I suspect that if you asked many adults what stories they remember from their childhoods, amongst the more obscure answers would be the names of plenty of fairy tales. There is something about them that has ensured their continuing popularity for hundreds of years and with today's authors rewriting old favourites for a modern audience or creating those that are brand new, I'm sure that they will continue to be shared and enjoyed well into the future. While most of the fairy tales that I have read in the past few years have been aimed at a middle grade audience, there has been a steady stream of those written for Young Adults and this is just the latest. Darker than those for younger readers, with shades of the film Labyrinth and the traditional constant untrustworthy presence of the faery folk familiar to us all, here is a bang up-to-date story with a bold and determined heroine who finds herself trapped in the world of the fae and tasked with completing a series of impossible challenges to buy her escape back to the human world from whence she has come. Named for the plant that has played an important role throughout her life, as Nettle has grown from a baby into a young woman she has shared her life with her grandmother - learning the old woman's ways with the natural world and listening to her stories of the faeries and her warnings to stay away from the forest nearby. When the old woman becomes gravely ill and takes to her bed, a deeply worried Nettle carries out her chores before falling asleep pleading for help in a patch of the stinging plants. Waking up in an unfamiliar landscape, Nettle soon learns that her pleas have been heard by the faeries and accused by those who find her of being a spy for the queen is taken to the king to face his displeasure. Holding her own as she is threatened with a series of gruesome fates, Nettle is offered a bargain: to complete three tasks of the king's choosing in order to heal her grandmother and earn her freedom. Accepting the king's offer, Nettle quickly finds out that she has been tricked but undeterred sets about overcoming the magical obstacles that have been put in her way. As she makes slow progress towards her goal, she finds herself drawn to fellow human captee Conor, who determines to help her, and shadow faery Ellion, who the king employs to spy on her movements. Unsure in whom she can trust, and with time running out for her grandmother, can Nettle complete the three tasks with which she is charged and what will be her and her grandmother's fates if she can't? Nettle is a wonderful character, with whom many readers will find themselves empathising. Having been brought up with a respect for local faery lore and the natural world around her, she has been unable to fit in with her peers - not necessarily because they have disliked her, but because their families have taken against her, with the result that her grandmother and the animals on the farm that they share are her only company. This has given her a strong self-reliance and the ability to question the actions and motives of those that she meets so that she is fiercely independent, quick-witted and extraordinarily determined to succeed, even when faced with what appears to be a series of impossible challenges. Not prepared to kowtow to those who wield power in her new environment, she is a heroine unlike any other and one that readers will love. The idea of a human accidentally being transported into Fairyland on a quest to save a close family member is not a new one but here the author runs with it and makes it her own. With many familiar aspects of traditional tales woven throughout the narrative, those who are fans of folklore and fairy tales will be delighted with how the story pans out and will recognise shades of other familiar titles such as Hans Christian Andersen's The Wild Swans here, reminding those who pick this up that these stories are far from the fluffy, Disneyfied versions produced for a younger audience. With twists and turns throughout and at just over 300 pages, this is a great read for 12+ readers - especially those who have read and enjoyed Ross Montgomery's The Chime Seekers or Louie Stowell's Otherland and are looking for something similar but a little more adult.

Nettle captures the twisted, atmospheric darkness of the original fairytales and imbues it with heart in its excellent characterisation. Our titular character is a brilliant protagonist, wanting to do anything to protect the only family she has ever known. She has a great sense of loyalty and love, as well as plenty of wits and creativity. Hogan’s characterisation is strong, with Nettle leaping off the page and straight into my heart. Nettle has a keen sense of right and wrong & works to fight the injustices she comes across. As with all good fairytales, there is a layer of mystery too. I loved Hogan’s exploration of found family and creating a community around us that we love. Nettle has only ever had that with one person, meaning she will go to any lengths to protect it. The romance threaded in is a lovely addition as well, feeling like an extra layer rather than defining Nettle. Her fierce and cunning nature would never allow for that anyway. For me, she was defined by her longing for freedom to exist simply as herself. Hogan has never been one to shy away from darkness in her writing and Nettle is no exception, delving into the tricksy side of the fae. It focuses on manipulation and pretence with impossible tasks and deals. There is a cruelness inherent to proceedings, with fae treating humans like playthings. They are either manipulating them for their own entertainment or treat them with a cool indifference, a superiority that removes their humanity. The writing pulls you into this duplicitous world that is filled with both beauty and danger in equal measure. Some of the side characters send shivers down your spine and others charm you in an instant. Plenty lurks beneath the perfect appearance. I also liked the focus on deals and the importance of exact wording, else something unexpected be taken. Nettle is a wonderful slice of faery magic, tempting and duplicitious.

This is such an adorable read, it was a struggle to stick to the readalong schedule and not binge it in one sitting. I loved Nettle for her love for her grandmother, her quirkiness, determination and strength when dealing with her predicament. The land of fae was stunning (well apart from some characters) and the myths keep you engrossed and then add in romance, trials and mystery. The world-building and the sketches within the book make this so magical.

Nettle stays with her grandmother, who keeps her apart from the human world where she doesn't fit in. Her Gran teaches her and also entertains her with stories of the fabled Fae, who you must be wary of, so not to fall for their tricks. However, when Nettles Gran becomes ill, she makes a wish of sorts to save her. And it is the Fae that answer... Nettle must complete 3 seemingly impossible tasks for the Fae King to grant her her wish to save her Gran and return home However, nothing is as easy as it seems in the world of Fae and Nettle must learn who she can trust.... and if the kind stable boy Connor and the Shadow Fae who has been tasked with watching her, Ellion, can be counted among them.... I really enjoyed this story, dark like the Fae should be. Tricky and cunning. There was something about it that brought the feeling of Labyrinth with the tricky goblins and the gifts that Nettle has brought from home which help her along the way Highly recommended, especially for the vibes at this time of year.

‘Nettle’ is full of gossamer wings, glittering balls, deep woods and sparkling dresses. This is a really entertaining and immersive read. The plot and relationships moved just a tiny bit too quickly. Thank you to the publishers for an advanced copy.