Nine Goblins - Book Review

 

Nine Goblins

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

When a party of goblin warriors find themselves trapped behind enemy lines, it'll take more than whining (and a bemused Elven veterinarian) to get them home again.

Nine Goblins is a novella of low...very low...fantasy.

What did I think of it:

When the reissue of Nine Goblins was announced I remembered I bought the ebook a long time ago, started it, got distracted, and never finished it.

So I picked it up again and this time read it in one sitting.

And it's such a fun read!

It's silly, funny, and touching all in one.

The story switches viewpoints between the goblins and Sings-to-Trees, an Elven veterinarian. I loved the goblins and their view of the world, but I will confess I loved Sings-to-Trees even more. He's on the receiving end of a lot of trouble, still he keeps going and stays helpful.

The goblins get themselves in hot water as well, but they're tough and resourceful in a unique goblin way.

All in all this was a delight to read, and I'm absolutely getting my trotters on the hardcover when it releases next year!

Why should you read it:

It's a super fun Fantasy read!

 

*new cover*

releasing January 20, 2026

The Twisted Ones - Book Review

 

The Twisted Ones

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

When a young woman clears out her deceased grandmother’s home in rural North Carolina, she finds long-hidden secrets about a strange colony of beings in the woods.

When Mouse’s dad asks her to clean out her dead grandmother's house, she says yes. After all, how bad could it be?

Answer: pretty bad. Grandma was a hoarder, and her house is stuffed with useless rubbish. That would be horrific enough, but there’s more—Mouse stumbles across her step-grandfather’s journal, which at first seems to be filled with nonsensical rants…until Mouse encounters some of the terrifying things he described for herself.

Alone in the woods with her dog, Mouse finds herself face to face with a series of impossible terrors—because sometimes the things that go bump in the night are real, and they’re looking for you. And if she doesn’t face them head on, she might not survive to tell the tale.

What did I think of it:

This is yet another really cool horror!

As always Kingfisher managed to creep me out even before anything really scary or creepy happened. I really liked Mouse and her dog, and even though in the first few pages you discover that Mouse is telling the story after the fact, I worried about the two of them. 

The building tension and atmosphere is once again so good! It kept me glued to the pages to find out what would happen next. I'm impressed how Kingfisher can write dark atmosphere and manage to have the story be funny at times as well, I must say.

Note: This story is inspired by The White People by Arthur Machen, which I definitely plan to read to see where the stories connect. 

All in all another one for my keeper shelves. We'll try one of Kingfisher's more romantic books next.

Why should you read it:

It's a humorous and suspenseful horror read

A House with Good Bones - Book Review

 

A House with Good Bones

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

A haunting Southern Gothic from an award-winning master of suspense, A House With Good Bones explores the dark, twisted roots lurking just beneath the veneer of a perfect home and family.

"Mom seems off."

Her brother's words echo in Sam Montgomery's ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.

She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam's excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out.

But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above.

To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

What did I think of it:

I've talked about how Kingfisher is a master at writing horror that works on atmosphere. This book is no exception.

The tiny things that happen don't seem to bad at first, but soon they count up and I totally freaked at a scene that isn't even that bad, has actually happened to me in a minor way, but because of the atmosphere it was so creepy.

And that's even with me already suspecting what might be going on.

I was totally caught by this story. Reading the last few chapters into the night because I needed to finish it, needed to see how it would end. I loved everything about it, even the creepy and freaky stuff.

I will pick up the next  Kingfisher book in my TBR very soon.

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful and atmospheric Horror read.

What Feasts at Night - Book Review

 

What Feasts at Night (Sworn Soldier #2)

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

The follow-up to T. Kingfisher’s bestselling gothic novella, What Moves the Dead .

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.

What did I think of it:

After rereading What Moves the Dead I picked up the second book starring Alex Easton.

And this was yet another awesome read.

What I love about Kingfisher's horror is that it's not  jump scares or gory slaughter. 

Don't get me wrong: I love a good zombie gore fest, or other high octane slaughter story, but atmospheric horror, where you slowly start to realize how bad things are... Perfection!

I really love Alex, they're easy to root for and to me very relatable. Even after the events in the first book Alex hangs on to their logic, unwilling to give in to superstitious beliefs. Being familiar with a lot of folklore and superstitions I could easily see what might be going on. But surprise isn't what makes this story work, instead it's atmosphere and storytelling that carries this book, so I was glued to the pages even knowing what they would discover.

I read this book in one sitting, drawn into it and unwilling to let it go until I reached the end.

You bet I'll get my greedy trotters on the third book once released as well! In the meantime I plan to pick up other books by T. Kingfisher as well. There are two in my TBR pile already.

Why should you read it:

It's a wonderful, atmospheric Horror read.

What Moves the Dead - Book Review (reread/repost)

 

What Moves the Dead (Sworn Soldier #1)

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

From the award-winning author of The Twisted Ones comes a gripping and atmospheric retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's classic "The Fall of the House of Usher."

When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania.

What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.

Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

What did I think of it:

I totally pre-ordered this book because it sounded cool and I couldn't resist that cover! (The end-papers have a really cool illustration as well.)

And this is indeed a really cool read!

It's a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." , but you can definitely read it without having read Poe's original. It's atmospheric, disturbing, and delightfully creepy.

I loved Alex, they're a great hero: down to earth, pragmatic, but also caring towards their friends. And their narration brings some humor to an otherwise creepy tale. Having read a lot of Poe's works, the plot wasn't unfamiliar, but the way Kingfisher gave it life and brought new things to it made that I was invested from the start. 

