Nettle & Bone

Written by T. Kingfisher

Narrated by Amara Jasper

From Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes an original and subversive fantasy adventure.

This isn't the kind of fairytale where the princess marries a prince.
It's the one where she kills him.

Marra never wanted to be a hero.

As the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter, she escaped the traditional fate of princesses, to be married away for the sake of an uncaring throne. But her sister wasn’t so fortunate—and after years of silence, Marra is done watching her suffer at the hands of a powerful and abusive prince.

Seeking help for her rescue mission, Marra is offered the tools she needs, but only if she can complete three seemingly impossible tasks:

—build a dog of bones
—sew a cloak of nettles
—capture moonlight in a jar

But, as is the way in tales of princes and witches, doing the impossible is only the beginning.

Hero or not—now joined by a disgraced ex-knight, a reluctant fairy godmother, an enigmatic gravewitch and her fowl familiar—Marra might finally have the courage to save her sister, and topple a throne.

"Nettle & Bone is the kind of book that immediately feels like an old friend. Fairytale mythic resonance meets homey pragmatism in this utterly delightful story. It's creepy, funny, heartfelt, and full of fantastic characters I absolutely loved!” —Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Apr 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781250824776

T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher, also known as Ursula Vernon, is the author and illustrator of many projects, including the webcomic “Digger,” which won the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story and the Mythopoeic Award. Her novelette “The Tomato Thief” won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette, and her short story “Jackalope Wives” won the Nebula Award for Best Story. She is also the author of the bestselling Dragonbreath, and the Hamster Princess series of books for children. Find her online at RedWombatStudio.com.

Reviews for Nettle & Bone

[Aleshia Zimmerman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An instant favorite, such a cute heartfelt take on old fairy tale troupes

[wesley cooper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. The only thing that’s bothers me, is I feel that the story of the bone dog isn’t complete. A hole part of the plot us missing and never finished. Otherwise, beautiful story telling and an excellent book

[Lyricalgothic · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great surprise of a read everything about this book was well written and I really enjoyed al the characters and their struggle It ended was perfect.

[Aubrey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars. This was so much fun and it got me out of a reading slump!

[Teresa Stykel · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars. One of the cutest stories I read in a long time! It truly felt like a new take on the old fairy tales. I loved how the protagonist is in her 30's. She's not anything special to look at and she's not the most interesting of characters. And those things are truly true about her it's not that she believes that of herself but in reality she's beautiful and this Super talented all things kind of person. She's truly just an average woman who loves her sister.

The humor in this is great. The chicken made me laugh more than once. I'm excited to read more by this author!

[kaiju k · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All the stars! The story was truly phenomenal, the last two chapters had me in tears... the audiobook narration was incredible and really make this into an incredible experience. What a ride, uff...

[SmalltownCreepy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite book. No just by T. Kingfisher who is amazing always but my favorite novel all together. I love it.

[Alexandra Jane Welcome · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Overall a fun little tale. However it was way too short! The journey should have been longer so relationships could be explored better. There should have been more world building. They mentioned things but never explored or explained them so I was left with a lot of, "wait, what about that?" or "what was the point of that?" etc. I think the book could have benefited from another hundred or so pages, which I rarely say. I liked the characters and story, so I wanted more. It felt like a tease. But I still had fun with it and would recommend it!

[Debbie Wenzel Higgins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fabulously written and narrated. Definitely time to grab more from this author.

[mkucenty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loveed IT. Perfect book in every aspect and the vo too

[Reanna Morton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it!! I hope her other books are just as good. I need a new author to read that doesn't populate their works of fantasy/ fiction with their political views.

[GamzeCömert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it! It is an unusual, quirky fairytale and it is a lot of fun.

[Sarah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am happy to say this is my first fantasy book. I am strictly a mystery thriller, kinda girl. However, I kept seeing reviews for this book from booktoks I follow. Even though I'd seen other fantasy books reviewed, too. This one kept catching my attention. I'm so glad I dove in and started reading it. It reads like a fairytale from my childhood, and I loved it. If the Jim Henson company would want to help make a movie out of this, I would fully support it. The only negative thing I have to say about this book would be the main character. Although she was ok, she was said to be 30, yet continuously acted like an 8 year old. It was slightly annoying. Also, in all the reviews I had read/heard, not one of them mentioned the Teo best things of this book. Bone dog & the demon possessed chicken! I do recommend this book, and now I'm off to quot my job and become a dust wife.

[Annie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The narrator did a fantastic job. This book was so interesting with a darkness that I rather enjoyed

[Meagan Fischer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great reader and wonderfully entertaining story. Loved all the chickens!

[Victoria Edelsbrunner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing fairytale and adventure story. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys the author's work.

[Stephanie Shepherd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite books of all time now! Absolutely amazing, will definitely re-read many times!

[Mariah Nguyen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely enjoyed this book! It was a cute adventure and had somebspooky features

[Chrissy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A new favorite! The narrator was spot on & amazing! I was truly transported and engrossed in this story.

[Jessica · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A darker, more chilling taken on freeing a sister sent as sacrifice for the greater good. Compelling, developed narrative, easily defined characters. A tiny sense of Terry Pratchett in witch pragmatism and decisions. Amara Jasper did a great job narrating.

[kd Echols · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Satisfying. Kingfisher drops you right into the story, and pretty much the darkest part of the tale to boot, though nowhere near the climax. After that bit of an intro, she goes back and gives you the slower, gentler history, the character building. All of it was thoroughly enjoyable.

[Lee Tatum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

T Kingfisher makes brilliant story telling seem effortless. She wraps up disparate fairy tale, fantasy, and horror elements--a youngest princess, a witch, a demon-possessed chicken, a warrior, cannibals, a fairy godmother, a creepy marionette, kingdoms on the brink of chaos, and curses--and creates something as beautiful and weird and full of sharp-angled love as Bone Dog. I've loved everything I've read by Kingfisher/Ursula Vernon and this novel is maybe her best. The writing is lyrical and filled with humor and pathos, and I'm sad I finished it.