The Seventh Bride, T. Kingfisher
Recieved to review via Netgalley
I actually bought this initially, but the Netgalley page said something about it being an updated version, so I went for it. I originally picked it up for the promise of a heroic little hedgehog, and I was very happy with that aspect — the hedgehog is brave, helpful, clever, and funny. It can’t speak, so it communicates with the protagonist via miming and yes/no answers. It sounded so cute. I want one!
The story itself, aside from the hedgehogs, is a nice reimagining of a Bluebeard fairytale — but darker, really, because instead of death, the antagonist steals things of worth from the women he marries — their voices, their eyes, their ability to die — and leaves them alive. I found the tone somewhat at odds with the perceived historical/mythological time it was set in; the protagonist was too modern in thought and sensibility in some ways, it seemed. But overall, I found it very enjoyable, and I loved the way it treated the other characters. The other wives, for example, are each different, some very strange, and each of them copes with what has happened to them in a different way. As people do.
And, just to reiterate: hedgehog!
Rating: 4/5
Speedy and Silvie are very pleased to learn you’re a fan of Hedgies as well as Hippos, Giraffes and Dragons!
Oh, very much so! We feed them in our back garden and know them well.
What do you feed them? I’ve heard that catfood is a good option.
Hedgehog food, wet and dry varieties, plus rehydrated mealworms. Catfood is a reasonable option too.
One can get commercial Hedgie food?! I didn’t know that!
Yep! Dad practically orders it by the barrel.
Speedy and Silvie like your Dad! (And you.)
They might like him even more if they know that local hedgehogs can summon him by banging on the plate, and he will refill it. And there’s two hedgehog hotels in our garden, and the food gets put in a little shelter only accessible to hedgies!
They have a new hero…