#WhatFeastsAtNight:⁣
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Thank you @tornightfire and @macmillan.audio for my gifted copy!⁣
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Not to be dramatic, but from now on, I will only read horror by T. Kingfisher. I feel like that should be my entire review.⁣
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In all seriousness, What Feasts At Night is just as wonderful and creepy as What Moves The Dead. We’re hanging out with Alex Easton, olden soldier once more. They’re off to Gallacia! Totally not into it, it starts to really go downhill when it’s not sunshine and rainbows.⁣
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I’m sorry, but Alex is hilarious. Do I laugh out loud because I’m terrified, or because it’s funny? A little bit of both to be honest. The silence is truly deafening, and gives the best atmospheric feels to get creeped out. The folklore surrounding the cabin and what they believe is happening really gripped me from the go. Breath stealing monster? Absolutely not (and that means I HAVE to read it!)⁣
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The audio is phenomenal. I highly recommend Avi Roque reading any book, but, a horror like this? 100%. Every creepy nuance was perfectly done and I cannot imagine not listening to such a good book.⁣
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Overall, read the 1st one, get the backstory, then read this one as well. Both are quick reads, but the stories stick with y’all for a while.⁣
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Out 2/13!

'What Feasts At Night' is an incredible follow-up to T. Kingfisher's 'What Moves The Dead' and a continuation of the Poe-inspired universe. T. Kingfisher has become my go-to for gothic horrors, the writing in this novella is engaging, visceral and addictive. Truly, the Poe of our generation - I said what I said.

I was in need of a short book and this one was perfect for the occasion. This is the sequel to What Moves the Dead, and we once again follow Alex Easton and their crew. There’s a new mystery to be solved in this new setting- more ominous signs, creepy sightings, and odd but endearing townsfolk. Much like the first book, there are elements of very mild horror presented through the eyes of a sarcastic and dry-humored POV. Alex’s past as a soldier is a much bigger theme- so trigger warning for PTSD.

This is the third book I’ve read by Kingfisher, and as always, I really enjoy the subtle humor alongside the creepiness. I found the conclusion to this one less satisfying though, and I much prefer the first book. I still look forward to reading the rest of T. Kingfisher’s books! The narrator did a good job with switching between accents for characters and gave each person a distinct voice.

Is if what Alex and the gang suffered at the Usher Manor wasn’t enough they’re now heading to Galatia an Alex‘s family‘s fishing lodge it seems the caretaker is gone and even his daughter believes a breath stealing spectacle killed him. With witty dialogue and the best narrator I have ever heard we learn all about the quest and it’s one they might not all get out of unscathed. It is books like this that make me feel so lucky authors put their books on audio because without the Roque narrating this truly was a very entertaining book and although I’m sure it is in Kendall form but with her narration it takes it up a dozen levels she is truly entertaining I loved this book loved her narration and highly highly recommend it. I want to think McMillan audio and Net Galley for my free Ark audio copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

3.5 stars ⭐️ (rounded up)

This story is bizarre and creepy. It’s genuinely unlike any other type of book I’ve read in the past. It’s a very quick read and entertaining. I didn’t find this one nearly as slow in the beginning as I did the first book. I really enjoy Easton’s quirky personality. It adds so much to the storyline. The narrator also did a good job and kept it interesting for me.

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

The way I was DESPERATELY checking my Netgalley account each day in hopes that my request would be granted! So, from the jump let's just go ahead and say:
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for my early review copy in exchange for an honest review (and for making my February!).

I just loved this book! I really hope there are more novellas in this Sworn Soldier series because I just love everything about Alex Easton and I'm not ready to say goodbye. We even get the return of Hob (god love this silly horse), Angus, and Miss Potter and like last time, none of them disappointed.

What Feasts at Night moved away from the Poe retelling and told a story that was all it's own and just as wonderful. Alex and Angus arrive at the old Easton hunting lodge only to find that the caretaker is gone, and a rumor about an invisible monster that sits on your chest and steals your breath as you sleep is tearing through town -- but certainly those two things can't be connected!?

What Moves the Dead really seemed to focus on grief and sitting with one's grief throughout the story, while this book seems to have a conversation about the locality of PTSD. This idea that trauma isn't an event as much as a place we often can't help but return to just really stuck with me!
I sometimes think the fundamental disconnect with civilians is that they think a war is an event, something neatly bounded on either end by dates. What anyone who's lived through one can tell you is that it's actually a place. You're there and the you leave, but places don't stop existing just because you aren't looking at them. The war's still there. I don't live in it anymore, but it's right over there... And sometimes, for a little while, I slip over into that other place. The war. (Chapter 9)
I'm always amazed at how much of a punch Kingfisher is able to pack into such a small number of pages.

What Feasts at Night is the perfect balance of atmospheric horror, suspense, and the horrors of the everyday. It's filled with just the right amount of dread, gore, livrit, and humor. It is both cozy and disturbing; comforting and unsettling.

Kingfisher really is a master of the horror genre! And while I will eagerly read anything that she puts out, I secretly hope we get to return to Gallacia!

