I have been a fan of T. Kingfisher for a few books now and this book just strengthens the feeling. There's a scene in which a rabbits lung is described and it was one of my first thoughts this morning. That image and what it would mean if it happened to me... first thing upon waking up makes my brain feel weird.

I really enjoyed the main character's point of view and the jabs at Americans. I kind of wish the story were longer.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tornightfire for my ARC!

I dove into What Moves the Dead not knowing alot about it- but I was really pleasantly surprised. This novella is a retelling of The house of Usher by Poe, and T. Kingfisher writes a story that is equal parts fascinating and horrifying.

When Alex Easton is wrote to help his friend, Maddy, that has turned seriously ill and is on her deathbed, he hurries to the house of Usher, to find that Maddy and her brother Roderick afflicted by a mysterious and serious condition. I really enjoyed Easton's character, as well as Mrs. Potter, a local who enjoys to draw the local fungi that riddles the perimeter of the house. No spoilers, but this is an atmospheric read, with a disturbing twist that made me devour this book.

Highly recommend!

Seeing Kingfisher’s spin on the Fall of the House of Usher was already something I was looking forward to, but of course, SHE MADE IT EVEN MORE TERRIFYING. I am even more determined to apply fire to mushrooms now. Also, man, the unexpected Beatrix potter references. And awesome neopronouns! Pick this up when it comes out!

What Moves The Dead is actually a pretty faithful adaptation of Edgar Allen Poes work, with few creative liberties taken and more of a straight novelization of the original text. This was pretty cool to experience, and its shortness made it a quick and easy read.

That said, its commitment to the source material could feel a little boring and stuffy at times. I wish I had more to say about this one, but unfortunately I was not affected either way by it and will not be putting up a formal review via blog because there simply is not enough to say.

For fans of Edgar Allen Poe and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic, What Moves the Dead is a modern expanded retelling of the Fall of the House of Usher.
 
What Moves the Dead is a fast-paced read that starts with Easton receiving a letter from his long-lost friend Madeline, who asks him to come see her since her brother Roderick is worried about her severe illness. As Easton arrives on their trusty horse, it becomes eerily clear that the Usher’s house is… creepy to say the least. The hares that surround the property are unlike anything they’ve ever seen. The hares don’t run or hide. Instead, they stare at anyone who gets near them as if they are unafraid of anything–an unusual characteristic for a hare. Not to mention, there are ghastly mushrooms that when touched, smell of a putrid, rotten smell no one would want to be within ten miles from.
 
Once inside the Usher home, it becomes clear how dreadful it really is. The help is minimal, the house hasn’t been cleaned in who knows how long. Not to mention, Madeline looks as if she’s seconds away from death. She’s frail, her skin nearly translucent, and no one is sure what could be contributing to her demise. Denton, Roderick’s friend, is a “doctor” (who really is only familiar with amputating limbs) and is at the Usher home in an attempt to comfort his friend and see if he can diagnose Madeline’s condition. As Easton stays longer in the home, it’s starting to become eerily clear that whatever is killing Madeline might not just be an illness, but something that may put everyone at risk…
 
While there are similarities between this story and Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, it’s fair to say that the two are vastly different. Kingfisher brings Poe’s version to life, by bringing the characters to the page and going in more detail. Easton, who in Poe’s version was an unnamed main character, is a humorous, fun character to read on the page. What I enjoyed most about this story was Easton’s voice. Despite this being a dark, serious plot, Easton livened the pages through his humor and perception about the world and those around them. Easton was also a nonbinary character in the sense that they didn’t identify as man or woman, and instead, considered themselves to be “ka” and “kan,” which are Gallecian terms used to identify soldiers. Many Gallecia people who became soldiers often retired “him” and “his” and “she” and “her” pronouns and instead adopted the uses of “ka” and “kan.” Because of this, it was a joy to see this form of gender representation in a modern Gothic novel.
 
As mentioned earlier, this novel is quite similar (and different) to Mexican Gothic. While I reading, I kept thinking back to Moreno-Garcia’s book. They are similar in the sense that there is a weird fungus that is a part of the residence. However, how that fungus interacts with the world is quite different between the two texts. Not to mention, Kingfisher’s story is a retelling of Poe’s short story. Kingfisher, is however, very aware of these influences as he mentions in his acknowledgements that Mexican Gothic bared similarities and inspiration. While there is a lot of influence in this story, Kingfisher makes it his own throughout his character development.
 
