The Fungal:<\/strong><\/p>\nYou\u2019ll never look at mushrooms the same way again
\nSeriously, I\u2019m side-eyeing every toadstool I see now<\/p>\n
A Series in the Making?<\/h3>\n
\u201cWhat Moves the Dead\u201d is the first book in Kingfisher\u2019s \u201cSworn Soldier\u201d series. The second installment, \u201cWhat Feasts at Night,\u201d is set to continue Alex Easton\u2019s adventures in gothic horror. If it\u2019s anything like this book, sign me up for more fungal frights and Victorian-era shenanigans.<\/p>\n
How Does It Stack Up?<\/h4>\n
Compared to Kingfisher\u2019s other works, \u201cWhat Moves the Dead\u201d feels like a natural progression. Fans of her horror novel \u201cThe Twisted Ones\u201d will find familiar elements\u2014a protagonist out of their depth, a creeping sense of wrongness, and folklore twisted into something nightmarish.<\/p>\n
In the broader context of gothic horror, this book holds its own against classics and modern takes alike. It has echoes of Shirley Jackson\u2019s \u201cThe Haunting of Hill House\u201d in its oppressive atmosphere, but with a scientific bent that brings to mind Jeff VanderMeer\u2019s \u201cSouthern Reach\u201d trilogy.<\/p>\n
Final Thoughts: To Read or Not to Read?<\/h3>\n
Look, I\u2019m not gonna lie\u2014this book isn\u2019t for everyone. If you prefer your horror blood-soaked and action-packed, you might find \u201cWhat Moves the Dead\u201d a bit too slow-burning. And if you\u2019re hoping for a straight-up retelling of Poe\u2019s original story, you\u2019re in for a surprise (albeit a pleasant one, in my opinion).<\/p>\n
But if you\u2019re in the mood for:<\/p>\n
Gothic atmosphere thick enough to choke on
\nBody horror that\u2019ll make your skin crawl
\nA fresh take on a classic tale
\nSome genuinely funny moments amidst the terror
\nMushrooms. So many mushrooms.<\/p>\n
Then boy howdy, do I have the book for you. \u201cWhat Moves the Dead\u201d is a fungi-filled fever dream that\u2019ll stick with you long after you turn the last page. Just maybe don\u2019t read it right before bed. Or while eating. Or if you\u2019re planning a trip to the countryside anytime soon.<\/p>\n
The Verdict<\/h4>\n
T. Kingfisher\u2019s \u201cWhat Moves the Dead\u201d is a delightfully creepy romp through fungal-infested gothic horror. It\u2019s not perfect, but its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. If you\u2019re a fan of atmospheric horror, clever writing, and never looking at mushrooms the same way again, give this book a shot. Just don\u2019t blame me if you start hearing things in the walls afterward.<\/p>\n
Who Should Read This Book?<\/h3>\n
Fans of gothic horror looking for a fresh twist
\nMycology enthusiasts (you know who you are)
\nAnyone who\u2019s ever thought, \u201cYou know what Poe needed? More pronouns and fungus.\u201d
\nReaders who enjoy a slow-burn horror that builds to a terrifying crescendo
\nPeople who aren\u2019t easily grossed out (seriously, there are some icky moments)<\/p>\n
Who Should Maybe Skip It?<\/h3>\n
Those with severe mycophobia (fear of mushrooms\u2014it\u2019s a real thing!)
\nReaders looking for non-stop action or gore
\nPoe purists who can\u2019t handle creative reinterpretations
\nAnyone planning to go mushroom hunting in the near future (trust me, just wait)<\/p>\n
The Final Word<\/h2>\n
T. Kingfisher\u2019s \u201cWhat Moves the Dead\u201d is a masterclass in atmospheric horror. It takes a classic tale and injects it with new life (or should I say, new death?), creating something familiar yet utterly unique. While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate a slow-burning gothic nightmare will find plenty to love here.<\/p>\n
Just remember: the next time you\u2019re out in nature and spot a patch of innocent-looking mushrooms, think twice before you get too close. You never know what might be lurking beneath the surface, waiting to spread its spores and claim you as its own. Sweet dreams, dear readers. And watch out for those hares.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ever had that creeping feeling something\u2019s not quite right? That prickling on the back of your neck when you\u2019re alone in an old house, hearing things that shouldn\u2019t be there? T. Kingfisher\u2019s \u201cWhat Moves the Dead\u201d taps into those primal fears, serving up a deliciously creepy reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe\u2019s classic tale \u201cThe Fall […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=670"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}