I feel like I need more time to digest this one but this was such a good book. It took me a little bit to get into at first, adjusting to the way the characters spoke, but I was hooked once cat man showed up. Very sad at parts but extremely well written and thought provoking. I’ve added all of Stephen Graham Jones books to my TBR!

Holy smokes. This book. I got an ARC of this book through Netgalley and was really excited to start it. Stephen Graham Jones is one of the most impressive horror writers that I've ever read, and a book about vampires? I was already sold. His telling of history through the eyes of a Lutheran pastor along with the confession of a strange indigenous man is like a beautifully written song, with scary stuff scattered throughout. The twists and turns are perfect, and I feel so pleased by all of it. Not only that but that's the narrative within the narrative because this journal is found over a hundred years later and brought to light when it was sent to the pastor's great great-grandaughter. History brought to the present in more ways than one, it's like Dracula with a whole new cast of characters and ones I kind of like better. Read it. It's amazing.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Stephen Graham Jones is an author I keep coming back to, because his books will either be a new favorite or they will be something that might not resonate with me completely, but I still know I'll be getting a memorable experience. I was very grateful to receive an early review copy of this one, even if I was a bit apprehensive going in because I'm typically not a fan of Historical Fiction. But the vampire aspect absolutely interested me!

Honestly, it took a long time to get used to the prose since I never read this genre, and the narration is written in a very specific dialect and tone. Both the POV of the Native American character, Good Stab, and the Lutheran preacher Arthur are written out in their very specific vocal patterns. This is certainly an achievement, but for a while I had a tough time understanding some of what was being said and even some of the plot itself. I've seen some reviewers note that they struggled specifically with figuring out what Good Stab meant when he used words like "Pointy Ears" to mean "horse," for example, but the context clues would help with this. It's the sort of writing that requires your full attention, and I did have to go back and read passages more than once to make sure I didn't misinterpret things. Luckily, it got easier. And once I learned the rhythm of things, I became much more invested. The sections narrated by Good Stab were more interesting to me than the ones told by Arthur, for the most part. (At least until closer to the end, when all sorts of Hell broke loose!)

Several different people are credited with saying various iterations of the phrase: “A story is only as good as its villain.” If that's the case, this story is strong as steel. It has more than one cruel and easy to hate bad guy, the kind of intimidating force that feels unstoppable. Good Stab is up against a lot of adversity, as well as having to deal with the monster within himself.

I thoroughly enjoyed discovering how the rules of these vampires worked. It was my favorite part of this book. There were some unique aspects I hadn’t seen before, which is no small feat. And the way Good Stab discovers his vampiritic traits happens organically within the story. Every time I discovered something new about Jones' unique version of this iconic monster, I was impressed by the creativity. Jones made vampires his own, and he even addresses this in the Afterword (which also includes many interesting bits of info about his writing process for this novel.) It's probably one of the more interesting Afterwords I've read in a while. 

The plot of this book went to WILD places I did not expect. I won't spoil anything, but there was what I can only vaguely describe as “Tusk” coded body horror, and that was what pushed my rating so high. The story is NOT for the faint of heart. I would maybe even go so far as to say that this is the most horrific of SGJ's books that I've read. It's incredibly violent and painfully bleak. There were moments that were truthfully difficult to read. But that was the point. Everyone suffers here, from the humans to the animals. Physically, mentally, spiritually. You as the reader must sit with it, feeling like a dying thing is writhing in your lap but there's nothing you can do about it but watch. There’s beauty, too. And horror fans will be handsomely rewarded. I did feel like I had to put the work in, due to how everything was written, but it also felt above my personal skill level as a reader even after all this time, so others may not have the same experience.

Why did I give it a 4.5, then? Well, mostly because I struggled so much in the beginning to get into it, and because of the density of the prose. Also: while Etsy’s part in the story made sense and served a purpose, her “quirky GORL” persona wore thin quickly. Her appearances in the plot served as bookends, in a way, and by the time she popped back up I had admittedly forgotten all about her. But Jones absolutely nailed the ending, leaving me with something unexpected and meaningful that will stay in my mind for a long time.

