Synopsis:
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.
Review:
“Something bad happened to both of us, too. We don’t deserve to fall apart either.” (Page 146)
This world has my heart locked in a way that not many books do. From the very beginning, you area locked in a tale that is being both told and shown to you. It seems that mystery and the paranormal are to follow Easton as they make their way across the land. There were so many good parts of this book, however short it is, that it will be hard to fit it into one review. I adored the descriptions of the land, and especially the silence within the forest, and how country living compares to city living. As someone who grew up in a log cabin in the woods, literally, I have never been a big fan of city noise, even in town noise, and it’s something that I find people who have never lived the other way rarely understand.
I love that Easton always looks for the logic behind things, and the obvious ways that they can fix/help without immediately thinking of supernatural mediums to try to combat problems. I thought that Easton’s tinnitus was a great boon to both this book and showcasing that there are lasting things after war that one cannot simply forget. On that note, while I would never wish it upon anyone, I greatly enjoyed the continued mention of Easton occasionally having soldier’s spells (PTSD in the real world) as it was quite accurately represented. I also loved how Easton’s bright mentality helped win the day.
I highly recommend the Sworn Soldier series to those who love gothic horror. I absolutely adore this series, and will admit that there are still times that the first book in the series whispers through my head. Great job, T. Kingfisher; I cannot wait for more!!
Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Amy S. Brown 