rach 's review for:

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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A magical tale of unlikely heroes, sisterly love, and the willingness to sacrifice everything to rid the world of evil. I loved Marra - her bravery in the face of injustice, her desire to work hard and live a normal life, her determination to do whatever it took to help her sister. Every person she picks up along her quest is the perfect addition to their party, absolutely necessary for their success and wellbeing. Bonedog is the best dog in the world, so loyal and cheerful. The dust wife and her demon chicken are cantankerously hilarious and the exact guide Marra needed on her quest (even if she never intended Marra to be successful). Fenris is perhaps the most honorable murderer you’ll ever meet, leaving his home behind forever so as to not cause anyone he loves more pain and suffering. (He’s also big and strong and kind and thoughtful and very good at chopping wood and holding hands.) And Agnes, Marra’s great aunt and fairy godmother, is perhaps the most sweet and benevolent giver of curses you’ll ever find.

Part of the joy of this story is in the telling, so I don’t want to spoil too much of it, but it felt so much like a classic fairy tale, with large stakes and people who just wanted to do their best to save the ones they love. There’s lots of different kinds of magic, from dancing teeth removal to fairy forts to the goblin market to talking to ghost to glamours to enchanted and possessed chickens. And there’s the sweetest slow-burn romance that makes me want to hug these oblivious, lovely humans close and tell them to seize their happiness wherever they can. I really hope there is a sequel at some point

because I would dearly love to read the adventure that is Marra, Fenris, and Bonedog heading back to the Goblin Market to rescue the rest of the humans imprisoned there.