This one is almost too creepy to describe! But I enjoyed every flinching moment of it. Kingfisher truly has a talent for taking the spooky factor to brand new levels.

Every year I have students that become obsessed with Edgar Allan Poe and I'm always looking for modern retellings that would make his work more accessible to them, which is why I was so excited to get my hands on What Moves the Dead.

T. Kingfisher has been long on my list of authors to read and now that I have dipped my toe in, I have to read everything they have ever written. The setting was gloomy and damp, the images were dream-worthy. I will carry this one with me for quite some time. It's so refreshing to read someone who writes well, by that I mean, they are able to balance plot/pacing and solid writing. The dark humor and creepiness, everything worked so well together. I will be recommending this to my students and friends alike.

What Moves the Dead is a wonderful re-imagining of Edgar Allen Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. A well written gothic horror/thriller with excellent world building. For fans of Science Fiction and Fantasy as well as Mexican Gothic and Edgar Allen Poe.

What a way of twisting and giving dimension to one of Poe's most famous short stories. I deeply appreciated it and can't stop thinking about it. This book is perfect for those who enjoyed Mexican Gothic, and those who've watched and enjoyed The Last of Us.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to have access to this story.

This one just didn't do it for me for some reason.

I've read The Fall of the House of Usher, but it's been so long ago that I have no memory of it. I don't know if remembering that story would have improved the book or not.

I couldn't quite get a read on the mood the author was trying to set. On the one hand, creepy dying girl who might be possessed. On the other hand, stiff-upper-lipped English lady and Scottish valet who have a cute crush on each other. On the one hand, creepy creeper rabbits that creep and horrifying fish. On the other, cute horse and dry wit from our main character.

It could also be that I'm not fond of horror that emphasizes death and decay. The entire setting of this book, theoretically, could have been infectious for all of the characters, and that grossed me out. It could also have made the entire story utterly hopeless, which again is weird with the humor that kept cropping up. In a novella, it's hard to get the mix of humor and horror right without it feeling off kilter.

I'm also not sure about why the author decided to invent a new country and a new gender for the book. It was mildly interesting but again took up some space in a novella that made the whole work seem cramped. And it didn't make any difference to the plot. This was already solidly speculative fiction with the giant sentient fungus being involved.

In the end, the author pulled her punches. And I didn't enjoy the ride through the fungus that smothered the whole book. I think I like this author's fantasy better than her horror.

Retelling of Edgar Allen Poe? SIGN ME UP. Also who would not want this cover in their collection. It’s the perfect complement to the gothic vibes of this novella. Would recommend to my fellow lovers of the weird/fantasy/gothic/horror/sci-fi world.

I have never read the original story that this book was based one so here are my thought upon reading this story for the first time.

The setting was lush and gothic. The author just made you feel like you were in a damp, old, crumbling castle from the way that they described everything. The moors and the creepy ambience of the outside world were done so well that at one point I had to put the book down because I was creeped out.

The creepy rabbits 🐇 gave off the someone is always watching you vibes.

The narrative is only from the perspective of Alex, so you experience things as they do. It’s a great way to tell the story, especially this type of story. I could have done without the war backstory but did like the exploration of gender.

The big reveal of what is really going on here was so well done and creepy that I actually shivered. It’s one of those things that makes your skin crawl.

I think upon re-read, this book might become a five star read. I think the first time you read it there is so much going on that unless you’ve read the original source material, you won’t full appreciate what this book accomplishes in so few pages.

That cover, am I right? A haunting creepy-crawly tale, What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher is just what a Poe retelling needs to be. I’ve never read anything by Kingfisher, but if this was any indication of their other works, sign me up. What Moves the Dead creates a new interpretation of what really happened in “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

Writing
It has been a while since I’ve read “The Fall of the House of Usher” so I did not feel too drawn to make comparisons, which I think is generally for the better with retellings. Kingfisher has such a vivid writing style that just adds an eerie Poe-esque feel to this retelling. While What Moves the Dead does have a gothic feel, Kingfisher still includes a good amount of clever humor in the narration and dialogue. Beyond it being a novella, it does not take much to get sucked up in this story and experience the horror. I listened to it as an audiobook, but I do plan on reading it as well to see how that might change the experience.

Characters
Kingfisher introduces new characters to the story, which I think greatly adds to the book overall. You have the two siblings as in the original tale, but also the main character, who is a family friend, a doctor, I guess also a family friend, and a friendly neighborhood scientist. I just love Miss. Potter, the excentric mycologist (but honestly, what mycologist isn’t a little eccentric). The characters were well developed and didn’t feel like needless additions to get more words on the page.

Overall
I would certainly suggest anyone who likes gothic horror, Edgar Allen Poe, mushrooms, you name it, to read What Moves the Dead. It felt like a new take on Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” without getting too far away or leaning too heavily on it. And if you’ve not already, join me in checking out more of T. Kingfisher’s work!

This novella retelling of Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher starts off pretty closely to the original story, but deviates along the way to give the tale its own flair. Ever since reading Mexican Gothic, horror + mushrooms has been an immediate yes for me, and they add a lot of interest to this story in a similar way.

After reading Kingfisher’s work The Hollow Places I was expecting something a touch darker but still immensely enjoyed this and read it in a single sitting.

