Book Review: Nettle and Bone, a whole new fairy tale.

At this point, I have read five different T.Kingfisher books, and I have come to the conclusion that she is at her best when writing dark, and enchanting fairytales. Nowhere is this better exemplified than with Nettle and Bone.

Nettle and Bone follows the character of Marra, a princess from a less powerful kingdom who is sent to live as a nun after her sisters marriage to the prince of a far more powerful land. Soon Marra comes to see the abuse that her sister has suffered under this prince. Searching for a way to free her sister, Marra meets a Gravewitch, who sets her three impossible tasks in return for her help.

While the magic in this book offers many moments of horror, the true dread comes from Marra's sister Kania, and her relationship to the prince. Forced into an abusive marriage with no escape, Kania is tasked with having children over and over again. The book explores the toll this takes on her and asks the question of what can be done in the face of powerful men who seemingly hold all the cards. The book also takes the time to depict other moments of women in similar circumstance, emphasising just how common this is. Fisher does not shy away from using horror to examine how hard pregnancy can be and how taxing on the body it is.

In answer to the question of what can be done, Nettle and Bone says to fight. Seeing what Marra is willing to go through to save her sister is truly inspiring and you feel the desperation in her actions. She is willing to do what ever it takes and this attitude leads to some great story moments! Marra is a brilliant character, full of complicated feelings towards her family, but in the end she is still willing to risk her life to save them.

On her quest to save her sister, Marra is joined by a great cast of characters. The Gravewitch feels as though she was pulled straight from a Grimm's fairytale, and the Knight Fenris whom they save from the goblin market is another great addition. While I would have loved more time to flush out the characters, I believe the book does a great job at making them intriguing and believable in a short amount of time, while still keeping its quick, fairytale pacing.

The world in which the story takes places really does feel magical, in a way that's both mysterious and whimsical, even in its creepiest moments. I loved locations such as the Goblin Market where items are paid for in lifespan and teeth, or the catacombs where ancient, royal ghosts wander the halls. T.Kingfisher is excellent as making her books feel like reading classic adventures, full of magic and fun.

Ultimately, Nettle and Bone is an excellent book with very little for me to say against it! There are minor nit picks I could make here and there about the world building, and the characters, but Nettle and Bone isn't trying to be some expansive fantasy story. It is a quick and contained tale that does exactly what it wants to do.

Ultimately, I believe that if you're a fan of Fantasy mixed in with a dash of horror and valuable social commentary, Nettle and Bone will keep you thoroughly entertained and intrigued.