussed. all in all a great book.

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vel629vet's review

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

I adored this story. I saw a TikTok where it was described as ‘cozy fantasy adjacent’ and I would completely agree. Perfect spooky fall vibes with a very dark premise, but the story evolves into found family and a cozy quest. One of the more unique books I’ve read and I highly recommend!

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erebus53's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This is a book that has been on my radar for a while and I only just got around to it. I had expected a YA feel and was pleasantly impressed that it maintained that while also not over romanticising things. I would probably say it's as good as Hunger Games if not so epic. As a note, the narration is particularly well done, well enunciated and performed.

Big pluses for me include hardly any combat. There is conflict, and problem solving, and awkward conversation, but less cut-and-thrust. We have a fairytale vibe, of 3 impossible quests to start the mission, princesses being all betrothed about the place, a grandmother sage, fairy godmothers, and a demon-possessed chicken (utterly relatable). The star of the show is definitely Bonedog, an undead construct wired together of animated bone, inhabited by a simple pup who barely notices that he doesn't actually have anything left down there to lick.

When Marra realises that her sister is being physically abused by a cruel prince intent on putting an heir in her, she musters up the fortitude to leave the safety of her knitting in the convent, and quests together a party of friends intent on a bit of regicide. The whole story is woven with wry dialogue, wit and fae uncertainty.

Some of the things like the fairy market have some very visceral and unsettling moments. This creates a lot of the sense of immersion and tension that would normally be sword battles and boss fights in a more militant fantasy story. It sticks with me longer though. An encounter with a super-creepy haunted puppet, becomes a lesson about consent.

The male love interest is depicted as noble and honourable eye-candy. Unlike most YA novels this brewing romance is not a fluffy little thing. Coming from a place of mutual respect, probable mortal peril, and traumatic experiences, Marra and Fenris develop a relationship over the course of the book, and they take their sweet time coming to a point of mutual comfort with the idea.
Reminds me of that joke about being an adult; realising that the most "Grown Up drink" you can have is not coffee or booze, but water. (I notice that the old woman recognises Fenris as being a wolfish name, but otherwise it is not mentioned.)

Well worth a read if you are into fantasy stuff with strong female characters. Bits of this vibe with me along the lines of Neil Gaiman, Jim Henson, Studio Ghibli and the like. Glad I finally found myself a copy!

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