Today I’ve decided to deliver two reviews in one post.  Two reasons, I read both books almost one after the other and as they’re novellas I will try to keep both reviews short and succinct.

What Moves the Dead (Sworn Soldier #1) by T Kingfisher

My Five Word TL:DR Review: House of Usher excellently reimagined

Well, I love the original story by Poe but I would say that I don’t think it’s necessary to have read that story before picking this one up – although I would also say why not?  Basically, Kingfisher takes the bones of the original story and gives them a totally new makeover in her own unique style.

So, we have the dilapidated family mansion, creakily gothic and slowly disintegrating. We have the Usher twins, both suffering their own maladies and there are of course other areas that are lifted straight from the original but given new meaning and a life of their own here.

Alex Easton is a retired lieutenant who has returned to the home of his childhood friends following a letter beseeching his presence.  On arrival Alex is stunned to find that both Ushers are suffering, Madeline seems not far from death’s door and behaves strangely, sleepwalking and muttering to herself.  Her brother Roderick seems to be a bag of nerves and is also behaving oddly.

Alex and his companion Angus slowly set about trying to get the twins to eat more and bolster their constitution but to be frank, the efforts seem in vain and the two instead take to exploring the grounds – startled, shocked and horrified by what they find.  The strangest and creepiest hares ever, lots of fungus, and a lake that glows at night.  As though fungi wasn’t already creepy enough Kingfisher has now decided to also give us possessed hares!

I loved this.  It’s perfectly paced and can be read in one sitting.  I listened to the audio version which was wonderfully narrated.

The writing and pacing are really good and it never ceases to amaze me how Kingfisher manages to combine horror and humour.  Alex is a great character and the introduction of the eccentric Ms Potter adds an extra element – both fun and serious at the same time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this.  A great reimagining of a well loved classic.

I bought an audio copy.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4.5 of 5 stars

What Feasts at Night (Sworn Soldier #2) by T Kingfisher

I was actually very pleasantly surprised to discover that the author had a sequel planned bringing back to us the character Alex Easton and his companion Angus.

This time the two are journeying to an old hunting lodge, once part of the larger family estate but now owned by Alex.  They have invited Ms Potter from the first story who is keen to continue her study of fungi and explore the surrounding woods.

When the two arrive at the hunting lodge something is immediately not right.  The woods are spookily quiet, no natural noises of critters and birds, the lodge is unattended and has clearly been empty for some weeks, the place in disarray.  Upon investigation it seems that the old caretaker has passed away in unusual circumstances.  The nearby villagers are all acting cagey and close lipped and the two barely manage to secure a housekeeper to help them cook and clean – a woman who only agrees out of desperation.

This is a story based in old folklore and in particular involving a Moroi.  A type of ghost that leaves the grave to feed off the dead – in this case by stealing the breath from it’s victims.

Okay, I liked this story – but – and you knew there was a but coming.  It feels a little as though it lacks direction.  It almost feels like it wants to go in two directions.  Firstly, we take a much stronger look at Alex and the PTSD caused by warfare and then we have the story of the Moroi.  I think what surprised me was Alex’s resistance to the Moroi – given the previous experiences I think a bit more open mindedness could have been expected.  And, although I enjoyed the deeper character study I felt like it give the story a much slower pacing.  That being said I like Alex’s no nonsense style, I love the sense of humour, I enjoyed the return of Ms Potter although she doesn’t really get a chance to shine here – the new housekeeper instead seems to take that role this time and is a perfect foil for Alex, constantly chatting to herself in pretend whispers – addressing the ceiling and muttering about ‘wastrels in general.

As you can see, I enjoyed much about this story, but at the same time it left me feeling a little perplexed.  The writing is good.  I enjoyed returning to this world and although this might not be my favourite instalment of the Sworn Soldier series I heartily hope that we return to this world and these characters – I think there is so much scope here.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 3.5 of 5 stars

Also – I have to give a shout out to both of these covers – they are absolutely superb.