Final book rating: 4.5/5 stars
Narration rating: 5/5

Another fantastic read by t kingfisher. While what moves the dead is one of my favourite books this one wasn't as good as that one. But it had the element of creepiness of course. I very much enjoyed the latter half of the book. T kingfisher knows how to write everything weird in a fun way and I love her writing style .

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, and Hachette Audio for providing me with this arc!

I really enjoyed this novella by T.Kingfisher. It is the second installment in the Sworn Soldier series. I liked being able to revisit the characters of Alex Easton, Angus, and Miss Potter. There is a large focus on Easton’s PTSD from their years as a soldier that I think is very well done.

Kingfisher, as usual, excels at creating a very atmospheric story. While reading this, I could practically feel the cold, damp surroundings. The depictions of characters experiencing paranormal violence are particularly tense.

Highly recommend this audiobook to anyone enjoys T. Kingfisher, or atmospheric paranormal horror.

A big thank you to NetGalley for sharing this with me. This got me moving on reading What Moves the Dead and boy was it worth it!

We get to revisit characters from the first book in this novella. It's a fast paced, creepy read and kept me guessing. I wasn't sure if something natural or supernatural was at play until the very end!

This book is well written, sucks you in and keeps you interest. My only recommendation is to make sure to read book one first!

First T. Kingfisher made us weary of mushrooms and rabbits. Now they are back to haunt us with Moths and sleep paralysis. I absolutely love the way this author tells a story and the personality she gives to her characters. You can truly visualize the story as you read it and the mystical aspect kept you reading.

Easton is back in What Feasts At Night which is the follow up gothic novella to @redwombatstudio’s What Moves The Dead.

I loved this creepy story that features Eastern European folklore of a supernatural woman who steals your breath at night. Easton, Ms. Potter, and Agnes travel to Easton’s country home only to find the caretaker dead and the cottage in shambles. Will Easton and his companions be the next to die?!

I highly recommend this book & series to readers who love folklore based horror.

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @tornightfire for allowing me to listen to this audiobook ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)

This one surprised me. Kingfisher's work often strays into the absurd, but this one went in the opposite direction to simply just being boring. 

I quite liked the prequel, finding it satisfyingly spooky and macabre. This one starts with a similar tone and atmosphere, but quickly devolves into Easton's inner-dialogue going over and over the same things relating to tinnitus, war, random people they know, and the Gallacian culture. Not only did this slow down the already barely crawling plot, it took away from the tone and atmosphere of this work of "horror." 

While I liked the characters of the first book, especially Ms. Potter, their personalities didn't quite shine through in this one. The depth and development I felt in the first book was absent here. Between that and essentially nothing happening in the first two-thirds of this book, I found myself quickly losing interest in the book. The ending was also acceptable but wasn't that satisfying. 

This work is less than 150 pages but easily felt twice as long. If you're an avid Kingfisher fan, you'll likely enjoy this one. If you're less sold on their writing, it's probably safe to say you should just skip this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work, which will be published February 13, 2024. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this novel by the one-and-only T. Kingfisher, with the audio perfectly narrated by Avi Roque - 4.5 creepy stars!

In this follow-up to the wonderful What Moves the Dead, a fabulous retelling of Poe's The House of Usher, we once again meet Alex Easton, retired soldier, his friend and groom, Angus, and horse, Hob, return to their family hunting lodge for a much-needed rest. But upon their arrival, they discover the caretaker is dead and the lodge in shambles. Village rumors talk of a breath-stealing creature who has taken up residence in the lodge.

It was wonderful to reunite with these characters. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you really should read What Moves the Dead to get the backstories of the characters. This is less horror and more creepy, spine-tingling, with a touch of Kingfisher's wit thrown in. Interesting thoughts about PTSD and trauma as well. Quick read and the audio narration was great!

T. Kingfisher's "What Feasts at Night" delves into the eerie depths of local folklore, unfolding a suspenseful narrative around the mysterious presence of a Moroi, believed to haunt a small town once again. As the story unfolds, Alex is trying to decide if the Moroi truly exists. It seems to crazy ghost might be real. I felt the book the story-telling of the book and descriptions of things was very well done and kept me wondering what would happen next. It did create a nice eerie vibe as I read it. However, I did feel the book was a little too slow for my liking. There were added storylines that I thought weren’t needed and that time could have been better spent on the creepiness of a possible haunting. Overall I would say if you like the horror genre about local myths I would recommend picking this book up

Avi Roque is an excellent audiobook narrator, and this was my first encounter with them. I'll have to try out more of their work, but this was a solid fit, with each character having a distinct tone, and, at times, accent. What Feasts at Night was well-written, but I do wonder if it was a necessary sequel, or if the characters could have been slightly different for a standalone novella. Regardless, I will recommend this to patrons who enjoy haunted house stories.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Nightfire allowing me to listen to this advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion. The opinions presented in this review are mine alone.
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3.5 stars rounded up

Another gothic novella by T. Kingfisher. What Feasts At Night is the follow-up to What Moves the Dead, a delightfully creepy retelling of Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher.

