What can I say about Stephen Graham Jones that I haven’t already said? I’m a huge fan and so happy I still have an extensive back catalogue of books and stories to catch up on. As of this review I have read 7 Novels, 8 Novellas/Short Stories, and I have written reviews for 4 of the novels. I had pre-ordered this from a publisher in the United Kingdom for a special edition but due to events outside of the publisher’s control, I will not be getting the hardcover special edition for a bit. Thankfully, I was approved by Saga Press and NetGalley for an eARC which allowed me to get into this right before the book was released.

Buffalo Hunter Hunter (BHH) is different than any of the stories I have read by Stephen Graham Jones so far. This is written like historical fiction. Starting in modern day as a renovation crew uncover a journal hidden in the walls of a parsonage. Translated and shared with Arthur Beaucarne’s great-great-granddaughter Etsy who is hoping this journal will lead to her tenure at the University she teaches at. The story is told from two viewpoints, one being Beaucarne, a Lutheran preacher nick-named Three-Persons, and the Native American vampire, Good Stab, who gave Beaucarne the nickname.

Stepping into the world of 1912, Good Stab recounts his life since the “Cat Man” changed him to the monster he has become. Good Stab talks of how he got his name, and his crusade to enact Blackfeet justice on the hunters who do not respect the spirit of the wild. We are included in the progression of Good Stab as he learns and copes with his new way of life. BHH does a great job paying homage to vampire mythology, but at the same time puts Stephen Graham Jones’s own spin on it. I enjoyed that Good Stab’s body burns blood like a car does gasoline and he has to replenish to continue. Just like gasoline, the higher quality of blood the longer he can go between feedings. What I found a fun change to the vampire mythology is depending on what Good Stab drinks, human/animal, it will cause changes in him that may present physically. If you are confused as to what i mean, you will just have to give it a read.

Talking technical, I really love Stephen Graham Jones’s writing style. Everything ties together so well by the end of the book and once you know the truth, or the twist, it is fun to remember previous scenes that gave little hints that seemed so minute at the time. The characters are very well developed and feel real. The book makes readers feel like you are living the lives of each character in tandem with them and not just an outside observer. One thing I loved was the little bits of levity thrown in. I got such a kick out of Beaucarne being gifted treats by his parsonage and he rationalizes why he ate a weeks worth of treats in one night. “Because warming my belly also warms theirs, yes.” The ones being referred to are the town folk recently found dead.

My thoughts on this, and I will be honest. Initially I was going to give this 4 glasses. I’m not a fan of historical fiction and I had to do some research to understand some of the vocabulary in this which is kind of a bummer. However, I finished this a few days ago and have been working on this review a bit at a time. the more time that passes the more I am thinking about this book. I find I am enjoying the book more and more having time to really process this emotions, depth, and viciousness of the book. Another 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃 book and one I will highly recommend. This is definitely one that needs to be pondered and enjoyed.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter dredges up the historical truth of the massacre, reminding us of the ways history is often written by the victors/colonisers, and consequently sanitised, whitewashed or buried. THE MOST THOUGHTFUL VAMPIRE NOVEL I'VE EVER READ, AND PROBABLY EVER WILL!!!

I think this is my favorite Jones book to date> I have become a big fan of this author over the years and he does such an amazing job at blending multiple genres with this latest novel of his. This is an instant classic written by one of the most haunting horror authors currently writing.

5/5

This book was brutal and beautiful. It was confusing and complex but also had such a wonderful flow to the writing. It did not hold back, it thrust you into the narrative and into a world and language you can barely keep track of and expected you to keep up. But once things started clicking and the flow took over it didn’t matter if you understood every word because the story was there and it really made you feel the pain of the characters.

This has been Stephen’s best book yet that I’ve read and he continues to really deliver stories with a real heart and equally real pain within. I loved it.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a dark, powerful mix of historical horror and revenge, told through journal entries from three different characters. The real horror here is the brutal history that actually happened. Good Stab’s way of speaking took me a while to get used to, especially since there’s no glossary, but I get why SGJ did it — he wasn’t trying to soften or make it easy. It made me slow down and really sit with the story, and it was worth it.

The story had a good plot but it was SO drawn out and I found my mind wandering off as I listened. The plot picked up towards the end, but I felt the payoff wasn't enough. Not my favorite read by this author.

4.5 Stars

"But we were already a nation...We didn't ask you to come.
...
"We just wanted to live"

Where do you begin writing a review where the true horror in the story wasn't the vampires, but our nation's history?

First - there are a lot of triggers in this book. If you are squeamish, definitely check them out.

I really enjoyed the journal entry style that led us through the majority of the book. I found myself theorizing about the pastor's past. I was always eager to find out more, and for heartbreakingly deserved, revenge.

This vampire lore was a bit different than what I've read before, a unique twist that I found incredibly interesting. This take on it also led our characters to make even more difficult decisions, piling on an additional mountain of guilt vs morals dilemma.

