Challenge Corner discussion

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

Starting today :)

Aneta wrote: "Starting today :)"

Cool! I'll probably start in a couple of days! :) As soon as I finish Juniper and Thorn!

Chapter 3
I managed to read only 3 chapters yesterday but I really like this already. I don't really know what is this book about because I didn't read a summary.
(view spoiler)[I love the atmosphere of this story. It feels like a fairytale gone wrong! Okay, so this prince is clearly not good one. Mara's sister is going to die again, won't she? Mara will have to marry him instead. Is this why she is on the run? And for revenge, of course. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[I knew the Prince is a reason of Damia's death! I thought Marra is going to try and take revenge after her sister death. I'm glad she is trying to safe Kania.

I really like that Marra is an adult and not a teen. When I found out she is over 30 I was surprised! (hide spoiler)]

Aneta wrote: "Chapter 3
I managed to read only 3 chapters yesterday but I really like this already. I don't really know what is this book about because I didn't read a summary.
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[Ah! I did read the synopsis, so I have a vague idea of what is going on. I still don't understand how she made a dog out of bones: does she have magic?
I like that she really does not like to be involved in politics!
The bit about births was a bit exaggerated. though I guess giving birth in the Middle Ages really was a big risk... (hide spoiler)]

Aneta wrote: "Chapter 7..."

Chapter 7: yes, I like that she's 30, too! She seems a different than usual protagonist, which is interesting! :)

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[I like the Godmother a lot! This book is equal parts insightful and funny! :) (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Chapter 3
I managed to read only 3 chapters yesterday but I really like this already. I don't really know what is this book about because I didn't read a summary.
[spoilers removed]"..."

(view spoiler)[I like that she isn't into politics as well! I feel I read about character like hers a lot. She is a little bit like "I'm not like other girls" trope but written in the way it doesn't feel forced or unnessary.
I think giving birth in the Middle Ages sucked! Stopping blood, preventing infections and other stuff would be really hard. But I don't really know anything about this XD (hide spoiler)]

Aneta wrote: "Andy wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Chapter 3
I managed to read only 3 chapters yesterday but I really like this already. I don't really know what is this book about because I didn't read a summary. "

(view spoiler)[I guess I tend to read about strong, brave heroines that also like learning and reading (I obviously feel connected to them in this last part), and I thought the fact that Marra doesn't care for reading, but likes embroidery and is quite fearful of many things was an interesting and different choice!

I know, you are right about birth in the Middle Ages, but if all goes well you have a squishy baby, isn't that great? :P I'm obviously biased! ;) (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[This was a very fun adventurous book! :) I liked how things were important later, like how they found the girl who was buried alive, and then the ruse was to bury Fenrir alive to save him. (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[I like Agnes as well! Fenris's story story is sad. It's a terrible death for anyone to die like that boy and it took more than a day! (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[I really like this book and characters! It was fun to listen to an audiobook and narrator did great job. I love that Agnes was more into cursed than blessings.
Every one I know was talking about demonic chicken and I don't get the hype. Hen was alright but nothing amazing. Bone dog was more up my alley. (hide spoiler)]

Aneta wrote: "Finished
Every one I know was talking about the chicken."

I agree! I was waiting for the chicken to do something amazing but it was just there! I also definitely preferred Bonedog! Or even Finder! :P

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RESTARTING JANUARY 28TH, 2024

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Chap. 1 - 6: (view spoiler)[Not going to lie, I am pretty confused. Not nearly as confused as I was at the beginning, but I still have a lot of unanswered questions. Is the fairy godmother of the Northern region actively promoting the evil in Prince/King Vorling or is he just a rotten apple? When did the blighted lands begin? Are these gods/goddesses somehow connected to other Kingfisher books or are they their own separate world? What was causing the streaks in her blood when she was making the bone dog? It doesn't sound like any flesh is left on the bones in the pit...Hopefully more answers are coming... (hide spoiler)]

