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A review by sarahholliday
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
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