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A review by jake_evan_
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
4.0
I will say that this actually had me feeling genuinely creeped out and spooked for a good 20 ish pages. The reveal and depiction of what is actually happening with Madeline and the lake was genuinely frightening. I also felt that the author did a good job of setting up the eerie atmosphere and make the setting feel creepy the entire time. “The dead don’t walk” being repeated throughout the book was a nice touch and I liked how Easton was reproachful of the idea that this could be anything supernatural at all. The character being a war veteran and have the world-view of “If I can’t see it I don’t need to worry about it” works for horror stories so well, there’s always a character that doesn’t believe in ghosts in a ghost story.
I saw some people saying that the inclusion of fungus to be a let down in a way because of the original story’s perceived alluding to supernatural. However, the original story never explains anything about Madeline and Roderick’s malady and so why is this not as good an explanation as any other. I found this to be extremely satisfying and even creepier that, scientifically, it could actually possibly happen .. sorta.
I’m not giving this 5 stars for 2 reason. One is that I didn’t find the characters to be that interesting or likable really. They weren’t unlikeable at all but they weren’t anything special that sticks out to me: more just vessels to carry the story. The second reason is that I wish there was a little bit more horror at the end post-bedroom scene. I feel like there could have been more interpersonal drama and goodbyes and visual description of the final moments at the Usher house that really played up the melodrama.
I saw some people saying that the inclusion of fungus to be a let down in a way because of the original story’s perceived alluding to supernatural. However, the original story never explains anything about Madeline and Roderick’s malady and so why is this not as good an explanation as any other. I found this to be extremely satisfying and even creepier that, scientifically, it could actually possibly happen .. sorta.
I’m not giving this 5 stars for 2 reason. One is that I didn’t find the characters to be that interesting or likable really. They weren’t unlikeable at all but they weren’t anything special that sticks out to me: more just vessels to carry the story. The second reason is that I wish there was a little bit more horror at the end post-bedroom scene. I feel like there could have been more interpersonal drama and goodbyes and visual description of the final moments at the Usher house that really played up the melodrama.