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puttingwingsonwords's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Storytelling and the passing on of history is one of the book’s central themes. Cherokee language is key in this. It is incorporated not only in the stories, but also in Jeff Edward’s amazing illustrations preceding each story. You can see an example of this on the cover.
Throughout the generations, through genocide and oppression and apocalyptic threats, the book’s central family struggles to hold on to their language and their stories—but hold on they do.
I was impressed with the wide variety of characters, styles, tropes and themes presented in these stories. Each one of them stands well on its own, while also adding to the whole of this family’s long history.
Taking on all kinds of classic monsters and horror staples, the love for the genre can be felt on every page. But while the inspiration from horror classics is clear, each story brings something interesting and new to whichever monster it features.
By the end of the book, there’s the feeling that these stories have always been around, and will continue to be created far into the future, even if the book is over.
Whether you’re an experienced horror lover, someone new to the genre, or you’re just interested in reading more Indigenous fiction, you should read this book.
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Colonisation
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Mass/school shootings, Outing, Cultural appropriation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
corsetedfeminist's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
It’s a collection of stories based around a specific Cherokee family throughout history, beginning with the trail of tears and ending in the future during a zombie apocalypse.
There are two horrors in this book that are interwoven together- the realistic horror of colonialism, racism, and violence, and the symbolic, artistic horrors of vampires, werewolves, zombies, and ghosts, among many others. It is atmospheric and creepy, but beneath the surface is an in-depth discussion of colonialism, identity, and feminine rage.
I loved this book. There was only one of two stories in the whole book that I didn’t enjoy, and most of them were perfect- well written, historically accurate for the period, and most importantly, saturated with Cherokee culture and dripping in the righteous rage of a people wronged. Special mention here to a story that I am nearly certain is supposed to be a dig at Twilight and the way those books treated Indigenous people.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Genocide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Classism
kimberlynpeterson50's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
katrinky's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Abandonment, and Colonisation
metaphorsandmisc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Rogers does a great job of creating subtly creeping horror elements that pair with more overt horror creatures . My favorite stories include the titular Man Made Monsters, which delves into ideas of literary monsters and bringing people and animals back from the dead. Maria Most likely, which delves into horrific memories and what would happen if they could be removed. Me and My Monsters, which is a monster love story that looks at how humanity can often be more monstrous than monstrous creatures. Ama's Boys which tackles how a seemingly young girl who is actually a vampire preys on teen boys. American Predators, which follows one boy's experience with shooting a movie and the racism that Indigenous people have to deal with on a daily basis. And Zombies Attack the Drive-In, which deals with domestic abuse, familial trauma, and of course zombies.
I am fascinated to see what Rogers writes next as she has a great feel for atmosphere and creating creeping horror. I would love to read more of her work, particularly in a longer format as I really appreciate what she did in her longer stories with character development and painting a full picture of the characters' lives.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Colonisation
jaaay_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
My biggest critiques or personal preferences are that while separating it into chapters and jumping around the family tree was cool, I didn't get to really connect with the characters. I'm a big character reader so that's a personal preference thing. I think the jumping around does work for this book though and I get why it was done. Also, one big thing from the family tree that I don't understand:
If you are looking for a unique horror book that showcases many types of things that go bump in the night, I would highly recommend this!
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Mass/school shootings, and Cultural appropriation
devynvictoria's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, and Lesbophobia
kayladaila's review against another edition
- 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? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Mass/school shootings, and Medical trauma
hilaryreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Cherokee writer Andrea L. Rogers’ YA debut, MAN MADE MONSTERS, is a thrilling horror collection of short stories, tracing one Cherokee family through generations. There’s monsters, medical experimentation, the dead coming back to life, revenge…this collection is definitely not for the faint of heart. These monsters are man made in many different ways. Some are creatures of popular culture, others are distinctly Cherokee, but the most terrifying to me are those that are man themselves: colonizers, abusers, and the other stone-hearted people who walk hidden among the rest of us.
These stories are fast-paced and often quite short, good for a small, digestible read or a quick story right before bedtime (if you dare). The illustrations by Jeff Edwards are also absolutely gorgeous.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation