A review by schnaucl
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

adventurous 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? No

3.75

It wasn't for me and that's okay.   I haven't read the story it's based on, The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe Short Story, but I suspect I wouldn't care for the original either. 

There were things I really liked.  The characters were compelling, particularly Easton and Ms. Potter.   

I would have loved to learn even more about Gallacia. I think the idea of a country with seven sets of pronouns, including one reserved for inanimate objects, one for priests and prepubescent children, one for soldiers and one exclusively for God is fascinating.   And I love the detail about the slight hesitation before using what we would consider traditional pronouns for a child getting a spy caught.  (It has no bearing on the story, it's just  a detail about the history of the country).  I really want a story set in Gallacia some day.

I also liked the doctor, August, and Hob, of course.  

The illustration of the hare in the end papers was pretty cool, too.

Anyway, I don't think it's a book problem, I think it's a me problem. 

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