Scan barcode
A review by uhhjeepers
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book isn’t exactly what I expected it would be based on what I’d heard, but upon finishing it, I think that’s okay.
Stephen Graham Jones puts his whole heart into this project, which you would easily know just by reading the first chapter. His knowledge on slashers informs the book perfectly, and being a slasher connoisseur myself, it was really fun being like “I get that reference!”
His characters are alive and, when necessary, fleshed out in a refreshing way. Sometimes people are there for body fodder, as is the slasher way, but he really birthed some compelling and lovable characters that I was happy to know and, in some cases, sad to lose. His characterization is arguably the best part of the book, as when I felt uninterested, my commitment to Jade and Letha kept me chugging through.
That being said, I do wish that more of the book had the pacing and development that the final three chapters had. But, I’m also aware enough to understand exactly why they weren’t. You win some, you lose some, but overall SGJ has a win with this book.
I’m actually much more eager to read the sequels than I thought I’d be, and I believe that most of the struggles I had with this book won’t really present themselves in the next one. Keep an eye out for that log, I guess!
My qualifications: I LOVE slashers, and I’m pretty fond of this book. Take all of this as you will.
Stephen Graham Jones puts his whole heart into this project, which you would easily know just by reading the first chapter. His knowledge on slashers informs the book perfectly, and being a slasher connoisseur myself, it was really fun being like “I get that reference!”
His characters are alive and, when necessary, fleshed out in a refreshing way. Sometimes people are there for body fodder, as is the slasher way, but he really birthed some compelling and lovable characters that I was happy to know and, in some cases, sad to lose. His characterization is arguably the best part of the book, as when I felt uninterested, my commitment to Jade and Letha kept me chugging through.
That being said, I do wish that more of the book had the pacing and development that the final three chapters had. But, I’m also aware enough to understand exactly why they weren’t. You win some, you lose some, but overall SGJ has a win with this book.
I’m actually much more eager to read the sequels than I thought I’d be, and I believe that most of the struggles I had with this book won’t really present themselves in the next one. Keep an eye out for that log, I guess!
My qualifications: I LOVE slashers, and I’m pretty fond of this book. Take all of this as you will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape