Scan barcode
lonesiekarp's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
bookaddict32's review against another edition
2.0
I can’t believe it ended like this… I was bored at the beginning and then the end was so rush and what was the end? Seriously I just can’t… I did not like the end… but it was definitely weird and creepy but it was over hype…
florasin's review against another edition
4.5
A quick thrill with believable characters and buttery smooth writing.
I'll continue this series for sure, even though this works well as a stand alone story. I'll have to check out more from this author.
I'll continue this series for sure, even though this works well as a stand alone story. I'll have to check out more from this author.
emyyy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I have never read Poe's short story so I went in this with no expectations. While I say I liked it, it did drag in the beginning and the horror wasn't enough horror for me.
sassyykassie's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kynaeus's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A good retelling of the house of usher for fans of body horror and the redoubtable mycologist.
Amused myself with the protag exclaiming how they could possibly have guessed this outcome, while I'd seen it coming a while now - did not detract from the enjoyment tho. Good cast of characters, quick pace, and the audiobook narrator delivered distinct and great performances to help distinguish the cast
Amused myself with the protag exclaiming how they could possibly have guessed this outcome, while I'd seen it coming a while now - did not detract from the enjoyment tho. Good cast of characters, quick pace, and the audiobook narrator delivered distinct and great performances to help distinguish the cast
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Trans or non-binary protag! Great intro of other pronouns from Gallatia as wellrachaelwinterling's review against another edition
4.0
Admittedly, I confused this book with one my dad said he really wanted to read, "All the Living and the Dead," so it took me a while to start once I realized that. Also, because I went to a private school, we never read the classics so I won't be able to compare this retelling to Poe's original script. That said, this book left me disturbed and fascinated. I've recently been on a horror kick lately, and can officially say that this one was one of the better forms of "gross" horror that I have read. The writing was vivid and, at time, grotesque. While the novel was more of a slow-burn, you could tell by the level of detail in the writing that the author did a lot of research. I loved the gothic vibes, the atmosphere, and some of the quotes made me pause and just stare at the wall for a while. I will definitely be picking up other T. Kingfisher novels in the future, he has made me a fan!
kswartz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a nice, creepy homage to The Fall of the House of Usher. The premise is unsettling - there's one scene I wish I could scrub from my mind, but I'm easily squicked by body horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Animal death
cardaisy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Animal death, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Medical content, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: War, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
booksarebetter's review against another edition
5.0
Well. Hello T Kingfisher, new favorite author. I now apparently need to read your entire backlog. This was a delight. Fungi (one of my silent passions), and that this is a retelling based on a favorite poem The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe? This was deliciously creepy at times, had a dark sense of humor that I adored and a tiny blink and you'll miss it bit of romance at the end. Positive nonbinary rep, tinnitus wasn't glossed over or treated badly, and all the characters were amazing. It took me a little to get into it, but man, once I was I had to read it all the way through. 5 ⭐ and already I want to read it again!
Merged review:
Well. Hello T Kingfisher, new favorite author. I now apparently need to read your entire backlog. This was a delight. Fungi (one of my silent passions), and that this is a retelling based on a favorite poem The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe? This was deliciously creepy at times, had a dark sense of humor that I adored and a tiny blink and you'll miss it bit of romance at the end. Positive nonbinary rep, tinnitus wasn't glossed over or treated badly, and all the characters were amazing. It took me a little to get into it, but man, once I was I had to read it all the way through. 5 ⭐ and already I want to read it again!
Merged review:
Well. Hello T Kingfisher, new favorite author. I now apparently need to read your entire backlog. This was a delight. Fungi (one of my silent passions), and that this is a retelling based on a favorite poem The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe? This was deliciously creepy at times, had a dark sense of humor that I adored and a tiny blink and you'll miss it bit of romance at the end. Positive nonbinary rep, tinnitus wasn't glossed over or treated badly, and all the characters were amazing. It took me a little to get into it, but man, once I was I had to read it all the way through. 5 ⭐ and already I want to read it again!