So excited to have received this book as I’ve heard so much about it. And it lived up to the hype. I absolutely loved this and look forward to more from the author. I plan to do a more in depth review on my goodreads but this is the type of horror content I’m looking for

This is not an easy read, it takes a bit of time and effort to get into the flow of the story, particularly Jade’s narrative thought stream. But, once you’re in, strap yourself down, because it’s a hell of a ride. The story’s protagonist, Jade, is a slasher film-buff. She is absolutely obsessed with the genre, as well as it’s wider context within horror and film. This character’s fixation functions as a narrative force, offering constant hints and clues of potential impending chaos and onslaught, while also resonating with horror film-buff readers. Despite my severely limited knowledge of slasher filmographies, I enjoyed this plot devise immensely (and all the Jaws references resonated deeply with my soul 😊). However, what I appreciated the most about this slasher tale, is how it handled real and actual trauma and abuse. Rather than using this as another plot piece, there was depth and nuance to it, and it proved narratively essential. <i>My Heart is a Chainsaw</i>, much like the slasher films it venerates, is fun and disturbing, comedic and tragic, profound and horrific, and ultimately a well crafted tale.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early electronic copy of this book.

I read The Only Good Indians earlier this year, and it really got under my skin and stuck with me for a long time. The sense of dread flows through the entire book, from the first page to the end.

There is a similar sense of dread within My Heart Is a Chainsaw as well, but with a completely different perspective. Jade is a great character, and reminded me a bit of my high school self when I would spend Friday nights in the local video store renting each of the horror movies until I had made my way through them. This novel is a love letter to those movies, and to those of us who love them. I want to say more, but there is so much that is wonderful about this book, to say more would ruin the experience for other readers.

The best book I've read in years. It made me laugh and left me in misery. I've never wanted to hug a character more than this one. It's phenomenal, and you will not get over the ending for a long time.

https://berkeleyfictionreview.org/2021/08/23/a-love-letter-to-slasher-cinema-a-review-of-my-heart-is-a-chainsaw-by-stephen-graham-jones/

My Heart is a Chainsaw follows Jade through the real world slasher story that she finds herself in the middle of. I won't say more so that you can experience it for yourself.

I absolutely loved this book. SGJ has such a unique way of writing that requires attention and focus in the best way. I love that Jade is such a rebellious character. She is hard to love but you can't help it. This book is gory and wonderful. The authors note makes me love this book 1000x's more. SGJ has a unique ability to bring to light real issues in the world under the guise of horror. This book will not be for everyone. If you aren't into slashers, you will struggle with the references. For me, I loved it and will always love it. This book was so good.

I loved Graham Jones previous book " The Only Good Indian". While this book is different, the writing and imagery are still spot on. I loved this book and can't wait to see what lies in store for this amazing author!

A horror novel by the author of the extremely excellent The Only Good Indians . Both novels are set in the modern-day American West and both feature Native Americans as the main characters, but other than that they’re fairly different. The Only Good Indians’s horror was the subtle, lasting sort, the kind that gets under your skin and lingers. My Heart Is a Chainsaw is a slasher through and through – the kind that’s all about jump scares and gross death scenes that you have to watch through your fingers, but which leaves you giggling in between the shrieks.

Jade Daniels is a 17 year old horror fan with a terrible life; she’s on the verge of failing to graduate high school, she’s friendless, she has an extremely strained relationship with her father and basically never sees her mother, and she opens the book by attempting suicide. The vast majority of her thoughts and conversation (and school papers, many of which serve as excerpts throughout the book) focus on slasher movies. Someone’s actually put together a list of all the movies she references, which is extremely impressive because there’s a *lot* of them. Jade’s convinced that she’s cracked the code, and if a slasher shows up in her small town (and she very much hopes one will) she’ll know how to survive. She even has a Final Girl all picked out: Letha Mondragon, new kid in school from the rich side of town. (By the way, I ship Jade/Letha extremely hard, and I really hope someone writes that for Yuletide.) Except then people do begin dying violently, and Jade has to figure out how to get anyone to take her seriously and not assume her warnings are some kind of horror-inspired prank.

My Heart Is a Chainsaw is absolutely fantastic. It’s fast paced, deliciously gory, and with a genuinely moving heart under it all. It’s not exactly surprising where Jade’s character arc ends up going, but it still made me want to cheer. The writing is extremely cinematic and so compelling that I was reading it on the subway and would have missed my stop if my partner hadn’t tugged me up. And then I stayed up late to finish it!

Overall, it’s very different in style from Jones’s last book, but still a must-read for the horror fan.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4271887186

Stephen Graham Jones can do no wrong in my book. This slasher homage is beautiful in its brutality. I absolutely adored it and almost wish there was a sequel in the works! I have recommended this highly to many friends already.

