Another long drive; another audiobook from T. Kingfisher (narrated by Avi Roque). This one was What Feasts At Night, sequel to What Moves The Dead.

I dare say I think I actually liked this one a little better than the first book (I think).

If it is a ‘cover’ version of another short story, as What Moves The Dead was for The Fall Of The House of Usher, I didn’t recognize the original. To my mind this lent the story some authority, as it had to stand on its own merit.

But that does not mean that there was nothing borrowed (every story borrows something). This tale would show receipts to the folklore of a wide array of cultures, but its deepest debt resides in its primary antagonist, the Moroi, which hails from Romanian legend. Western audiences are probably more familiar with the Germanic iterations of this myth, involving the ‘mare’ which is thought to sit on one’s chest while they sleep, causing all sorts of problems (it is from this lore that we have the term ‘nightmare’).

However, while listening, I could not help but think of the Bruxa from Netflix’s The Witcher (S2 E1) “A Grain of Truth“. I had originally misremembered this creature as the Russian Kikimora (slain in the very first episode of that series), but after some googling I confirmed my mistake. Talk about a confluence of cultures, Bruxa appear originally in Portuguese folklore, and then apparently nowadays in this American television show about a Slavic hero originally penned by a Polish author.

Aside: For any interested in the history of Bruxa, I highly recommend reading Anthony Hogg’s Bats Before Bram post on The Vampirologist which details references to Bruxa as examples of the link between bats and vampires before Bram Stoker’s Dracula made such things popular. Fascinating.

Ok. We’ve gone pretty far afield by now (sorry), so let’s get back to What Feasts at Night.

This book still feels firmly in the gothic horror genre, but I loved that Kingfisher manages to weave quite a bit of humor into the story as well. The Terry Pratchett influence I found so prominent in Jackalope Wives is undeniably present, but has shifted from the level of character to that of individual prose with wit delivered by unusual or awkward situations, or sardonic lines from members of the cast.

Also, I enjoyed that Kingfisher chose to return Easton to Galacia for this novella, as it proved to have a wealth of interesting culture to examine, some of which was quirky and humorous, while other parts more serious and subversive.

On the more serious/subversive side of the continuum, we’re presented with another new set of pronouns, this time specifically for priests. Perhaps after being introduced to soldier-specific pronouns in WMTD, the effect is somewhat lessened, but I thought it deepened the world and made the story more interesting overall.

On the quirky/humorous side: all of the cultural concessions and asides centered around Galacia’s liquor being complete shit.

All of this was managed with deft skill, somehow managing to get presented in a way that is instructive and fun for the reader, but not POV breaking for Easton who grew up in Galacia and ostensibly knows it all already.

Finally, I think there is some interesting character work going on here with Easton’s history in the war, and all the ways in which it effects him throughout the story. What commentary is being given I’m still unsure, but it seems intriguing and certainly rounds out an already loaded sequel.

Give ‘What Feasts at Night‘ a Read?

Yup! While assumedly not a retelling like WMTD (or even Thornhedge), What Feasts at Night still brings plenty of myth and history to the table with the inclusion of the Moroi, a firmly gothic storyline, accompanied by an almost Pratchettesque humor, which softens the characteristic creeping dread of a horror novella, but never extinguishes it.

And this is only just the foundation of what’s on offer in WFaN, with much more to perceive and enjoy surrounding gender, and post traumatic stress. Despite all that I’ve written above, I keep wondering if there is some important piece of this story that I missed, or forgot to mention. Which to me is always the sign of a great story.

That’s all I’ve got for this week. Has anyone read this one yet? What were your thoughts? Your favorite part? Anything thematic I forgot to mention? As always please leave your thoughts in the comments. I’m excited to talk about this one!

Until next time . . .