I loved T.Kingfisher's book A House With Good Bones, but I wanted more horror. I know that What Feasts at Night would provide. This was excellent - the audio enhanced the spookiness. T.Kingfisher is a superb writer and this was a great experience.

A good follow up to What Moves the Dead that includes more from favorite characters from the predecessor. Some truly scary moments for the narrator also raises the stakes to make the danger feel imminent.

T. Kingfisher's What Feasts at Night is a chilling sequel to What Moves the Dead, following retired soldier Alex Easton as they return to their family hunting lodge in Gallacia. Expecting rest, Easton instead confronts eerie folklore and unsettling events, including the death of their caretaker and whispers of a breath-stealing monster. Kingfisher masterfully blends Gothic horror with dark humor, creating an atmospheric tale that keeps readers on edge. If you're into spooky stories with rich folklore and engaging characters, this novella is a must-read.

My review is succinct: Hated the ending. [ It's bullshit and there's nothing less creative than that.

I thoroughly enjoyed What Moves the Dead but this second installment in the series feels a little futile to me. I do love T.Kingfisher’s writing and I especially loved the way the first book re-interpreted The Fall of the House of Usher. But the most unforgivable thing a series can do to me is give me two separate books that are completely independent story arcs of one another. It makes the first installment feel pointless and the second like an unplanned afterthought. And there was really nothing in continuity but the MC here.

I do think Kingfisher will always be an effective horror author, but I miss the kind of fungal decay in the first book that made it so memorable. This second book expanded the world, but didn’t really feel like it expanded the characters, or ever let me sink back into that same sense of eerieness and despair. Not a terrible novella, but not one I’ll remember like the first book.

Thank you to the publisher MacMillan Audio for providing an audiobook ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

I love T. Kingfisher but was disappointed with What Moves the Dead. While I enjoyed Alex as a character, I never connected with the story. I wanted to try the sequel because I love Kingfisher's writing. I am happy I did. I enjoyed this much more than What Moves. I found the story more compelling and liked the side characters more. I think if you enjoyed What Moves you will also like this. I would say try this even if What Moves disappointed you.

I listened via audio, and Avi Roque does a great job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Tor Publishing Group for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to my friends at @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copy of this book.

There’s almost always an exception to a rule. One of my reading “rules” (more of a habit really) is steering clear of short stories and novellas. They just tend to be too short and lacking in the depth I like. But there’s one exception I always make... T. Kingfisher.

Somehow Kingfisher always delivers with the wit laced horror that she writes.

Her reimagining of “The Fall of the House of Usher” in What Moves the Dead was bizarre and creepy and an all-around stellar reenvisioning. So, when I saw that Kingfisher was returning to that world for a second installment, I knew I needed it.

Here, we meet back up with Alex returning to the family hunting lodge in Gallacia, the dark and dreary land from the first book. Soon after arriving, Alex finds the house in disrepair and the caretaker dead. Rumors abound of moroi stealing people’s breath as they sleep. But Alex knows... there’s something more at play than mere superstitions.

Dripping with a sense of Gothic eeriness, What Feasts at Night delivers a creepy atmosphere befitting of the nightmares Alex experiences. But it’s always the wit and humor- in perfect juxtaposition to the mood- that I find most appealing and unique in Kingfisher’s writing.

While this was a moody read, I found the horror elements much less terrifying than in the previous installment (or some of Kingfisher’s other books). That left me wanting in many ways, but with the lighter notes, this book becomes easily accessible for those wanting to dip their toes in something more horror adjacent.

Entertaining and unsettling, I enjoyed reconnecting with these characters and this world. I’m very interested to see if Kingfisher continues this series.

🎧Avi Roque narrates both books in this series, and I’ve come to associate their voice with Easton’s. Rocque effortlessly portrays the emotion and humor throughout the read, and the tone and tenor of their voice lends well to the atmospheric mood.

I have been so excited to start this one. I loved the first one. I was not disappointed at all in this one. I loved the monster story. It was so good. All poor Alex wants is some rest but instead they are faced with a mess to clean up and some very strange things happening. I am such a fan of the folklore of the breath stealing monster. With this monster, you are not safe awake or in sleep. I will read anything T. Kingfisher writes. The narration was so good. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio arc in exchange for my honest review.

Eerieness abounds in this haunting tale by Kingsfisher, the creepy ambience of Gallacia, and the mysterious disappearance of folks just adds to the thriller vibe. Has a murderer been afoot or is it something more paranormal in nature? Readers are taken into the folds of the mystery and will not be disappointed.

