What Moves the Dead is Kingfisher’s retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic “The Fall of the House of Usher.” I’m continually amazed at how much Kingfisher can pack into her smaller word count stories. The last horror I read from her left me more unnerved than scared but this one hit the mark with utmost precision. I relished everything about this book. The sticky atmosphere and cloying Usher House left me with goose bumps at several points. I loved the narrator, Alex Easton, and retired soldier. It was interesting to watch his no-nonsense demeanor be completely rewritten between these pages as he encounters various aspects up the unknown. I feel like this was a great tribute to Poe without trying to become him. Since trying House of Hunger last year, I have discovered I enjoy gothic storylines and added many to my TBR last year. I recommend this to anyone on the fence about giving it a try. (4/5 rating)
Tag: by T. Kingfisher
Book Review – The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher
This story covers Mouse as she removes the belongings from her deceased grandmother’s house. The remaining clutter points to a terrifying cult that reside in the surrounding woods of North Carolina. Mouse doesn’t believe it’s true until she meets them herself. Kingfisher struck again with this one. I loved Mouse and her dedication to her dog, Bongo. She set the stage with a desperate and intense atmosphere and the plot build up to the ending was everything a horror book aspires to become. If you’re on the edge about reading this, I recommend you try this. (4/5 rating)
Book Review – Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
This most recent release of Kingfisher’s is centered around our heroine and Princess and waiting, Marra. Her older sister is wed to an abusive Prince to secure the future of the Kingdom. When Marra discovers that her parents knew of his dangerous behavior and imply that she will take her place if her sister dies, she decides to save herself. Paired with a fairy godmother, and ex-warrior, a dog of bones, and a dust witch, they set out to save her sister and the Kingdom from a tyrant.
I am always surprised and how well Kingfisher can weave a story, even when it’s barely 250 pages. This stand alone is buried under a dark and succulent atmosphere that creates its own kind of fairy tale story. I loved watching Marra refuse to exist where everyone expected her to and choosing her own fate regardless of the cost. Few of us are brave enough to do that. I know I’m not the only one who would love to see a sequel for this in the future. (4/5 rating)
