Taking a seed of inspiration from The Princess and the Pea - what sort of sadistic prince would seek out a wife so easily bruised?? - T. Kingfisher has woven a twisted kind of fairy tale: a princess's quest to save her sister from the clutches of a very powerful, very abusive husband. Via murder, of course. The mission is dark and dangerous, full of grueling tasks and unsavory locations, but Princess Marra's love for her sister is unflinching. A beautifully told, subversive tale that kicks royal weddings to the curb in favor of something far more magical: chosen family.