“My Heart is Chainsaw” is, first and foremost, a dissection of the slasher horror genre told through the perspective of a troubled young teen named Jade, who is convinced a real-life serial killer has come to her small town and that her encyclopedic knowledge of slasher movies will soon come in handy.

While “My Heart is a Chainsaw” is best appreciated by those who have a thorough understanding of the genre, others can also appreciate the depth of Jade’s characterization, the small-town atmosphere, and addictive mystery.

Jade is like no other character I’ve ever read before, and certainly not a character from any slasher I’ve ever seen, subverting final girl stereotypes left and right. She’s a character you’ll either love or hate and was equally entertaining and frustrating to read from.

Although the book is heavy with exposition and overly wordy in a way that can often be confusing and time-consuming (purposefully), it gains traction in the second half as the story ramps up into a crescendo of gore and horror that even a non-slasher watcher such as myself could thoroughly enjoy.

I rated “My Heart is Chainsaw” 3.5 out of 5.

Thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon& Schuster for this ARC.

Nobody does it quite like Stephen Graham Jones. After reading The Only Good Indians, I was eager for more of his work, and My Heart is a Chainsaw did not disappoint.

First of all, best title EVER.

Named a best book of 2021 by NPR, My Heart is a Chainsaw follows horror fanatic Jade Daniels as she leans into her slasher-film expertise to cope with and narrate some grisly events in her gentrifying lakeside town of Proofrock. With a classic sardonic tone, the novel uses the structures of horror to paint a powerful picture of native pain, colonialism, and triumph.

An incredible take on the slasher movie, this book does a great job of playing homage to the genre while feeling like a new fresh story. Can't wait for the sequel(s)

This book was very slow-moving, and unfortunately, it could not keep my interest. I was hopeful for this novel because it includes many of my favorite things. It was challenging for me to keep track of what was happening throughout the story, and I just wished that I enjoyed it more.

I don't think that I was the best audience for this book. My teenage or twenty-something self would have loved it. Especially since it's an homage to the slasher films of the 70's and 80's.

This book falls into the horror genre, which isn't my favorite because I cannot handle the too scary anymore. This book isn't too scary. There are moments, of course.

Jade is an about to graduate high-schooler. Her town in Idaho is small. There is a large lake in the center that was created when the valley was flooded - on purpose. So, there are many wives tales surrounding the lake and the abandoned camp on the other side of the lake. It would be a perfect setting for a slasher film. Another reason Jade is obsessed with these films. She has seen every movie and believes there is a formula. She is just waiting for these type of events to happen in her town.

Construction begins on the far side of the lake. Bringing some very wealthy people and a girl that Jade believes will be the Final Girl in the real life slasher film that will play out in her town. In looking for the start of these events, Jade gets herself into trouble with the police chief. They think she is acting out because her father abused her, which she denies.

Deaths do start occurring, but no one believes Jade's ideas. To keep her safe and from being the cause of the troubles, the chief locks her up. She manages to escape just in time for the final curtain call. Who is the killer?
Is there more than one, like in Scream? Jones gets credit for a unique story and ending to this book. But it can't be the final end, right? - like every good horror movie franchise. Just like you cannot kill Jason Vorhees - you can't kill the Lake Witch.

I had a hard time getting into this book as it is written almost as a stream of consciousness type writing of the main character's, Jade, thinking. There are also chapter inserts that are titled Slasher 101 that are her papers she's written for history class that really detail the history of the slasher film, but again her thoughts are inserted (like a high-schooler might write a paper). It was a little disconcerting and made it hard for me to find my groove.

Ultimately, I liked this book. I just don't think I was the right audience for it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.

I really do like Stephen Graham Jones but this wasn't my favorite and DNF it about half way through. Jade Daniels really got on my nerves and she is the main reason why I stopped reading it.

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for letting me read and review this book

SGJ is not for everyone but I love his writing. This book is no exception. Quirky characters, serial killer on the loose, hundreds of horror movie pop culture references! There's lots of action to move the story along and wonderful writing with a depth most wouldn't associate within the horror genre. A must read for horror fans

This book was no for me, but I've seen many many rave reviews so I think I'm one of a select few that didn't enjoy it. I will also admit that horror is not one of my most commonly read genres so I'm not entirely surprised that I wasn't able to complete this one. I do thank you for the opportunity to try it!

Jade is a recent graduate from Idaho who loves slasher films. When a new girl moves to the area, she is sure that she will be the final girl and things are set in motion. Jade has had hopes forever that a slasher type event would come to Proofrock. I am not a horror film fan, so I think I missed some of the references. But overall, book was enjoyable with well developed characters.

Chilling, gory and jaw-dropping, My Heart is a Chainsaw is an unforgettable ride.

Slasher horror is not for everyone (or the faint of heart) but Stephen Graham Jones’ writing style never disappoints. I first read The Only Good Indians on a camping trip, and on subsequent trips I find myself only wanting to read his work.

I will be honest—you will either love this book or hate it. I would probably not recommend this to most people, but for fans of the genre it’s unmissable.