I'm a short chapter lover so some of these chapters were tough only because there wasn't a good stopping point when I had to stop (boo adulting!). Some portions were challenging to follow, but I at least understood the gist so I didn't feel I was missing the essence at any point.

I didn't care for Etsy at all, (also that name irritated me to no end, did you really want us thinking of online shopping every time?). I believe she was supposed to be in her forties but had the "voice" of a 21 year old. Her portion of the story is what brought the rating down by a half star.

Horror isn't my normal genre but I do enjoy historical fiction occasionally, with my fav genre being fantasy. This was a unique mix of all three, and I enjoyed the combination. I definitely recommend checking this out.

A few things you will find:

🦬 Revenge
🦬 Mutilation
🦬 Vampires
🦬 Depressing AF true portions of American History

A huge thank you to @sagapressbooks for the invite to read this on NetGalley, even after publication.

Is there anyone doing horror like Stephen Graham Jones? Nope. Not even close. Huge fan of all his works, but this might be his best work yet--and that is really saying something considering how much I loved I Was a Teenage Slasher! Would be surprised if this isn't the best horror novel of 2025.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a horrific, brutal comment into a very real piece of American history encompassed in a vampiric fiction piece. There were moments I physically cringed while reading about the violence and death that Graham depicts, but every moment was one that had me enthralled in the story that Good Stab had to tell. This was an incredibly unique take on vampirism and the way Graham interwove it with Native American lore was eye-opening and shed light on a brutal piece of American history. A Pukini vampire is on a brutal path of revenge against those who caused the decimation of his people and the buffalo. I couldn’t compare this work to any other piece of fiction and I think that is incredibly telling in itself- Graham had produced a masterpiece of historical-fiction horror! I will not soon forget the story of Good Stab, the cat man, and the buffalo.

Thank you Saga Press for providing me with an e-copy and an audiobook! All thoughts are my own.

*Review includes some minor spoilers.*

Stephen Graham Jones’ The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a historical, supernatural horror unique in that its historical facts are far more horrific than its fantastical elements.

Mongrels, SGJ’s werewolf novel, is one of my all-time favorite books. Naturally, when I heard that he was releasing a vampire novel I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on it. Ever since middle school I’ve never NOT been a vampire girly. I graduated from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Twilight to True Blood to Anne Rice’s novels and beyond. To this day I never seem to be without some type of vampire-related something or other going on!

This book is WORLDS away from the aforementioned vampire series. Instead, it is a raw, brutal, honest portrayal of America’s horrific past. As a former Social Studies teacher, I would recommend this to absolutely everyone for the history lesson alone. The vampire stuff? That’s just a bonus.

What I loved most about Mongrels was the depth of its characters. The same is true for this book. SGJ weaves the narrative in such a way that makes the characters seem so vivid and alive. Although it is told from alternating, opposing viewpoints, somehow by the end of the book you will find that you have become attached to both hero and villain. And to be clear, one of these characters is VERY much the villain.

Overall, this is easily in my top 5 books of the year thus far. A must read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It took a minute for me to figure out what was going on in this story because of the way the text is written in 1912 diagloue. Once i start to understand the diagloue better the story flowed much better. it was a most enjoyable for after that.

Me and this book started out rough. It wasn't written in the Stephen Graham Jones style I know and love. A historical fiction horror story, or more accurately, a story about the horror of a developing America, it's told by a present day woman reading a journal from a pastor in 1912 who is listening to a vampire's confession. I switched to audio about 1/4 way in and wow, incredible multicast narration.

With a really original take on vampires, Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a Native American revenge story, sparing nothing. A sort of retelling of a little known piece of cruel American history, The Marias Massacre, it is violent, brutal, and incredibly hard to hear. I can't even count the number of times my heart split right open.

And like I said, it took me a minute to adjust to the style of writing I was expecting, but once I did, it was a truly brilliant way to tell this story. And I did end up getting that SGJ style I love so much at the end in the present day. On the whole, Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a piece of exceptional writing showcasing important Native American history in an ingenious way. With lots of blood, lots of horror, and lots of truths wrapped up in a chilling vampire story.

Thanks so much to saga press for the audiobook and NetGalley for the ebook.

First and foremost, thank you to the publisher for providing an e-ARC of this title. I’m a longtime fan of this author’s work, and I continue to be impressed by the way he masterfully builds suspense with every page. The creeping horror he weaves into his worlds truly sets him apart from other voices in the genre—it lingers, unsettling and immersive. Four star read

An Indigenous vampire story filled with revenge was exactly what I needed. This was so well done! Initially, I was worried about the slow pacing but once the story started to come together, I understood why we needed to slow down a bit. By the 50% mark, I could not put it down. I loved the confession style, it was such a fantastic way to .. haunt. It was so difficult to read at times, especially when Good Stab's actions directly and indirectly affected his people, animals, and land. By the end, I was filled with as much rage as him. I also really enjoyed the lore behind the vampires and never read anything like it. It is a brutal, violent, action packed, and thought provoking ride. Will definitely be reading more from the author.

