My first read of the new year and a good one. This is a captivating story of kingdoms and politics, witchcraft and the supernatural. I found this a really cosy read that I couldn’t put down (CW for abuse and trauma though).
I liked learning about the world, its belief systems and political manoeuvrings, through a small group of characters: Marra, the dust-wife, Fenris the knight, and Agnes the god-mother. There’s humour (Bonedog and a demon-posessed hen for starters) and light romance in this story too, in contrast to the darker themes.
What I liked most about Nettle and Bone were the surprises: an interesting new character, an unexpected complication, an odd turn of phrase. The world and many of its inhabitants are fantastical but nothing feels out of place. Like Marra, we quickly learn to accept that there are forces beyond what we can see and that things are just what they are. I’m thinking particularly of the goblin market, as well as the ghosts and saint our heroes encounter.
This is dark take on a fantasy setting with themes centring on tragedy, overcoming the impossible, witchcraft, sisterhood and found family. The aforementioned themes of abuse and trauma will mean it isn’t for everyone, but I would highly recommend it😊
