Stephen Graham Jones maintains his sprawling narrative writing style in what feels like a newer version of his intimate tones. The story of Good Stab is a tragic, meandering campfire tale full of tension and somber realizations. SGJ remains an author I will always read.

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for this ARC!!!! My Heart Is a Chainsaw was my introduction to Stephen Graham Jones and since then I promised myself to read everything he writes. I was not expecting for The Buffalo Hunter Hunter to become by top choice, but quickly I realized this story was unique and would keep me wanting more. For those who enjoy horror, this is a MUST buy. I cannot imagine anyone truly disliking this book. My one issue was the chapters felt really long in the beginning, but as the story unfolded this became less of an issue.

I would love to listen to the audiobook before leaving a final review.. I believe my experience would definitely be different hearing it from the characters as this is a unique writing style.

Buffalo Hunter Hunter was a great reading experience for me. It was both thrilling and thought provoking. Throughout the story there was a building sense of dread that you always want in a horror book. This was a different and refreshing take on the vampire story.

I enjoyed the narration style as this was basically a “found document story” that told a story within a story.
The character work was an outstanding feature as well. The two main POV characters were fully fleshed out and I found myself totally locked in as the story was unraveled.

It contains graphic violence and gore. There was one pretty disturbing SA scene as well. I would recommend this in general to fans of horror but especially to those who love reading the undead variety.

Stephen Graham Jones is an author who always elicits a strong reaction from me in that some of his books I absolutely love, while others just don’t click. His distinct writing style remains consistent, but I’ve realized that his historical horror stories aren’t really for me. I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but Buffalo Hunter Hunter felt like a slog at times.

The novel is told through three POVs, each with its own distinct voice and stylized language. While I appreciate that Jones' writing reflects the time periods in which these characters live, the sections set in the early 1900s were particularly difficult to get through. However, where this book shines is in its characters. Jones makes them so compelling and likable that you quickly grow attached, only for them to commit terrible acts that force you to question your own judgment.

The suspense building is phenomenal, and the way Jones weaves historical tragedies into his horror is deeply unsettling. While this one wasn’t entirely for me, I can absolutely see why others might love it. If you enjoy historical horror with moral complexity and tension that lingers, this might be the perfect read for you.

Stephen Graham Jones explores what would happen if a Black Foot man is turned into a vampire when he has no concept of a vampire. This is a very cool and very f'd up vampire story.

Historical horror, an incredible and unique take on the vampire, a devastating account of a not-too-distant time in history. I'm utterly blown away by this one. The way that it is written was unlike anything I've read before--the language and authenticity. Also providing a perspective on many things, vampires being one of them, that I haven't experienced before. I feel like I could write a ten page paper about this book, which makes me feel paralyzed attempting a short review. Yes, it's horror and there are some gruesome details and such, but the real horror is the actual real life events in this novel: the Marias Massacre, the atrocities of colonization, the hunting of the buffalo nearly to extinction. This book is intense, devastating, and written in a way that requires your brain to function. It's not the easiest of reads, but it's not supposed to be, and it is absolutely worth it.

There are a few perspectives and timelines in this one. In 2012, an academic named Etsy comes across a journal from her great-great-grandfather, a Lutheran Pastor named Arthur Beaucarne. She hopes to develop this journal into something she can use to secure tenure at the University of Montana. Majority of the narrative is what Etsy is reading in this journal. It's Arthur's recounting from 1912 and largely focused on a series of confessions made by Good Stab, a Blackfeet native. Those parts read like Good Stab is saying it himself. The way that Good Stab talks took a while for me to adjust to, but once I adjusted, I loved it. There's no watering-down or explaining for the white man (Arthur, because that's who he is talking to, but also readers in reality.) You have to meet Good Stab where he is at, not the other way around. It was an intentional artistic choice by SGJ and it pays off so much and makes it so much better. I literally cannot succinctly wrap up everything that gets touched upon by both Arthur and Good Stab. You just have to read it. And of course, there's the supernatural element of vampirism that is done in an entirely unique way.

This book hurts. I feel like it opened something inside of me that won't ever heal. The blood, the brutality--against both people and animals, the ugly history that shouldn't be forgotten. It's a tough one, friends. So why 4 stars instead of 5 after such a raving review? Good question. For me, it's just the slowness of it sometimes. It's definitely intentional, and I get it, I just would have preferred a bit faster pacing. My first reaction after finishing was 4 stars, but as it lingers and stays with me I question if maybe I should bump it up.

Weasel Plume forever.

It's probably going to seem strange to give a four-star rating to a DNF, but that;s where I am. Let me explain. Buffalo Hunter Hunter is well written and riveting, but this is a me problem. I know it's historically accurate, but I can't get past the animal violence, particularly surrounding the buffalo. I felt myself struggling to read it, because I felt like I should, and I was invested in Good Stab's story, but, in the end, it was just too much. I will, however, always read Stephen Graham Jones, but this one just isn't for me.

