Description

WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVELLA 2024.

An original, subversive fairytale about a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways, perfect for fans of Alix E. Harrow and Katherine Arden.

From USA Today bestselling author comes an original, subversive fairytale about a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways, perfect for fans of Alix E. Harrow and Katharine Arden.

There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story.

Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of Toadling: return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?

If only.

Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He’s heard there’s a curse here that needs breaking, but it’s a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…

Publisher Review

"I opened, I devoured. Absolutely delightful and full of charm and truth." Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of A Deadly Education "Toadling will break your heart and mend it at the same time, and that is how you know that Thornhedge is a story by T. Kingfisher. I loved this book so much." Travis Baldree, New York Times bestselling author of Legends & Lattes "Immensely charming, unexpected, full of heart, I was utterly delighted by this incredibly original retelling of Sleeping Beauty." Katherine Arden, bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale "Kingfisher never fails to dazzle." Peter S. Beagle, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus-Award winning author of The Last Unicorn "Kingfisher's trademark wit and compassion transforms "Sleeping Beauty" into a moving meditation on guilt, grief, and duty, as well as a surprisingly sweet romance between outsiders. There are no false notes here." Publishers Weekly, STARRED review "Haunting and unusuala unique retelling of a classic tale!" Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Tortall series "The way Thornhedge turns all the fairy tales inside out is a sharp-edged delight." Katherine Addison, author of The Goblin Emperor "At every turn, Kingfisher subverts familiar fairytale tropes into a fresh, complex, and extremely human story about loneliness, and the protective barriers we put around ourselves." Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters "Kingfisher weaves elements of fairy tale, folklore, and history in this beautifully crafted story of loss, endurance, terror, and kindness. Thornhedge is sheer magic from beginning to end!" Juliet Marillier, author of the Blackthorn & Grim and Warrior Bards series "This marvelously fractured fairy tale takes a well-known and well-loved story and turns it completely around. . . . Highly recommended for anyone who loves to see fables fractured into new and different shapes, similar to Alix E. Harrow's A Spindle Splintered." Library Journal, STARRED review Praise for Nettle & Bone T. Kingfisher solidifies her place as natural and inevitable heir to the greats of her genre, while remaining clearly and unquestionably a unique voice in fantasy. This book is a modern classic and belongs alongside The Last Unicorn and Spinning Silver on your shelf.-Seanan McGuire This book is so exciting, deeply wise, sad, brutal and compassionate all at once. And beautifully written, with a plot as cunning as fine embroidery.-Catriona Ward, author of Last House on Needless Street 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 Nettle & Bone brings Kingfisher's signature honesty and authenticity to a fairy tale settingthe result is refreshing, earnest but not naive, and deeply satisfying. I devoured it. This is one that's going to stay with me for a long time.Sarah Gailey, author of Magic for Liars Witty, sparkling tale of a heroine's quest, full of matter-of-fact magic, impossible tasks, and a group of fantastic and charming companions. A delight throughout.Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches Nettle & Bone is pure delight. T. Kingfisher uses the bones of fairy tale to create something entirely her own, written in gloriously clear and transparent prose. I devoured this story of a princess-nun rescuing her sister from an abusive marriage, and every fresh turn delighted me.Emily Tesh, Hugo finalist, Silver in the Wood Nettle & Bone is what happens when all the overlooked bit players of classic fantasy somehow wind up on the main quest. It's funny, frightening, and full of heart; I loved it.Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January Charming and macabreoften both at the same timeNettle & Bone has bite, proper jokes, effortlessly good storytelling and a really wonderful tomb labyrinth.A. K. Larkwood, author of The Unspoken Name