Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to read this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones and Amazon.

Yet to come across a Francis Hardinge book I do not like. Amazing writer with fantastic world building

Amazing book loved every minute of it cannot wait to read more from this author hopefully in the near future.

Frances Hardinge's characters in "Unraveller" are not only complex but also vividly real, filled with depth and contradictions that make them both relatable and intriguing. Kellen, the protagonist, possesses the rare ability to unravel curses, a gift that makes him both a saviour and a target in a world rife with resentment and hatred. His journey is marked by a strong sense of duty and the heavy burden of his power, as he navigates the moral complexities of his role. Kellen's internal struggles and his evolving understanding of his gift provide a compelling emotional core to the story.

Nettle, who accompanies Kellen, is equally fascinating. Rescued by Kellen from her own curse, Nettle's loyalty and resilience are her defining traits. Her character provides a crucial counterbalance to Kellen's impulsiveness, offering a steady, thoughtful presence that grounds their partnership. Nettle's backstory, involving the tragic curse placed on her and her siblings by their stepmother, adds layers of emotional depth and tragedy to her character. Throughout the novel, Nettle's growth and her grappling with her past trauma are poignantly portrayed, making her journey as compelling as Kellen's.

The supporting characters in "Unraveller" are richly drawn and contribute significantly to the story's depth. From the enigmatic marsh horse and its rider to the various cursed individuals Kellen and Nettle encounter, each character is unique and memorable. Hardinge excels at creating morally ambiguous characters, where even the villains have understandable motivations. This complexity ensures that the reader is constantly engaged, questioning and empathising with the characters' choices and actions. The diverse cast of characters, each with their own distinct personalities and backstories, adds richness and variety to the narrative.

"Unraveller" is a densely woven tapestry of interconnected plots and subplots, each contributing to a larger narrative that never loses its momentum. The story is set in the fantastical country of Raddith, where curses are a common occurrence, thanks to the malevolent influence of spider-like creatures known as the Little Brothers. Kellen’s ability to unravel these curses places him at the centre of a complex web of intrigue, where every unravelling reveals deeper layers of conflict and conspiracy.

The central plot follows Kellen and Nettle as they embark on a quest to uncover the source of a dangerous conspiracy. Their journey takes them across various terrains and through numerous challenges, each quest revealing more about the nature of curses and the people affected by them. The narrative is intricately plotted, with each curse unravelling serving as both a standalone story and a piece of the larger puzzle. This structure keeps the reader constantly engaged, as new mysteries and revelations unfold with each chapter.

Underlying the action-packed plot are deeper themes of friendship, responsibility, and the moral complexities of power. The story delves into the distinctions between anger and hate, the importance of questioning assumptions, and the heavy burden of guilt. As Kellen and Nettle navigate these themes, they encounter characters with diverse and often conflicting perspectives, challenging them to think critically about their own beliefs and actions. The plot’s complexity and thematic depth make "Unraveller" a rich and rewarding read that offers much more than a simple fantasy adventure.

Frances Hardinge’s writing style in "Unraveller" is a masterclass in subtlety and nuance. Her prose is precise and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the fantastical world of Raddith without ever resorting to heavy-handed exposition. Hardinge’s language is more focused and streamlined in this novel compared to her previous works, maintaining an intense pace that drives the plot forward. Despite the rapid progression, the writing never feels rushed, and each sentence is crafted with care, contributing to the story’s rich atmosphere.

One of Hardinge’s greatest strengths is her ability to trust her readers. She presents complex ideas and themes without oversimplifying them, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. This trust in the reader’s intelligence is evident in her handling of the story’s moral ambiguities and intricate plot twists. Hardinge’s writing is layered with meaning, and her skillful use of metaphor and simile adds depth to the narrative. Her descriptions are particularly striking, whether she’s depicting the lush, eerie landscapes of Raddith or the intricate details of a curse unravelling.

The dialogue in "Unraveller" is sharp and authentic, capturing the distinct voices of each character. Hardinge excels at showing rather than telling, using dialogue and action to reveal character traits and advance the plot. This approach makes the interactions between characters feel natural and engaging. The writing is also notable for its emotional resonance; Hardinge deftly explores themes of trauma, guilt, and redemption, creating moments of genuine poignancy that linger long after the book is finished. Overall, her writing style in "Unraveller" is both sophisticated and accessible, making it a joy to read.

