What Feasts at Night is the second book in T. Kingfisher’s Sworn Soldier series. The protagonist Alex Easton is a sworn soldier of Gallacia, a land that uses pronouns a bit differently. Alex is what we would consider non-binary. After the chilling events of the first book, (a dread-filled retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher) Alex and their manservant Angus head to their family’s hunting lodge to relax recuperate. They find the lodge in shambles and find that the caretaker has died. Rumors swirl through the village that he was killed by a breath stealing monster. Despite the events of the previous novella, Alex is unwilling to believe these rumors.
I liked the story overall though there were some pacing issues which caused the final act of the book to feel rushed. But Kingfisher’s characters are always fun to read. In addition to Alex and Angus, we have our plucky British mycologist returning from the first book, a terrifying housekeeper and her gentle giant of a grandson. We also learn more about Alex’s time in the war. There are also some terrifying dreams which Alex infuriatingly brushes off as too much alcohol before bed.
Overall, I liked this book but not as much as the first one. I don’t’ think it did as good a job at building dread. It lacked the creepy atmosphere of What Moves the Dead. It’s still a solid gothic story and well worth your time.