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librarymouse's review
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
There are so many banger lines in this book! I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book as the sequel to a retelling of a well known horror tale, but this book is so strong on its own! I love the continuation of Angus and Miss Potter's acquaintance, the new additions to the cast of cha acters, and the exploration of Easton's home country. I also really enjoyed the addition of situationally and indivi ually specific pronouns!
I just about cried in the library reading the scene with the horses when Hob's face slid off like a moth wing, sticking to Easton. That scenario and Easton's own terror was like an externalization of my actually real nightmares. Great writing, but that scene hurt so bad. But at least dream Hob didn't seem to be in pain as he crumbled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, War, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Body horror, Alcohol, Grief, Gun violence, and Medical trauma
While there is no intentional cruelty, there is animal injury during a dream sequence in the last third of the book. More detail is listed in the spoiler part of my review.meaghanelizabook's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and War
Moderate: Alcohol
naomi_k's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, War, Terminal illness, and Body horror
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Gun violence
Minor: Domestic abuse and Murder
chelbelle122's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Murder, Violence, and War
reedandright's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, and Body horror
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, Death, and Grief
Minor: Rape, Alcohol, Gun violence, and Blood
justaddwater's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Grief, Alcohol, Murder, Death, Gore, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Mental illness, War, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry
aobooba's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Gore, and Body horror
Moderate: Gore, Medical content, Alcohol, Blood, and Death
Minor: Gun violence
amachonis's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: War and Gun violence
jayburding's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This sits around a 3.5 but I rounded up because I'm willing to be generous for a writer I enjoy. And I did enjoy this book, but unfortunately it suffers from prodigy sibling syndrome. What Moves the Dead was a creeping horror that sank into your bones and wouldn't be moved. What Feasts At Night seems to be walking that road initially but stumbles and never really regains its footing. The What in this book simply doesn't command the same fear as its predecessor, too slow in its approach, too easily dispatched.
Also, I must confess, I have a violent hatred of the trope where characters don't communicate and then react poorly when other characters try and fail to interpret their vagueries. I lost patience with the Widow quickly, which takes some doing in a book this short, and while the ending somewhat redeemed this character choice, the frustration still lingered. Alex's slowness to pick up on supernatural shenanigans, especially after what happened in the previous book, felt mildly farcical and too drawn out, and kan being treated as the resident idiot outstayed its welcome. I was disappointed at how little Miss Potter got to contribute this time, and honestly you could have removed her and called this book a prequel and it might have worked better.
I enjoy Kingfisher's writing, and Alex's character really appeals to me. I'm not a fan of first person so getting me to read it is a victory in itself, and unquestionably enjoy it even more so. I would happily read more of Sworn Soldier, and I hope there is more coming, I just think Kingfisher has a real talent for body horror that could have gone a lot harder in this book, and it would have hit like it did in WMTD. I enjoyed what was here but I wanted more.
Also, I must confess, I have a violent hatred of the trope where characters don't communicate and then react poorly when other characters try and fail to interpret their vagueries. I lost patience with the Widow quickly, which takes some doing in a book this short, and while the ending somewhat redeemed this character choice, the frustration still lingered. Alex's slowness to pick up on supernatural shenanigans, especially after what happened in the previous book, felt mildly farcical and too drawn out, and kan being treated as the resident idiot outstayed its welcome. I was disappointed at how little Miss Potter got to contribute this time, and honestly you could have removed her and called this book a prequel and it might have worked better.
I enjoy Kingfisher's writing, and Alex's character really appeals to me. I'm not a fan of first person so getting me to read it is a victory in itself, and unquestionably enjoy it even more so. I would happily read more of Sworn Soldier, and I hope there is more coming, I just think Kingfisher has a real talent for body horror that could have gone a lot harder in this book, and it would have hit like it did in WMTD. I enjoyed what was here but I wanted more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Gore, Animal death, Gun violence, and Death
not_another_ana's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Had I imagined it? Would it be better or worse if I had?
Everyone's favorite Gallacian sworn soldier is back! And this time in their own country. Alex and Angus head down to Easton's old hunting lodge, as a favor to Miss Potter who is keen to study the local mushroom population. But the lodge is in a state of disarray and there's rumours in town of a deadly figure from local mythology haunting the area and robbing people of their breath. Rumours that might have a grain of truth to them.
This was fun, charming, fast paced, however I will say that the first book was better. While What Moves the Dead had a developing mystery that ends up in a big confrontation this one is more of a slow burn with less high stakes and a more introspective vibe. Read this if you enjoyed the narration of the first one and grew attached to Alex Easton and their peculiarities. It was still quite enjoyable and I ate it up, it just could have delivered a bit more. Loved learning more about Gallacia and its costumes, same as hearing about Easton's past in the military. I could easily read another in this series, it's like eating a big bucket of popcorn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, and War