Retired Gallacian soldier, Alex Easton, is back. After recovering from their horrifying ordeal at Usher Manor, Alex and Angus return to Gallacia after some leisure time in Paris. They're hosting Miss Potter at the family hunting lodge deep in the remote forest. When they arrive, they find the cabin in a state of disrepair and the hired caretaker missing. After visiting the neighboring village, they discover the caretaker has died of a mysterious respiratory illness, though the townsfolk are reluctant to discuss it. There are whispers of a monster from folklore who comes in the night to steal your breath while you sleep. Alex and Angus are challenged to find a new caretaker, and after much inquiry, they find an old widow to take on the position. She brings along her hardworking grandson to help with manual labor. When the grandson develops a progressively debilitating respiratory condition, Alex begins to wonder if there is something to the village superstition. Could there be a supernatural cause for the terrifying dreams that have left Alex gasping for breath?

Enveloping imagery and atmospheric worldbuilding are some of the reasons I love T. Kingfisher books. I appreciate her writing style and any new T. Kingfisher work will immediately get placed on the TBR list. <i>What Feasts at Night</i> lives up to these expectations, but I didn't connect with the story as much as I have previous works, or even as much as the first <i>Sworn Soldier</i> installment.

T. Kingfisher again shows that she is a master of setting a haunting scene but I found What Moves the Dead to have a much greater 'creepy factor.' If both novellas were told around the campfire, What Feasts at Night is a story you pay attention to but wouldn't necessarily call scary, whereas What Moves the Dead is better able to elicit a good spine tingle or occasional groan of revulsion. For me, there's not anything in <i>What Feasts at Night</i> that gives that same level of reaction. Of course, we all have our triggers so what may creep me out may be no big deal for someone else and vice versa.

Alex Easton shows signs of PTSD (Soldier's Heart) from prior wartime events and experiences at Usher Manor. This was woven into and carried through the storyline quite well. In many stories, it seems protagonists are barely affected by past events, but that is not the case here. Kingfisher does a great job showing how past traumas influence future reactions. Unfortunately, this does not stop Alex from denying unnatural events, despite compounding evidence, and the not-so-distant events at Usher House. Alex freely admits to the denial and I did have a couple of "Oh come on!" moments, but the intentional obliviousness does serve to move the plot forward.

T. Kingfisher is a master of using light humor to break tension. Amidst the palpable foreboding, there are several amusing moments. Between Alex's one-liners, the reluctantly affable horse Hob, and the widow's exasperated conversations with God about "the young wastrel" (aka Alex), I had more than a couple good chuckles. The humor reminded me a little of a Monty Python film - dry and mildly ridiculous.

Although I think it would be best read after the first installment, it would probably be doable on its own. Readers may miss some of the worldbuilding and references from its predecessor, but not so much to get completely lost.

Overall, I was entertained by this novella. It's a quick read and has a disquieting atmosphere that is worth experiencing. I liked What Moves the Dead more, but to be fair, "you had me at Poe retelling," could explain the preference.

Retired soldier Alex Easton returns in a horrifying new adventure. After their terrifying ordeal at the Usher manor, Alex Easton feels as if they just survived another war. All they crave is rest, routine, and sunshine, but instead, as a favor to Angus and Miss Potter, they find themself heading to their family hunting lodge, deep in the cold, damp forests of their home country, Gallacia. In theory, one can find relaxation in even the coldest and dampest of Gallacian autumns, but when Easton arrives, they find the caretaker dead, the lodge in disarray, and the grounds troubled by a strange, uncanny silence. The villagers whisper that a breath-stealing monster from folklore has taken up residence in Easton’s home. Easton knows better than to put too much stock in local superstitions, but they can tell that something is not quite right in their home. . . or in their dreams. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

In this sequel to What Moves the Dead, T. Kingfisher does not disappoint in this installment of the Sworn Soldier novella series. The author brings fantasy and horror to life on the page, and I found myself completely revetted for the five hours. As with the previous book, which I listened to as an audiobook, the narrator helps pull the reader in, and is fantastic at accents. T. Kingfisher's wit and how this appears in their characters. However, I find sometimes it pulls me out of the story or feels awkward. That's not to deter from the quality of the story and writing, and I will continue to recommend this series to others.

I was wildly excited to get this one after loving what moves the dead. And thrilled that the sequel had the same, excellent, narrator. Most important thing to be clear on, while the "What Moves the Dead" was absolutely a take on Poe's Fall of the House of Usher, this story is a thing fully unto itself. I definitely spent some time trying to find a decent Poe parallel and fell short. So go into this not as a retelling of anything, but as it's own thing. And that own thing is some super freaky night terrors monsters that will haunt your dreams. The writing is superb, as is to be expected. It's tense, creepy, and the danger is very, very real for the characters. And, critically (but potentially spoilery) the animals are all okay.

What Feast at Night is the second installment of what looks to be the Sworn Solider series. I found this book slow-paced and didn't feel connected to the characters. The mystery was a unique fable-type story about a creature who is stealing the breath or souls of its victims at night. I liked how the atmosphere was described but I didn't feel uncomfortable as the characters interacted throughout the book. I was a bit let down. It was a fine book for those who want to continue following Alex Easton's adventures.