[Review] Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

 

Title: Nettle & Bone
Series: N/A - Standalone
Author: T. Kingfisher
Genre: adult, fantasy, magic
Format: audiobook
Publication Date: April 26, 2022
Published By: Tor Publishing Group       
Source: Audible

Synopsis from Publisher

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.

About T. Kingfisher

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.

My Thoughts:

If you love fairy tales with a dark twist, Nettle & Bone is definitely worth checking out. T. Kingfisher takes familiar fantasy elements—curses, impossible tasks, and a ragtag group of misfits—and turns them into something fresh and fun. It’s a little spooky, a little funny, and full of heart.

The story follows Marra, a princess who has spent most of her life in a convent, watching from the sidelines as her older sisters are forced into political marriages. When she discovers that her sister’s husband, a powerful prince, is abusive and dangerous, she decides she won’t sit back any longer. But killing a prince isn’t exactly easy, so she sets off on a strange and magical journey to gather allies—including a necromancer (who prefers to be called a dust-wife), a reluctant knight, a fairy godmother with unreliable magic, an enchanted chicken, and her ever faithful bone dog. Along the way, Marra must complete impossible tasks, face eerie supernatural dangers, and finally find the strength to change her own fate.

This book isn’t your typical high-stakes fantasy full of battles and dramatic showdowns. Instead, it’s a quiet, creeping kind of adventure, filled with dark fairy tale elements and quirky humor. The writing is atmospheric and immersive, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a story passed down through generations—one that’s a little grim, a little odd, but ultimately hopeful.

The Pros:

• Unique Spin on Fairy Tales – This isn’t your typical “hero saves the day” story. Instead, we follow Marra, a princess who’s been mostly ignored all her life, as she decides to take matters into her own hands. The story has a slow-burn feel, but it’s packed with cool, eerie moments—like a bone dog and a fairy godmother who’s more practical than magical.
• Quirky & Likable Characters – The best part of this book is the cast. Marra is quiet and determined, the dust-wife (a necromancer) is sarcastic and awesome, and even the chicken (yes, there’s a chicken, actually, there are two!) steals the show. Their interactions bring warmth and humor to an otherwise dark story.
• Engaging & Atmospheric Writing – Kingfisher has a way of making everything feel rich and immersive. Whether it’s the creepy, cursed objects or the dangerous journey, the descriptions pull you in without being overwhelming.

The Cons:

• Slow Start – The first few chapters take their time setting things up, and it gets a little confusing between locations, which might make it hard to get hooked right away. But once Marra gets her mission, things pick up.
• Not a High-Stakes Adventure – If you’re expecting a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy, this isn’t it. The story leans more on character interactions and quiet tension rather than big battles or epic magic.
• Underwhelming Villain – The antagonist (Marra’s cruel brother-in-law) is definitely evil, but he feels more like a distant threat rather than a fully developed character. A little more depth could have made the final confrontation more intense.

Final Thoughts:

Nettle & Bone is a beautifully written fairy tale for adults, full of wit, charm, and a little bit of darkness. While it starts slow and isn’t action-heavy, it makes up for it with fantastic characters and an original, eerie vibe. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings or cozy-yet-creepy fantasy, give it a try! Do it for bone dog!

Rating:

Overall, using my rating system, this book is a 3.5 out of 5, but I rounded up to a 4 Super Splatters out of 5 for Bone Dog.