First of all, thank you to Libro.FM for an ALC of The Only Good Indians!
I would like to start off this review by mentioning that I am not Blackfeet, nor do I usually read horror. I've seen so many reviews written by white reviewers that say this wasn't for them, or they didn't understand it. I am not Blackfeet and I don't read horror, but this book is still astounding.
Lewis, Gabirel, and Cassidy went on a hunt in land they shouldn't be, and killed more than they needed. Lewis killed a young, pregnant mother, and the guilt of that lasts ten years until he spirals. The book switches from third POV to a second person POV of the avenging deer who is going after Gabe and Cass.
First of, THIS WRITING. Yes, the story is a bit slow, but it's also a quick read, because you want to know what happens but don't want to (I think that's the horror suspense bit, yeah?). It's slow for a reason, because the writing is just beautiful, meant to pull the reader in with the mystery. As someone who doesn't read horror, I did have a bit of a rough time with the gore, but I knew what I was getting into after reading some reviews beforehand. Whoooo was it rough at times, but I pushed through.
I don't know how Stephen Graham Jones did it, but he switched effortlessley after Lewis' story. And despite not being a fan of horror, I really enjoyed it. Just know what you're getting into. Is this different than other horror stories? Probably. It's an own voices horror, and I just hope that readers and reviewers keep that in mind when they step into the story. Cannot recommend this enough!
I would like to start off this review by mentioning that I am not Blackfeet, nor do I usually read horror. I've seen so many reviews written by white reviewers that say this wasn't for them, or they didn't understand it. I am not Blackfeet and I don't read horror, but this book is still astounding.
Lewis, Gabirel, and Cassidy went on a hunt in land they shouldn't be, and killed more than they needed. Lewis killed a young, pregnant mother, and the guilt of that lasts ten years until he spirals. The book switches from third POV to a second person POV of the avenging deer who is going after Gabe and Cass.
First of, THIS WRITING. Yes, the story is a bit slow, but it's also a quick read, because you want to know what happens but don't want to (I think that's the horror suspense bit, yeah?). It's slow for a reason, because the writing is just beautiful, meant to pull the reader in with the mystery. As someone who doesn't read horror, I did have a bit of a rough time with the gore, but I knew what I was getting into after reading some reviews beforehand. Whoooo was it rough at times, but I pushed through.
I don't know how Stephen Graham Jones did it, but he switched effortlessley after Lewis' story. And despite not being a fan of horror, I really enjoyed it. Just know what you're getting into. Is this different than other horror stories? Probably. It's an own voices horror, and I just hope that readers and reviewers keep that in mind when they step into the story. Cannot recommend this enough!