Bex Hogan on Nettle and fantasy books for early teens

This month our Macaw subscribers are stepping into the spellbinding world of Nettle by bestselling author Bex Hogan — a darkly enchanting fantasy for early teen readers that shimmers with faery folklore, dangerous bargains, and heart-stirring twists. This haunting tale follows a brave, wild-hearted girl as she navigates glittering courts, mysterious fae, and a pact that could cost her everything. We love the lush, atmospheric world-building, relatable heroine, and the way it celebrates courage, nature, and the magic hidden in plain sight. In this exclusive Q&A, Bex shares the inspiration, research, and secrets behind her unforgettable new book — plus what might be coming next in her faery realm.

What inspired you to write Nettle?

Faery tales have always been one of my absolute favourite things. I was raised on Grimm’s Fairy Tales and so it felt something of a full circle for me to finally write one of my own. For a long time it was something I’d shied away from, because how could I possibly do justice to the genre I revered? But with some encouragement from people I trust, it seemed right to try. Nettles are having a revival at the moment, as people rediscover their incredible properties and that, combined with their faery connections and my love of The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen, meant that they seemed a good place to start, and the idea unfolded from there.

What research did you do for the book and did you learn anything that surprised you?

In the story, one of the tasks that Nettle has to complete is to make a garment from actual nettles for the king. I am the least crafty person ever and had absolutely no idea how such a thing might be achieved. It was a joy to research the process, from picking nettles all the way through to weaving the threads. There was a recent film called The Nettle Dress by Allan Brown, which provided a wealth of information, and was so much more informative than simply reading about the process. Additionally, while I know you can eat nettles – I’d previously had nettle soup - I had no idea quite how versatile they are; they can be used for tea, cakes, balms, ink, thread… not bad for a weed we’re all warned away from! Plus, I was shown by a nettle expert how to pick and hold them without being stung, which was surprisingly thrilling!

What do you hope young readers will take away from the story and how it unfolds?

More than anything, I want my readers to enjoy themselves when they pick up one of my books. My prime objective is always to spin a tale that allows them to escape to another world and lose themselves there for a while. It is what I love most about reading and hope others will have that same experience with my books. Beyond that, I hope they will discover the power of nature, the strength of love, the importance of being yourself. Nettle makes mistakes, she doesn’t always have the answers, but she holds to what she knows is true and that guides her through the dangerous unknown. I wish I had been that brave when I was younger, and hope she can inspire the young readers who are in many ways travelling their own paths through dark forests.

In what ways would you say the book reflects our relationship with the natural world?

One of the joys of creating this faery world was highlighting the magic of nature. We often wish that magic was real – and it is. We’re surrounded by it all the time, but we’ve lost our connection to it. I think what we see in the faery world is a respect for plants and trees which reminds us how much we need that in our lives. The pace of life is very fast these days, and we spend more time inside and looking at screens - reconnecting with the natural world can steady us, calm us, remind us of what’s important. We are part of an ecosystem, one we have a responsibility to safeguard and if we take the time to really see it and understand it, that responsibility becomes a privilege.

Can you tell us anything about what the future holds for Nettle?

Nettle is a standalone book, so her journey concludes in this story. However, I have another book coming out in October, Owl King, which is set in the same faery realms as Nettle. It follows two sisters called Ilsette and Lyla, and shows the lengths they’re willing to go to in order to protect one other. Again, it is a standalone, but there might be places and faces familiar to those who have read Nettle first…!

Why did you choose to write books for this age group?

I’ve always loved writing for teens and young adults and there are various reasons for this. Partly, it’s because I love reading YA, and I think you should always write the books that you would want to read yourself. And there’s something about this age group being on the cusp of new discovery that fits so perfectly with fantasy, and faery tales especially. Adventure goes hand in hand with emerging from childhood and testing the waters of adulthood. A fantasy setting allows me as a writer to explore everyday things from the safety of another place entirely. Teens also make excellent protagonists as they are inquisitive, adventurous and in pursuit of answers to the many questions they have.

Do you have a favourite place to write?

I am fortunate enough to have a lovely study in our home, where I have my desk, computer and comfy chair. It’s where the majority of my writing is done. Most of my ideas though come when I’m outside, taking walks. There is nothing more inspiring than daydreaming through forests and fields, surrounded by nature. I keep a notepad and pen with me at all times, so I can scribble things down when inspiration strikes!

Which other fantasy stories for early teens would you recommend our subscribers read next?

If you’re partial to a faery tale retelling, then I would thoroughly recommend Thorn by Intisar Khanani, which is a Goose Girl retelling. If you’re looking for another story about the fae, I loved An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson. And for a classic magical story that never fails, why not try Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones?

Copies of our Nettle pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!

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