Nettle and Bone (T. Kingfisher)

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!