Nettle & Bone: T. Kingfisher

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher is a dark‑fairytale fantasy with sharp wit and a feminist heart. The story follows Marra, a gentle, convent‑raised third princess pushed into action when she discovers her sister is trapped in an abusive marriage to a cruel prince. To free her, Marra must complete three near‑impossible tasks—spinning a cloak of nettles, building a dog of bones, and capturing moonlight in a jar—before embarking on a perilous journey with an unlikely band of companions: a demon‑possessed chicken, a reluctant fairy godmother, an exiled knight, and a gravewitch .

What begins as a rescue mission grows into a rebellion—not just against her sister’s captor, but against a system built on generational abuse and fear. Combining macabre elements, quirky humor, and poignant moments, T. Kingfisher flips traditional fairy­tale tropes: here, the princess doesn’t marry the prince—she kills him. 

Praised for its imaginative worldbuilding, sharp banter, and emotional resonance, Nettle & Bone captures a "hopepunk" spirit—dark yet deeply hopeful—as Marra evolves from meek observer into determined catalyst for change.  While not heavily romance‑driven, it explores found‑family bonds and sparks a tender connection amidst the chaos 

A standout of modern fantasy, this standalone won the 2023 Hugo Award for Best Novel and was also nominated for the Nebula and Locus Awards. It’s a gripping, genre‑bending tale that delivers both chilling thrills and heartfelt triumph—perfect for readers craving fairy‑tale subversion with teeth.