I loved this so, so much - wow! This is a retelling of an old Edgar Allan Poe story, but the old story leaves so much up to the imagination that I've never found the reading of it to be a satisfying experience. Where that one lacked in explanation, this one more than makes up for it, and I think this is probably one of my favorite retellings of all time - it's just so good!

My favorite things from the classic are all here - the creepy house, the weird siblings, the mushrooms! And then there's just so much more here, more depth, more explaining, more reasons for why things are what they are. While explaining can sometimes take away the mystery or horror of a thing, this didn't for me - it just made me like it more!

The way the movements in this are described made me wish so badly for it to get an on screen adaptation - I think it'd be so creepy and unsettling to watch!

This novel is not what I was expecting from this prolific author whose new work I was eager to read. Maybe it’s the fact that this is a retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher, or more likely an expansion, and not wholly original material which makes it feel divorced from the writings of T. Kingfisher to which we have become accustomed. At the same time, this novel was so much like Mexican Gothic that it could have been a rewrite of that story. Even more surprising is the fact that the writer herself acknowledges this in the author’s note and yet still decided to publish. Had it been spectacular in T. Kingfisher fashion it may not have mattered. As it stands, it would have been better to scrap and start again.

What an awesome retelling! T. Kingfisher takes the original short story and stays true to the roots while also expanding upon the characters, relationships and creepy atmosphere of the House of Usher. I loved how this provided some depth and some closure, and the ideas were really fascinating.

A page turning no el set at the end of the house of Usher, What Moves the Dead is the most engaging kind of horror.

I recently read Nettle & Bone and loved it because Kingfisher writes quirky. Then I read Jackalope Wives, which is absolutely fantastic. So a Poe retelling by this author is a must-read.

Alex Easton has received a letter. Years previously, she served with Roderick Usher and befriended his sister Madeline. The letter states Madeline is dying, and could Alex please come to the Usher house? But when she gets to the house, it’s worse than she fears. Both Roderick and Madeline aren’t looking well at all, though admittedly, Madeline is much worse. So what is causing them to be emaciated and terribly sick?

This is an atmospheric and creepy novella. I loved how Alex often broke the 4th wall to talk to the reader. It takes a very short story and twists it on its head. Kingfisher keeps the reader rapt as I furiously flipped pages, engrossed in the horror. I only wish this were a full-length book as I wasn’t ready to close it. Thank you, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, for sending this along!

This book was weird and creepy in all the best ways. Could not put it down until I finished.

Since this is so short, I think it's best to go into it not knowing much. There are two siblings that are both sick and possibly dying, a moldy and dilapidated house in a small countryside village, creepy rabbits, strange fungus, and a lieutenant trying to get to the bottom of what is happening to their old friends.

I think this went in such weird and satisfying directions. I flew through the pages, even while being absolutely disgusted by some of the things that happened. I have never read anything from T. Kingfisher before but am now so excited to dive into her backlist.

Highly recommend this one when it comes out in a couple weeks. This is a great quick and creepy read, perfect for fans of We Have Always Lived in the Castle and haunted house stories in general.

Thank you so much to Tor Nightfire and Netgalley for the review copy!

Incredibly solid short horror entry that wasn't quite for me. I think (for once) the comparisons to Mexican Gothic were entirely justified, and would probably explain why I was so meh on that one, and still a bit on this one... I think it would've mostly liked for it to be a little bit more than it was. More horror, more gore, and more unsettling intrigue would've made this completely un-put-down-able for me. I will say that I think the inclusion of fungus in this novel is done much better in my opinion than it was in Mexican Gothic; it is also a much tighter story, due to its brief under 200 page length. T. Kingfisher does craft a compelling story with some very fun characters, and the pacing feels just right, reveals not waiting too long or holding your hand through its explanations of events.
I do feel that special credit is due for this novel having a nonbinary protagonist who feels incredibly naturally suited to the world they have been put in. While the introduction of the fictional Gallacia might have been inserted somewhat awkwardly (though it is hard to introduce an entire fictional country AND its unorthodox pronoun system into a novel this short smoothly, I would imagine) I found it to be very charming and singularly done in a way that many other books with similar LGBT+ narrators often struggle with. At no point did Easton's character/pronouns feel unnatural or paint-by-numbers, on top of being a very enjoyable lens through which the novel's story is told.
I haven't read the original short story about the Ushers and their fallen house, so I cannot say whether that would have had either a positive or negative effect on my experience. Having known the vague concept, and loving a good atmospheric horror, this was definitely a much-anticipated read; I wouldn't call it a disappointment, as all of the components are there and I have no actual complaints about the novel itself. Moreover I may just have to accept that the gothic and its subtler hauntings (or-are-theys) are not entirely to my tastes in horror.

This story is based on "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Poe (Edgar Allan, not the Teletubby). I’ll start by admitting that I don’t know Poe’s story, so I can’t really make a comparison or say how true to the original Kingfisher was. What I do know is that cover rocks!

I had a fabulous time in Ruritania with my long-lost, new friend Alex Easton. Kingfisher’s characters were captivating; each one added depth and personality to the story. I often found myself interrupting my wife’s reading to toss out some of the great lines that flowed from the characters.

Kingfisher created a masterpiece of scene, character, and story. How much of it came directly from Poe versus how much of it was hers, I don’t know, but I had a whole lot of fun with the story and how she filled in the picture.

What Moves the Dead is on the shorter side, but then again, so is Poe’s story. I enjoyed all of the details about the Gallacian culture, their pronouns, and their history. Spending some time filling in details can sometimes bring a reader closer to the story.

What Moves the Dead was a fun read that hit all of the right buttons at just the right time.

*4.5 Stars

This was the perfect book to start off my summer. The novel starts with our narrator Alex, who is on their way to visit their dear friends Madeline and Rockrick Usher. Before they even arrive, Alex is mesmerized by the woods in which he travels. Although the lake and trees seem to possess a threatening and ominous air, the mushrooms and all things “fungal” seem to enthral Alex the most. The mushrooms “ grew out of the gaps in the stones of the tarn like a tumour growing from diseased skin [Alex] had the strong urge to step back from them and an even stronger urge to poke them with a stick.” Before they get the opportunity to do so, an older woman Eugenia Potter stops them. Eugenia is one of my favourite characters; eccentric and bold; she paints the various fungus she finds with the ambition of having her own name in the books recognized by the “Mycology Society”.
Second, only to Eugenia Potter, Alex is in themselves a fascinating character. As “Sworn Soldier”, Alex carries the courage they possessed on the battlefield in t the horror that awaits at the Usher’s estate. Alex discovers that their friends Madeline and Roderick have wasted (rotted?) away both physically and mentally. Can Alex determine the cause of this decline before they too succumb to the madness and death surrounding them?
What moves the Dead, a gothic tale inspired by Edgar Alan Poe’s “Fall of the House of Usher”, is well crafted with viscerally vivid detail even though it moves at a rapid pace.

This was an incredibly creepy novel. Right out of the gate, in the very first lines, this story grabbed with with it’s disturbing description of the mushrooms outside the house of Usher. Kingfisher has quite a unique writing style which I first enjoyed in “The Twisted Ones” and is further evident in this story. This retelling of “The House of Usher” is an excellent example of gothic horror. (The author references “Mexican Gothic” as an inspiration for this work and one can definitely see the similarities) At times, I actually winced and had to put the book down because of the extremely disturbing images. But I think that is what makes this novel so great and such a perfect blend of fantasy and horror. I gave this book a 4 star rating. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is an excellent read.










https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4819123301

This retelling of Poe’s House of Usher is told with a non-binary main character. Alex Easton is a retired lieutenant and receives a letter from a childhood friend asking for help. Upon arrival at the home of Madeline and her brother Roderick, Alex is surprised not only by the state of the home but of the Usher siblings. Both are incredibly frail and have aged incredibly. The area around the mansion is also unsettling. The lake has a thick film over it and the white hares around the area act very strange. Various characters are introduced that have information that help Alex discover the terrifying truth about the house and its inhabitants.

This was a creepy, atmospheric tale that does justice to Poe’s original story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy version in exchange for an honest review.

Having not read The Fall of the House of Usher by Poe, I kind of went into this retelling blind which worked for me. I love a good gothic story and I think Kingfisher did an amazing job of keeping the creepiness balanced with some humor because Easton was a brilliant character, full of wit and wisdom. I was not able to put this book down and coming in just under 200 pages, it's a quick read worth your time!

The book was an interesting, expanded take on The Fall of the House of Usher. Also perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic.

Absolutely gothic horror at its finest! I love how Kingfisher pulled inspiration from the classic story and turned it into something more brilliant, and horrifying. The characters, the setting, and the unsettled nature of it all kept me turning the pages until I got to the very end.

This is the type of story that once I started it, I couldn't put it down until I was finished!

"The dead don't walk."

This one was SO GOOD! Get ready to be creeped out both by the creepy house and the odd inhabitants. This is a re-telling of The Fall of the House of Usher: An Edgar Allan Poe Short Story. I wish I could say I remembered anything about that short, but I don't think that took anything away from this story.