SGJ poured his heart and soul into this, and it shows. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to call it a masterpiece. It feels deeply personal. I do admit that there were moments in the “Third Act” when for me the dialogue bordered on melodrama, but I can forgive that easily based on the subject matter. (As a sidenote: I'm not sure if Jones will be reading this himself for the audiobook, but if not it would be an excellent opportunity for vocal talent to perform these roles.) I highly recommend this book to any horror fans who don't mind a "complicated" read and can handle the subject matter.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

<3 <3 <3 Weasel Plume <3 <3 <3

Biggest TW: Animal harm/death, Rape, Racism

4.25/5⭐️
I really enjoyed this book, I think it’s one of my favorites by SGJ that I’ve read so far. The way SGJ can take a classic horror character like a vampire and twist and turn and make it so unique and fit in with the Blackfeet was fabulous, one of the best things SGJ has worked up. I must say the core of this novel, the alternating chapters of The Absolution of Three-Persons and The Nachzerher’s Dark Gospel was perfect, no notes there; the tone, the alternating voices and plot lines, the dread and slow burn, the history and current (to Arthur Beaucarne) events, the mood and scene setting really pulled you in, all of it well done. The subtle, and not subtle, commentary on the genocide and colonization of Indians by white settlers was eye-opening and great as always.

My issue is with the rest of the novel, is that I did not care for Etsy and that storyline. In the acknowledgments SGJ’s states that some friends told him “Etsy’s frame story as it used to be wasn’t working, which made [him] have to look into that opening and closing, set at last that she wasn’t just a story-delivered, she was the story.” Unfortunately, as written the she still reads as the story-teller not the story. Which I think would have been fine if it was flushed out more, maybe if there was a break sooner from her reading the journal and showing us how that felt at the moment versus writing her thoughts on it down after. Or if SGJ did use her in more of a traditional storyteller sense, I think it would’ve been perfect. As is though Etsy and that storyline seem like an afterthought, that the publishers told him he couldn’t just write the story of Good Stab and Arthur.

With that being said though, this book was still phenomenal. The story of Good Stab and Arthur was so phenomenal that it didn’t matter that the rest fell flat. Take a bow Stephen, this novel is special.

Such a good and unique take on a "vampire story." But also so much more than that. Not really sure what to say about this book that doesn't give away the best parts. I struggled a little bit at the beginning of the book with the Blackfeet names for different places/animals, but once I got the hang of those terms/phrases it wasn't an issue. This book was a "slow burn" type of read in all of the good ways to interpret that phrase. It was sunk its' fangs into me and never let go until the end. At times it was sad, scary, gruesome and "peek through your fingers" tense, but always engaging and interesting. The bottom line is Stephen Graham Jones is one of those authors that no matter what he writes next, I will definitely be reading it.

I'm a little torn on this book. I appreciate it, but I'm not sure I enjoyed it. Having a story told from the POV of a Native American from the 1800s was not something that I have experienced in the past. Unfortunately, I found the book to be repetitive at times, and parts of it were a slog to get through. But I can appreciate a novel take on a vampire story, and this was definitely not a story I had read before. Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy.

DNF @ 25%
I gave this a fair shot, but unfortunately this book confirmed that Stephen Graham Jones' writing is just not for me. I find it to be confusing and obtuse, and although his books have interesting plots and important social commentary, I just cannot get past the writing to enjoy them.

If you are a fan of Stephen Graham Jones, I think you will still like this. If you are interested by the premise, pick it up.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

For me, this was perfection. I have read a lot of great books, but it has been a while since a book entirely engrossed me and touched me the way this one did. Not since Due’s the Reformatory have I been literally devastated that a book is over and immediately want to start it again, despite the fact that it broke my heart into a million pieces.

While I’m usually a fast reader, I took some time with this one for a few reasons. First, Stephen Graham Jones is my favorite author, and historical social horror and vampires are my favorite, so I have been very impatiently waiting for this book. I wanted to soak up every bit of it and I didn’t want to miss a thing, Secondly, most of the book is in the form of a journal from early 1900’s and it includes many historically accurate terms and language, including Indigenous words. That made the book all the more rich and incredible, but harder to read. Especially if you don’t want to miss anything.

As a vampire enthusiast, I am so excited about and impressed with Jones’ ability to create a wholly unique and terrifying version of the age old “monster.” I loved every single bit of it. And for those readers that enjoy body horror, gore, and intense violence, there is some of that as well.

The most incredible aspect of this book, to me, is the social historical aspect. Jones’ dedication to detail and historical accuracy in his depiction of the absolute evil and horrors of the genocide committed during early colonization (and beyond). The descriptions of the dead buffalo fields were gut wrenching and incredibly emotional. The depictions of the violence committed against Indigenous groups is horrific. But the most beautiful part is the portrayal of Indigenous groups and families, traditions and language, homes and lands. Just incredible.

This book is a masterpiece and it’s too bad it was my first read of 2025, because I don’t think anything is going to be able to top it.