Never in my life have I read a book that had me crying 5 times and then scream cheering at the end while also heavily sobbing.

GOD WHAT A BOOK. This is all I’ve been able to think about this past week as I’ve now entered the greatest book slumps of all book slumps. I will say this is now the book I wish I could read again for the first time because THAT ENDING?!!!

This is an indigenous horror novel set in 3 separate timelines. A woman in 2013, a Lutheran priest in 1912 and a Blackfeet vampire in 1870. They are all connected somehow in one of the greatest revenge plots of all time.

A masterfully woven tale of the dark damning history of America and a native man named Good Stab which all begins at the real event of the Marias (Bear Creek) Massacre in 1870 where the US army troops slaughtered a sleeping camp of almost 200 Blackfeet.

Good Stab is a vampire and he has a confession to make in 1912. You will hear his entire tale and then he will hear yours. He has been waiting, as a vampire knows how to wait patiently.

Fair warning, this is a slow start and you might have to get used to the linguistics used (names to describe animals like Dirty Face, Swift Runner, Long Legs, etc) but once it all starts to connect…get ready. This is brutal and raw and everything I could have asked for in a book to destroy me. This is dark but holds real actual historical events as well so I think if you can handle horror elements then this is an incredibly important book to read.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

I had never read a historical horror book before and I truly was mind blown by this one. This reminded me of the movie “Interview with a vampire” but with real history embedded in it. There are some major trigger warnings so be warned. The real history that’s part of this story was horrific and am glad the author brought this to light. This was by far one of the most interesting books I have read and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I want to thank @NetGalley, @SagaPressBooks, and author @StephenGrahamJones for allowing me to read this spooky story I will always remember it.

this chilling historical horror tale, SGJ introduces us to an Indigenous vampire who hunts not just for blood but for justice—retribution for the centuries of violence and erasure inflicted upon his people. Told through a brilliant multi-POV structure—Good Stab’s “confession,” a priest’s transcription, and Etsy’s discovery of her ancestor’s journal—this novel is as much about storytelling as it is about horror.

If you’ve read SGJ, you’ll recognize his signature raw and unfiltered storytelling style. However, the pace is more measured this time, allowing the symbolism and emotions to resonate fully. Real horrors such as racism, colonialism, and generational trauma coexist with fictional horrors like body horror and the paranormal, creating a horrifying harmony.

I started the book on Kindle, switched to a dual read, and ultimately finished with the audiobook. The narration by Shane Ghostkeeper, Marin Ireland, and Owen Teale perfectly captures the emotion and voice of each POV. But I’m glad I began with the ebook—SGJ’s words need to be absorbed, not just heard, because they're simply too rich and layered.

SGJ is a great writer! I loved the historical fiction component and the multiple POVs that switched Bayern past and present. The vampire aspect was also well done. It was a bit of a slow burn for me though,

I love everything written by Stephen Graham Jones so I was excited to pick up this book. The writing is indicative of the time period this book is set in, 1912, so it was more difficult for me to get immersed in the story at first. Once I was able to catch on to the writing style and the different points of view, the story captivated my interest more and more. You have to expect a certain amount of gore and violence with SGJ works, and this does not disappoint, however there is so much more depth to this story. Histories of genocide and colonialism are woven into the story masterfully. Although the subject matter can be difficult to read at times (check the trigger warnings), it is still well worth the read. I would recommend any book written by SGJ and that includes this one. Thank you Saga Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

“What I am is the Indian who can’t die. I’m the worst dream America ever had.”

A vampire story unlike any other i have read before. I have not stopped thinking about this book since I finished it. It has a quiet type of horror element about it that when reading the scenes my skin was crawling but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the pages. There are nods to traditional elements of vampirism as well as entirely new characteristics that I found to be so creative and interesting.

This is the story of a professor named Etsy who receives an uncovered journal from her ancestor who was a Lutheran pastor, and the journal recounts a series of discussions with a Blackfoot man who claims he is a vampire. I would say this is historical horror fiction??? Is that a thing? There IS history in here! i had never heard of the Bear River Massacre / Marias Massacre before but i am of course not at all shocked that this occurred. That is one of the events this story centers on and ripples out to include so much more.

I really want to circle back and reiterate how COOL vampirism is in this book. I love vampires and really love what Stephen Graham Jones has added to the Vampire Lore here. I don’t want to spoil anything but just know that it RULES.

This is my first by SGJ and there is simply nothing like finding a new favorite author. I can’t wait to get started on his backlist.

The audiobook is also incredible, with three different narrators bringing Etsy, Good Stab, and Arthur to life. As this novel is epistolary, the narration really feels like you are reading these letters and are transported to the time that the letters were written. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Thank you to saga press & netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! Out now!!!