It's a well told short. I was on the edge of my seat right from the beginning - as soon as our MC Easton arrives at the House of Usher. Easton's inability to get a good bearing on what was going on was just as unsettling as the things they described. The animals, the lake, the Usher's themselves - all gave me goosebumps and made the hairs on my arms raise. Ooooh, this one was a great gross horror story and I loved it!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I’ve been wanting to check out T. Kingfisher’s horror works for a few years now. What Moves the Dead seemed like the perfect place to start since it is not only based on The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe, but it’s also a novella. So essentially, I really couldn’t have been given a better jumping off point as I love Poe’s works and novellas don’t require the same commitment as a full length novel.
Let me tell you folks, this book was creepy as hell. The main character Alex Easton is a retired soldier, who grew up with the Usher siblings and served with Roderick Usher during a recent war. The story begins with Alex journeying to the Usher house, fearful that their childhood friend may already have passed by the time they arrive. Madeleine still lives, however she is a ghost of herself, pale and thin, and speaking in a strange childlike voice unlike her own. Roderick is riddled with anxiety, whispering that he can hear things. Seemingly the only sane person is an American doctor Roderick brought in to help, but he proclaims to only be a battlefield surgeon and not an expert in maladies of the mind. As the days pass, Usher house only grows stranger and peculiar lights can be seen in the murky mountain lake nearby. Worst of all are the rabbits, which are unafraid of humans and often move with a jarring, dragging gait.
This book creeped me out so badly I had to stop reading well before bed just so I could shake the memory of it before I went to sleep. To be fair, I had also gotten to possibly the creepiest part of the book and decided that was plenty of chilling creepiness for the evening. I loved it and picked it up immediately after getting home from work the next day so I could find out what was going on! The book is filled with hints of what is truly causing Madeleine Usher’s illness and it wasn’t at all difficult to figure out well before it’s revealed (heck, the cover gives it away). That didn’t bother me in the least because the knowing made it even more suspenseful as I watched the characters bumble about cluelessly and I wondered how contagious it was and how easily it could spread.
This book was awesome and I can officially say that I’ll be checking out T. Kingfisher’s other horror novels in the near future. I loved the build up of dread, a particularly horrifying scene in the family crypt, and the ending was very well wrapped up. This was a great retelling and honestly, now I’m on the lookout for more Poe retellings by other authors! This author writes incredible characters, and though this was a petite lil book Alex had a well-fleshed out background and the side characters were given enough detail to make them more than one dimensional. I’m rather fond of the mycologist and the shoutout to Beatrix Potter! If you’ve been curious about T. Kingfisher’s horror works, I would definitely recommend this as a starting point!

Christ’s blood does this book have such an amazing cover that made me want to read it! Well that and a recommendation about the author from a friend.

This book is filled a images that will make anyone cringe and their “hare” stand on end (or hop of your body)! Well that sounded ridiculous when I said it out loud.

It all starts out when former soldier sets out to help out an old friend in need and dips his feet in this mess of a house with a past. Easton the soldier crosses paths with a few interesting characters along the way from the fungus loving woman to an out of place American soldier. A great twist to a classic story.

This being my first Kingfisher story I love how she intertwines such grotesque images with dry humor! This book is filled with two things that make me loose sleep, fungus spurs and body horror!

That being said this is a must read for all horror fans out there. Just a small disclaimer, don’t order that mushroom pizza or portobello burger for dinner!

After the praise I saw following Nettle & Bone, I knew I needed to get my hands on a T. Kingfisher novel and what better way than this novella retelling of <i>The Fall of the House of Usher</i>?

As a fan of Edgar Allen Poe, I was shocked to say that I actually enjoyed this retelling far more than I did the original piece.

Alex Easton, a non-binary retired solider, receives word that their childhood friend is dying and rushes to the House of Usher to be at her side. Everything is not as it seems as they begin to notice strange fungi nearby, animals that behave and move abnormally, and a lake with strange qualities. When Madeline and her twin brother Roderick, start to also exhibit strange behaviors while Alex is there, they start to wonder if maybe there is something else at hand.

Gothic horror stories are some of my favorite, but <i>What Moves the Dead</i> is more creepy and unsettling than it is scary. Though predictable, especially if you have read the original by Poe, Kingfisher deviates from the original in a way to add more depth and character to the story. The ending is not open ended, but instead wraps up in a satisfying way. At the novella length, this is both lacking unnecessary bloat, but leaving me wanting more of Kingfisher's storytelling enough to pick up other works.

Kingfisher's descriptions and method of storytelling transports the reader to the world alongside the characters and definitely had me turning on my light while reading.

Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and T. Kingfisher for the ARC of <i> What Moves the Dead</i>, on sale July 12, 2022!

This is a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. Honestly I've never read the original. I cannot compare the two and I feel like I may have enjoyed this more if I was more familiar with the original story.

It is a novella, clocking in at less than 200 pages (or 5 hours on audio). I started reading the physical and then was approved for the audio and finished it that way. The audio was okay. It just didn't add anything extra emotionally for me.

I will say this was really atmospheric. The setting was descriptive and parts of it were pretty creepy. While the explanations for everything were really interesting, the story just really didn't hook me and I can't put my finger on why that is. Maybe it was the short length or my lack of familiarity with the original story. I'm not really sure. This has gotten a lot of glowing reviews already so it may be a "me" issue and not the book itself.

Thank you to Netgalley, Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies in exchange for an honest review!

If I've read Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" before I truly do not remember, so I can't speak the faithfulness of this retelling at all.

I can say it was a gripping and genuinely creepy read. It was pretty slow starting out, and I could predict how the rest of the story was going to shake out, but it doesn't mean I wasn't a little freaked and grossed out seeing it unfold on page. Kingfisher had some really good imagery work in here.

There was also a bit of interesting gender pronoun world-building! I wasn't quite sure ultimately if Gallacia was a separate country or a group of people or what, but it didn't impact my reading!