This is the best Stephen Graham Jones book so far! The historical elements, the dread, the anticipation of finding out why certain things were happening. I couldn’t read it fast enough I desperately reached out to a friend who’d finished for spoilers.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter was one of those horror novels that was captivating and gripping, although not necessarily an enjoyable read, if that makes sense. Steeped in history, Stephen Graham Jones tells a bloody, brutal story of genocide and the hunting of buffalo to near extinction, and does so through the eyes of a Blackfeet named Good Stab in a genius take on vampire lore.
Shining a rightfully unforgiving spotlight on the whitewashed colonization of the American west, we’re given an account of the events of the Marias Massacre in a confessional style format from Good Stab recorded in a century old journal by a Lutheran pastor.
SGJ has a very distinctive, strong voice that might not be for everyone, but that I enjoy greatly. The masterful way in which he weaves great horror with Indigenous lore is nothing short of enthralling.
Simultaneously chilling, flippant, earnest, and funny, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter may be SGJ at his best and isn’t one to skip.

Thank you so much to Saga Press for providing me an eARC via NetGalley.

Stephen Graham Jones's 'Buffalo Hunter Hunter' is a work that immediately commanded my attention. The narrative structure, centered around Etsy Beaucarne, a contemporary academic grappling with the pressures of tenure, provides an intriguing entry point. The discovery of her great-great-grandfather Arthur Beaucarne's journal, detailing his experiences as a Lutheran priest in 1912, establishes a compelling historical foundation.

The layered narrative, with Arthur's journal containing transcriptions of a confession from a member of the Blackfeet Nation in 1870, allows Jones to delve into the complex and enduring consequences of westward expansion and the ideology of Manifest Destiny. It's a nuanced exploration of a dark and often overlooked period in American history.

As is characteristic of Stephen Graham Jones's work, the narrative transcends conventional historical fiction through the incorporation of a powerful supernatural element. While I will refrain from divulging specific details, I can attest that Jones's creative ingenuity continues to impress, reinforcing his standing as a significant contemporary author.

The novel's strength lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate historical accuracy with unsettling horror. The exploration of the Marias Massacre, an event of which I was previously unaware, is particularly impactful. Jones's integration of historical figures and events into a fictional narrative of vengeance and grief is both captivating and deeply unsettling.

My primary critique pertains to the novel's pacing. The middle section, in particular, exhibited a degree of repetition that I believe could have been mitigated. A more streamlined approach, perhaps by excising 50 to 75 pages, would have enhanced the overall impact without compromising the thematic depth. Nevertheless, Jones's prose remains consistently engaging, and his storytelling prowess is undeniable.

I anticipate the novel's release with keen interest. I believe readers who appreciate historical fiction with elements of horror, and those who favor intricately structured narratives that achieve a sense of narrative resolution, will find this work particularly rewarding. Stephen Graham Jones continues to demonstrate his mastery of the genre, and 'Buffalo Hunter Hunter' is a testament to his unique and powerful voice.

This was my first time reading a book by Stephen Graham Jones after hearing about how amazing his books are, and this book certainly lived up to the hype. The characters were mindblowing and the horror elements were so well executed. I wasn't expecting the story to have an emotional aspect.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, a menacingly dark and mesmerizingly atmospheric American Indian revenge story, follows an indigenous vampire haunting the fields of the Blackfeet reservation looking for justice.⁣
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A diary, written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor is discovered within a wall 100 years alter - and within, it reveals a slow massacre, a chain of events that go back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow. The pastor recorded his interviews with a Blackfeet man named Good Stab, who can not seem to die, and who has a taste for blood. ⁣
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In true SGJ form this one is full of tension and gore - an incredibly gripping and unique supernatural historical horror tale layered with passion, history, and culture and is a masterfully crafted tale of reckoning and revenge.⁣

Also, check this one out on audio - it’s a chilling listen with a full cast.

I feel like I say this about every SGJ book I read, but I really do think this one may be my favorite. Why? Because we already know that SGJ can write a hell of a horror novel. We know that his kills cut deep. We know that our emotions will slam back and forth between humor and horror in a masterful rhythm. We already know that when this author chooses to tell us something, to make it personal, to make it hurt - we’re all in. THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER does all that and more.

Into the historical setting of the “claimed and solidified” American West, the decimation of the American Bison, the forced relocation of Indigenous communities, the environmental strains that were already beginning to show as a result of westward expansion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, SGJ gives us a vampire story unlike any you’ve read.

Not since MAN MADE MONSTERS by Andrea Rogers have I delighted so much in a supernatural tale from an Indigenous author. I know most of #horrorbookstagram probably already has this one on their radar to pick up, but if not, consider correcting that. This type of story, one that isn’t afraid to tear open and expose rotten histories some would rather choose to leave undisturbed, is so important now more than ever.

Many thanks to the author and Saga Press for sharing an early copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant, intense, and thought-provoking. This might be Jones' best book yet, and that's saying a lot.

I won’t lie—I’ve been losing faith in horror books. Maybe it’s the ones I’ve been picking up, or maybe the new releases just aren’t hitting the way I want them to. Lately, I’ve found better horror elements in other genres than in actual horror books. There’s nothing like a story that catches you so off guard you forget how to read. I want to love horror again—I just might be picking up the wrong ones.