Easton’s horse is now a sophisticated steed who only wants the best foods and can be quite set on what he likes. Roderick can play the piano like no other. Madeline is sweet and tender, until Easton hears her sleepwalking and tries to awaken her, only to discover an unsettling truth. Easton’s friend Angus who takes care of him is a lovable, boisterous man who is quickly disturbed by the house and busies himself elsewhere in his attempts to avoid it. And, Ms Potter, the local British mycologist, is an intelligent woman whose scientific background is a necessary asset to the case.
 
I didn’t have any issues with this story actually. I appreciated the quick read and was able to finish it in less than two days. The characters are witty, humorous, and use their senses to fully understand what’s affecting the Usher residence.
 
Again, I would read this story over again just to immerse myself in Easton’s voice. They were very relatable and humorous! I’ve never read a character in this way before, and it’s clear that Kingfisher is making a name for himself in the literary world because of his unique, but relatable character creation. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, entertaining read in a Gothic setting.
 
Rating: 4.5 out 5 stars

A beautiful retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher. Lovely characters, eerie atmosphere and excellent writing. Fans of Poe and gothic horror will love this. I haven't read T. Kingfisher before but I definitely want to now. And this cover is just stunning.

You’ve heard of Bunnicula, now get ready for Vampire Bunnies!

First and foremost, I should say I’ve never read The Fall of the House of Usher so I have nothing to compare this novella to. However, having no knowledge of the work What Moves the Dead is based on doesn’t affect your experience at all. What starts as a creepy little story turns into a grotesque tale of an evil fungus. It was dark with an edge of humor and it was incredible. I’d particularly recommend this one to fans of Mexican Gothic.

“What moves the dead” by T. Kingfisher is a short novel retelling “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
The main character, Alex, is summoned to the Usher’s ancestral home by Madeline Usher who fears she is dying.
The novella is dark and gothic and I found it funny and thrilling. It was such a creative take on the Poe short story.

I think a lot of reviewers who don't know it's a retelling will enjoy this book! As someone who has read the The Fall of the House of Usher, I feel like this retelling wraps things up far too much. I did read the author's notes, and they do state that they felt the original didn't give enough answers, and they wanted to answer them. I feel that part of what makes the original iconic is the eeriness produced by a lack of answers. Nevertheless, like I said, I feel that a lot of people who read this will enjoy it if they aren't comparing it to the original.

what moves the dead was such a good retelling and i would have rated it 5 stars had it not been for how slow the beginning was. it’s creepy without having that many “in-your-face” horror moments. the author does such a good job at creating an eerie, something-is-wrong atmosphere and i was on the edge of my seat for the last 40% of the novel. if you like mexican gothic, you’ll probably like this one as well.

the writing was fung-nomenal. i will show myself out now.

this is a novella and i am amazed how well thought-out the plot and the characters were. the main character, alex, especially, had such a strong personality – they’re witty and sarcastic and i really liked them.

the beginning was tedious and i almost considered dnf-ing because it felt like nothing was happening. i wish this build-up part was considerably shorter – it didn’t really have a point or maybe i just missed stuff.
the way everything is described was truly amazing – it’s unsettling without being too gore-y. around the 40% point of the book you’re starting to realize something is off, but there’s no jumpscare to actually justify that feeling. i also loved the scenes with the hares – they were very off-putting. i just love how the book approached the horror tropes it features.

what moves the dead is one of those novels you read in one-sitting. everything about it was really good and it’s such a clever retelling. also i have to say the title was a very smart choice, it was really fun to figure out the meaning of it. and the cover is simply gorgeous!!

As a huge horror fan and a fan of Edgar Allen Poe, I really enjoyed this retelling. Honestly at first I had an idea of what was going on but I was so incorrect by the time I finished the book! I really enjoyed the story and the plot devices put into play that kept the story feeling creepy.

