This is a collection of horror stories by some of the biggest names in Indigenous literature today. Originally started on Twitter, this carefully curated collection gets at the core of Indigenous horror. As discussed in the introduction, specific scenarios are horrific to certain peoples and speak to their culture. This horror is also educational.

In Kushtuka by Mathilda Zeller, a young woman fears her doppelganger is stalking her, but when it is attacked by a White man, far more is revealed. A young woman must choose between her identity and an affluent life in White Hills. The Prepper by Morgan Talty is one of the most frightening of the collection. It is a highly recommended collection and an introduction to a new author

Featuring 26 stories by several Indigenous authors such as Tommy Orange, Rebecca Roanhorse, Andrea L. Rogers and Morgan Talty,..., this collection allows one to look through darkness, in which the brutality that plagues the words mirrors the horrors of the reality. Divorced from their land, the Indigenous communities desperately cling to the remnants of their origins and I can listen to them screaming into existence.

Interweaving history and mythology, these Indian stories live in one's head and they are visceral to convey the way people are threatened by fear. While body abnormalities and weird creatures voraciously haunt the reader's mind, they aren't the true horror. Rather, it is the pure manifestation of their rage against the settlers who choose to forget them, the coexistent chaos opening up senses otherwise dormant. However, the Indigenous people aren't reduced to trauma, also seeking to be understood by parenting, art, roots and first love.

Echoing themes of identity, relationships, colonialism, injustice and grief, what feels like ordinary beginnings evolve into complex and often abstract tales that don't fail to shock. While some stories left a stronger impression, it's easy to recognize the authors' brilliance at delivering eerie stories that pack a punch. My complaint is that some stories have an abrupt closure and I wished to contemplate them more.

How the stories are written and how they should be? Which stories are to perpetuate? What choices do we make? NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT is a gruesome, original and dark fiction anthology with incredible storytelling that will impact readers in many ways.

(ps: the foreword by Stephen Graham Jones is phenomenal)

[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Vintage Anchor books . All thoughts are my own ]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. is a must-read for fans of chilling, thought-provoking horror. It’s perfect for those who want to dive into the rich cultural heritage and bold creativity of Indigenous storytellers, blending dark fiction with unique perspectives.

I have never read anything quite like this before, but I truly enjoyed this book! I was so fascinated by these stories. Every one of them was amazing, I haven't read an anthology where I really liked every story. This book is so creepy, suspense and fun to read. I will definitely be picking up more books about Indigenous Folklore, I can't wait to read more.

Thank you for an arc of this book! I love Hispanic mythology and lore and this was so fun and creepy!

I really enjoyed this anthology of fairy tales, folklore, supernatural, whatever else you want to throw in! I'm super fascinated by all of it!

I absolutely loved Never Whistle at Night, a dark fiction anthology that completely captivated me. Each story was unique, with its own distinct tone and intent, making the entire collection feel fresh and varied. The emotions ran deep—some stories were disturbing, others hauntingly beautiful, but all were truly amazing. I was lucky enough to receive it as an ARC, but I enjoyed it so much that I ended up purchasing a copy for myself. Highly recommend this anthology to anyone who loves dark, emotional fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am obsessed with indigenous folklore and this book gave me everything I wanted and more. These stories address things like racism, traditions, beliefs, legacy, and generational trauma

I very much enjoyed Never Whistle at Night and the short stories within. There’s a good mix of supernatural and horror so everyone is likely to find something they can connect with.

othing scares me more than Indigenous horror stories (other than Jinn stories that is 👺), because I feel even the fictional stories have truth in them.

I’ve been reading NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT , an Indigenous dark fiction anthology edited by @shane.hawk and Theodore C. Can Alst Jr. every night while putting my baby to sleep. And some stories creep me out so much I have to put my kindle down 😵‍💫.

I love the variety of stories in this anthology, some are more “real life” horror than others like the story of the serial killer and his obsession with pulling TEETH. But my favorites are centered around supernatural beings mimicking humans and human behavior.

If you like anthologies, esp horror short stories, add this to your TBRs. Plus look at that cover. Im obsessed. 🙀

I love this book. I grew in Alaska so the first story was fun to read because I knew where they were and some of the regional information.

I liked most of the stories. Some were a little bit slower for my taste. I think the one that stuck out the most was Navajos Don't Wear Elk Teeth. I am super glad to see some more Indigenous stories/authors becoming mainstream.

I really enjoyed this short story collection. There’s a lot of different things going on in terms of the horror and supernatural elements. Each story felt unique with the authors writing style but I do think there should be a but more cohesion amongst the group of stories to have them feeling connected together.

So I keep saying how Never Whistle At Night is perfect for spooky season, mostly because it’s coming out at the start of said spooky season. But let’s be honest, it’s fun to be scared no matter what time of year it is. This anthology is packed full of stories to get you through this fall, but also well beyond that. And plenty of the stories are worth a second or third read.

It’s also nice to see a spotlight on a community and culture that so often gets overlooked or reduced to stereotypes in the mainstream media. Definitely add Never Whistle At Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology to your reading list this fall.

(full review at link) https://thecosmiccircus.com/book-review-never-whistle-at-night-an-indigenous-dark-ficton-anthology/

I generally don't read a lot of short story collections or anthologies but this one was particularly up my alley. I love dark and weird fiction and this dredged up my prior interest in various mythologies. Pulling from a wide range of cultures and beliefs, this anthology unites readers under a common experience: fear. But also family, and struggle, and perseverence. These aren't your typical ghost stories around the fire. These are well fleshed out stories that will grip you and maybe you'll learn something new about a cultural belief you didn't know about.

I just couldn't get into the stories - but I think it's because I don't generally love short stories. I always find myself wanting more from them or feeling like I missed some important details.

A really enjoyable anthology from a perspective I've seen too little of. Lots of surprises, suspense and spookiness. I highly recommend this book.

3.5/4 stars

I was really excited when I was granted this on NetGalley. It took a bit longer than I'd like to get to it, and once I had, it was a tougher read than I expected. This is a collection full of indigenous horror writers, many you've likely heard of and many you have not.

As a collection highlighting Indigenous voices, this works really well because it is a such a huge breadth of styles ideas, many themes intersecting but each being unique. This is both the collections greatest strength and its greatest weakness. You are sure to leave this book with new authors who you'll be eager to read more, but there will also be plenty who likely aren't your cup of tea.

At least, that is the my experience. There are really high highs but also a lot of meh stories. It made it hard to push through the collection. That said, I think it is worth your time because there is certain to be a lot of good mixed in there, regardless of what your personal tastes will be. Hopefully, it'll leave you with plenty of new authors and books to read. I definitely did for me.

I am not usually a fan of short story collections but this was great! A lot of culture and ties between systemic abuse and horror. Some stories better than others but over a solid collection.