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A review by steve_recs
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Serviceable writing delivers a straight-forward plot about a scheme to combat systemic abuse of power and the commoditization of women. Unfortunately, Nettle and Bone falters due to an ironic critical error. Though presented through her point of view, this is not Marra's story.
Fatal flaw: passive character, insubstantial worldbuilding
SPOILERS AHEAD
Marra does a bit of necromancy to reconstruct a dog with bones. Cool!
She shreds her hands crafting a cloak of nettles. Cool!
Those things don't serve a purpose for the rest of the story. Really?
She goes to a goblin market full of magical wonders. Cool!
She trades a tooth for a melodramatic himbo and a disguise for the dog that doesn't do anything. Hmmm.
Marra makes the cloak and the dog to convince a Dust Wife to kill her sister's abusive royal husband. After that, she contemplates the cruelty of patriarchy, thinks about how useless she is, and ogles the man. At one point, she attempts to resolve a conflict by invoking the respect of religious authority, but it's to no effect, and himbo knight steps in to save her.
The real stars of this story are the Dust Wife and Agnes, two old magic ladies who actually know how to get things done and thus do most of the things. Occasionally Sir Existential Crisis operates as a currency via labor to fund their excursion while Marra recalls how bad at doing anything she is.
Eventually, there's some forced romance between Marra and the himbo which is about as interesting as it is unexpected. There's more chemistry between Agnes and the Dust Wife. I'd much rather listen to their commentary on their role in the world and this assassination plot. But this story comes through Mara's POV, so we get her thoughts on how she shouldn't be inviting romance into her life while she shares only-one-blanket with the dark and stormy knight.
The overall tone of the story struggles to find a lane with grim elements meant to invoke discomfort and generally creepy feelings. But before the dark atmosphere has time to sink it, here comes a one-liner with the comedic timing of a class clown who doesn't know when to shut up. After a dozen punctuative squawks from the demon chicken, (who is also a more compelling character than Marra), you get the impression that this whole book might actually be on long "why did the chicken cross..." joke.
There are a lot of interesting parts mingling in Nettle and Bone, but missing the lifeblood of an active character, they never animate into a compelling story. Imagin if this had been told through the eyes of the older women, exploring how their relationship to power affects their relationship to the world. Or even the knight, Fenris, as he reclaims honor by recognizing it through new terms. Hell, let's even the chicken's perspective, embracing the comedic energy. But a character without growth, competence, or aspiration? She has no place delivering any story, especially not one intended to carry such an important message.
Fatal flaw: passive character, insubstantial worldbuilding
SPOILERS AHEAD
Marra does a bit of necromancy to reconstruct a dog with bones. Cool!
She shreds her hands crafting a cloak of nettles. Cool!
Those things don't serve a purpose for the rest of the story. Really?
She goes to a goblin market full of magical wonders. Cool!
She trades a tooth for a melodramatic himbo and a disguise for the dog that doesn't do anything. Hmmm.
Marra makes the cloak and the dog to convince a Dust Wife to kill her sister's abusive royal husband. After that, she contemplates the cruelty of patriarchy, thinks about how useless she is, and ogles the man. At one point, she attempts to resolve a conflict by invoking the respect of religious authority, but it's to no effect, and himbo knight steps in to save her.
The real stars of this story are the Dust Wife and Agnes, two old magic ladies who actually know how to get things done and thus do most of the things. Occasionally Sir Existential Crisis operates as a currency via labor to fund their excursion while Marra recalls how bad at doing anything she is.
Eventually, there's some forced romance between Marra and the himbo which is about as interesting as it is unexpected. There's more chemistry between Agnes and the Dust Wife. I'd much rather listen to their commentary on their role in the world and this assassination plot. But this story comes through Mara's POV, so we get her thoughts on how she shouldn't be inviting romance into her life while she shares only-one-blanket with the dark and stormy knight.
The overall tone of the story struggles to find a lane with grim elements meant to invoke discomfort and generally creepy feelings. But before the dark atmosphere has time to sink it, here comes a one-liner with the comedic timing of a class clown who doesn't know when to shut up. After a dozen punctuative squawks from the demon chicken, (who is also a more compelling character than Marra), you get the impression that this whole book might actually be on long "why did the chicken cross..." joke.
There are a lot of interesting parts mingling in Nettle and Bone, but missing the lifeblood of an active character, they never animate into a compelling story. Imagin if this had been told through the eyes of the older women, exploring how their relationship to power affects their relationship to the world. Or even the knight, Fenris, as he reclaims honor by recognizing it through new terms. Hell, let's even the chicken's perspective, embracing the comedic energy. But a character without growth, competence, or aspiration? She has no place delivering any story, especially not one intended to carry such an important message.