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

From Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes an original and subversive fantasy adventure.

*The very special hardcover edition features a gold foil stamp on the casing and custom endpapers illustrated by the author.*

This isn't the kind of fairy tale where the princess marries a prince.

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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272 pages

Average rating: 7.41

245 RATINGS

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allmimsyweretheborogoves

Apr 11, 2025

8/10 stars

I was a little disappointed that I didn't love this book as much as I've loved some of T. Kingfisher's other books. That being said it was still a pretty good book. I love the way Kingfisher writes, her use of language really evokes vivid images of the story. This story however left me with questions. Usually in reviews I complain that a book is too long and it convolutes the story, in this case I feel like just the opposite is true. I want MORE story. I feel like this book could have easily been 200 pages longer. I wanted to go on Marra's journey to complete the second impossible task. I want to know more about the dust wife. The only major fault that I found with this book was that I wanted more world building.

Pherfer

Mar 25, 2025

8/10 stars

Reads like a fairy tale, one that has a 30 year old protagonist and a 40 year old white knight. There are witches (dust women) and godmothers, evil villains and court politics. The story is enchanting, our heroes are on a quest to take down the evil wife-beating King. It is a story about the unwanted and outcast younger sister, who needs to save her sister and get justice for her oldest sibling. The cast of characters are engaging and the adventure is worthy. I would have liked to have more world building, the blistered land is introduced but never referred to again. The Goblin Market is a place I wanted to know more about. Enjoyable read, loved Bonedog and the demon possessed hen.

Colleen Haasmann

Feb 21, 2025

10/10 stars

Absolutely could not put this book down! Marra, Agnes, Bone Dog, Fenris, and Dust Wife were just absolutely loveable and written so beautifully. The narrative was spun so masterfully, and I just adored the way they ended the book! T. Kingfisher at her finest!

katietopp

Jan 01, 2025

8/10 stars

Delightful. A beautifully wrapped up story, with characters you canât help but love. Would love another book in this universe.

blewballoon

Nov 21, 2024

10/10 stars

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.