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Nettle & Bone
Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel
An Instant USA Today & Indie Bestseller
An Oprah Daily Top 25 Fantasy Book of 2022
A Vulture Best Fantasy Novel of 2022
An NPR Best Sci Fi, Fantasy, & Speculative Fiction Book of 2022
A Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award Nominee
It's the one where she kills him. Marra -- a shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter -- is relieved not to be married off for the sake of her parents' throne. Her older sister wasn't so fortunate though, and her royal husband is as abusive as he is powerful. From the safety of the convent, Marra wonders who will come to her sister's rescue and put a stop to this. But after years of watching their families and kingdoms pretend all is well, Marra realizes if any hero is coming, it will have to be Marra herself. If Marra can complete three impossible tasks, a witch will grant her the tools she needs. But, as is the way in stories of princes and the impossible, these tasks are only the beginning of Marra's strange and enchanting journey to save her sister and topple a throne. "Wholly entertaining."--Buzzfeed "A modern classic."--Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart A Doorway "Pure delight. T. Kingfisher uses the bones of fairy tale to create something entirely her own."--Emily Tesh, award-winning author of Silver in the Wood Also by T. Kingfisher
Thornhedge
A Sorceress Comes to Call
What Moves the Dead
What Feasts at Night
A House with Good Bones
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Community Reviews
Bone dog is the best. I love T. Kingfisher, they are probably my favorite fantasy and horror author. The characters are lovable but often unconventional, the plots are satisfying, and there is usually some humor too even in a more serious story.
An absolutely fantastical fairytale that, despite its short length, manages to bring a beautifully told story of found family, action and adventure, familial love, magic, and more. I read this for a book club and I honestly am super glad that it was picked, this is definitely going to be a new favorite of mine!
I love T. Kingfisher - it doesn't matter what genre this author writes in, I have thoroughly enjoyed the tale woven without fail. I was so delighted when my Patron Pick of the Month was NETTLE AND BONE because any excuse to move a Kingfisher book up on my list is appreciated and welcomed!
TLDR Ratings
Plot: 10
Writing: 10
Characters: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Logic: 8
Intrigue: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Plot
So you know how Deadpool is a great example of an antihero? T. Kingfisher flipped your ordinary fairy tale on its head while adding mystery, intrigue and best of all - horror - to the mix. Let's not forget humor - I have yet to read a Kingfisher story that didn't have well written and well timed humor in it. This book elicited so many chuckles out of me while reading it.
Our main character, Marra, has discovered the Prince is beating his wife, her sister Kania. Along with that discovery comes the realization that it is extremely likely that the Prince *murdered* his first wife, Marra's eldest sister, Damia. Damia was Marra's favorite and her death devastated Marra.
So, the Prince must die. Only problem is....Marra is a nobody. Practically a nun. No magic. No weapons training. Upon overhearing a conversation about a gravewitch, Marra decides to seek the help of one and that is how our adventure begins.
Writing
I don't foresee myself ever having issues with the writing style of T. Kingfisher. It's almost purple prose, but still high accessible. In fact, I did try to start this one with the audiobook, but turned it off less than a page in because it was written so beautifully that I wanted to absorb these words physically off the page with my eyes. (This had nothing to do with the audiobook narrator at all, they were fantastic! I did incorporate immersion reading after I read a few chapters physically.)
Characters
Oh my goodness. The characters were absolutely wonderful - even the villains. All were written and developed in a way that will make it unlikely for readers to forget them anytime soon. I even cried over one of them at one point...when you read it, you'll guess who and probably chuckle. They were endearing, each with their own personality and unique traits that made this story such a delight to read.
Atmosphere
For the most part, the setting isn't unlike many other fantasy worlds involving castles, Princes and Princesses. There were a few places our little group traveled to that were very interesting and unique.
Logic
Now with a fantasy story or fairy tale, I don't expect cold, hard logic applied to it. What I do look for is, given its parameters, does it still make sense? Are there plot holes? Am I the reader left with any questions? I felt the author did an amazing job explaining the world, how the different types of magic worked and left no holes for me to pick at.
Intrigue
I could not put this one down once I started it. I read almost the entire thing in one day and would have finished it that day if I could have kept my eyes open long enough. I was invested in the mission of Marra, I was completely enraptured by the mystery of the magic in this world, I was in love with the different characters, I was in constant fear of Marra's sister and I really hoped a few characters would get what was coming to them. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
Enjoyment
I feel I've covered this pretty well in the previous elements, but I loved everything about this book. I cannot find one single thing to complain over or nitpick other than I want more. 10/10 will read this one again and continue to blaze through everything Kingfisher ever writes!
TLDR Ratings
Plot: 10
Writing: 10
Characters: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Logic: 8
Intrigue: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Plot
So you know how Deadpool is a great example of an antihero? T. Kingfisher flipped your ordinary fairy tale on its head while adding mystery, intrigue and best of all - horror - to the mix. Let's not forget humor - I have yet to read a Kingfisher story that didn't have well written and well timed humor in it. This book elicited so many chuckles out of me while reading it.
Our main character, Marra, has discovered the Prince is beating his wife, her sister Kania. Along with that discovery comes the realization that it is extremely likely that the Prince *murdered* his first wife, Marra's eldest sister, Damia. Damia was Marra's favorite and her death devastated Marra.
So, the Prince must die. Only problem is....Marra is a nobody. Practically a nun. No magic. No weapons training. Upon overhearing a conversation about a gravewitch, Marra decides to seek the help of one and that is how our adventure begins.
Writing
I don't foresee myself ever having issues with the writing style of T. Kingfisher. It's almost purple prose, but still high accessible. In fact, I did try to start this one with the audiobook, but turned it off less than a page in because it was written so beautifully that I wanted to absorb these words physically off the page with my eyes. (This had nothing to do with the audiobook narrator at all, they were fantastic! I did incorporate immersion reading after I read a few chapters physically.)
Characters
Oh my goodness. The characters were absolutely wonderful - even the villains. All were written and developed in a way that will make it unlikely for readers to forget them anytime soon. I even cried over one of them at one point...when you read it, you'll guess who and probably chuckle. They were endearing, each with their own personality and unique traits that made this story such a delight to read.
Atmosphere
For the most part, the setting isn't unlike many other fantasy worlds involving castles, Princes and Princesses. There were a few places our little group traveled to that were very interesting and unique.
Logic
Now with a fantasy story or fairy tale, I don't expect cold, hard logic applied to it. What I do look for is, given its parameters, does it still make sense? Are there plot holes? Am I the reader left with any questions? I felt the author did an amazing job explaining the world, how the different types of magic worked and left no holes for me to pick at.
Intrigue
I could not put this one down once I started it. I read almost the entire thing in one day and would have finished it that day if I could have kept my eyes open long enough. I was invested in the mission of Marra, I was completely enraptured by the mystery of the magic in this world, I was in love with the different characters, I was in constant fear of Marra's sister and I really hoped a few characters would get what was coming to them. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
Enjoyment
I feel I've covered this pretty well in the previous elements, but I loved everything about this book. I cannot find one single thing to complain over or nitpick other than I want more. 10/10 will read this one again and continue to blaze through everything Kingfisher ever writes!
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