I have a friend who's been urging me to read T. Kingfisher for years, and now that I've read this, I'm very sorry I waited so long. Not for the faint of heart or stomach, this is a truly terrifying novella inspired by Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher -- but with all of the extra details and new characters I didn't know I wanted. I loved it and will be recommending it widely.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

"Mold crept up the pale boards, tiny spots of black that joined together like constellations." -From What Moves the Dead

5 stars

Hares, fungus, and decaying houses oh my! Kingfisher really took some of the standard horror characters Poe used in "The Fall of the House of Usher" and elevates and adds to them, creating a dynamic cast. The prose changes somewhat from Kingfisher's other works, to a more antiquated one that fits perfectly in the 1890's timeframe the book is placed in. I loved the nonbinary protagonist (though even a close friend uses 'sir' to address them), and the seven different pronouns their language had in general. It tied in well having the fungus using the child pronoun. I love how you get more explanation and closure in this retelling. This version makes me like the original more. Creepy horrific perfection.

Thank you endlessly to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What Moves the Dead is written in the first person narrative from the perspective of Alex Easton and set in the late 1800s.. Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying. Rushing to the Usher’s ancestral home in the remote countryside, Easton is shocked to find fungal growth, possessed wildlife, and a pulsing lake. Easton is even more shocked when he finds both Usher siblings looking like the living dead and many strange occurrences in the manor. With the help of an American doctor and a British mycologist, Easton is determined to unravel the secrets of the manor before it consumes them all.

Thoughts: As an Edgar Allen Poe fan, I was a little wary about this retelling of his short story “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Kingfisher seriously nailed it. He took the bones of the story and added so much meat to it! In Poe’s classic, the story is chilling but rather straightforward with not much explanation on who the characters truly are and what exactly is happening. But that is no issue at all in Kingfisher’s retelling. One of the most satisfying novellas I’ve read in a while. Chilling, atmospheric, and with just enough humanity in all of the characters to make you care about what happens to them (usually a huge miss in novellas, I find). Not one full moment and it was very well-paced rather having than a super slow build. I also really loved Potter’s character and her abundance of scientific insight on fungi. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a horror novella, enjoy horror retellings, or love a good haunted house story.

I’ve yet to read Mexican Gothic but it seems that the consensus is that if you enjoyed that one, you’ll enjoy this. Definitely adding Mexican Gothic to my TBR now!

4.5 Stars!

WHAT MOVES THE DEAD, by T. Kingfisher tackles Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher", and goes into the storyline, furthering it, and fleshing it out in a way that felt both natural, and yet keeping with her own unique style.

The dreary setting is set, and Alex Easton--a woman who served in the army with Roderick Usher--comes to visit after receiving a letter from her friend, Maddie Usher. There is also an American doctor present there, although his character was unable to really do anything at this stage to help the obviously dying Madeline.

Despite being a take on a classic, Kingfisher makes this tale completely unique. Her trademark "dark humor" is present, although in smaller doses than in previous stories, due to the Victorian period, I assume. However, it does shine out, reminding you that this book--no matter how many times you've read the tale by Poe--is her own.

". . . (Look, if you don't make a fool of yourself over animals, at least in private, you aren't to be trusted. . . .")

". . . Sometimes it's hard to know if someone is insulting or just an American."

The atmosphere here is crucial to the story, and Kingfisher takes it to where your own imagination might have furthered the events leading to "The Fall of the House of Usher". The tale is complete, while still leaving room to have your own questions swirling about.

"The dead don't walk. Except, sometimes, when they do. . . "

The only thing I really didn't care for was that the author went into various pronouns used in a village--seven of them--over, and over again. I could see if it were pertinent to the storyline, but it seemed to be something brought up often, that didn't do anything to forward the tale.

Other than that, I felt that this was a fantastic take on a well-known classic, with the author's personal style.

Recommended.

Novella retelling of Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher", this story is creepy, lyrical and humorous at the same time. The main character is Easton, a non-binary soldier who has received a letter from an old friend Madeline Usher, inviting them for a visit. Easton arrives on their horse Hob and finds the Usher home is a bad state. Not only is their large, castle like home in shambles, but the very town they live in seems to filled with dank water, terrible looking mushrooms and hares which seem like other-worldly creatures. Easton meets the great character Miss Potter, fictional aunt to Beatrix, and she tells hime the history of the poisonous mushrooms that she enjoys sketching and studying.

