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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, discussions of domestic violence, pregnancy, miscarriage mention, death of a child mention
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher is a standalone fantasy, and the first book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed the fairytale-like story. I love the subversion of the princess-marries-the-prince trope or the princess-is-rescued-by-the-hero trope.
We follow Marra, a shy princess raised in a convent. As the youngest sister she watched as her oldest sister Damia was married off to the Prince in the Northern Kingdom only to die. She watched when her next oldest sister was married off to the same prince and kept pregnant and miserable. When Marra realizes Prince Vorling is abusing his sister, she decides to take matters into her own hands, and seek out a powerful dust-wife to help her free her sister. Killing the prince is the only way she can think of to keep her sister alive and to prevent herself from becoming his next wife/victim.
Marra is such a relatable MC. She's 30 years old and extremely unsure of herself, but determined to save her sister, even if it means doing impossible things like weaving a cloak of nettles and making a dog out of bone. I love the characters we get as our little gang: a grumpy old dust-wife with a grumpy demon possessed chicken; the bone dog ostensibly named Bonedog who is the goodest boy, but doesn't know he's dead; Fenris, a human they saved from a goblin market that has very impressive muscles; and Agnes a godmother who is more powerful than she seems. They were so fun to follow, and I love that all the women were enthralled by shirtless Fenris chopping wood (relatable).
I loved the theme about believing you can do the impossible and that things are only impossible until you do them. I admire Marra's courage and determination to save her sister from her abuser. We see that her sister Kania, like many other women find it difficult or almost impossible to leave their abusers for many reasons. Marra also must learn that you can only save those who want to be saved, as we saw with the curse-child innkeeper.
Overall this was a fun read with great characters, and a strong message. I will definitely be looking for more of Kingfisher's work in the future.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher is a standalone fantasy, and the first book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed the fairytale-like story. I love the subversion of the princess-marries-the-prince trope or the princess-is-rescued-by-the-hero trope.
We follow Marra, a shy princess raised in a convent. As the youngest sister she watched as her oldest sister Damia was married off to the Prince in the Northern Kingdom only to die. She watched when her next oldest sister was married off to the same prince and kept pregnant and miserable. When Marra realizes Prince Vorling is abusing his sister, she decides to take matters into her own hands, and seek out a powerful dust-wife to help her free her sister. Killing the prince is the only way she can think of to keep her sister alive and to prevent herself from becoming his next wife/victim.
Marra is such a relatable MC. She's 30 years old and extremely unsure of herself, but determined to save her sister, even if it means doing impossible things like weaving a cloak of nettles and making a dog out of bone. I love the characters we get as our little gang: a grumpy old dust-wife with a grumpy demon possessed chicken; the bone dog ostensibly named Bonedog who is the goodest boy, but doesn't know he's dead; Fenris, a human they saved from a goblin market that has very impressive muscles; and Agnes a godmother who is more powerful than she seems. They were so fun to follow, and I love that all the women were enthralled by shirtless Fenris chopping wood (relatable).
I loved the theme about believing you can do the impossible and that things are only impossible until you do them. I admire Marra's courage and determination to save her sister from her abuser. We see that her sister Kania, like many other women find it difficult or almost impossible to leave their abusers for many reasons. Marra also must learn that you can only save those who want to be saved, as we saw with the curse-child innkeeper.
Overall this was a fun read with great characters, and a strong message. I will definitely be looking for more of Kingfisher's work in the future.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Violence, Pregnancy