Actual rating: 3,5/5
This book was such a unique read! While this story is creepy, thrilling and grisly, it also has so much more to it. This book touches on culture, gentrification, upbringing, and family relationships. There are some heavy topics discussed in this book, so I would recommend looking up trigger warnings prior to reading. Stephen Graham Jones gave the main character Jade such a distinct voice in this story and she is truly one of the most interesting characters I have read. As a fan of horror movies, I really enjoyed the way slasher films were at the center of the story. All the references to movies such as Scream and Friday the 13th were super fun as a reader who is also a fan of those films! This story truly picks up in the last quarter of the book and the ending was one I did not see coming. For fans of horror movies and thrilling books, this is a great combination for you!

Stephen Graham Jones is a great writer. This was actually my first. Admittingly so, it took me a little while to get used to his style, but once I did, the book takes off and you really get involved. The attention to detail is remarkable.
Next up, the rest of Jones' library.

Apologies for the delayed review. Honestly “My Heart is a Chainsaw" wasn’t one of my favourite Stephen Graham Jones. I am not a huge fan of the slasher genre so the continuous reference to this and a very slow set up which took about 60% of the book was a major issue. The native Indian issues being highlighted and the final portion was a plus. Take my review with a pinch of salt since slasher movie fans would definitely like the book.

We finished listening to My Heart is a Chainsaw 🔪 Alternated between audio and my copy from @netgalley

I LOOOVE slasher movies but Jade loves them even more. In her small town killings begin and her encyclopedic slasher knowledge proves its usefulness.

This one would be great to read ruing spooky season! If you know all the slashers it makes this book even more fun! A little long in the beginning for me but it picked up on the end! This one was very gory and dark!
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#netgalley #audiobook #ebookstagram #bookstagram

my heart is a chainsaw rightfully belongs in my top spot when it comes to SGJ. as a slasher it is fascinating, tropey in the best way, it inverts and reinvents itself multiple times, but it also feels familiar to anyone who loves the genre. as a story outside of the slasher genre, though we can talk about whether or not such a thing can exist, it broke my heart so many times and the ending nearly made me cry.

i think SGJ's writing is at its strongest here. if you prepare yourself for a slower read with an incredible climax, you're in for a great ride. a character study that ends in a bay of blood (some pun intended). i absolutely enjoyed being in jade's head and i thought the exploration of her character was done exceptionally well. i found myself connecting with her and through her with the other characters as well, which made some scenes all the more powerful.

i read a blurb that said something along the lines of this book not staying within the genre's confined and i agree wholeheartedly. it was stunning and i cannot way to read more from this author - which, funnily enough, is how i feel every time i turn the last page of one of his novels. he has a fascinating body of work and this definitely belongs with the best of the best of it.

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy of My Heart is a Chainsaw by, Stephen Graham Jones, which I gave a 3/5 stars. This was a middle of the road book for me. What I loved most was the quirky main character along with all the horror movie references, but the plot just feel really flat for me towards the middle of the book. I started to lose interest. This happens to me with almost all of SGJ’s books, and I think it is just the writing style for me. Overall, it was not a bad book and I would recommend it to people, it just wasn’t my favorite.

My Heart is A Chainsaw was a lot of fun! I couldn’t stop reading it. The plot twists were so good, I didn't expect any of them. The protagonist, while slightly unlikeable at times, was one I was always rooting for; I loved her.

Jade is everything. I loved this beautiful ode to horror movies and such a unique main character I’ve never read before. I CANNOT wait for the sequel.

"My Heart is a Chainsaw" like most of Stephen Graham Jones' work, always has me pushing and pushing ahead to see what happens next. I don't always engage with thrillers but in this novel, the interwoven meta of slashers, the connection to trauma and sifting and seeking refuge in violence. I was engaged by how Jones shaped the protagonist. Jade was an intense, snarky and energetic character to follow--her gaze that sort of skews what we as the reader are supposed to understand is happening. Her slasher gaze is so interesting. It had me interrogating how I engage with horror, the slasher, the analysis of my own being within real and not real. It was such a wild ride. Her references piqued my interests--I found myself thinking of how sympathetic the Jason Voorhees and Pamela Voorhees was. Like the gaze of violent justice projected onto these mythologized horror figures as a coping mechanism and also as a means to drive the story is a common trend but its always about execution. It was fun to see how slashers, final girls, and the narrative that crafts a particular brand of fantasized killer. And how we wade through the narrative, piecing and undoing the focal points as we dive deeper and deeper in--through interwoven meta-pieces Jade writes as we explore with her. I don't want to get into the details because its all about the anticipation instilled as we move through Jade's landscape and her relationships. The only thing structurally is that the story was so full, so dense, that when we get to the climax it feels rushed, sort of like a bombardment of quick limbs and noise and motion. It wasn't bad, but I wish I had more time with the actual climax and the movement therein as we delve into the many truths unraveled. But--I did love that ending. The ending to this novel was heartfelt and cohesive and connects us back to what shaped Jade.

A beautiful love letter to those classic horror slasher films and horror lovers, but unfortunately it starts with a bang and fizzles down to a trickle.

There’s slow burns, and then there’s just slow. I picked this up and put it down multiple times because it felt like I was sinking into molasses.

Overall, I loved the inclusion of Native American culture into a narrative that is typically white.

I wish the middle section didn’t drag out so long, otherwise this would have been a full on stellar read for me.