Backlog Books
Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher
November 2022
It’s funny how difficult it sometimes is to talk about a book you really enjoyed. When I read a book I hate, I find there are plenty of things to say about it – the art of complaining is near and dear to my heart. But what about when a book is just right? When a book is simply written and executed in a way that feels exactly the way it ought to.
Nettle and Bone is a perfect little book. In a world with godmothers and princesses, goblin markets and dust-wives, Marra, youngest princess of a tiny kingdom, sets out to kill her sister’s cruel husband. Marra is wracked with uncertainty and regret – why didn’t she notice her sister’s pain sooner, will killing her husband actually help, what can quiet, politically unsuited Marra possibly do to help?
Marra sets out on her quest with the barest of plans: find someone who can help. She collects a ragtag group: a man stolen by fairies, a dust-wife, a bone dog, and a godmother whose only blessing is health. Not exactly the heroes of story and song but they’re all there is.
If Marra fails, her kingdom might disappear, her sister might die, and Marra herself might be next in line to marry the cruel prince.
Kingfisher builds a world of fairytales and also, in contradiction to most fairytales, practicality. Marra is a stubborn and determined character. She has panic attacks, doubts and second guesses herself, but goes forward because no one else can. Also, she makes herself a bone dog who is a very good boy.
Recommended if you liked: Stardust, Discworld, or Howl’s Moving Castle.