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itsmerlin 's review for:
What Moves the Dead
by T. Kingfisher
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Takes the bones of the House of Usher, and expands on some of the open threads to create its own story.
It's straightforward. You probably can guess the plot based on the cover. But it's still worth reading and has some fun playing with the tension of expectations.
It only felt short in not expanding on the fun of its ending, see below.What was it like for Madeline? We could have spent more time describing the horror of her existence. I do recognize that may be a tall order when you are constrained to an observer for a narrator. Madeline can only monologue so much over her brother's body. It just felt like once we started having fun with the premise, thr tension was over and it was revealed that Alex isn't infected (may not be the right word) soon after. Maybe we could have spent more time in that potential horror.
I also don't feel like any of the blurbs highlight the unique parts of this book. The setting is just enough for the rest of the book to proceed smoothly, so it's not the most in-depth world building. However, the use of "they" for Alex Easton in the blurb hides the fact that ka is nonbinary in the way that kan gender presentation is soldier. (Nonbinary might not be the right phrase when your options are child, man, woman, soldier and you pick one)
Ka/kan pronouns are something you can enlist for, the same as you would a rank for a soldier for the fictional country of Gallacia. Your gender identity can be role based. That rules.
I appreciate that it was grounded as well. How would a real country institutionalize the adoption of a new identity? Its probably going to be by war. Also to the people saying it was unnecessary, it does slot neatly into the themes of identity that are essential for an Usher retelling. The Ushers can't leave the house once they accept the role. You are a soldier, and that's your only option if you don't want to be a woman. Your reference for your identity is heavily informed by what came before when it's the only options you know of. You will die in the moldy house.
also it's a fun twist when the karn uses the child set of pronouns. It just works well with everything else we learn.
It's straightforward. You probably can guess the plot based on the cover. But it's still worth reading and has some fun playing with the tension of expectations.
It only felt short in not expanding on the fun of its ending, see below.
I also don't feel like any of the blurbs highlight the unique parts of this book. The setting is just enough for the rest of the book to proceed smoothly, so it's not the most in-depth world building. However, the use of "they" for Alex Easton in the blurb hides the fact that ka is nonbinary in the way that kan gender presentation is soldier. (Nonbinary might not be the right phrase when your options are child, man, woman, soldier and you pick one)
Ka/kan pronouns are something you can enlist for, the same as you would a rank for a soldier for the fictional country of Gallacia. Your gender identity can be role based. That rules.
I appreciate that it was grounded as well. How would a real country institutionalize the adoption of a new identity? Its probably going to be by war. Also to the people saying it was unnecessary, it does slot neatly into the themes of identity that are essential for an Usher retelling. The Ushers can't leave the house once they accept the role. You are a soldier, and that's your only option if you don't want to be a woman. Your reference for your identity is heavily informed by what came before when it's the only options you know of. You will die in the moldy house.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Self harm
Why is "infestation" not a possible content warning?