So creepy and unsettling! (Meant as the highest compliment!) I felt like I was right there in the House of Usher and got goosebumps during some of the more grotesque scenes. I was first drawn in by the beautiful and strange cover and once I started reading, the story sucked me in as well and I finished it quickly because I couldn’t put it down!

Literally, what moves the dead.

Mushrooms, man. This made me glad I'm not more of a fan. They're weird, weird things.

I didn't realize going in that this was an homage to a Poe work (The Fall of the House of Usher), but it made so much sense when I read that. I wonder how Poe would feel about this type of horror - from what I know of him, he'd be thrilled. It's the sort that makes your throat tighten a little with both fear and nausea - but it's so well-written and engaging that even when the words on the page (or screen) are telling you things that make you queasy you can't help but admire the craft.

I continue to bless the day I discovered T. Kingfisher - even though she has now made me look askance at something so mundane as a mushroom pizza.

I've never read the story this is based on. But I will say T. Kingfisher has done an amazing job with this story. I'm I shocked? No. Kingfisher's writing is awesome. Always greepy, but with interesting and well fleshed out characters. This was yet another hit for me from this author. A quick, creepy read.

WMtDReview
Before diving into T. Kingfisher's What Moves the Dead, I had only heard the term 'sporror' in passing, never quite sure exactly what it was. Even knowing the 'definition' it wasn't something that really clicked in my mind.
Not until I started reading, anyway.
The book really takes its time in the beginning, setting the scene and describing the ambiance that the reader will need for the rest of the book. Our narrator, Easton, is heading to the House of Usher to visit some old friends who have taken ill. It was here I had a sort of lightbulb moment and realized this for what it was: it's a retelling of the Fall Of the House of Usher.
The mystery set forth once Easton arrives at the house is immediately intriguing: what is wrong with the Ushers? What happened to the house that it has fallen into such disarray? And hat is the strange illness that has afflicted Madeline Usher? The questions being pressed upon me, along with the dark, atmospheric, gothic writing, heightened the tension. Eason wandered the halls looking for the source of a strange town, and my feet were as cold as Easton's on the cold stone floors of the crumbling house.
The description is that good.
The plot thickens when the hares come into play. They look like any other hare, but they act strange, bravely watching closely any larger animal that comes near them, never scurrying, never running away. Just staring. Stuff of nightmares, honestly. Nothing good ever comes from an animal that doesn’t act like it should.
I devoured this book in almost a single sitting, unable to put it down. As a retelling, it's absolutely brilliant, and even without knowing or caring about the 'source material' it's a phenomenal book. It's atmospheric and chilling, with characters that are interesting and real. the book had a couple of really chilling twists and turns in it that I didn't expect. It might not be a super 'scary' horror book, but if you're looking for great writing and chilling imagery and atmosphere, this is the book for you.
I received a copy of this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This was a spellbinding retelling of a Poe classic. I was sucked in from the first paragraph and couldn't put it down. This was a single sitting read for me! Kingfisher's handling of a nonbinary character was elegant and excellent. It made the book even stronger. Plus there were creepy mushrooms.

This book helped me understand how prose can be visceral. I highly enjoyed this haunting tale and loved the way that Kingfisher threads the narrative between exploration and horror. This is my new go to recommendation for people who don't like horror stories or anyone who wants to read a fresh retelling. Kingfisher continues to never disappoint me even as she pulls me along into genres I'm not as familiar with. Five stars.

Fans of Edgar Allan Poe will enjoy this homage to his work and it had wonderful gothic vibes. I loved the descriptions of the plants and the eerie life the spores took on.

At times, the plot was a little repetitive, but overall it was a good story.

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING. Kingfisher is so unbelievably skilled at creating a gothic and creepy atmosphere that draws you in and gives you chills down your spine. The focus on mushrooms' and the decay of life, the eloquent writing, the enjoyable characters - everything about this book made it top tier for me. Now, I will say I've never read Mexican Gothic, which I've seen numerous people compare it to, but if I loved this one this much, I can't wait to experience another gothic horror, so I can't give the comparison that many reviews online have, but I can say, I was enthralled and I loved this book so much. It was perfectly creepy, and gave me the dose of horror I was looking for. Five well deserved stars.

This was haunting, eerie and just so good. Kingfisher has such a fantastic writing style that just makes you want to consume the story,

Better late than never!

Here is my review of What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher.

Holy. F*ck.

I don’t read horror often so maybe that’s why I was so creeped out BUT let’s say I wouldn’t read this at nighttime. It’s very vivid, fast paced, sinister. There’s something about the way the story unfolds that makes you feel afraid.

I would say add this to your spooky TBR if you haven’t read it, and put attention to all the details!

Special thanks to Netgalley for the digital copy, I ended up getting a physical one from the publisher as well which made the reading a lot more comfortable ;)

An absolutely gripping retelling of "The House of Usher"! Given, I'm a sucker for a good fungus centered horror story, but this was so unexpectedly good: I understood and felt for the characters, the period language was fun, the story was perfectly paced, with the increasing, creeping dread and understanding. I really enjoyed this and look forward to trying more by Kingfisher.