Many many countless thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for the ARC to review.

_The Buffalo Hunter Hunter_ by Stephen Graham Jones is a disturbing and unputdownable historical fiction horror read with well-developed characters. In 2012, the diary of a Lutheran pastor is found in the wall of a construction site in Montana. The 1912 journal is transcribed by his relative Etsy and describes the life of a Blackfeet named Good Stab, as told by him to the pastor. A story of revenge and horror, this incredible novel will appeal to readers of multiple genres.

While slow at times, this is one of the most engaging and interesting takes on vampire lore I have read in a long time. This book was an amazing mix of emotional and horrific with a great twist of storytelling. I had to look up if 'vampire' was a spoiler but this is the blurb:

A chilling historical horror novel set in the American west in 1912 following a Lutheran priest who transcribes the life of a vampire who haunts the fields of the Blackfeet reservation looking for justice.

So I think I am ok.

My complaints are minor and don't match how great this ended up being. The central characters and perspectives are so fascinating and such an interesting way to tell the story. The horrors, both real and fictional, were chilling.

Overall, this was a great read and Jones is becoming a must-buy horror author for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
I hadn’t read anything by SGJ before, but after this I definitely will. This book is so beautifully and sorrowfully written, taking its time and yet somehow still maintaining tension. It took me a few chapters to get into, and the beginning of the story is certainly overwhelming if you don’t have any historical background knowledge. I expected a sharp, acrid book, but it goes so much deeper than that. Meaningful character development? Beautifully described landscapes? Body horror? Meticulously researched historical details? Incredibly satisfying revenge? Badass fight scenes? Genuinely this book has everything. I will end this by saying that it is an emotionally exhausting story, and it made me feel a kind of sad that I’ve only ever felt when I accidentally kill deer that are too young, but it is an incredible story.

I’m a pretty squeamish person, so I can’t say that I necessarily ENJOYED reading The Buffalo Hunter Hunter. It was like watching That One Scene in the movie Bone Tomahawk over and over and over. But the rest of the story, the non-gross parts? Compelling as hell. Stephen Graham Jones has written an incredible tale of sorrow and guilt and loss and anger, doused the whole thing in gore, and tied it all together with characters that you somehow loathe and like at the same time. It’s definitely a story that will stick with me for a very long time.

First of all, thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free e-copy of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones for review. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter comes after the incredible run of The Only Good Indians and The Indian Lake Trilogy and fully cements Stephen Graham Jones as one of horror's greatest living authors. Taking the themes explored over the course of those novels, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter expands on them through a historical lens. A Blackfeet vampire, named Good Stab, on a path of not only vengeance but redemption, interrogates a Lutheran pastor through a series of confessions. These moments told through Good Stab's eyes are slow-moving and dense with time period-specific vocabulary but ultimately make the present-day payoff rewarding. If you are already a fan of SGT The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a must. However, I would still recommend it for fans of horror and historical fiction.

Let me state that I’ve never read one of Stephen Graham Jones books before. The story unfolds piece by piece in the three different narratives. It could be considered a slow read at times, but overall, it was an absolutely compelling read and I did not want to put it down. It shall be a tenuous journey to shorten this tale into a synopsis with no spoilers, but I will state that this is worth the read!
It all begins with a journal from 1912 that is found in the wall of a church at a jobsite. Etsy Beaucarne, an associate professor of Communications and Journalism at the University of Wyoming shares the last name of the author of said journal, ie Arthur Beaucarne. She hopes to turn the journal of Arthur Beaucarne into a book that solidifies her tenure at the university she works for.
Arthur Beaucarne is Etsy’s great-great grandfather that was an elderly Lutheran pastor in Miles City, Montana in 1912. As a town and state that have not been established very long, Miles City seems to be going to hell in a handbasket when a man is found at the edge of the city with his skin removed, face painted, and body drained of blood. The excitement does not stop there, and more intriguing occurrences keep happening in the life of Arthur. Such as a Native American man with many names attending his Sunday services and stating he wants to confess his sins to the pastor.
Good Stab is a Blackfeet Native American that has lost both his wives and children by the time he turns 37 winters old. He is called on to assist with a mission to erase the evil chaos, death, and destruction that the white people want to blame on Natives. While hiding the grisly remnants of bodies and the wagons, Good Stab, Tall Dog, Peasy, and Hunts-to-the-Side find an iron cage with a person that cannot die from arrows or bullets. This is where I must leave you, so as to not spoil this fantastic book!

