Nettle & Bone

“Sometimes you set out to marry a prince, sometimes you set out to kill one. Beautifully written, with bits of Terry Pratchett-esque humor woven in, it's fairy tale with a sting. "It's a fool's errand and we're all going to die," said Fenris. He patted her shoulder. "Still, I have to admit I didn't see the chicken or the puppet coming.””

“A princess must leave the nunnery where she has taken refuge, so that she can save her sister from an abusive marriage. Kingfisher plays with fairy tale tropes (fairy godmothers play a surprisingly large role), but what makes the book feel fresh is how she combines them with things that feel older and darker. Bonedog - made from the bones of dogs killed and eaten by their owners during a famine - is just one example. The situations that Kingfisher puts her characters in can be dark, but the book maintains a beautiful moral clarity. The writing is delightful too, charming without becoming twee. Overall, a strong recommend!”