I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher Published by Tor Books on April 26 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 256
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A hilarious fairy tale, both dark and light, full T. Kingfisher’s trademark quirky and lovable characters.
The bone dog came alive at dusk. It was not quite completed, but it was close. She was bent over the left front paw when the skull’s jaws yawned open and it stretched as if waking from a long slumber.
“Hush,” she told it. “I’m nearly done—”
It sat up. Its mouth opened and the ghost of a wet tongue touched her face like fog.
Kingfisher is such a gem in the SFF writing community, and I always look forward to reading her books. Nettle & Bone is a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud fairy tale that follows many familiar fantasy tropes but twists them in new and surprising ways. As with the other T. Kingfisher books I’ve read, the characters steal the show, so if you love character driven tales, you’re going to love this too.
Marra is on a mission. Her older sister Kania, who has married Prince Vorling of the Northern Kingdom in order to protect Kania’s family, is in trouble. After a visit with her sister, Marra discovered that the Prince is abusing Kania, and Kania is all but trapped in a forced marriage, unable to give the Prince the son and heir he so desperately needs. Marra herself joined a convent (Our Lady of Grackles!) years ago, hoping to avoid the same fate as her sister. But now she will do anything to help her, and so she embarks on a journey to find a way to kill the Prince.
Marra goes to a powerful dust-wife for help, who instructs her to complete three impossible tasks—make a cloak of owlcloth and nettles, build a dog from cursed bones, and catch moonlight in a jar of clay. This is but the first step in Marra’s fantastical adventure to help avenge her sister and set Kania free. Along the way, Marra will meet a knight trapped in the goblin market, a demon chicken, and a godmother, each with a life lesson to impart. Because, as Marra discovers, the journey is just as important as the destination.
This is more or less a quest story, as Marra tries to figure out a way to kill the Prince and save her sister. But it’s a rather meandering quest, since Marra’s path is anything but straight forward. Marra is led from one thing to the next, and at each stop on her quest, she meets someone who is important to the outcome. At some point in the story, I sort of forgot that Marra’s ultimate goal was to kill the Prince, because I was having so much fun getting there. I thought the structure of the story was interesting too. The story opens with Marra working on her second task, making a dog out of bones, but later Kingfisher goes back to the beginning when Marra was a young girl and explains how Kania came to be married to Prince Vorling and how Marra left home to live in the convent. This was an interesting, non linear way to tell the story, and I think it worked very well.
But let’s talk about the characters, because that is where Kingfisher really shines. Marra is a curious and kind girl, thrown out of her comfort zone (the convent) in order to go on an adventure. She abhors the idea that girls are only good for marrying and having babies, and she refuses to fall into that trap. That’s why she’ll do anything to help Kania escape her terrible marriage, even if she’s called upon to do difficult things. And you probably already know that I absolutely loved Bonedog, the dog made of bones that Marra brings to life. Kingfisher must be a dog person, because many of her stories have wonderful dog companions, and this one is no exception.
I also love Fenris, the disgraced knight who they rescue from the goblin market. There is a slow burn romance between Fenris and Marra that was very sweet, even though Marra certainly isn’t looking for a husband, she and Fenris are perfect for each other.
But my two favorite characters by far were the dust-wife and Agnes, Marra’s fairy godmother. There’s a whole subplot involving godmothers and the role they play when a royal baby is born—you know, dispensing blessings or curses at christenings—and while some of that subplot felt a little confusing to me, I thought Agnes was a delight. The dust-wife is old and sarcastic and tired, and really doesn’t want to go on an adventure. But she wants to help Marra, and so she agrees to accompany her on her journey. Of course, she has to bring her chicken along, a chicken with a demon inside it, lol. Even better, Agnes and the dust-wife together were hysterically funny and heartwarming, and I could have read an entire story centered around their characters!
Kingfisher adds bits of mythology and fairy tale lore to her story, all of which give it an eerie, magical tone. There are lots of elements readers will recognize, but the author’s upbeat and humorous dialog keeps everything on the lighter side, even though some horrible things do happen.
