Scan barcode
A review by lbelow
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Before reading this book, I sat down and read the story that inspired it. Retellings are a conversation with the source material; the best ones add to the themes the author originally spoke to.
This one is fabulous. It roots itself to the original in the way it begins and builds on the atmosphere Poe developed. Where the characters depart, they do so in ways that feel natural to the story. The added characters and complexity and, best yet, answers, feels not like it's trying to upscale the original, but to continue the conversation that The Fall of the House of Usher began. I especially enjoyed the trans protagonist and the intricacies of pronouns that circled back in the end to tie into the plot.
This one is fabulous. It roots itself to the original in the way it begins and builds on the atmosphere Poe developed. Where the characters depart, they do so in ways that feel natural to the story. The added characters and complexity and, best yet, answers, feels not like it's trying to upscale the original, but to continue the conversation that The Fall of the House of Usher began. I especially enjoyed the trans protagonist and the intricacies of pronouns that circled back in the end to tie into the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicide