Inspired by faery myth and folklore, the haunting, heart wrenching tale of a girl called Nettle in a dark, foreboding faery kingdom.
Welcome to a world of glittering courts, dangerous bargains and dazzling trickery...
A wild misfit in the human world, Nettle is enthralled by the glamour of the faery realm, with its two moons and scarlet stars. She grows close to Conor, a human stolen centuries before, and she also falls under the spell of mysterious Ellion, a Shadow Faery. To try to help her beloved grandmother who is fading in her world, Nettle makes a pact with the faery king. He'll heal her grandmother in exchange for Nettle completing three tasks. She agrees, not realising that deception lurks in this enchanted place, and that she has been tricked...
In this dangerous fantasy kingdom Nettle discovers, too late, her part in an age-old love story and the price she will pay.
What did I think?
Oh my goodness! Nettle has just bagged a prime spot on my favourites shelf as this is a book I will read over and over again. It really is THAT good.
I actually didn't realise that it was a YA book aimed at readers of age 12 and above as it has that timeless and ageless feel to it, much like my favourite book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Just as I have done, readers of all ages will fall under Nettle's spell and remain captivated by this wonderful book that is surely destined to become a future classic.
It starts off very much like a faery tale with mesmerising lyrical prose that drew me immediately into Nettle's world. Falling through her own version of Alice's rabbit hole, Nettle finds herself in the faery realm where she encounters a colourful cast of characters who both help and hinder her attempt to return home. The story takes a darker turn as Nettle discovers the deceitfulness and trickery of the fae but it's never too dark or scary for younger readers.
I loved the little sprinklings of classic fairy tales throughout the book and I read so fast I probably missed some but I noticed nods to Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Rumpelstiltskin. Nettle isn't a retelling though, it's an original and highly imaginative story that is sure to enchant and delight every single person who picks it up.
Nettle is without doubt a strong contender for my book of the year as it's right up there with my favourite books of all time. Prepare to be enchanted by Nettle; a very highly recommended, unforgettable and unmissable read. An easy and well-deserved five stars.
I received a gifted paperback to take part in the Adventures With Words readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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