I quite enjoyed this book. It was entertaining, full of tension and darkness, but still full of Kingfisher’s trademark humor. It’s creepy and weird, and a great novella.

A worthy follow-up to What Moves the Dead, this time delving into European mythology and bizarre dream sequences.

T. Kingfisher's "What Feasts at Night" is a chilling and atmospheric tale that blends elements of horror, folklore, and dark fantasy into a haunting narrative. Set in a remote village surrounded by an ancient forest, the novel follows protagonist Meg—a pragmatic and resourceful woman—who becomes embroiled in a sinister mystery when the children of the village start disappearing.

Kingfisher’s storytelling prowess shines through in her vivid depiction of the eerie forest and the palpable sense of dread that permeates the narrative. The author deftly weaves together elements of suspense and supernatural menace, creating a tension-filled atmosphere that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

At the heart of the novel is Meg, a compelling and relatable protagonist whose determination to uncover the truth drives the story forward. As Meg delves deeper into the dark secrets lurking within the forest, she confronts not only external threats but also her own inner fears and vulnerabilities.

The novel’s strength lies in Kingfisher’s ability to blend horror with moments of unexpected humor and poignant introspection. The interactions between characters are infused with wit and authenticity, grounding the fantastical elements in a recognizable human experience.

"What Feasts at Night" also excels in its exploration of folklore and myth, offering a fresh take on traditional fairy tales while adding layers of complexity to its supernatural elements. Kingfisher’s prose is evocative and richly detailed, immersing readers in a world where ancient legends come to life with chilling consequences.

Overall, "What Feasts at Night" is a masterfully crafted tale of suspense and supernatural terror. T. Kingfisher’s skillful blend of horror, folklore, and character-driven storytelling makes this novel a compelling read for fans of dark fantasy and atmospheric fiction alike.

Dipping more into classic folklore horror for What Feasts At Night, T. Kingfisher continues our journey with retired soldier Alex Easton (ka/kan) returning to kan’s family hunting lodge in Gallacia, seeking peace but instead finding the caretaker dead and the lodge in disarray. As eerie occurrences unfold and villagers warn of a breath-stealing monster-witch, Easton must confront a terrifying new reality that challenges kan’s skepticism of local folklore.

As someone who doesn’t read or watch a lot of horror, I find shorter forms like this (~150 pages) particularly appealing. Maybe this stems from getting my dose of gothic/fantasy/horror exclusively through The Complete Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales as a child idk. The pacing provides just enough information to keep me intrigued without theorizing forever.

Kingfisher’s prose is so visual that you are immediately immersed in the gothic, damp, and dreary setting of Gallacia. Personally, I pictured it as the third faux season of The Haunting anthology miniseries on Netflix (I loved both seasons). Additionally, I enjoyed the dialogue between characters, especially in group settings. Each character’s personality really had a chance to stand out.

An unexpected highlight: with the addition of Father Sebastian (va/var) in the second book of the series, the neopronouns of both var and Alex’s characters felt more smoothly integrated and easy to follow (though I very well may have butchered them in practice here).

Lastly, the narrator, Avi Roque, is a perfect fit as Alex. They do an excellent job balancing Alex’s unique individuality as a sworn soldier with kan’s dedication to the betterment of the whole.

This is the sequel to “What moves the dead” this time focusing more on Alex Easton, the sworn soldier. I do really like Alex’s character and would love to know more about them and their journey through life. Even though this book is written from Alex’s perspective, I still feel like I am missing parts of the character - maybe we'll find out more in the next part.

The storytelling is somewhat creepy, but not nearly as eerie as the first part. It is very atmospheric and slow paced. And I think I enjoyed listening to the narrator and absorbing the atmosphere of the book more than the actual story. I feel like I would have gotten bored reading this book and there would have been something missing without the narration, so I would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook. It’s a short one, so it can be listened to in one evening.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review.

It's not surprising that Kingfisher brings us another creepy and atmospheric read. The plot is suspenseful and well-written and fast paced all the way through the novella. The descriptions of the environment and characters make you feel as if you are right there Gallacia.

"What Feasts at Night" is a gothic horror novella by T. Kingfisher, a sequel to her acclaimed "What Moves the Dead." It follows retired soldier Alex Easton as they return to their home country, Gallacia, after a harrowing experience at the Usher estate.

Alex craves rest and routine, but instead, as a favor to Angus and Miss Potter, they find themselves at the family hunting lodge deep in the cold, damp Gallacian forests. The lodge is unsettling, with strange noises and an oppressive atmosphere. As Alex investigates the mysteries surrounding the lodge and its inhabitants, they uncover a dark secret lurking beneath the surface.