You won’t be surprised that Nettle & Bone has a happy ending—this is a fairy tale, after all—but Kingfisher still managed to surprise me in the way she wrapped up her story. Each character ends up changed for the better, having learned important lessons along the way, and I turned the final page with a smile on my face.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy. Quote is taken from an uncorrected proof and may differ in the final version of the book.
Great review, Tammy! I absolutely love the premise of this book. I’ve never read a book by T. Kingfisher but I desperately want to. At this point I’m not sure where to start but I love all the good things I’ve heard about this author. And I do love character driven stories!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Blog Tour: The Sacred Band Trinity by James Mactavish
This is a great place to start, lots of feel-good parts:-)
You should start here, or you should start at the beginning and read them all. Because every single one is a winner.
I only recently found the T. Kingfisher books, and I love them fabulously. (Well, her non-horror books, because I am a wussy, and she does unsettling stuff waaay too well.) Anyway, glad you enjoyed it, and I’m very excited to get my copy tonight.
You’ll love this one! There’s a touch of fairy tale horror but it’s not bad:-)
It sounds like a delightful fantasy. Great review, Tammy!
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…Out Today: 34 Orchard Literary Journal, Issue 5!
Thanks Priscilla:-)
Oh my goodness, the characters sound fabulous! I haven’t tried this author yet but she’s on my list.
The characters are SO good:-)
This is a compelling review! I have yet to read something by this author but I have some books on my TBR so it is a matter of time! But, to be honest, I wasn’t really interested in this one because I thought it was not my cup of tea, even if I can’t really say why! But your review made me realize my mistake! Now I need to read this one too!!
I think you would like it!
This sounds like so much fun! (especially the demon chicken… LOL)
I love stories inspired by fairy tales that however take a different direction and – as seems to be the case here – turn those themes upside down. This is one for my TBR, to be sure 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
I think you’d enjoy this!
Love the review. I’ve been eyeballing this one.
Thanks Tammy! Hope you get the chance to read it:-)
Great review! You know I loved this one too 🙂 — and I was sure you’d adore Bonedog!! I agree, the dynamic between the dust-wife and Agnes is awesome,and I’d definitely read more about their adventures.
Thanks Lisa! I think if enough readers call for more Agnes and the dust-wife, maybe she’ll write a sequel??
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one so much. I adored the dust-wife and Agnes, and honestly I could take a whole novella about Agnes or something about the godmothering of the Nettle & Bone world! There were times that demon chicken almost stole the show for me–which is surprising considering its lack of dialogue, haha. Great review!
Jordan @ Forever Lost in Literature recently posted…The Friday Face-Off: Unknown Magical Abilities
Yes! An entire story centered around Agnes and the dust-wife:-)
Well I didn’t know of this author but your review surprised and intrigued me Tammy! It seems that her books are a little bit “décalé” as we woud say in French, basically quirky!
Thanks Sophie! I like that word, can I use it sometime?? LOL
I loved this review, both because it’s fantastically written and because I was hoping you’d enjoy this book. I’ve read very little of Kingfisher’s so far but have really enjoyed what I have and I look forward to reading more, including this one. I love character-driven stories and right now a little heart-warming humor would be a great addition to a book.
Thank you Todd! She really has a knack for feel-good relationships:-)
Excellent review! I have my eye on this author.
Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…The Other Half of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Thanks Anne!
I have enjoyed this authors books books well enough to be curious about this one.
It’s pretty funny, if you like humor and happy endings:-)
This sounds SO good! Amazing review, Tammy. That’s it, I’m sold – I’m going to have to get a copy of this ASAP. 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries recently posted…‘And Then I Woke Up’: A timely and unique take on zombie stories
Ooh I hope you love it too!
Glad you enjoyed this, it sounds so good 😀 I haven’t read anything by this author but perhaps this is the place to start?
Pages and Tea recently posted…Book Review: The Room in the Attic by Louise Douglas
Yes, start here! Some of her books are very dark, but you might like those too:-)
I loved this one too! I liked how it almost felt like an epic fantasy and fairy tale mashup. And Bone Dog was so amazing. I almost cried at the end 🙂
I have yet to read something by Kingfisher :O This sounds like a good place to start!
I’ve only skimmed this because I’m currently reading it and about half way in – and really enjoying it.
Lynn 😀