Chap. 7-11: (view spoiler)[It seems like as soon as one question gets answered another question or two takes its place, although things have settles somewhat so I am feeling less confused. Fenris is interesting. I am looking forward to what role he will play - diplomat or sword? Love Bonedog. The third impossible task was hilarious...what a fun twist! All in all, I am enjoying this one even as I very much feel that I don't really know what is going on. Which makes sense as the narrator doesn't either. (hide spoiler)]

Chap. 12-17: (view spoiler)[Ooooh...it's getting really good now! This is such a surprising book. When I think I know how something is going to go, it slides or tilts or changes angles so that my entire line of thinking changes or I am right, but in a different way than expected. I like that about it and I am a bit frustrated by it as well. I have a feeling I am supposed to be feeling these mixed emotions as they mimic Marra's...books like these are why I am so glad to be a reader, and why I know I am not meant to be a writer. I could never have come up with this in a million years, but I am so grateful that someone else has! (hide spoiler)]

Chap. 18 - End: (view spoiler)[That was a most excellent story...I ended up enjoying it quite a lot. I liked both the predictable ending (good vanquishes evil) and the unpredictable way it all played out (not everything was smooth sailing, the devil got his due in several ways). I both want a sequel with these characters saving slaves from the goblin market and to let this story end here with the different possibilities for what their futures might hold laid out in my imagination. All in all, T. Kingfisher can tell a hell of a tale. (hide spoiler)]

i just downloaded this on KU. i'm excited to read it and your comments!

even better, i got the audio on Everand. starting this now!

I hope you like it! I could see it being really great on Audio...

Ch.1/7 (view spoiler)[ I really like this first part! It really sets up the foundation of the story. Fist wife is definitely my favorite character so far, obviously. I think Mara trying to kill the prince is a legit task but I feel might be fruitless? This is gonna be a fun journey. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I can’t remember it exactly but the dust wife’s line about our fate may be sealed in the jar and we might need someone to open it. Hilarious!!

Ch.13 (view spoiler)[ this would take much longer with a baby 😂😂 (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

“I have faith in all of you.” “You would.” 😂😂

Ch.7-15 (view spoiler)[ so good! And the royal god mother is crushing it! Agnes is cooky and all of these characters are fun! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Elaine wrote: "I hope you like it! I could see it being really great on Audio..."

it was great as an audio! thanks for buddy reading with me :)

Finished - highly recommend the audio! (view spoiler)[ the ending was great and i enjoyed all of the characters. demonic hen and dust wife were favorites of course. such a fun read and will definitely look at more of the author's books (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING JULY 12TH, 2024


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Haven't had a chance to start this one yet.

Same I have been very busy, hopefully soon.

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)["She had not realized that a nun had more power than a princess, that she could close a door" is such a great line (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ Prince Vorling is such a monster, he beats her and forced to let people watch I feel so bad for Kania, and to find out that he did kill Damia (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ the Toothdancer scene was awful, makes the dentist looks like a pleasant experience (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[I am so happy that the godmother was finally able to rest (hide spoiler)]

Haven’t gotten to this yet, but hopefully soon

Still need to start this one. It’s been slow reading for me.

Haven’t had a chance to get to this one yet, but will as soon as I finish a couple ARCs

Still behind. I’m reading this really bad book so it’s taking a little longer to get through

Will read soon

Chapters 1-6 (view spoiler)[So far this is interesting. I hope she is able to get the price to stop beating and hurting her. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 7-11 (view spoiler)[ I am really liking Bonedog’s character. Also the scene where they both didn’t want the other to die because of the drunk. I love how the witch was like, well no one is dead. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 12-17 (view spoiler)[ Loving the godmother. Also I loved how she said that some people need to want to be saved in order to be saved, but to always give them a choice, even if you don’t think they made the right one. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[I really liked the ending with how everyone lived excessively for the king. Especially since Bonedog came back to life. The sister taking charge as a queen was great too. (hide spoiler)]