Madeline and her brother Roderick are in a terrible state. They have both gone bone thin with hair that is turned white and a deathly pallor to their skin. They are in the company of an American doctor named Denton who is unable to determine what is causing their decline. Easton becomes very concerned about their friends and also a bit scared when Madeline is found roaming around the castle at night as if in a trance. As Easton, Denton, Miss Potter and Roderick try to figure out what is causing such a terrible illness, a sense of something coming for the group is felt in every description of the dank lake which glows at night, the creepy animals that don't die when they are shot, and in Roderick and Madeline themselves who grow more skeleton like by the day. Easton's attempts t0 solve the mystery and help their friends is interesting and smart. I liked the warm relationship between the characters and felt the creepy cold as it crept through the Usher estate. Would love to see Easton and Miss Potter in another novella or novel. Thank You to NetGalley and the publisher for a free book in exchange for an honest review.

It has been a very long time since I’ve read Fall of the House of Usher by Poe, but I must say, this book wonderfully captures that uneasy “something is amiss” atmosphere you find in classic horror tales. Right from the start, the protagonist is charming, the narrative compelling and curious. The writing itself is brilliant, expertly capturing the plot and pulling you, the reader, along for a frightening ride.

The mushrooms, the tarn, the house itself, the Usher siblings - this is a perfectly crafted retelling of a very frightening story. Really, the MUSHROOMS. I also found the narrator very refreshing and highly entertaining, easily keeping me engaged the entire way. I also truly appreciated the way the author kept true to the original story while also changing just enough to keep this tale unique and special.

Books like this are rare to come across, and I am so glad I gave it a chance. Keep an open mind and you will enjoy this book, too.

Thanks to @netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this bold new novel from T. Kingfisher.

An imaginative retelling of Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, What Moves the Dead tells of Alex Easton, a former soldier, visiting old friends Madeleine and Roderick Usher in their decaying manor house in the fictional Ruravia (which I believe is very near Genovia). Receiving word that Madeleine is dying, Easton arrives at the estate only to quickly discover that something dark lurks in the house of Usher.

I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but look at that striking cover! And any book that features the word “viscera,” in the first sentence you know is going to take you on a wild ride. This book initially gave me Mexican Gothic vibes what with the mushrooms and fungi all around, which made great sense when the author raved about it in the author’s note.

There was a lovely non-binary main character and beautiful usage of myriad pronouns when talking about different characters. There were deeply unsettling tableaus of death and decay that gave me chills. And there was even a very amusing blink-and-you’ll-miss-it mention of the mycologist Mrs. Potter’s niece, Beatrix.

Ultimately, this book was an enjoyably horrific ride. I am not usually drawn to the horror genre, but this novel had the most uncanny mix of horror, suspense, and absurdist humor that I flew through it. I found myself laughing out loud at the narrator’s dry wit one moment and being shocked by the gruesome happenings in the house of Usher the next. Honestly, this book is quite original and unlike anything else I’ve ever read—which is quite a feat when it is literally an adaptation of an extant work.

I read The Fall of The House of Usher in school and vaguely remember the main point of the story so I was very excited to see that T. Kingfisher was releasing a retelling of sorts.

This story follows very similar beats to the original while remaining unique in its own way. In the original story, you have a brother and sister living in a decrepit house which the reader explores through the eyes of a visiting guest.

What Moves the Dead expands upon the original by adding more side characters and creating more reasons why the eerie house exists as it does. The author does a wonderful job of subverting the readers expectations in this novella.

If you enjoyed Mexican Gothic or any other gothic literature, you would enjoy this. I feel like this novella really encapsulates the same level of slightly grotesque imagery that gothic literature is known for invoking and I can see fans of the genre really enjoying this.

As a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe, I was thrilled to be able to read this retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher. T. Kingfisher does an incredible job immediately immersing the reader in the gothic backwater world in which we encounter Madeline and Roderick Usher, brother and sister who refuse to leave their ancestral home despite rot and decay all around them.

Where Poe told us the what in his short story, Kingfisher fills us in on the why and does it in an utterly believable and beautifully horrific manner. I was unable to put this one down, despite knowing the inevitable ending because the gaps that Poe had left us with, were finally being filled in.

The character of Easton and the addition of a culture with multiple pronouns adds an element of modernity and inclusion to this classic tale.

For fans of Mexican Gothic and Edgar Allan Poe, this is definitely a retelling that you do not want to miss.

Thank you to Netgalley, Tor Nightfire, and T. Kingfisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.