A warning to those who might have read other books by Kingfisher (A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking or Paladin's Grace for example): Kingfisher is a pen name used by Ursula Vernon for anything that doesn't fit the Ursula Vernon name, so this book is very different than some of the other books written under the Kingfisher name.

You bet i'll be trying to find more creepy, atmospheric beauty among the Kingfisher books though! 

Why should you read it:

It's a delightfully atmospheric read.

Thoughts on rereading:

Yup: Still just as beautifully atmospheric as the first time. A total keeper. Now on to read the next one.

A Sorceress Comes to Call - Book Review

 

A Sorceress Comes to Call

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

A dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic

Cordelia knows her mother is unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms, and her mother doesn't allow Cordelia to have a single friend—unless you count Falada, her mother's beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him. But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don’t force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren’t sorcerers.

After a suspicious death in their small town, Cordelia’s mother insists they leave in the middle of the night, riding away on Falada’s sturdy back, leaving behind all Cordelia has ever known. They arrive at the remote country manor of a wealthy older man, the Squire, and his unwed sister, Hester. Cordelia’s mother intends to lure the Squire into marriage, and Cordelia knows this can only be bad news for the bumbling gentleman and his kind, intelligent sister.

Hester sees the way Cordelia shrinks away from her mother, how the young girl sits eerily still at dinner every night. Hester knows that to save her brother from bewitchment and to rescue the terrified Cordelia, she will have to face down a wicked witch of the worst kind.

What did I think of it:

I've read several book by T. Kingfisher and loved them all. Still I kept mostly to her more horror-like books, with A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking the exception. I also had two more of her horror titles in my TBR when I received this book as a present. It had been on my radar (even had it in my greedy trotters when birthday shopping, but decided on another book), and the copy that I got was so pretty, and it had geese on the end-papers! So I immediately moved this to the top of TBR mountain.

And what a gorgeous, beautiful, amazing read!

This is a re-imagining of the faerie tale The Goose Girl. And it certainly has things that I recognize from the faerie tale, but mostly this is so much its own totally amazing story!

You get the story told from a couple of different viewpoints, mainly Cordelia and Hester. 

I really liked Cordelia and felt for her. Her mother is a character I disliked and grew to hate the more I learned. I wanted Cordelia to find happiness. 

I totally loved Hester! In her early 50's she has to deal with people thinking she's old, a bad knee, and her own insecurities. She also used to breed geese! I rooted for her even more than for Cordelia I can tell you.

(Voodoo Bride again wants me to add she really loved one of the male characters, and she says she wants a Richard of her own. Everyone needs someone like him in her opinion.)

There were several really cool other characters, and with how things were going I feared for a lot of them with good reason. This might be a retelling and not a horror story, there were enough bad things happening to keep me on edge.

After finishing this I had to take a breather before picking up my next book as I was still full of this one. You bet this will be reread and treasured! I will pick up one of the other Kingfisher books in my TBR soon.

Why should you read it:

It's Absolutely Amazing!

Nettle and Bone - Book Review

 

Nettle and Bone

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

What did I think of it:

This is a fun and cozy read.

And yes: I do know it's classified as horror by some, but I can't say I agree.

As grave as the reasons that set Marra on her path may be, I just really enjoyed this story. it felt lighthearted and it's humorous. I love the interaction between Marra and her companions, and I was rooting for them from the start.

It's closer to A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking than to Kingfisher's horror books like The Hollow Places. I will confess I was hesitant to pick up Kingfisher's romances, but after reading this I might take the plunge.

All in all this is a great read, and I'll definitely will reread it.

Why should you read it:

It's a wonderful Fantasy read.

What Moves the Dead - Book Review

What Moves the Dead

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

From the award-winning author of The Twisted Ones comes a gripping and atmospheric retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's classic "The Fall of the House of Usher."

When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania.

What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.

Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

What did I think of it:

I totally pre-ordered this book because it sounded cool and I couldn't resist that cover! (The end-papers have a really cool illustration as well.)

And this is indeed a really cool read!

It's a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." , but you can definitely read it without having read Poe's original. It's atmospheric, disturbing, and delightfully creepy.

I loved Alex, they're a great hero: down to earth, pragmatic, but also caring towards their friends. And their narration brings some humor to an otherwise creepy tale. Having read a lot of Poe's works, the plot wasn't unfamiliar, but the way Kingfisher gave it life and brought new things to it made that I was invested from the start. 

A warning to those who might have read other books by Kingfisher (A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking or Paladin's Grace for example): Kingfisher is a pen name used by Ursula Vernon for anything that doesn't fit the Ursula Vernon name, so this book is very different than some of the other books written under the Kingfisher name.

You bet i'll be trying to find more creepy, atmospheric beauty among the Kingfisher books though! 

Why should you read it:

It's a delightfully atmospheric read.

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking - Book Review

 

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

Fourteen-year-old Mona isn’t like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can’t control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt’s bakery making gingerbread men dance.

But Mona’s life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona’s city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target. And in an embattled city suddenly bereft of wizards, the assassin may be the least of Mona’s worries…

What did I think of it:

I've been curious about the books of Kingfisher for awhile, so decided to give this one a try.

And what a fun read!

This book is both humorous and suspenseful. Mona is an unlikely hero, but circumstances force her into action. Either she finds out what's going on, and stops it, or she might end up dead.

I loved the writing style and the characters. Special kudos to Bob, the sourdough starter! Once I started on the book I was soon hooked and eager to find out where the story would lead. The magic system in was fun an original, I had a great time seeing Mona figure out her bread magic.

All in all a wonderful read. You bet I'll read more books by Kingfisher.

Why should you read it:

It's a really fun Fantasy read.

buy from amazon