Let it be known far and wide that I am a big fan of T. Kingfisher. So much so, that I have made it a goal to read all of T. Kingfisher's works and I have been slowly making my way through everything I can find for the last few years. One such series I've been following is the Sworn Soldier books featuring the character Alex Easton. Alex has been through several let's say "adventures" and each has been their own unique take on horror.
The first, What Moves the Dead, had readers introduced to Alex, who served in the army for Gallacia and has since left said army and moved on with their life. A letter from a childhood friend brings Alex to Usher Manor, where something sinister is growing, invading the lake, the land and the house. The second book, What Feasts at Night, has Alex, their closest friend Angus, and Miss Eugenia Potter, a mycologist and illustrator seen in book 1, traveling to a hunting lodge that belongs to Easton's family for the sake of rest and relaxation and as a favor to Miss Potter. Instead they find rumors of a monster that steals the breath of those that stay in the lodge and together have to discover the truth to the story and survive their stay.
I've loved each book, the second maybe a little more than the first, so the anticipation for the third book of the series has been keeping me on edge since September started. I'm happy to report that this adventure is just as good as the previous books. This novella, What Stalks the Deep, has Alex and Angus traveling to America to help their friend Dr. Denton, who was originally seen in the first book and helped Alex with what was happening in Usher House. This time around, Denton has asked for Alex to come help find Denton's missing cousin, who was studying an old mine that belongs to Denton's family. They put a team together and work to investigate the mine, the disappearance of Denton's cousin and what is hidden deep undergound in the mine.
First of all, this is a little more light-hearted in tone. The dread and horror has more to do with the confined spaces at first, which Alex repeatedly states do not bother them, and the threat of gas and explosions in the mine. When what is hidden in the mine comes to light, the desciptions reminded me of some classic horror films but if I get into namimg those, I'm afraid I'll reveal too much and the joy of this novella will be spoiled. Suffice to say, the monster of this book had its moments of being the thing that creeps in the dark but Kingfisher changes things up by also making it the hero in moments of need. All together, it was an unexpected surprise and it makes this another brilliant installment in what has become a favorite series of mine.
This was my first time listening to an audiobook and narrator Avi Roque is incredible with this story. There were accents to distinguish separate characters and the tone was the perfect voice to bring Alex Easton to life. As a result, I'm looking into other books narrated by Roque because the performance here impressed me that much. I can't believe I never truly took the time to listen to an audiobook. This production has cemented that I'll be listening to more in the future.
Rating on my scale: 9 Stars!! Honestly, I still love What Feasts at Night just that much more. It's a miniscule, tiny quibble, but enough to make me reflect that in my rating. Still, it seems there will be more in the future for Alex Easton's adevntures and I will be sitting here patiently, listening to Avi Roque narrate the previous audiobooks, until book 4 is ready for readers to enjoy. The wait will be worth it, I'm sure.
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