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A review by booksandbarbara
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A skin-crawling sensational read from start to finish.
This is an Edgar Alan Poe retelling of 'The Fall of the House of Usher', and although I haven't read that yet, I feel like Kingfisher has given it justice nonetheless.
In this story, we follow Alex, a retired soldier, as they travel back to Ruritania to help out old friends Roderick and Madeline with an unusual situation. We get a gradual and steady incline of mystery, intreague, and superstitions. With grotesque scenes that really make the fine hairs on your arms stand up. I pulled many a face while reading this.
Set in the 1800s in a large estate, which is cold, mouldy, and falling apart, it really helped set the scene for this gothic tale. The world building is yet again, magnificent. I love how this story seems to have this slight cosmic horror element to it, too, very Lovecraft, and I'm obsessed with that.
The fact this story is about fungi and is written out so intelligently that it actually makes sense is a testament to Kingfishers skills.
What I don't particularly like is the pronouns stuff. I didn't particularly have a problem with it. It was just confusing, and it feels like it doesn't have a particular role to play within the story itself, so it ended up feeling a little unnecessary and like an afterthought. The English, as a nation, are not this stereotypical. It's an annoying trope. Please stop. Love the character besides this, though. She's amazing.
The whole cast of characters are an interesting bunch, each with their own unique characteristics that make them stand apart, yet they blend so well.
The ending really snatched my attention, so I'm looking forward to seeing where the story takes us next in the sequel, What Feasts At Night.
This is an Edgar Alan Poe retelling of 'The Fall of the House of Usher', and although I haven't read that yet, I feel like Kingfisher has given it justice nonetheless.
In this story, we follow Alex, a retired soldier, as they travel back to Ruritania to help out old friends Roderick and Madeline with an unusual situation. We get a gradual and steady incline of mystery, intreague, and superstitions. With grotesque scenes that really make the fine hairs on your arms stand up. I pulled many a face while reading this.
Set in the 1800s in a large estate, which is cold, mouldy, and falling apart, it really helped set the scene for this gothic tale. The world building is yet again, magnificent. I love how this story seems to have this slight cosmic horror element to it, too, very Lovecraft, and I'm obsessed with that.
The fact this story is about fungi and is written out so intelligently that it actually makes sense is a testament to Kingfishers skills.
What I don't particularly like is the pronouns stuff. I didn't particularly have a problem with it. It was just confusing, and it feels like it doesn't have a particular role to play within the story itself, so it ended up feeling a little unnecessary and like an afterthought. The English, as a nation, are not this stereotypical. It's an annoying trope. Please stop. Love the character besides this, though. She's amazing.
The whole cast of characters are an interesting bunch, each with their own unique characteristics that make them stand apart, yet they blend so well.
The ending really snatched my attention, so I'm looking forward to seeing where the story takes us next in the sequel, What Feasts At Night.