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quintopus's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I liked this a lot. The way magic works is very engaging. It behaved very much as a means to an end, not just for the characters but also for the story itself, in a way I haven't seen all that often. I liked the characters too, including the main one for all she stays very insecure even until the end. Her growth is quiet, but she is more than she believes herself to be and that is obvious to her companions and the reader if not to herself. The rest of the cast is a delight. All of them are familiar character types but charming and wise in their own way. The story moves fast and there isn't a lot of time wasted at any point. It feels like a wild mixture of different fairytale tropes, drenched in all the horror and hope that the Grimm-Märchen also hold. It's much more concerned with the fates of women though. And that's as relieving as it is refreshing. Solid recommendation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Cannibalism, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
prosenheim's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion, Cannibalism, Child death, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
sarahholliday's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
What a way to start off 2024! I'm thrilled that I opened up this story on a whim—it happened to be on Kindle Unlimited and I needed a new book to read before going to sleep. I've wanted to read T. Kingfisher's work for a while, now, and I after finishing Nettle & Bone I can't wait to dive into her backlist!
I can see why this won the Hugo for best novel last year—it just feels like a perfect book. It doesn't get caught up in the minutia of the story. If you like to have every corner of a world explored and explained, or all the facets of a magic system laid out for you, I don't know that this is the book for you. I personally love when an author exercises restraint and editorial prerogative when it comes to deciding what they'll reveal to readers. It requires trust in their vision of the story—they tell us what we need to know and nothing more.
Instead of getting caught up in the details of how exactly Marra brings Bonedog to life or THE THING WITH THE INNKEEPER MY GOD, we're allowed to focus on the gradual, quiet ways Marra grows. Her movement from willful isolation to deep-seated connection, from fear and shame around what she hasn't done to confidence in her accomplishments. Along the way we get to enjoy the wit and wisdom of the dust-wife and Agnes, as well as the steady presence of Fenris. I loved that we got to watch his sense of duty and honor evolve as he traveled with the women and discovered a renewed interest in life.
The levity and brightness of the story are punctuated with moments of genuine horror and brutality, which helps the entire story feel balanced. Overall, this was just such a pleasurable reading experience.
I can see why this won the Hugo for best novel last year—it just feels like a perfect book. It doesn't get caught up in the minutia of the story. If you like to have every corner of a world explored and explained, or all the facets of a magic system laid out for you, I don't know that this is the book for you. I personally love when an author exercises restraint and editorial prerogative when it comes to deciding what they'll reveal to readers. It requires trust in their vision of the story—they tell us what we need to know and nothing more.
Instead of getting caught up in the details of how exactly Marra brings Bonedog to life or THE THING WITH THE INNKEEPER MY GOD, we're allowed to focus on the gradual, quiet ways Marra grows. Her movement from willful isolation to deep-seated connection, from fear and shame around what she hasn't done to confidence in her accomplishments. Along the way we get to enjoy the wit and wisdom of the dust-wife and Agnes, as well as the steady presence of Fenris. I loved that we got to watch his sense of duty and honor evolve as he traveled with the women and discovered a renewed interest in life.
The levity and brightness of the story are punctuated with moments of genuine horror and brutality, which helps the entire story feel balanced. Overall, this was just such a pleasurable reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy, Murder, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Cannibalism and Abortion
uranaishi's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Murder, Grief, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Abortion, Blood, Slavery, Violence, Confinement, Dementia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, and War
wyszomirska's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Would recommend for younger audiences (YA).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Animal death, Gore, Domestic abuse, and Death
Minor: Abortion
0ivy0's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Nettle and Bone is a dark, whimsical, gothic yet cosy fairytale, with some of the most unique and lovable characters I have encountered. It's very much more about the journey than the climax, yet the climax did not disappoint.
30 year old Marra embarks on a quest to save her sister from an evil prince. She encounters three impossible tasks and has the help of a grave witch, a demon chicken, a bonedog, a man they freed from the goblin market and a fairy godmother.
We start part way through Marra's journey, which was slightly confused but in a way that inspired curiosity and made the book itself more unique, before going back to see how it all started.
The world-building was done seamlessly without an exposition-dump, however I wasn't 100% sure what the setting was truly like. I wonder if it would have benefited from a map for visualising the borders of territories and to map the journey.
The book contains great characterisation and every character felt unique both within the book and within the fantasy genre.
Our lead, Marra, is 30 years old, emotional and somewhat naive - sometimes she felt too immature and at times I was confused by her age and timeline for flash backs. We experience the story through narration with the addition of Marra's thoughts in italics, which helps the reader understand her better. Marra is the youngest of three princesses, however she would rather be a nun than to be percoeved as such. Her queen mother puts the people and peace above her kin - however this was explored.
As exoected from a dark fairytale, Nettle and Bone is well-written, though not always as visceral as it could be, with whimsical creatures - a bone dog and a chicken with a demon in it!
It seemed to me that the book had a theme of understanding people and their actions, that they are doing the best with what they are given as well as exploring response to trauma e.g. "this is happening, and I am a part of it, but that is all".
The prose was beautifully written and easy to read whilst remaining complex and romantic. There is exploration of heavy topics, especially towards the beginning, including DA and child loss.
There was definitely more emphasis on the journey and those you pick up along the way rather than the action/climax. Despite this, the climax was well-written and hit well which is surprising to me as I am usually bored by a climax (as they are generally predictable).
The ending was perfect, the plot was tied together beautifully in a bittersweet way.
My only disappointment was that I was told this book contained representation for chronic pain and, although Marra damages her hand, it is not explored enough in her thoughts or plot to be representative for me.
Overall, Nettle and Bone had a fantastic balance of charm, humour, and whimsy vs the darker themes and descriptions. The characters were well-written and unique and the plot both sorrowful but uplifting. I loved this book.
30 year old Marra embarks on a quest to save her sister from an evil prince. She encounters three impossible tasks and has the help of a grave witch, a demon chicken, a bonedog, a man they freed from the goblin market and a fairy godmother.
We start part way through Marra's journey, which was slightly confused but in a way that inspired curiosity and made the book itself more unique, before going back to see how it all started.
The world-building was done seamlessly without an exposition-dump, however I wasn't 100% sure what the setting was truly like. I wonder if it would have benefited from a map for visualising the borders of territories and to map the journey.
The book contains great characterisation and every character felt unique both within the book and within the fantasy genre.
Our lead, Marra, is 30 years old, emotional and somewhat naive - sometimes she felt too immature and at times I was confused by her age and timeline for flash backs. We experience the story through narration with the addition of Marra's thoughts in italics, which helps the reader understand her better. Marra is the youngest of three princesses, however she would rather be a nun than to be percoeved as such. Her queen mother puts the people and peace above her kin - however this was explored.
As exoected from a dark fairytale, Nettle and Bone is well-written, though not always as visceral as it could be, with whimsical creatures - a bone dog and a chicken with a demon in it!
It seemed to me that the book had a theme of understanding people and their actions, that they are doing the best with what they are given as well as exploring response to trauma e.g. "this is happening, and I am a part of it, but that is all".
The prose was beautifully written and easy to read whilst remaining complex and romantic. There is exploration of heavy topics, especially towards the beginning, including DA and child loss.
There was definitely more emphasis on the journey and those you pick up along the way rather than the action/climax. Despite this, the climax was well-written and hit well which is surprising to me as I am usually bored by a climax (as they are generally predictable).
The ending was perfect, the plot was tied together beautifully in a bittersweet way.
My only disappointment was that I was told this book contained representation for chronic pain and, although Marra damages her hand, it is not explored enough in her thoughts or plot to be representative for me.
Overall, Nettle and Bone had a fantastic balance of charm, humour, and whimsy vs the darker themes and descriptions. The characters were well-written and unique and the plot both sorrowful but uplifting. I loved this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Domestic abuse, Child death, and Pregnancy
fraeyalise's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
This book was incredibly hard to read at the beginning, especially having a baby recently, and having a relatively traumatic pregnancy.
It's so, so dark at the beginning. I almost put it down, I was in such horror and despair.
But it does get better, and I am glad I kept going.It is all okay in the end.
It's so, so dark at the beginning. I almost put it down, I was in such horror and despair.
But it does get better, and I am glad I kept going.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Pregnancy
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Child death
Minor: Abortion and Child abuse
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!
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
zsabella's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.75
it’s nice to read a fantasy story where the core relationship portrays sisters with its entire range of love and hate, and doesn’t center on a conventionally brave and capable protagonist. you really feel for marra (who is barely recognized as royalty and more of a nun-in-training) who’s as deeply unsure of herself as we are of her. we follow all the lows throughout her journey as she gets flustered, easily discouraged, and exhausted and yet is still driven enough to take on every obstacle thrown her way all for the sake of her sisters. I adored the character relationships and the wholesome team dynamic that supported marra as our atypical heroine.
I love when a story like this immediately reminds me how fun and satisfying a quest storyline can be! for a novel less than 300 pages, this captures the same adult, fairytale-esque energy I’ve been looking for since reading neil gaiman’s stardust years ago. nettle and bone is my first t. kingfisher read (of likely many!), and I have to applaud her for striking a great balance between being lighthearted and emotional. 100% recommend for anyone looking for an entertaining yet cozy fantasy read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Death
Minor: Abortion, Cannibalism, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
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