Ok. This book really needs to be re-written from the ground up. I was so confused on when Toby was chasing the mythical dark robe person or at the vending machine or back at the hotel room. The names passed around in the first few scenes can really trip a reader up in connecting with the characters and the book. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is book two of a trilogy of books centered around a woman named Jade Daniels and the lakeside town of Proofrock, a place as certainly cursed with killers as it is blessed with final girls. Set a few years after the events of My Heart is a Chainsaw, we meet up with Jade as she returns to her hometown just before a terrible snowstorm which will snow in Proofrock and most of the surrounding region- a snowstorm that also coincides with both the escort of dangerous serial killer Dark Mill South and the beginning of another series of murders.

This Jade, now falling back on her given name, Jennifer, has been through much after the events of that last terrible summer, a long series of trials, a release and a great deal of trauma in the wake of everything she thought she understood about slashers and the workings of her hometown. Subdued, even chastened, she's older and not any more certain about how she fits than she was before everything changed. In some ways she's trying to leave Jade behind, start over again as best she can and all too aware how those events changed the town and the people who survived. She's shocked to meet Lethe, her chosen final girl again, to see her married and now a mother. Worse she finds herself none too ready for it when they're both pulled back into the slasher movie rules by which she survived that last summer night and must now use to survive whatever killer hides in the blizzard. Is it Dark Mill South? Has Stacey returned for more revenge? Or is there something new rising from the scars of the old wounds of Proofrock? Jade isn't who she was but does that mean that girl isn't part of where she might end up?

Jade is a final girl, and she is an all too real example of what it is to grow up and into adulthood under the weight of trauma, loss, and neglect. What part of that old you was worthy? What about you was wrong? How do you carry the weight of what happened and how you behaved while the trauma was a fresh wound that carried you more than you carried it? What will you be now that that part is over? What is your strength when all of it feels incredibly painful to process? Can you make it through this again? How will the new Jade cope when it feels like the world has circled around to the old horror but with new victims? It's not easy growing up when nothing stays the same.

I loved this one just as much as the first and found this an even more satisfying g read for all the growth of characters have been through. Definitely a singular series unique to the author and all the better for it.

A triumphant sequel to My Heart Is A Chainsaw! Stephen Graham Jones continues in his total love letter to slasher horror and fans of the genre with DON'T FEAR THE REAPER. This book is so good and it doesn't even feel possible or real to have read something like it. I am totally impressed and engaged in the story here and cannot wait to read the third upcoming book in this trilogy!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick. Our library purchased and our patrons have been checking out and and enjoying the book. I see it is a popular book club choice as well we hope to have more oppurtinies to support authors like them

I DNFed the first book in this series but I figured, why not, I'll give the second book a shot. Nope, wasn't for me. I thought the book was a continuation of Jade but there were multiple POVs instead of her that were focused on. The plot was super muddled which made it super tedious to try to read. I hate to say it but I think I'm giving up on enjoying this author's works.

*Many thanks to Gallery/Saga Press for the gifted copy for my honest review!

Stephen Graham Jones does it again. I was swept away into the world of Jade Daniels and never wanted to leave. I will be recommending this book, along with My Heart is a Chainsaw, for anyone asking for a great Halloween read.

There isn't a Stephen Graham Jones book that I haven't loved so far! I was introduced to him after speaking with a librarian friend that told me to check him out after I mentioned loving Grady Hendrix-she certainly did not steer me wrong! I devoured this book!

Don't Fear the Reaper is the second book in the Indian Lake Trilogy. You really do need to read the first book, My Heart is a Chainsaw, before you try to tackle this one. It picks up a few years after the first book left off and if you don't know the events of its predecessor, you'll be completely lost.

Everything is different now: Jade, the obsessive slasher fangirl who couldn’t stop relating every calamity to a title in her mental horror rolodex, is not only older, but after surviving the mysterious mass murder at Indian Lake on Independence Day, she’s quieter, more reserved. Traumatized, she now goes by her real name, Jennifer Daniels, always correcting people from her past; normalcy as her new armor. She must play it straight now; since she’s one of the sole survivors, she’s suspect. And even though she knows she’s innocent, we can tell part of her feels responsible — she wasn’t orchestrating it, but her commentary affirmed all the pieces would fall into place, in order for Proofrock to become victim to a self-fulfilling prophecy of her ultimate fantasy.

