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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
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
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
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
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Classism