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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love good, disturbing horror. It’s so satisfying to be scared shitless. But this book? This book is truly unforgettable.
I don’t have the words to do this book justice. The layers that are delicately wrapped throughout are a feat of writing. However, as I’ve seen mentioned in other reviews, this is not an easy read in several ways. There are three narrators, and the narration from both the Pastor and Good Stab can be quite tenuous at times. I do believe that it’s absolutely necessary and benefits the story incredibly.
It’s also extremely heavy emotionally. Does it have a very prominent supernatural element? Yes! Is it extremely realistic, metaphorical, and downright soul-crushing? Yes. This is not a tepid ghost story or fantastical creature concept. But it makes its themes even sharper and more complex.
I loved this book. This will go down as a top 10 for me, no doubt. Enjoy it, sit with it, chew on it (pun intended). Also — this would make a FANTASTIC book club read.
I don’t have the words to do this book justice. The layers that are delicately wrapped throughout are a feat of writing. However, as I’ve seen mentioned in other reviews, this is not an easy read in several ways. There are three narrators, and the narration from both the Pastor and Good Stab can be quite tenuous at times. I do believe that it’s absolutely necessary and benefits the story incredibly.
It’s also extremely heavy emotionally. Does it have a very prominent supernatural element? Yes! Is it extremely realistic, metaphorical, and downright soul-crushing? Yes. This is not a tepid ghost story or fantastical creature concept. But it makes its themes even sharper and more complex.
I loved this book. This will go down as a top 10 for me, no doubt. Enjoy it, sit with it, chew on it (pun intended). Also — this would make a FANTASTIC book club read.
dark
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
an exploration of grief driven revenge that makes you question who the real monster is
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Torture, Violence, Murder
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Review of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Stephen Graham Jones’s The Buffalo Hunter Hunter (2025) is a haunting and inventive reimagining of the vampire myth, set against the backdrop of the American West. Blending historical events with supernatural horror, Jones crafts a narrative that is both chilling and poignant.
Strengths:
- Original Take on the Vampire Myth: Jones redefines vampirism by introducing a creature that absorbs the characteristics of the animals it consumes, a concept that adds depth and originality to the genre.
- Treatment of Indigenous History: The novel delves into the Marias Massacre of 1870, shedding light on a dark chapter of American history. Through the character of Good Stab, a Blackfeet man turned vampire, Jones explores themes of vengeance and survival.
- Narrative Structure: Employing a layered narrative, the story unfolds through the perspectives of Good Stab, Arthur Beaucarne, and Etsy Beaucarne, creating a complex and engaging structure that enriches the storytelling.
Critiques:
- Pacing and Voice: Some readers have noted that the novel's pacing can be uneven, with certain sections feeling slow due to the narrative voice. The shifting perspectives, while adding depth, can occasionally disrupt the flow of the story.
- Excessive Gore: The graphic depictions of violence and gore, while integral to the horror genre, may be overwhelming for some readers, potentially detracting from the narrative's emotional impact.
- Plot Meandering: At times, the storyline meanders, with certain subplots feeling underdeveloped or tangential, which can detract from the central narrative.
- Suspension of Disbelief: The novel's incorporation of supernatural elements, while imaginative, includes some absurd turns that may challenge the reader's suspension of disbelief.
Conclusion:
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a bold and imaginative work that pushes the boundaries of horror fiction. While it may not be without its flaws, particularly in pacing and narrative coherence, its originality and depth make it a noteworthy addition to the genre. For readers interested in a unique blend of history and horror, Jones's novel offers a compelling and thought-provoking experience.
Rating: 3.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Torture, Violence, Murder, Colonisation