Here's what makes "What Feasts at Night" a compelling read:

Atmospheric Horror: Kingfisher excels at creating a chilling atmosphere. The dark forests, the isolated lodge, and the eerie occurrences all contribute to a sense of unease and dread.
Engaging Characters: Alex is a well-developed protagonist, carrying the emotional scars of their past experiences. Their relationship with Angus, the valet, provides moments of warmth and humor amidst the darkness.
Gothic Elements: The story draws inspiration from classic gothic horror, with elements like a decaying mansion, family secrets, and a sense of impending doom.
Thought-provoking Themes: The novella explores themes of trauma, grief, and the darkness that can reside within families and communities.
Overall, "What Feasts at Night" is a well-crafted horror story that will appeal to fans of gothic fiction and those who enjoyed "What Moves the Dead." It's a quick read, but it packs a punch with its atmospheric setting, engaging characters, and chilling mysteries.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

How do you follow-up a clever horror story that owes its roots to Edgar Allen Poe? T. Kingfisher will (perhaps) tell you that you go to a simpler horror format. More of a fairy tale type horror that brilliantly integrates PTSD with the myth. I cannot over state how smart I think What Feasts at Night is in its use of PTSD to both explain, justify, and debunk the story. On each page turn near the end you can argue that, our lead character, Easton and his PTSD is both fuelling, debunking, and creating the horror story. That is the kind of creepiness I like!

For book two we have our leading man back and side appearances by other known characters from book 1; but really it is Easton’s show. I would probably call this more of a 1.5 in the series book. Although not as long as book 1 (a novella) it felt much shorter to me. Whether that was due to the excellent writing or the pacing being a bit faster I’m not sure.

My biggest disappointment here was that it felt as though the characters from book 1, besides Easton, were just there because readers would like seeing them again. I’m not convinced we needed them; and in fact, it might have been scarier if we didn’t have anyone with Easton who had experienced Usher house and was used to bizarre happenings. A little more isolation with the cabin caretaker and widow homemaker might have been just the extra spice this needed to make it a five star book.

I felt the narrator on the audiobook (which I gave up on after like 15 minutes and returned to my ebook) sounds far too young to be the voice of Easton. Not that they aren’t a good narrator, as they are; but Easton is a war-torn soldier whose been around thus for his narrator to sound like they are a youngin’ just didn’t work for me. I wanted a deeper, more masculine voice (I know bad me on the stereotypes, but come on war torn soldier!). That’s not to say that Easton needs this narrator (as Kingfisher’s writing is more than good enough!); it’s just my image of him is a certain way and it didn’t match up with the narration. That’s okay, to each their own when it comes to how a character might sound. Plus audiobooks are still a struggle for me sometimes so I’ll always happily return to my e/print copy.

All that said, I enjoyed visiting these characters again and will certainly follow along in reading this series (as I hope there is more to come). Kingfisher continues to prove she is at the top of her game and I cannot wait for more stories from her, in any genre, that I can gobble up in a day or two.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

Alex Easten, Angus, and Miss Potter travel to Alex's neglected hunting lodge in the middle of nowhere Gallacia in this sequel to "What Feasts at Night."

I loved spending more time with Alex learning about their country and history. Alex is messed up after the events of book 1 and just wants to relax, but their memories of the war and strange local happenings get in the way.

I love a spooky story, and T. Kingfisher is the master. In this one, I got annoyed with Alex because they were not at all curious about what was going on or why their housekeeper was acting strange. I can understand they felt guilty for being wealthier than the local townspeople and neglecting their property, but this is one of these stories where, if people just asked questions, things would have gone a lot differently. I have very little patience for rigid absolutists, so it was unfortunate Alex fell into that trap in this book.

Avi Roque does an amazing job narrating. I love their take on Alex and their work is on point.

I do live this series and Alex is still an excellent character, even if I was yelling at them all through this book. Can't wait for the next in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley for access to an audio arc of this book.

I liked this novella a lot, unfortunately a little less than What Moves The Dead. That’s okay, though. It felt more like a cozy horror, which is a genre I’m now interested in looking for more of. I was very happy to return to the mind of Easton, this novella focused a bit more on their past and ptsd, blurring the lines of reality, especially given what they’ve been through and what we’ve already read with them. T Kingfisher remains one of my favorite authors, and I do hope we return for another one of Easton’s adventures.