Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher (Review)

Title: Nettle & Bone
Author: T. Kingfisher
Type: Fiction
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Horror
Publisher: Tor Books
Hardcover published: April 26, 2022
Paperback release: February 28, 2023

A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by Tor.com in exchange for an honest review.

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra’s family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

⤖ My Review ⬻

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher is a unique and engaging novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As a fan of the author, I was excited to dive into another one of their works. While I normally avoid reading an author’s works back-to-back, I found that the genres between Nettle & Bone and the previous book, What Moves the Dead, were different enough to make this an exception.

And honestly, if I had gone in without knowing who the author of Nettle & Bone was, I don’t know if I would have guessed it was Kingfisher. It read very differently to me! The writing and characters in Nettle & Bone were so vastly different from What Moves the Dead, I really needn’t have worried about the books somehow blending together.

Another thing that was different was that the beginning of Nettle & Bone was slow for me. I still wanted to continue to find out what would happen, of course, but the story didn’t really hook me until about one-third, or maybe even half of the way in.

Kingfisher’s world-building abilities are on full display in Nettle & Bone. The plot was also pleasantly unpredictable, with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of fantasy and horror both. As for me, I’m already on my third T. Kingfisher book, A House With Good Bones, and can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

⤖ About the Author ⬻

T. Kingfisher is the vaguely absurd pen-name of Ursula Vernon. In another life, she writes children’s books and weird comics, and has won the Hugo, Sequoyah, and Ursa Major awards, as well as a half-dozen Junior Library Guild selections. This is the name she uses when writing things for grown-ups. When she is not writing, she is probably out in the garden, trying to make eye contact with butterflies.