Climbing Mount TBR: What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher
Review by Ed O.
Welcome to Climbing Mount TBR where I, your humble Book Kaiju, struggle to climb to the top of my book pile. This time we’re looking at What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher set to be published September 30, 2025. Special thanks to Tor Nightfire who gave a copy to “Kaiju & Gnome” in exchange for an honest review. You all probably have gathered by now that I’m a T. Kingfisher fan, so I squeed when I saw this book on the pile. Kingfisher brings a sense of humor to her writing that I just find delightful. Plus, she plays with classic tropes that bring a breath of fresh air to the most tried and true clichés.
What Stalks the Deep is book three in the Sworn Soldier series, which follows the Gallacian Sworn Soldier, Alex Easton. What’s a Sworn Soldier? Well, it’s a little complicated. Gallacia is home to an incredibly complicated language with dozens of pronouns (including pronouns not only for God, but rocks). A sworn soldier is someone who was born female, but became a soldier, so their pronoun and gender identity is now… Soldier. Kingfisher uses the concept of this fictional language to play with gender identity and gender roles.
Easton has faced zombie mushrooms and vampiresque monsters. Now Easton must face the scariest thing imaginable: West Virginia. Easton is helping Denton, a returning character and childhood friend. Denton had recently come into ownership of an abandoned mine. Easton isn’t a minder though, so why has Denton asked for help? His cousin has disappeared exploring the mine and a mysterious telegram arrived warning him to not investigate. So of course he needs to know what’s happening.
Not being one to say no to a friend, Easton reluctantly agrees to help. Thankfully, Easton isn’t claustrophobic or anything. Nothing really scary about an abandoned mine filled with poison gas and collapsed tunnels. What’s terrifying about that? It’s not like there’s also a monster that seems to be able to change its shape.
Overall, I found the book fun. The writing was witty and fun. Kingfisher has a great way with creating likable characters. Yet, I found the mystery and the horror elements lacking. With the abandoned mine and the shapeshifting monster in play, I really expected more of a The Thing situation.
Still, I suggest picking up the entire Sworn Soldier series. They’re a lot of fun! While this book wasn’t what I wanted it to be, it still was a good time. These novellas are quick reads and totally worth your time.
That’s another book off the pile! Just 324 to go!