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jillianleigh1993's review against another edition
3.0
“We let Sabrina go into the dark woods, and we didn't go in after her. I didn't turn back when I felt the pang of wrongness in my bones, because sometimes fear is so deep it convinces you that yelling sounds like the crunch of sticks, the whip of tree branches, the sound of boots running. We didn't go in after her. We let her become a raven.”
Monsters are always metaphors for sociological problems and I found the modern interpretation of the wheetigo and its connection to the oil industry very compelling. It makes sense that if the land is sick old folk monsters rear their heads. Ultimately though the grief of losing a matriarch of their family is the heart of the story. I found the centering of the women in this family interesting in that there are really no male characters even though uncles and fathers are briefly mentioned. They just exist on the periphery of these powerful dream-walker women. The real meat and potatoes are how these aunties and their nieces how their obligations to each other at some times chafe and other times bolster each others healing.
I think the author did a great job at establishing the setting of the lake, I could really picture the woods and campsite.
Monsters are always metaphors for sociological problems and I found the modern interpretation of the wheetigo and its connection to the oil industry very compelling. It makes sense that if the land is sick old folk monsters rear their heads. Ultimately though the grief of losing a matriarch of their family is the heart of the story. I found the centering of the women in this family interesting in that there are really no male characters even though uncles and fathers are briefly mentioned. They just exist on the periphery of these powerful dream-walker women. The real meat and potatoes are how these aunties and their nieces how their obligations to each other at some times chafe and other times bolster each others healing.
I think the author did a great job at establishing the setting of the lake, I could really picture the woods and campsite.
fauvish's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like the story more than I did, but it just wasn't executed well. I found the main character unlikable, the plot meandering and the ending rushed. I did like the premise and the setting. Added one extra star for introducing me to Cree culture.
ylingp's review against another edition
5.0
“If there's one thing you're taught on the prairies as an iskwew, it's that you never go anywhere alone. This was always a warning we knew to be very real. You aren't ravens, Mom would say. You are crows. You travel together everywhere.”
Bad Cree is an Indigenous horror book about grief, family, guilt and love. Jessica Johns’ vivid descriptions, ranging from the city of Vancouver to the vastness of the prairies to the nature filled dream sequences added to the atmosphere and I could often picture things happening like scenes from a movie. I also liked that it wasn’t just the supernatural elements of the book that were scary, but some of the everyday instances and interactions that can be scary, particularly for women (and I imagine particularly for Indigenous women). I loved that the book is female centred and I fell in love with Mackenzie’s family, particularly her aunties. I also liked how layered the book is and how it’s set against the backdrop of a small town in Alberta where natural resources were exploited by industry and then abandoned. Bad Cree is the type of book that will stay with me for a long time. In addition to reading the e-book, I listened to the audiobook so I could hear the pronunciation of the Cree language (the audiobook narrator also does an amazing job overall).
Bad Cree is an Indigenous horror book about grief, family, guilt and love. Jessica Johns’ vivid descriptions, ranging from the city of Vancouver to the vastness of the prairies to the nature filled dream sequences added to the atmosphere and I could often picture things happening like scenes from a movie. I also liked that it wasn’t just the supernatural elements of the book that were scary, but some of the everyday instances and interactions that can be scary, particularly for women (and I imagine particularly for Indigenous women). I loved that the book is female centred and I fell in love with Mackenzie’s family, particularly her aunties. I also liked how layered the book is and how it’s set against the backdrop of a small town in Alberta where natural resources were exploited by industry and then abandoned. Bad Cree is the type of book that will stay with me for a long time. In addition to reading the e-book, I listened to the audiobook so I could hear the pronunciation of the Cree language (the audiobook narrator also does an amazing job overall).
jessicadeviller's review against another edition
This novel was a story of grief and horror, along side family and love.
I did not find this book overly scary, keeping in mind I read a lot of horror. However, there were moments while reading that I was quickly skimming because I had to know is what would happen next. There were other moments that definitely creeped me out.
It made me homesick for my family and where I grew up and so thankful that I still have much of my family to visit and talk with. I think that was what this book was mostly about. The love of a family, found family or otherwise, and how important it is for our well-being through good times and bad.
I did not find this book overly scary, keeping in mind I read a lot of horror. However, there were moments while reading that I was quickly skimming because I had to know is what would happen next. There were other moments that definitely creeped me out.
It made me homesick for my family and where I grew up and so thankful that I still have much of my family to visit and talk with. I think that was what this book was mostly about. The love of a family, found family or otherwise, and how important it is for our well-being through good times and bad.
featherfae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
katrinahanson's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
ekatkinson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
hkingcrab's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mustachedmammel's review against another edition
4.0
This book takes you on an intense journey through the depths of grief and the consequences of leaving unsaid words to linger. I absolutely adore it. The execution is impeccable, making it not only a compelling read but also an enjoyable one.
bibliokyra's review against another edition
4.0
BAD CREE follows a young Cree woman, Mackenzie, whose nightmares of her late sister emerge in her waking life. Mackenzie musters up the courage to confide in her family which forces them to reckon with their dark past. This is a haunting and atmospheric character-driven tale that blends horror with supernatural elements. The author’s writing is sharp and thought-provoking while beautifully tying Cree culture, lore, and language into the story. A remarkable, women-centric debut novel that skillfully weaves threads of trauma, familial bonds, human resilience, self-discovery, and so much heart. Thank you, thank you @doubledaybooks for my #gifted copy!