Nettle & Bone

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher Fairy tales were my bread and butter favorite books to check out from the library when I was in elementary school. I have continued to enjoy them through the decades and in this book found a dark grim fairy tale more grim than those told by the Brothers Grimm. And yet, the book does have a great deal positive within it. Unsure whether or not I would keep reading…I plugged away page by page and with each page, became more and more immersed in the life of Marra, Bonedog, Penris, Agnes and the Gravewitch. What I liked: * Marra: princess, youngest sister of three, sent to a convent, learned to sew and deliver babies, has a need to save her sister from the fate that befell their oldest sister…but…can she? * The quest that Marra found herself on with impossible tasks to achieve and a purpose strong and true * The accomplishment of the three impossible tasks * Bonedog…a frisky, clattering, creature that doesn’t realize it is not really alive * Penris: disgraced night, found as a slave in the land of the Goblins, his story is interesting and how he joins the group a good one * The toothdancer…oh my * Agnes: fairy godmother who is much more than she lets on – has magical abilities * Grave witch: a medium of sorts but filled magic * Marra’s sisters…felt for them and wished their lives could have been easier * The creatures in all their strangeness and what they added to the story * The gritty feel to the story * That though dark it was not violent…or not much * The rather positive ending and wondering what will happen next in the lives of the main characters What I didn’t like: * Vorling: prince, abusive man, killer, evil personified, deserving of the fate that befell him * The queen and how she bartered her daughters knowing they would suffer Did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more by this author? Yes Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Tor/Forge for the ARC – This is my honest review. 4-5 Stars

What a fascinating, introspective look at a modern fairy tale. Following a beleaguered princess only trying to do what's right, we get a meta commentary on all sorts of fairy tale topics in the process. The pace is excellent, as is the prose, and the book as a whole is both satisfying and rewarding. Ultimately this is a very fast read that is completely worth it. Highly recommended.

Excellent story for a rainy day, a cup of tea and some delicious shortbread. Ok, maybe that's just me, but the book is great all the same.