Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Saga Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: May 19th, 2020
320 Pages
Synopsis: Peter Straub’s “Ghost Story” meets Liane Moriarty’s “Big Little Lies” in this American Indian horror story of revenge on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Four American Indian men from the Blackfeet Nation, who were childhood friends, find themselves in a desperate struggle for their lives, against an entity that wants to exact revenge upon them for what they did during an elk hunt ten years earlier by killing them, their families, and friends.
Entertainment Weekly recently asked if award winning author Stephen Graham Jones could be the Jordan Peel of literary horror, and after finishing The Only Good Indians in less than three hours, my answer is a resounding “Yes!”
I’m going to start out by saying I’m not a fan of hunting. However, I don’t judge people who do, except for those who just kill for trophies to hang on their walls. In this overwhelmingly suspenseful story, four friends pay for what they did a decade previously during a bloody elk hunt. They immediately lose the right to hunt on reservation land, but there’s a future price that they never could have conceived of that will not only cost them, but everyone they love and care about. The first few chapters nicely sets up what’s to come as the readers are introduced to the four men and the people in their lives. It doesn’t take long for the horror elements to come into play and some of the scenes are just gory enough that they may be difficult for some readers, especially those who are animal lovers.
One of the things that made me feel so empathetic toward these characters is that they’re not indifferent to the suffering they caused during the elk hunt, and they know they crossed the line. When vengeance/justice comes for them years later, it’s almost as though they’re expecting it, which broke my heart a bit. Just as it did for the entity that hunts them as it too suffered unimaginable loss. At the end, there are no real villains here.
The Only Good Indians is a literary horror tour de force that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Jones masterfully blends horror, suspense, Native American life, and biting social commentary into a beautifully crafted tale that’s storytelling at its best. If Hollywood doesn’t scoop this up I will be shocked. This isn’t out until May 2020, but horror fans should add this to their calendars now because I predict it will be one of the most talked about books of next year.
suzan khoja said:
Should I say anything or not?? I actually got rejected for this book and was really sad because HELLO I AM AN INDIAN!!! And I like his books. I have read his death realms book. I am glad you liked it but I don’t get popular books due to my read score. I will buy it when it’s out. I am so happy to see you try anything related to Indians. Thank you for sharing your experience. Adding it in my TBR. 🙂✌
LikeLiked by 3 people
beetleypete said:
These are different ‘Indians’ of course, But you are probably just teasing again!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
suzan khoja said:
😱
LikeLiked by 1 person
suzan khoja said:
Wasn’t teasing, sickness was making confused!! 😒😏
LikeLiked by 2 people
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Well, these are actually Native Americans from the Blackfeet tribe. I’m sorry you were turned down though Suzan. I haven’t read the Death’s Realm anthology, but I enjoyed Mongrels and Mapping the Interior. This is definitely his best book yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
suzan khoja said:
Well, I didn’t actually understand that part. Nevermind it happens a lot I have started ignoring it. You should try death’s realm. I will try them and this book. 🙂😍✌
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s an understandable mistake, especially as you don’t live in this country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
suzan khoja said:
It’s just that sickness was on my head when I commented this. 😔😔
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I hope you’re feeling better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
suzan khoja said:
I am somehow.🤢
LikeLiked by 1 person
fragglerocking said:
Well that sounds far too gory for me 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
There were a couple of scenes I had to skim Fraggle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
fragglerocking said:
Definitely too gory for me then!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😱
LikeLike
beetleypete said:
I’m rooting for the Elk!
Sounds good, Kim. You will have to remind us about it when it comes out. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I was surprised at how much sympathy I had for these four friends Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Priyasha said:
Hi .. It has been a long time since I blog hopped .
Super review!!🌸❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Priyasha. Good to see you!
LikeLike
Lorilin said:
Ohhh this looks intriguing!! Thanks for putting it on my radar!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
My pleasure Lorilin.😊
LikeLike
Looking for the Light said:
great cover!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s quite creepy!😱
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beware Of The Reader said:
Great review Kim! I don’t read horror but it seems a great one!
LikeLiked by 2 people
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Sophie!
LikeLike
foodinbooks said:
Sounds like a great read, Kim. I love animals too much to read it, though I also respect those who hunt out of necessity. I’ve also always found the Native American supernatural elements so terrifying. So I’m glad you read it for me! Great post.
LikeLiked by 2 people
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Vanessa. I had a nightmare last night after finishing this so that’s good.😏
LikeLike
Fazilasbookreviewcorner said:
I saw this on Netgalley and wanted to check it out and in the end chickened out because of my never-ending TBR on Netgalley.😉 Now that I have made a significant dent in it, I might request this. Great review.😍
LikeLiked by 2 people
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks. I hope you get it.🤞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: The Only Good Indians – Stephen Graham Jones
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you for linking to my review. It’s an honor.
LikeLike