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barnswallow8 's review for:
Nettle & Bone
by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I picked this book up at my local public library at the recommendation of a family member. By the title, I expected something of the typical YA fantasy variety, and I got a whole lot more.
My highest praise for this book goes to the worldbuilding. Nettle & Bone's menagerie of dust-wives, bone dogs, blistered lands, godmothers, goblin markets, and saints is more compelling than I've read in a while. It walks the line between classic fantasy and unprecedented dark creativity so well, creating an aesthetic all its own. While I expected more detail and time given to the "magical quest" portion of the story-- building a dog out of bones, catching moonlight in a jar, etc.-- I was pleased to find that the wonder of this world extends through every page.
The plot, although seemingly simple, held my interest from start to finish. Despite the medieval fantasy setting, this book tackled somewhat modern ideas of domestic abuse and sexism, which was both a pleasant surprise and provided great weight for the story.
The characters all felt well fleshed out, real, and charming even in their ugliest natures. I would have liked to see Marra experience more character growth than the natural progressions of age, but she was a great MC nonetheless. Fenris's accepting nature was refreshing, Agnes's awkward talents endearing, and the dust-wife's unflinching power and demonic chicken familiar always left me wanting more.
Why 4 Stars?
This book was an enjoyable read and endlessly inspiring for a fellow fantasy writer. I leave off the fifth star because it was a bit slow towards the end, andI can't really get behind Fenris and Marra's chemistry. . I always appreciate when a book covers everything it needs in the first half and then uses it to plunge into the finale. Nettle & Bone introduced characters, curses, spells, and personal dilemmas up to the end. While a twist isn't bad, it did fall a bit flat for me after endless arrays of new information.
I do look forward to reading more of T. Kingfisher's work because her prowess for creating vibes is unparalleled.
My highest praise for this book goes to the worldbuilding. Nettle & Bone's menagerie of dust-wives, bone dogs, blistered lands, godmothers, goblin markets, and saints is more compelling than I've read in a while. It walks the line between classic fantasy and unprecedented dark creativity so well, creating an aesthetic all its own. While I expected more detail and time given to the "magical quest" portion of the story-- building a dog out of bones, catching moonlight in a jar, etc.-- I was pleased to find that the wonder of this world extends through every page.
The plot, although seemingly simple, held my interest from start to finish. Despite the medieval fantasy setting, this book tackled somewhat modern ideas of domestic abuse and sexism, which was both a pleasant surprise and provided great weight for the story.
The characters all felt well fleshed out, real, and charming even in their ugliest natures. I would have liked to see Marra experience more character growth than the natural progressions of age, but she was a great MC nonetheless. Fenris's accepting nature was refreshing, Agnes's awkward talents endearing, and the dust-wife's unflinching power and demonic chicken familiar always left me wanting more.
Why 4 Stars?
This book was an enjoyable read and endlessly inspiring for a fellow fantasy writer. I leave off the fifth star because it was a bit slow towards the end, and
I do look forward to reading more of T. Kingfisher's work because her prowess for creating vibes is unparalleled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Incest, Miscarriage, Torture, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Classism
Minor: Violence, War