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gem_hill's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
uglyxkorean's review against another edition
3.0
Kinda sus to make your 14 year old son get naked and go into a tent with 2 other naked grown men, but go off I guess
wednesdayzombie's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
flygon's review against another edition
Hated the writing style - constant run-on sentences that dragged on and just made everything too confusing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Violence, Gore, Murder, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content
softrosemint's review against another edition
3.5
This novel is nearly not so much interesting to me through its horror mechanics (one does have to wonder whether slasher horror is suitable for the book format to begin with) but because of the themes and setting it offers.
The novel provides a layered and realistic representation of the lives of Native Americans in the USA today. It does not shy away from the grit of everyday life and the stereotypes they have to face but also works to show the culture of Jones' own tribe. What I found particularly fascinating is how from the start it sets out to break the stereotypical narrative of the Native American in tune with nature, often poised in contrast with the white coloniser who seeks to control nature, that fiction (predominantly by non-Native authors) has loved to use and showcase in very heavyhanded manner up to this point. Rather the conflict nearly becomes between the modern living of Native Americans and the traditions of the land to which they belong, creating a much more complex and interesting conflict.
The novel provides a layered and realistic representation of the lives of Native Americans in the USA today. It does not shy away from the grit of everyday life and the stereotypes they have to face but also works to show the culture of Jones' own tribe. What I found particularly fascinating is how from the start it sets out to break the stereotypical narrative of the Native American in tune with nature, often poised in contrast with the white coloniser who seeks to control nature, that fiction (predominantly by non-Native authors) has loved to use and showcase in very heavyhanded manner up to this point. Rather the conflict nearly becomes between the modern living of Native Americans and the traditions of the land to which they belong, creating a much more complex and interesting conflict.
ibokensvarld's review against another edition
1.0
Jag trodde mig börja läsa en fempoängare när jag plockade hem The only good indians från biblioteket, men den här boken var inte för mig. Jag fann den extremt tråkig med en långdragen handling som varken var spännande eller skräckfylld. Jag blev himla besviken. Är första boken jag läser av Stephen Grahams Jones, men tänker mig försöka läsa någon av hans andra böcker för att se dom faller mig bättre i smaken.
chrisg94's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
daerontargaryen's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
mitskacir's review against another edition
3.0
Tldr: I don't think I'm a fan of the horror genre and I think this book would be very much improved by a better understanding of indigenous culture, res life, etc. (my failing, not the book's!)
Mostly giving this book 3 stars because I just don't think it was my genre of book: I haven't read any horror since I was unimpressed by The Shining, so I thought I'd give this one a chance. The main issue I have with both is not understanding the mechanisms behind the horror: How is the elk manifesting as the Elk Head Woman? What are the rules that dictate how she exists? As a fan of fantasy, I guess I'm looking for "rules" for the horror in the same why I look for rules in magic systems. Maybe the "mystery" is actually the appeal of the horror genre though...
Besides that, I also think some of this would be more impactful if I was indigenous or more familiar with indigenous culture and history. Obviously, this book wasn't written for me in this sense, and that is 100% ok. But I think I could get more out of this book by doing some research into the following: What is the relationship between Blackfeet and Crows? There seemed to be some relationship or rivalry between these two groups that was important to the characters and events in the story. Why were two of the murdered women Crow? Why did the Elk Head Woman manifest as one of the Crow women? What was the significance of the Crow vs. Blackfeet basketball game? Speaking of basketball, why did basketball play such a significant role in the story? Is basketball a popular sport on reservations? Basketball seemed to represent a way of "getting off the res" for several characters - what else does it represent? Why was an ELK so good at BASKETBALL???? Perhaps most importantly, I don't think I fully understood the weight of the 4 men's crime hunting the elk. I do not think I have the cultural context to feel that they deserve what they got (although I could clearly feel the elk's desire for revenge).
Mostly giving this book 3 stars because I just don't think it was my genre of book: I haven't read any horror since I was unimpressed by The Shining, so I thought I'd give this one a chance. The main issue I have with both is not understanding the mechanisms behind the horror: How is the elk manifesting as the Elk Head Woman? What are the rules that dictate how she exists? As a fan of fantasy, I guess I'm looking for "rules" for the horror in the same why I look for rules in magic systems. Maybe the "mystery" is actually the appeal of the horror genre though...
Besides that, I also think some of this would be more impactful if I was indigenous or more familiar with indigenous culture and history. Obviously, this book wasn't written for me in this sense, and that is 100% ok. But I think I could get more out of this book by doing some research into the following: What is the relationship between Blackfeet and Crows? There seemed to be some relationship or rivalry between these two groups that was important to the characters and events in the story. Why were two of the murdered women Crow? Why did the Elk Head Woman manifest as one of the Crow women? What was the significance of the Crow vs. Blackfeet basketball game? Speaking of basketball, why did basketball play such a significant role in the story? Is basketball a popular sport on reservations? Basketball seemed to represent a way of "getting off the res" for several characters - what else does it represent? Why was an ELK so good at BASKETBALL???? Perhaps most importantly, I don't think I fully understood the weight of the 4 men's crime hunting the elk. I do not think I have the cultural context to feel that they deserve what they got (although I could clearly feel the elk's desire for revenge).