Creepy novellas are becoming my weakness. At least, creepy novellas written by T. Kingfisher.

I received an advance reader’s copy (ARC) of What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher. Since this version is just a proof and not the final version, I won’t quote directly and will keep my comments general.

In What Feasts at Night, the follow-up to What Moves the Dead, ex-soldier Alex Easton is returning to the family hunting lodge in a remote part of Gallacia. After the horrifying experiences at the Ushers’ home, surely this will be a nice vacation. With Easton is the gruff batman, Angus, and they’re expecting their friend Miss Eugenia Potter soon enough. However, when they arrive at the hunting lodge, the old caretaker is dead, and a bizarre silence seems to descend upon the land at random moments. The townsfolk are certain that a breath-stealing creature called the moroi is responsible. Easton, however, is skeptical, but soon cannot deny that something is strange in this place… and in the sleeping world, too.

For the record, I didn’t know anything about this book, other than that it existed, when I requested a copy. So the fact that I wrote to my contact at the publisher saying “I need this book like I need air” kind of makes me wonder if I briefly harnessed the power of prophecy.

Anyway, this is a fantastic story! I loved What Moves the Dead, and I’m not sure I love this one more, but I still had a great time with it. When this sequel was announced, I was surprised, because the first one was such a perfect little story that wrapped up well—but obviously it hasn’t stopped me from reading this the second I got my hands on the ARC. Kingfisher is just wrapping me more and more securely around her finger, and I’m fine with this.

(I’m also not sure if this is based on another Poe story; I haven’t read all of them, so if anyone knows, please let me know.)

Regardless, I loved reading from Easton’s point-of-view again! What a great narrator, and a great character in general. The explorations of how PTSD and battle injuries can affect a person’s everyday life are very well done, as far as I can tell, portrayed with sympathy and realism, but not serving as Easton’s only character trait. There is a lot to recommend this person, from intelligence and sarcasm to bravery and resourcefulness. I’d read another book about Easton, honestly, even if Kingfisher really should stop traumatizing her best narrator. Just… let’s let Alex rest after this, please?

(Nah, on second thought, let’s keep up the creepiness.)

As for the plot, I think it’s a slower build than What Moves the Dead, with more focus on the interplay between the cast of characters rather than the strange supernatural elements. We have a couple of new characters, the widow and her grandson who come to help at the house, and they fit in well with Easton, Angus, and Miss Potter. (On a related note, I’d read a spinoff novel about Miss Potter’s adventures in mycology; she’s such a delightful character.) This building of characters and relationships is important, though, as it helps the final sequence especially have quite an impact.

Speaking of, once the supernatural stuff really kicks into high gear, wow is it amazing! The recurring dreams Easton deals with are sinister, but the moroi’s final appearance—a rather trippy, ominous sequence of disorienting scenes—was incredible. This is also where the cover image comes into play, and I really think this is the moment that will stick with me longest. It’s so creepy and kind of gross, as you might imagine, but fantastically written. I also love how everything resolves, though of course I can’t really get into this without spoilers.

In the end, I had a wonderful time with What Feasts at Night. It’s a bit different than its predecessor, with more character moments and an unexpected amount of humor, before it dives into the creepy parts. It’s a fast read, one I easily knocked out in one afternoon, but a very rewarding one, full of chills (literal and figurative), nightmares, and haunting imagery. You might even say it’s… breath-taking.

What Feasts at Night will be published on February 13th, 2024!