It took SO much of my brainpower to get through this one. Stephen Graham Jones wrote one of my favorite horror novels, The Only Good Indians, which had me super excited for this new work of his. Unfortunately, 75% of it wasn't something that I enjoyed reading. While the opening scene was amazing and had me excited to see what was going to happen next, the slow pacing of the majority of the rest of the novel dragged it down. There was so much that made this such an odd reading experience, but I can't really pin down why. The characters reacting so oddly to everything that was happening, Jade's endless fixation on wanting to confront a slasher in real life in her town, and the confusing nature of everything (it was so hard for me to follow) made it a book that is difficult for me to write a cohesive review about. If the story interests you, go for it. Just be ready to put a lot of energy into getting through the slower parts before the gruesome finale.

I love the the books I've read by Stephen Graham Jones in the past and this book was no different. I grew up watching horror movies in the 80's so all the references in the story had me wanting to rewatch all of the movies, and a few I've never heard of before. The story itself kept you wondering if everything Jade was interpreting was real or just in her head. I think it was a page turner and would recommend to anyone who loves slasher / horror

This is my first read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love how the author pays homage to slasher films in this book. I grew up on Friday the 13th, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street, so I was in good company with the main character in her love of all things slasher. I appreciate that the author not only entertains his audience, but also educates his audience about Indigenous people. I have plans to read The Only Good Indians soon. I look forward to learning more about this author and discovering his other stories.

Wow. Wow. Wow. THIS is the October book you need in your life.
1. I love horror movies.
2. I love horror stories that reflect on the genre.
3. I love underdogs.

This story features the school outcast, the classic horror story set up, reflections on “how the story goes,” and ties it all together with suspenseful perfection. This horror is kinda deep though. There’s a strong dose of classic slasher but there’s also a surprisingly sophisticated take on the horror. This book looks at scary stuff like being bullied, part of a marginalized group, the child of an abusive alcoholic, and suicide. It’s not for the faint of heart - or those who trigger easily. But definitely worth the read.

If you're an avid reader (or listener) of true crime stories and podcasts, then My Heart Is a Chainsaw should definitely be on your to-read list.

Jade is a horror movie fanatic who doesn't want to be the star of her own horror story ... but she doesn't have a choice when she finds herself in the middle of danger.

My Heart is a Chainsaw won't be for everyone. If you're squeamish, if you aren't very patient with books that are a little slow to get going, if you aren't a huge fan of horror movies, you might struggle, as I did. If, on the other hand, you love to discuss horror movie villains, plot structure, symbolism, etc. This book would be the perfect fit for you!

The blurb of this book has me very excited to read and it pains me to say I was SO bored with this story. I even tried the audiobook and found myself zoning out while reading or listening. I think when it comes to this author I will stick to his novellas as I do better with those stories.

Slasher fans, rejoice!

My Heart Is a Chainsaw is a novel made for lovers of slasher. It truly reads like a slasher movie in book form complete with an opening kill sequence. The protagonist is slasher-obsessed and uses horror movies to cope with her own life going as far as imagining she is in one of those very movies giving the narration. When blood begins to actually spill in Jade's town, she realizes everything isn't what it seems. I loved the ride this novel went on. It's a true love letter to the genre. There are plenty of horror movie references that I truly couldn't get enough of. I can only hope there will be more novels showing this love to the slasher genre. The writing is remarkable. Stephen Graham Jones is a standout author. Highly recommended to anyone who loves horror films - this is for you!

I tried my best to read this book but I had a hard time enjoying the voice of the protagonist. The plot for this book seemed like it was one that I would love but for some reason I wasn't able to get it to hold my interest. I put it down and came back to it and also tried the audiobook, but it just wasn't for me. I think that this was just not to my personal taste. Maybe the next one!
Thank you to the following for the early copy.
#MyHeartIsaChainsaw #Netgalley #GalleryBooks #SagaPress

I thought the book was geat first time reading anything from this author and I wasn't disappointed kept my interest all the way through..

My Heart is a Chainsaw
“It’s her moisturizer regimen, isn’t it?”
Thank you Saga Press & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This one is for everyone who felt like they didn’t belong in a sea of “normal”. If you find comfort & protection from Horror the way I do, this is everything we’ve been waiting for! It was a love letter to the slasher genre with Native American culture woven into the typical slasher tropes in a fresh way I have never seen before. I do think that if you aren’t a horror aficionado, I don’t know if you could fully grasp how f******* awesome this book is. Jade Daniels is a walking, talking archive of all things slasher-related, or even slasher-adjacent, but has a comedic way of narrating the on goings at Proofrock. I found myself giggling in the midst of carnage. My Heart is a Chainsaw pays recognition to slasher films all while nipping the usual tropes and keep you questioning up until the very end. A remarkable slow burn start, this book is swimming with Easter eggs from your favorites.

I have decided the writing style in this book was not for me. I only got through the first few chapters and put it down. The dialog did not feel like realistic / plausible conversations and the main POV was frustrating.

I wanted to like this book and planned on picking back up at a later time. But it has been a few months and I have no motivation to start this book up again. So I am officially quiting this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallary Books for and advanced review copy of the book for review.