A review by mosaicheartsxx
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

you know, somehow this story read out to me like a cozy fairytale despite certain gore and garishness along the way. 

what I like most about the story is how we have a strong female protagonist. she stands her ground all for the sake of killing the prince
(who is certainly not THE man)
and I find that to be very, very admirable. going and surviving through thick and thin all for the sake of her goal. I strive to be as determined as her. and yes, she was also very pessimistic which I DO not like very much but considering her task I'll let it pass.

the diverse cast of characters is definitely a tip of the hat for me. never in my life did I think I would read about
a demon in a chicken.
what.

I love the creativity of the
catacombs
as well.
the use of the wheel-thief was AWESOME! I've never thought of such a concept in my life. I should've seen it coming with the warnings everywhere but somehow I missed it and I'm not complaining. The more surprised I was the better the surprise.  oh. and let's not forget about the inkeeper and that creepy puppet. i thought that was really spooky AND brilliant at the same time.


if there's something I wasn't on board at all was the
romance subplot. I don't see why one would portray a strong, determined woman to suddenly want a man she hasn't even known for a year! granted, there was nothing WRONG about fenris but that's the whole point. he was a very loyal, strong knight but which knight isn't in stories anyway? idk what's so special about him that warranted her attention. i wish the author would've kept it platonic. that they would all bethe best of friends to visit and remember fondly of. why do all female protagonist NEED a romance subplot and a man? i don't get that part. she can live just as happily without him at her side (like she does with the dust-wife and agnes) OR with him AT LEAST if she'd known him for 4-5 years imo.