And then The Buffalo Hunter Hunter reminded me that horror is out there—I’m just terrible at finding the right books. This one made me realize I crave horror that pushes boundaries, digs deep into the human condition, and makes me feelsomething.

Meet Etsy—on the verge of a career crisis. She needs a new research project to secure her position as a professor or start over somewhere else. While digging into her ancestry, she finds a journal from her great-great-grandfather, hoping it will be her breakthrough. The book weaves together three timelines, unraveling a story about survival, government control over Indigenous people, and what it means to uncover family history—especially when that history stares back at you.

This wasn’t an easy read. The horror elements creep up on you, the one-liners hit hard, and the language takes some adjustment. But trust me—stick with it.

What I loved most was how every detail that seemed like a loose thread got woven back in beautifully. The parallels between Arthur and Etsy were subtle at first, but by the end, their similarities were undeniable—especially in their writing.

If you’ve made it this far, you need to consider adding this to your TBR. But if gore isn’t your thing or big words scare you, maybe skip it.

3-19 Update: posted pn TikTok
One of the finest books I’ve read. A stab to the heart, and the beat of a heart, too, elevating the reading to a feeling like climbing to a high place and looking back. From the rolling cadences of the language to characters rendered so fully I could see them and carry them with me between readings, this novel captured me. This is literature and storytelling of the most entertaining, essential, and indelible kind.

Stephen Graham Jones brings history to life with the nightmare truths of massacres and a rich depiction of lore, language–as rendered in English–and the ways of life of the tribes.

The buffalo will be with me for a long time. I visited the herd in Golden Gate park while I was a student. It was moving and intense to be transported back in time and experience their history.

The horror rises in layers, from creeping dread to crescendos still imprinted behind my eyes. By all measures, structure, pacing, suspense, characterization, and on through the ending, this novel hits the highest level. I relished the lore and excellent details of one of my favorite horror elements. I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.

The heart and originality in this book knocked me out. This was my first book by Stephen Graham Jones. I need to read all of them now. Loved the acknowledgements, too.

For other readers who know buffalo hunting and the true brutality against the original people on the land will be upsetting to read: The detailed, disturbing scenes were painful, yet for me it didn't become too much or leave me depressed. The writing and finely-honed construction are so masterful I felt all of the events without becoming overwhelmed. The novel has a wide emotional range including love and wonder.

My highest recommendation for seasoned readers of horror, hard-hitting literary fiction, historical fiction, dark gothics, and / or #ownvoices novels. 
I'll add the TikTok link.

I struggled in the beginning to grasp the language both of the pastor and Good Stab, the Blackfeet. As the story progressed, I began to settle in and eventually figured out the meanings of the words/phrases that initially had me muddled. The confessions of Good Stab burgeoned into a series of horrific events. They were filled with countless slaughters and several battles. Recounts of unimaginable body horror, nonstop violence and a wild, unbelievable metamorphosis and mutation. The pastor, Arthur, cannot for the life of him understand why he was chosen for these confessions but even as unsettling as it was to listen - listen he did “with a good heart”. Ultimately the truth of Good Stabs visits is revealed and my jaw dropped and chills ran down my spine! And just when I grasped the realization of it all - the story takes one more turn. This book took me on a such an emotional yet necessary journey back in time. I was angry, infuriated, terrified but mostly sad. This one will stay with me.

4.5 ⭐️

My favorite animal is the Buffalo which technically is a Bison but I refuse to say that, and my favorite horror creature is the Vampire so this book was already a must read for me even though I’ve read 3 book by this author before and HATED them all. I find Stephen to be extremely preachy with his writing and every book has some form of “white people suck” comment and his writing also is very difficult to enjoy with the amount of commas he uses. It just doesn’t feel natural on how we actually speak.

All that being said this book is amazing. Yes it’s a little preachy but it’s also historically relevant so I’m okay with it. It’s very much a slow burn but I challenge anyone to tell me a single vampire story that isn’t. I absolutely loved the horror elements of this. The way he builds the ominous feel of it as well as the bloody clashes. The unique twist he puts into it was also a blast as well. Whatever the vampire drinks he will eventually turn into which is EXTREMELY relevant at the end of the book and I was just in love with it.

This is very much not a happy book but I’m a cynic at heart so I loved it. This was Stephen’s last chance with me and he did well enough that I’m willing to read more by him.

Thank you Netgally and Saga press for the ARC.

This book is brutal, haunting, and deeply necessary. It reimagines vampire folklore through a lens of historical horror, centering the real-life atrocities committed against the Blackfeet people and transforming them into something both devastating and vengeful. The story unfolds through diary entries and transcribed confessions, layering perspectives in a way that demands patience but rewards with a chilling, immersive atmosphere. The violence is relentless, but it never feels gratuitous—it’s a reflection of the horrors that history often tries to erase. Stephen Graham Jones has crafted something unsettling, raw, and impossible to forget.