Reviews

For He Can Creep by Siobhan Carroll

judeandolin's review against another edition

5.0

I'm so glad I read this.

antimony's review

funny

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

so silly & fun! joffery was such an enjoyable narrator and also I absolutely ADORED that the cover was a little sculpture. it looked like a still from a stop motion film.

annaavian's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 A creative exploration into a peculiar little corner of history and poetry.

jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

This novelette was nominated for a 2020 Hugo Award.

For he is the Cat Jeoffry, and no demon can stand against him.

It's the late 18th century and Jeoffry lives in St. Luke's Hospital for Lunatics with his human the poet Christopher Smart. Jeoffry spends a portion of his time fighting off imps and demons that lurk at the asylum. One day the devil himself shows up looking for the poet to write a poem honoring him. The devil attempts to distract Jeoffry so that he can get the poet alone.

Jeoffry does not like literature of any kind, unless it is about Jeoffry. Even then, petting is better. And eating. Are there treats now?

“Ah, treats.”

Instantly a banquet table is before Jeoffry. Everything the devil had promised is there: the fish heads, the salted ham—and things he forgot to mention, like the vats of cream and crispy salmon skins. There’s even a bowl of Turkish delight.

I enjoyed this short story. I liked that it was primarily about a cat and we got a glimpse inside this treat-motivated cats mind and also saw his affection for the poet.

You can read it online here: https://www.tor.com/2019/07/10/for-he-can-creep-siobhan-carroll/

adragonwithoutfire's review

4.0

  | Really wasn't expecting this to be this good!

I don't remember a single thing from this story...

badseedgirl's review against another edition

4.0

Having lived the last 7 months with a four-legged feline overlord who monitors my movements 24 hours a day, even while I am working from home; who has the inane talent to tell when I am just working on my computer and when it is time for her to spend 4 minutes exposing her butt/tail to my entire group in a virtual meeting; I now know all cats are amazing creatures.

This was a wonderful story and I think Ms. Carroll has captured the haughtiness of cats amazingly!

Read the story for free here:

https://www.tor.com/2019/07/10/for-he-can-creep-siobhan-carroll/

whitecat5000's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

3.0

Weird and odd.  

mistysbookspace's review

2.5

 I can't remember who brought this book to my attention a while ago but I saved it on Everand and I thought it would be a perfect read for the 29 in 29 challenge I did this month. I buddy read this with Destiny and I suggest you read her review or anyone else's for that matter because I seem to have an unpopular opinion. I'm pretty new to the horror genre and I am still learning what I like and what I don't like and unfortunately this one didn't work for me. This was weird. I wasn't expecting it to be written in the cats POV so that threw me off at first and I just think that horror books that have deeper meanings behind them aren't for me. This isn't the first time this has been the case for me.  

floralvarezr's review

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A classic tale of cat vs Satan or rather good vs evil, For He Can Creep is an adorable ode to our feline friends. I love cats, I love angelic lore, I love a little bit of horror mixed with humour. This short story was just amazing. Very well-written and very creative. Done marvellously from the perspective of Jeoffry, a typical orange cat with a fitting sense of good and evil, of his own worth and what belongs to him. I think everyone who loves and shares their life with a cat can appreciate the tone and narration of FHCC. I love that he actually learns from his mistakes and has some character growth. The other cats were quite compelling as well, specially the fearsome kitten. Satan's characterisation was great as well. I am convinced that at some point I will get over the prose-like format and finally read Paradise Lost, which is referenced here. Overall a great short read. 

howlinglibraries's review

4.0

 

This cell is his, and this one. The whole asylum is his, and let no demon forget it! For he is the Cat Jeoffry, and no demon can stand against him.

What a delightful little story. Anyone who knows me already knows I'm an absolute cat lady through and through, so I'll never say no to a little kitty hero like Jeoffry, and he is written exactly the way I like best for feline companions: haughty, smug, and mostly quite confident, but also very fond of his human and protective at any cost. ♥

For He Can Creep is a surprisingly funny piece, too, especially once the Nighthunter Moppet is introduced! I can so easily picture this wild little murderous kitten with demon blood in her veins and I loved her. 😂

He has learned that there is more than one kind of devil, and that the one inside your head, that speaks with the voice of your own heart, is far more dangerous than the velvet coat–wearing, poetry-loving variety.

If you'd like to read this story, you can check it out for free here at Reactor Mag's website (or you can grab it from an ebook store for less than a cup of coffee)!

Buddy read with Misty 🐈