Okay, let me be up front, I absolutely LOVED this book. Nettle & Bone was everything I wanted, and honestly needed, from a book right now. Fairy tales, especially dark ones, are my bread and butter. Stories where our heroes face impossible tasks, stories that somehow manage to mesh humor and tragedy, stories where it really feels like the characters grow and change. This book had all that and more, and I devoured every single second of it. When you’re feeling lost, sometimes it helps to join someone else on their journey instead.

Now I feel it fair to warn perspective readers that the beginning might be a little confusing. Without preamble, we’re thrown into a space with a very ragged and exhausted Marra. She is performing a task that, quite honestly, feels fairly dark. I wasn’t sure what to make of her at first. However the reader is soon taken back in time, to see where Marra came from and how she ended up where we first found her. It’s honestly brilliant once you get past that initial point. Kingfisher found a way to show Marra’s growth in a breathtaking way. We watch a mere girl, who was afraid of everything, morph into this woman who is stronger than she ever thought she could be. The reader gets to travel 15 years of Marra’s life, and it’s a beautiful thing.

It is true though that no heroine worth her salt travels alone, and Marra is no exception. In her journey she assembles a ragtag team of some of the most intriguing characters I have met in a long time! We meet the elderly but sassy Dustwife, who I honestly wouldn’t want to mess with. A fairy godmother who is much better at curses than blessings. A human man with a tragic backstory, who simply wants to forget where he came from. And, of course, the sweetest dog made of bones. This group was an absolute joy to travel with, and the banter between them was gold. I always appreciate when a book can incorporate good humor in dialogue without it feeling forced. Nettle & Bone manages that easily.

As for the story, well here is the part where I can’t really share too much for fear of giving things away. I can assure you that Marra’s journey is one that will tug at your heartstrings, but also make you root so hard her at the same time. The love for her family, despite everything, radiates off of the page. There are beautiful nods to inner strength, loyalty, and simply attempting to understand the views of others. You’ll travel through a goblin market, meet a demon chicken and a cadre of unfriendly ghosts. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself utterly enchanted and reading well past your bedtime. Yes, this book is that good.

Easiest five stars I’ve given to a book in a long time. This was dark fairy tale, fantasy filled, perfection.