T. Kingfisher's ability to blend horror with genuine humor is underrated. The way she builds community around her protagonists facing terrifying situations feels rare in the genre, especially since most horror defaults to isolation. I grabbed Snake-Eater after reading Nettle & Bone last year and the tonal shift caught me off gaurd initially, but that priest character really does stand out. It's refreshing to see religious figures portrayed with actual depth instead of as plot devices. Gonna have to add Wormdale Abbey to the list now.
Agreed! I don't normally default to horror but she does such a good job with it. Took me a little bit to get into Snake-Eater too. Wormwood Abbey is great - another one where faith is a feature not a flaw!
I LOVE THE ORMDALE BOOKS!!! They are so, so good and I'm very happy to see them on your list. Have you read "The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion"? The friend of mine who recommended "The Secrets of Ormdale" also told me to read the Emma Lion books, and I'm so glad I did. They are incredible and hit all the right notes (elements feel reminiscent of Jane Austen and P.G. Wodehouse, and one of my friends thinks they feel a bit Chestertonian, which I can totally see). I sped through volumes 1-8 and I am so excited for volume 9 to be published!! I do not often read a book series that makes me laugh so hard I cry while also ripping my heart apart with discussions on grief and trauma. I highly, highly recommend you pick them up if you haven't read them yet!
Thanks for sharing this list! I'm excited to include some of these when I plan out my 2026 reading :)
I keep hearing about those!! I think they will be my January reading! 😁 You'll have to let me know if you read any of the others on my list! Ormdale was just so good 😭
I love finding a list of books I’ve never heard of before!
T. Kingfisher's ability to blend horror with genuine humor is underrated. The way she builds community around her protagonists facing terrifying situations feels rare in the genre, especially since most horror defaults to isolation. I grabbed Snake-Eater after reading Nettle & Bone last year and the tonal shift caught me off gaurd initially, but that priest character really does stand out. It's refreshing to see religious figures portrayed with actual depth instead of as plot devices. Gonna have to add Wormdale Abbey to the list now.
Agreed! I don't normally default to horror but she does such a good job with it. Took me a little bit to get into Snake-Eater too. Wormwood Abbey is great - another one where faith is a feature not a flaw!
I LOVE THE ORMDALE BOOKS!!! They are so, so good and I'm very happy to see them on your list. Have you read "The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion"? The friend of mine who recommended "The Secrets of Ormdale" also told me to read the Emma Lion books, and I'm so glad I did. They are incredible and hit all the right notes (elements feel reminiscent of Jane Austen and P.G. Wodehouse, and one of my friends thinks they feel a bit Chestertonian, which I can totally see). I sped through volumes 1-8 and I am so excited for volume 9 to be published!! I do not often read a book series that makes me laugh so hard I cry while also ripping my heart apart with discussions on grief and trauma. I highly, highly recommend you pick them up if you haven't read them yet!
Thanks for sharing this list! I'm excited to include some of these when I plan out my 2026 reading :)
I keep hearing about those!! I think they will be my January reading! 😁 You'll have to let me know if you read any of the others on my list! Ormdale was just so good 😭