December 12th, 2019, Jade returns to the rural lake town of Proofrock the same day as convicted Indigenous serial killer Dark Mill South escapes into town to complete his revenge killings, in this riveting sequel to My Heart Is a Chainsaw from New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones.
Four years after her tumultuous senior year, Jade Daniels is released from prison right before Christmas when her conviction is overturned. But life beyond bars takes a dangerous turn as soon as she returns to Proofrock. Convicted Serial Killer, Dark Mill South, seeking revenge for thirty-eight Dakota men hanged in 1862, escapes from his prison transfer due to a blizzard, just outside of Proofrock, Idaho.
Dark Mill South's Reunion Tour began on December 12th, 2019, a Thursday.
Thirty-six hours and twenty bodies later, on Friday the 13th, it would be over.
Title : Don't Fear The Reaper
Author : Stephen Graham Jones
Series : The Indian Lake trilogy (book two)
Format : eBook (overdrive)
Page Count : 457
Genre : horror / thriller
Publisher : S&S/Saga Press
Release Date : February 7, 2023
Reviewer : Hollis
Rating : ★ ★ ★.5
Hollis' 3.5 star review
I honestly can't believe I'm here with this rating and, dare I say it, having mostly loved (loved!) this read. Why? Because book one wasn't even a like. So, why did I even pick this up, you might ask? Because I ended up with an ARC of book three which I requested because I either confused myself into think I had read book two or I thought it was book two. I don't even know now. The whole thing (ie, my brain) was a mess. But boy am I glad I got accidentally forced back into this world because wow. This is what I expected (well, ish) from book one.
Which isn't to say it was smooth sailing. There are times I really do not gel with Jones' writing and I was feeling that awkwardness right from the beginning. But things evened out a bit as things picked up. And, also? This story, despite the horrible and occasionally graphic violence and also some bits that are hella side-eye worthy, was good.
Once again, you either really have to be into the slasher genre or at least be interested in it, and horror, to maybe really enjoy this. And maybe it's because I've watched a few more since 2021's My Heart is a Chainsaw but I was really into all the trivia and references flying about this time; it felt more accessible even if some of it was so niche and esoteric. In fact one of my favourite scenes was the discussion between our two final girls as they were hiding out and going back and forth and debating villains (IYKYK). Though, to be fair, every scene between Jade and Letha was great. Letha alone deserves five stars.
So, why not a higher rating? Well, again, some of the bits in here.. I didn't really understand and I'll point to some of my side-eye because it just felt.. bizarre. A little too much unreality and strangeness for me. And also because I am so utterly and completely confused about the twins. I'll have to skim some reviews for spoilers because every time I thought I was tracking things correctly, I was wrong. Maybe that's supposed to be the case, I don't know, but it's a little unsatisfying.
Overall though? I had a gruesomely great time with this and I can't wait to dive into the finale.
No comments:
Post a Comment