What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher | Book Review

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What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
Series: Sworn Solider #2
Published by Tor Nightfire on February 13, 2024
Genres: Gothic, Horror, LGBT, Folklore

Pages: 151
Format: Hardback
Source: Purchased

Content Warnings: Alcohol, Death, Gore, Nightmares, PTSD
Rating:

Retired soldier Alex Easton returns in a horrifying new adventure. After their terrifying ordeal at the Usher manor, Alex Easton feels as if they just survived another war. All they crave is rest, routine, and sunshine, but instead, as a favor to Angus and Miss Potter, they find themself heading to their family hunting lodge, deep in the cold, damp forests of their home country, Gallacia. In theory, one can find relaxation in even the coldest and dampest of Gallacian autumns, but when Easton arrives, they find the caretaker dead, the lodge in disarray, and the grounds troubled by a strange, uncanny silence. The villagers whisper that a breath-stealing monster from folklore has taken up residence in Easton’s home. Easton knows better than to put too much stock in local superstitions, but they can tell that something is not quite right in their home. . . or in their dreams.

I absolutely adore T. Kingfisher's storytelling, especially when it comes to gothic fiction and fantasy. What Feasts at Night is no different. This short novella is the second in the Sworn Solider series (?), following Easton after their traumatic ordeal at Usher Manor. Easton and company arrive at their hunting lodge, only to find the caretaker missing, the place in complete disarray, and white moths inhabiting the weirdest of places.

What Feasts at Night is not nearly as creepy as What Moves the Dead, but the slow build leading to the dramatic finish left me more anxious than the first tale. Unlike its predecessor, What Feasts at Night is not a retelling, but a dip into folk horror, with lots of humor throughout. Easton has clearly undergone some changes since the first book, their sense of humor amplified, likely as a way to deal with the trauma of the past. These bits of humor mixed with suspense made for a unique reading experience.

T. Kingfisher does an excellent job weaving a fantastical creature feature mixed with dream sequences we aren't sure are actually dreams, character building, and a snarky new caretaker you can't help but adore. While I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the first, it was still a four-star rating from me. It's nice to throw in some quick reads between series or more daunting books, and this one was perfect for the occasion.

Spoiler Alert 
Rest assured! Hob, Easton's beloved horse, is not harmed in this book, despite the foreboding cover.