Scan barcode
A review by bkwrm1317
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Well GODDAMN. I don't give five stars. This book is a five star read. Writing is bloody brilliant, the foreshadowing and creepy factor are perfect, and the author strikes the right balance between chilling horror and dry/dark humor (literally had me cackling out loud). I ended the book with goosebumps in the best of ways.
Additional themes I appreciated: cycles of inherited and generational trauma (not just human trauma, but that of all species on this planet - I won't say more here but WOW); friendship and chosen family; the harms of parents with substance abuse issues; revenge (although a totally different take on this trope!); poignant and biting social commentary; what can happen when one ignores the cultural traditions of their people (a la La Llorona [the story, not the film] and other horror folktales but brought into the present).
Can't wait to read more by Graham Jones!
Additional themes I appreciated: cycles of inherited and generational trauma (not just human trauma, but that of all species on this planet - I won't say more here but WOW); friendship and chosen family; the harms of parents with substance abuse issues; revenge (although a totally different take on this trope!); poignant and biting social commentary; what can happen when one ignores the cultural traditions of their people (a la La Llorona [the story, not the film] and other horror folktales but brought into the present).
Can't wait to read more by Graham Jones!
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore
While it's a horror book, minor gore as a CW, as the description of the gore isn't over the top or gruesome, and allows the story to continue to flow rather than being overly graphic.