Don't Fear the Reaper is an intense homage to the classic horror films

I was so happy to be back in Proofrock with Jade, Letha, and the rest of the cast of this trilogy. Jones is so masterful in how he melds horror and heart, beauty and grit, sometimes in the exact same moments. I loved how he wove so many different references and story lines together, especially as he kept revealing new twists and turns throughout the story (he had me guessing for a good long while).
Perhaps my favorite thing about the book is Jade's overwhelming reluctance to still consider herself a final girl but remain so dedicated to figuring out what's going on and trying to stop the killings. Well, that and Letha still being the awesome badass that she is. Never change Letha.

If you are a horror fan, and especially a slasher fan, and want to take another trip with Jade, Letha, and everyone else in Proofrock, definitely give this book a try.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me early access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

Another brilliant novel from Stephen Graham Jones. No one is doing Indigenous horror, or horror in general, the way he is.

I did not like this. Did not realize it was part of a series and past events in prior books mattered to this one. Cannot recommend. Do not bother.

Thanks to NetGalley, Stephen Graham Jones, and Gallery Books Saga Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third book I've read from Stephen Graham Jones and I just didn't quite click with it. His writing style is often confusing for me. I will say, out of all of them, I followed this novel the best. It was classic "final girl" once more. I enjoyed the twist and didn't expect it. Definitely an enjoyable follow up to My Heart is a Chainsaw. Just as gruesome, gory, and horror-filled!

Graham Jones always terrifies and this follow up to My Heart is a Chainsaw was a beautiful partner to the original story. I will read anything he write.

Middle books are hard - I enjoyed the actual action of this book a lot, but the "who" and the "why" and the "why is this framing structure" just did not work for me. The mini slasher film chapters were fantastic but the whole thing did not, for me, hold together (I know many disagree.)

I had wanted to LOVE My Heart is a Chainsaw, but sadly I didn't. I still went into this sequel with an open mind, because Jones' writing is out of this world, and I did really enjoy Jade's character in the first book. I'm happy to say that this one lived more up to my expectations, and it was a much more enjoyable read than I felt Chainsaw was.

That said, if you're not into slashers, look away! Emotional slasher is what I would genre this series, and Jones doesn't hold back when it comes to the slasher aspect!

I enjoy a good slasher story and this one does not disappoint. It kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages. Please note, this is definitely a slasher story, SGJ does not shy away from the horror - which I love. If that is something you can handle in a book, this one is a great ride.

Too bloody for me. I cannot suggest that anyone read this unless they have a taste for horror that borders on the far,far extreme.

I've said it before and I will say it again. SGJ can write. Now I will say up front though, his style sometimes needs and adjustment period but once you get in the groove, there is no looking back.
He brings us a new slasher story, highlighting some of our favorite tropes.

Pretty enjoyable overall. Nothing majorly new story wise. The beauty is the constructed sentences and wording as is with every SGJ books.

Stephen Graham Jones is an autobuy author for me and this book was a perfect example as to why. The nostalgic slasher vibes continued in this sequel to My Heart Is A Chainsaw and we got to get even closer to this setting and characters. It was very spooky but also fun. Giving very much Scream vibes, just like the first book. But just like with Scream and Scream 2, I think the sequel was just as good (or maybe even better) than the first!

Jade Daniels is my final girl! Such a wild ride in the most inventive slasher format. I really enjoyed this one, and reading it made me want to go back and reread My Heart is a Chainsaw all over again.

Can SGJ do no literary wrong? I’m starting to believe that’s 100% true because he just keeps doing it right, over and over again! Don’t Fear the Reaper is the sequel to My Heart Is a Chainsaw, which I also just devoured when I got it via NetGalley a couple of years ago! I love the dark, moodiness of the prose that immediately sets the tone of the book. I LOVE his nuanced, powerful, oh-so-very-human protagonist and her journeys toward knowing herself, her path, her history, her community. I’ve already re-read Don’t Fear the Reaper once and will undoubtedly do it again. It’s just so good. Thank you thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance e-arc! Native lit is my happy place, my peaceful place, my excited place. Stephen Graham Jones is a truly gifted storyteller.