It took me much longer than it should have to finally pick up one of Stephen Graham Jones' books. I've always wanted to read them, but I'm a coward and can't really read horror novels without getting too frightened to function. However, when I was offered an ARC of this book, I decided to push past my fear and give it a shot. After all, it has two of my favorite things: vampires and history. And now that I've finished the novel, having read it in one day, I can confidently say that it was worth it.

This isn't an easy book to read. As other commentators have pointed out, I would highly recommend reading the "Piegan Blackfeet" and "Marias Massacre" Wikipedia articles before reading this novel. I would also recommend general reading on this period in American history, such as looking into the "American Indian Wars." I won't go so far as to say that this background information is necessary to understand the novel, because I think Jones does a nice job explaining it (even if some details are still confusing to me after reading), but it'll really help enchance the reading experience.

This is a very dark novel and it was difficult to read. The reason I rated it four stars was due to my personal enjoyment - I was often uncomfortable and struggled with numerous passages of the novel (trigger warnings for graphic gore/violence, animal death, genocide, etc.).

However, that makes it all the more valuable to me. I did have a background understanding of this period of history before reading, but now I feel like I've learned more after reading this novel. To me, this novel is Good Historical Fiction. Jones has expertly crafted a fictional narrative that <i>could be real</i> (minus the vampires, of course).

incredibly well done and strong horror novel with some very unique touches that i would definitely recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

First I would like to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for an early copy of this masterful book.

~ A chilling historical horror novel set in the American west in 1912 following a Lutheran priest who transcribes the life of a vampire who haunts the fields of the Blackfeet reservation looking for justice. ~

Although not typically the type of book I would reach for, I am very grateful to have experienced this unique, slow burn. The author did a fantastic job intertwining real life history into his fictional tale and it was so well written that even though it was pretty slow to start, I became so captivated and immersed, that I didn’t want to put it down. This is definitely a vampire story like no other and it will be on my mind for a long time to come.

However, I will admit that this tale is far from uplifting and you should definitely read the trigger warnings before going in as the amount of death (human & animal) and gore is quite profound. Also, knowing that this was written surrounding real events from history and real people (minus the vampire parts)- it makes some of the material that much more difficult to read.

Overall, If you’re looking for an impressive and impactful read and can stomach the heaviness of the storyline- look no further. Be prepared for the slower start but don’t worry, it’s worth it!

Stephen Graham Jones' "The Buffalo Hunter Hunter" is a masterful blend of horror and historical fiction that brings the American West to life in a way that's both chilling and captivating. The characters are so well-crafted, they feel like real people, and the incorporation of Native American lore adds a rich, authentic layer to the narrative. At times, the book is downright terrifying, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Jones' ability to weave history with horror is unparalleled, creating a story that's as thought-provoking as it is spine-tingling. The novel delves into themes of identity, trauma, and survival, making every page pulse with kinetic urgency.

Since finishing "The Buffalo Hunter Hunter", I've read another of Jones' works, and it was just as fantastic—fast-paced, exciting, and absolutely edge-of-your-seat gripping. Stephen Graham Jones is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read and landing on my list of favorite books ever was the story thread that opens and closes the book. In my opinion, this could have been cut.

But overall, this is a must-read. If you're a fan of horror that doesn't shy away from depth and cultural richness, run—don't walk—to get this one.

Alright folks, I took the plunge into the wild, historical depths of Stephen Graham Jones' 'The Buffalo Hunter Hunter', and let me tell you, it was a blood-soaked rollercoaster!

First off, historical fiction isn't usually my go-to, but how could I resist a vampire tale with a twist? Arthur, our pastor, and Good Stab, the Blackfeet vampire, took me on a slow, eerie journey through 1912 that had me highly interested, despite my usual resistance to time-travel in books. Yes, it was a bit of a slow burn for me, and I did have to nudge myself along the dusty historical roads a few times, but the payoff was worth it.

The gory bits? Absolutely loved them! Jones has this knack for making you squirm with delight and horror at the same time. Plus, the way he blends real Native American history with supernatural horror is nothing short of genius. Good Stab is a character that'll haunt you long after you've turned the last page.

So, if you're into a mix of rich historical detail and blood-curdling vampire lore, this is your next read. Just be ready for a bit of a slow start, but trust me, once the fangs come out, you won't want to put it down!

Can't wait to see what Jones conjures up next. This was my first read of his, but definitely not my last.

a five star read. This man is a genius and anything he writes is a work of art and I can't wait to read whatever comes next because this book was 5 fucking stars.