"Unraveller" explores a wide range of themes, each woven seamlessly into the fabric of the story. One of the central themes is the complex relationship between anger and hate. Through Kellen’s journey, Hardinge examines how these emotions can drive people to destructive actions and how understanding and empathy can help mitigate their effects. The distinction between anger and hate is crucial in a world where curses are born from intense negative emotions, and Kellen’s ability to unravel curses becomes a metaphor for healing and forgiveness.

Another significant theme is the importance of questioning assumptions and thinking for oneself. The characters in "Unraveller" are frequently challenged to reevaluate their beliefs and consider different perspectives. This theme is particularly relevant in the context of the curses, where understanding the curser’s motivations is essential to unravelling the curse. Hardinge emphasises the value of empathy and the need to look beyond surface appearances to understand the deeper truths of a situation.

The novel also addresses the theme of trauma and its long-lasting impact. Many characters, including Kellen and Nettle, have experienced profound trauma due to curses, and their struggles to cope with these experiences are depicted with sensitivity and depth. Hardinge explores how trauma shapes individuals and influences their actions, and the varying ways people deal with their pain. The theme of trauma is intertwined with the broader themes of guilt and redemption, as characters seek to come to terms with their pasts and find a path forward.

"Unraveller" is a standout in the young adult fantasy genre, but its appeal extends beyond typical genre boundaries. While marketed as young adult fiction, the novel’s complex themes, sophisticated writing, and intricate plot make it equally suitable for adult readers. The fantasy elements are rich and imaginative, with a unique magic system involving curses bestowed by spider-like creatures. This originality in world-building sets "Unraveller" apart from other fantasy novels and adds a fresh perspective to the genre.

The book also incorporates elements of detective fiction, with Kellen and Nettle solving mysteries and uncovering conspiracies. This blend of fantasy and mystery adds an additional layer of intrigue to the story, keeping readers engaged as they follow the protagonists’ investigations. The novel’s structure, with its episodic unravelling of curses and overarching conspiracy plot, provides a dynamic and engaging narrative that fits well within the fantasy genre while also offering something new and exciting.

Furthermore, "Unraveller" avoids some of the common tropes of young adult fiction, such as romance-driven plots, focusing instead on the strength of its story and characters. This approach makes the novel appealing to readers who appreciate complex, character-driven narratives. The book’s exploration of deep themes such as trauma, guilt, and the moral complexities of power adds to its genre-defying quality, making it a rich and rewarding read for a broad audience.

Overall, "Unraveller" is a masterfully crafted novel that showcases Frances Hardinge’s exceptional talent as a writer. The characters are deeply nuanced, the plot is intricate and engaging, and the writing style is both sophisticated and accessible. The novel’s exploration of complex themes such as anger, hate, trauma, and empathy adds depth to the story, making it much more than a simple fantasy adventure.

Despite some criticisms about the pacing and character development in certain sections, "Unraveller" stands out for its creativity, atmosphere, and engaging narrative. Hardinge’s ability to create vivid, fully fleshed-out worlds and her trust in the reader’s intelligence make this a standout work in the fantasy genre. The novel’s blend of fantasy, mystery, and psychological depth ensures that it will appeal to a wide range of readers, from young adults to adults who appreciate thoughtful, well-crafted stories.

I would rate "Unraveller" 4.5 stars, acknowledging its minor flaws but celebrating its many strengths and the enjoyment it provides. This is a book that will linger in the reader’s mind long after the final page, offering a richly rewarding reading experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Frances Hardinge has once again proven her mastery of the fantasy genre, and "Unraveller" is a testament to her skill as a storyteller.

I absolutely love Frances Hardinge's writing. It's beautifully poetic without overly using words and phrases just for the sake of it. Unravelled is no exception, where the reader follows Kellen - a man who can undo curses, and Nettle the woman he saves. The magic system is incredibly detailed and decidedly unique, relying on negative emotions, such as spite or hatred, to weave curses on others. We also see how this power effects Kellen, especially when his emotions are heightened and how this manifests on his surrounding environment. His personality is as chaotic as his ability, and to see his dynamics with Nettle was a pleasure to read too.

The world building is also really well done, taking the reader on an adventure along with our main characters to dark forests and bogs and beyond. It gave distinct Labyrinth vibes and for that I loved it more. A really excellent fantasy novel that's both unique yet also comfortingly similar to classic fantasy.

