Book Review

The Only Good Indians
by Stephen Graham Jones

This inventive horror novel centers around four Blackfeet men who once violated the rules of elk hunting on their reservation. Now something has awoken and is coming for them. Jones deftly combines elements of hauntings, monsters, slasher, and psychological horror. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thinfgs I liked, in no particular order:
The moment when the story turns from creepiness to all out horror is so well done and effective that, in retrospect, I should not have read that chapter before going to bed.
The depiction of life on the reservation, combined with commentary on stereotypes and misconceptions about Native Americans.
The characters are likeable even when they are not making great choices. I especially liked Denorah, the final girl, for her confidence and persistence.
The ending sequence was relentless and suspenseful and satisfying.
Jones was really good at making elements come back around or resonate in meaningful ways.