2.5 stars.
This book is simply too long, has too many characters and tries to do too much and therefore nothing quite *sticks.* I had heard such good things about Frances Hardinge so was excited to pick up this with a dark magical market where emotions and magic are bartered for, bought and sold but instead I felt like I had been turned around and round until I was dizzy and didn't know which direction I was heading much like the cast of characters in this.
HOWEVER, I'm not put off reading from Frances again, the backlist seems very well loved so I will try again

I very much enjoyed this intricate tale. The characters were flawed but likeable and I found myself rooting for them from very early on - for me a sign of good storytelling to have me invested so early. There were lots of different threads to keep the reader interested too.

Clara's review of Unraveller already covers most of what makes this book so great: Frances Hardinge always brings intriguing magic and thoughtful moral complexity to her particular brand of YA, and her latest is no exception. Set in a world where humans live alongside the otherworldy denizens of the Wilds, Unraveller focuses on Kellan, a boy from a community of weavers who has been cast out after gaining the uncontrollable ability to unravel both fabric and curses, and Nettle, a formerly cursed girl, as they travel the country of Raddith unravelling the various curses that its inhabitants have placed on each other - ranging from mildly inconvenient to the truly horrible. The curses themselves are gifted by the Little Brothers, spider-like fae inhabitants of Raddith who also take a keen interest in ensuring its technology doesn't develop too extensively. When someone is given a "curse egg", they have the ability to lay a curse on someone they feel has wronged them, but the punishment for even having a curse egg - let alone using it - is extremely steep, even before the emotional cost and stigmatisation for the curser is taken into account.

We follow Kellan and Nettle as they try to discover the source of a curse on Kellan, which appears to be making his abilities stronger and more unpredictable. Along the way, Hardinge sketches out the various impacts that living with this particular brand of otherworldly justice has had on Raddith's society, and what, if anything, can be repaired after a curse has come to pass. As tales of fae morality being imposed on humans go, this is a seriously good one, and Kellan and Nettle's mildly prickly friendship forms a wonderful core around which the rest of the narrative unfolds. If you haven't read any Hardinge before, this is a great place to start.

This was such an unusual book, it's definitely not a story line that I have seen anything like before, but I absolutely loved it.

I admit, some of the ideas in this were slightly terrifying - the idea that someone who you wronged could curse you and you would be unable to reverse it without help is just crazy. However it was a beautifully written book and definitely one I would read again.

Frances Hardinge has quickly become one of my all-time favourite writers and I enthusiastically devour every book she releases, and Unraveller is another absolute spellbinder of a book.

The plot, world and characters were so immersive and well-constructed that I felt like I was living the story in among with them and was physically unable to stop reading until I turned the last page.

This is a world where magic spiders can ‘gift’ a curse egg to those who are angry which, when fed with their hatred and misery, grows until the curse flies free with some hauntingly horrifying consequences. Images of people cursed into boats, clouds, birds and monsters are going to stay with me for a looooong, long time, so don’t say I have warned you… this is a darkly mesmerising fairy tale!

Part mystery, part horror, part fantasy, this author’s books are officially classed as Young Adult fiction but as an adult reader (fat TOO adult these days, in my opinion!) I utterly adore them. I love all of the characters – main and side; good, bad and grey – and simply didn’t want the book to ever end.

I’ve already bought this in hardback format for my ‘keep’ shelf, where it will sit proudly with Deeplight, displaying their beautiful covers, while their mesmerising contents will sit permanently in my imagination.

I really enjoyed this book despite it being a fair bit longer than my usual reads. I appreciated the description of the settings and felt the characters were well written and likeable. The idea of how curses are formed and why was intriguing and all of the "monsters" from The Wilds were easy to imagine. Another great story from the mind of Frances Hardinge!

Another superb story from Frances Hardinge.
A magical, web spinning, web unravelling tale with dark undertones.

Frances Hardringe is one of my favourite authors in the fantasy field and Unraveller is a key example of why. Hardringe has a fantastical mind with an infinite imagination, the worlds created are so new, so visual, it’s always a beautiful experience and she is a reason why I love books so much because truly anything feels possible. Many authors would be happy with one concept in this book, one curse and it’s origin and resolution and the characters involved, one creature created, and yet Hardringe sprinkles them so freely throughout the story, confident in that infinite imagination to create more.

Kellen is an unraveller, through an interaction with a ‘little brother’, a spider like creature that can gift curses in hateful people to those that wronged them, he has the ability to untangle these curses. He now travels with Nettle, a girl he helped with this gift, to find others in need and arrest those with the hate eggs inside them, whether they have cursed or not. That’s until they meet Gall, the dangerous marsh rider, who informs them that the people Kellen has helped capture are now after him.

Certain curse stories are incredibly dark, including death, grief, domestic violence … however I don’t believe it’s done so gratuitously. The concept itself, about hate literally living inside people like an egg that can then be unleashed on someone else, is an interesting and powerful one that Hardringe explores well. The hate we keep inside ourselves festers and manifests unless properly dealt with and ‘unravelled’.
Nettle is my favourite character, she’s been hurt, she herself has been cursed by someone’s hate and it leaves a mark on her, she was turned into a bird as her curse and witnessed her sister die by the hands of her brother. Nettle has mostly lost her voice, she submits to Kellen’s whims and impulsiveness and she still struggles with finding her place. Kellen is the opposite to Nettle, he’s rash, loud, he leads with his mouth and often gets himself in trouble. As the book progresses, Nettle finds her worth beyond Kellen’s shadow, she finds her strength to stand up to people and stand up for herself while Kellen learns to find his softness.

Hardringe is a masterful writer, expertly exploring the complex, multilayered themes of anger and resentment, forgiveness and healing and the 2 sides to any story. It’s about learning to forgive and let go of hate for your own health and healing, because you deserve it even if they don’t. There’s no forced romance behind self love, just extraordinary world building, imagery and themes to unpick and explore.

Thank you NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review

Frances Hardinge writes amazing books and she has a way of weaving stories in amongst a world that no one can match and Unraveller does not disappoint

Oh, I love Francis Hardinge. Her worldbuilding really is unparalleled and she brings an originality to these worlds that is often missing in fantasy, especially when aimed at young adults. In Unraveller we meet Kellen and Nettle who live in Raddith a world where anyone can lay a curse on another, a power deriving from the Little Brothers. Mistake them for normal spiders at your peril! Raddith is a dark world where terrible curses can afflict anyone and those who cast them have no choice. Kellen is a curse-breaker, Nettle a girl once cursed with the form of a heron. Kellen unravels things, curses and cloth, but is starting to lose control of the ability which could destroy everything. He a Nettle embark on a quest to understand where this ability comes from and why it is getting worse.

It's a gripping story, full of Hardinge's trademark darkness and moral quandries. She doesn't underestimate or condescend to her audience but challenges them with complex situations and moral puzzles. Her ability to pepper the narrative with history, mythology and zoology means that it is effortless to sink into her multilayered world. The plot is fast-paced and ably supported with excellent characterisation of her young MCs and the supporting characters.

Frances Hardinge has another smash hit on her hands. It took me a while to get into this book but once I was into the flow it was twisty, exciting and the strands cleverly woven together. I was lucky enough to get offered the audiobook and I did find myself listening more often than reading as it is quite a long book. I have purchased this book for my library and will be encouraging our students to read. It will definitely be added to our reading lists as a special book and definitely one to help students learn new vocabulary. I can always rely on Hardinge to provide more challenging reads for our students when so many children's books are easy reads.

Never give your Name away lightly in the Deep Wilds. Names have power.

I find myself not really wanting to say anything about Frances Hardinge’s Unraveller except ‘Read It, Everyone Should Read It’

This is because Hardinge is a sorcerer. She creates new, coherent, fantastical worlds which are, somewhat like our own, in that there are concepts, people, stories which we can recognise, but yet are completely different, an absolutely new world, totally itself.

And for the most intense pleasure, I think a new reader should know nothing about the world they are about to enter, and find it through the juxtaposition of their own imagination and Hardinge’s

Her audience is children and young adults – including the child within the body of a world weary and sophisticated adult. She is a writer like Philip Pullman whose writer is multi-layered, and can be read in many ways.

To be honest, I think it is purely the age of her protagonists which says ‘a book for young teenagers

Her writing, as always, is sumptuous, inventive, fresh – but not self-indulgent. Her characters are believable and complex, her plots intricate but know where they are heading.

So…enter the world of Kellen, a raggedy boy who can unravel curses, his friend Nettle with her own hidden secrets, and Gall, a strange man who must accompany the children, though it is not quite clear whether he is friend or foe to them.

I emerged from this like someone who has spent time away in faerie, and finds the world returned to, dull by comparison

Unraveller was my third Frances Hardinge book, and by now I can safely say I'm looking forward to catching up on all her books! As with the others I read, this book was just dark and creepy enough which made it a perfect November read. The world-building was also spot on, with the main storyline enriched with little nuggets of local lore, customs and magical creatures. I alternated between the e-book and the audio version for this, and I have to say it worked beautifully: the audiobook narrator in particular did a spectacular job bringing all the characters to life!

The plot was very original and definitely highly engaging: in the land of Raddith, anyone who strongly hates another person may curse them and only one boy, Kellen, has the power to unravel curses. Kellen himself is cursed, however, and unless he can learn how to unravel his own curse, he risks destroying everything and everyone around him. The story soon starts to show its multiple layers and, just like a complex tapestry we follow a thread at a time until the whole picture is clear before our eyes. The author does a great job weaving and unweaving the tale and the luscious, atmospheric setting plays a big part in that.

As Kellen and his friend Nettle journey across the land, they engage in a series of quests, unravelling various curses as they go. Pretty soon, it started to feel as though we were deep in a cycle of travel, quest, curse, unravelling and repeat. Although some of the places they visit and the characters they meet were fascinating, it did start to feel a little repetitive at times, and there was an almost endless parade of secondary characters who were introduced and left so fast I struggled to keep up with them. Sadly, this also meant I didn't really grow attached to any of them so that, when a few made a further appearance at a key point later on in the book, I was mostly unfazed.

This was really a shame, as in contrast I liked the main characters very much! Both Kellen and Nettle were unique, complex and deeply flawed and I loved them both so much for it. Their friendship and loyalty to their other friends and family members were an absolute delight to read about, and I really appreciated how they were called out on their mistakes and worked to put them right. There was real character growth here, which made me even sadder that it was limited to the main characters only.

Unraveller is a perfectly creepy read, perfect for readers who are looking for vivid settings and original world-building, despite the story dragging on a bit in the middle.

[Actual rating: 3.75/5, rounded up]

In the end, I really enjoyed this but I came close to DNFing it in the first quarter because it was difficult to get a toe hold. I couldn't help comparing it to Skinful of Shadows and finding it a bit lacklustre and shallow. However, that was only initially. It's actually a very nuanced and multi-layered book that looks at the idea 'hurt people hurt people' but also poses the question 'where does it all start?' Is revenge or retribution ever warranted? Do people do bad things to each other because they've been wronged or because they have developed issues with another person that are theirs alone to fix, in which case doing harm is never okay? It's an interesting conundrum, at which point Hardinge adds a magical element whereby everyone in this world is capable of exacting a terrible curse on someone who has hurt them. Of course, not everyone who feels wronged, actually is, so what happens is that people who harbour private resentments and hatreds end up doing terrible harm, sometimes deliberately and sometimes by accident.



Into the middle of all this wanders Kellan, the unraveller, cursed by a web sprite to unraveller anything that comes into contact with him - including curses, and Nettle, a girl who was once cursed to be a heron and now battles her own rage. Kellan is hard to warm too but by the end I was invested in his arc, I liked Nettle from the start. Add in a folklore book's worth of strange creatures haunting the Wilds, and you end up with a strange but lovely tale that is nevertheless unflinching in examining its subject matter. Give it at least 30% before deciding whether to continue or not though because it takes at least that long for all the strands to shake themselves out

Sometimes I'll start a book and it won't grab me immediately; it's a slow-burner that pays off in the long run. Other books can be so frustrating, difficult or annoying that they get put down, never to be read again. Unraveller fell into the third category; books that sweep you up from the first sentence and carry you through until the last.
Hardinge has pulled off a rare feat in fantasy writing, walking the tightrope between completing a satisfying narrative arc and descending into cliché. Those tropes Hardinge does borrow, the goblin market, for example, are given new life and made her own.
The story follows Kellen and Nettle as they get swept up in a vast conflict whilst dealing with their own issues and problems along the way. Both main characters feel real, with their strengths and weaknesses clear for all to see.
The writing itself is beautiful. Hardinge uses her words to devastating effect. She painted exquisite pictures in my mind and had clearly honed her manuscript to within an inch of its life; every word has earned its place.
I'd never read anything by Francis Hardinge before. I will certainly be looking out for her books from now on.
I ought to say that I listened to this as an audio book but that I will be buying this as a physical book to re-read.

This is the first of Hardinge's book I have read and I am wondering if it was the best place to start. The story and plot itself I really enjoyed, I just felt that it dragged a bit too much. The first half just seemed to quests with nothing to do with the outcome. I know background is important, but I don't think that much was necessary. I did like the characters though, especially Nettle