This book was something else. I enjoyed it so much that I actually went out an picked up the book from the local bookstore! It is a trilogy, and I can't wait to have them all in my collection. What is not to love? Jade loves horror films, has a mind that knows them all, catalogued to the T. She is in her own world and while some find comfort and safety in romance, food, friends, etc not Jade. Take away though, if you aren't a horror fan, don't want to hear all about horror films this one may not float your boat. For me, I enjoyed it. All of it!

Thank you Saga Press Books and Netgalley for a gifted ebook!
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Thanks to my friend @kerasalwaysreading for recommending me this book as part of the 12booksin12months challenge!

It’s been 10 days I finished reading this book and I still keep thinking about Jade Daniels, who is obsessed with slasher horror and final girls but thinks she doesn’t have what it takes to be one. She has a heart of gold even though she doesn’t believe so, and the entire town of Proofrock, Idado treats her like an outcast, making her feel trapped and self-conscious in a small town. For anyone who reads this book, I think we can all see a little bit of Jade Daniels in ourselves, which made the story relatable to me, even though it’s a slasher horror!

I can also see why everyone loves Stephen Graham Jones’ books. His writing is raw and like a conversational dialogue which makes me feel like I was inside the story and all the characters were speaking to me, alongside me.

The first two-thirds of the book are a slow burn with a lot of character development particularly with Jade. The last 30% or so of the book is where all the action takes place nonstop and makes for every horror reader’s dream! I realize I’m one of the last horror bookstagrammers who have read Book 1 of the trilogy but I’m so glad I finally got to it! I can’t wait to read book 2 and also book 3, 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍 𝑶𝒇 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑳𝒂𝒌𝒆, which comes out March 26! Woohoo!!

Jade Daniels has the 'tism, doesn't she? The girl didn't grow up with the best childhood or the best parents as examples for her young life. The people in her town don't really care for her and she's extremely knowledgeable when it comes to horror movies. When people start showing up dead, she predicts what's going to happen next based on what she knows from her favorite movies. She's just a girl with lots of emotions, trying to figure out her way through life like the rest of us and narrating what's happening around her as she tries to make sense of it all.

This was my second read from Stephen Graham Jones. I did enjoy this - but probably not as much as The Only Good Indians…I think my main concern was that I didn’t LOVE Jade - she kinda got on my nerves a bit, making silly choices etc. Hopefully she grows on me as I am looking forward to moving on to Don’t Fear The Reaper.

One of the best crime/thriller writers out there. My Heart is a Chainsaw has all the twists and turns of all the horrors you know and love but from the lens of a trouble teen who is sure she knows why the string of murders local to her are happening.

For lovers of horror and slasher movies, this book is a perfect read. The writing is so complex and interesting. It’s not an easy read, but when I finished it, I couldn’t wait to read the next book in the series.

My Heart Is A Chainsaw really rocked! It's got characters you're invested in, and an antagonist you won't want to miss.

If you’re looking for a great book to read for the spooky season, then this is it! My Heart Is A Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones reads like a good scary movie, which makes sense since the main character Jade is obsessed with slasher films.
Jade Daniels is an indigenous outcast with an abusive father, an absent mother.
She lives in her own world in a town that doesn’t seem to like having her in it. Jade finds solace I watching and studying horror movies, especially the ones where a masked killer seeks revenge on a world that wronged them.
The story unfolds as Jade seems to predict and we are left reading about the horrors that in old this town and Indian lake.
For me this was a page turner! I’m happy to see this is a trilogy and I have two more to read after this one.

I've really enjoyed other books by Stephen Graham Jones, but I could not connect with the narrative voice in this book. I found myself getting confused mid-sentence and rereading things. I was so excited for this one, but it was ultimately difficult to follow and I set it down without finishing.

Full disclosure: I am a person who had nightmares after watching Scary Movie. I was not a fan of slasher movies and I was nervous to read this book.

Much to my delight, this book is fantastic. 17 year old Jade lives her life through the lens of a slasher movie. The violence in slashers makes sense and follows a pattern. Jade sees the signs that a slasher cycle is starting in her small town of Proofrock Idaho. If you ask her, she'll tell you all about it, and even if you don't ask, she'll still tell you all about it.

While she's alone in believing a massacre is on the way, she has people who care about help. There's sheriff Hardy, but everyone knows that law enforcement is useless against a slasher. There's her history teacher Mr. Holmes, but he's the crazy old man no one believes. And then there's the new girl at school, Letha. Letha is the perfect final girl. She's beautiful, smart, kind and most importantly pure.

When the summer death toll ramps up, Jade excitedly lurks around town, preparing Letha to become the final girl.

The author creates a deep and understandable character in Jade. I could absolutely understand her connection to slasher movies and how this makes it difficult for her to connect to others. The side characters could be as two dimensional as their slasher counterparts, but they are also fully realized characters. I don't think I've had such a clear view of a cast in a book.

The finale is a masterpiece. In my opinion it's up there with battle scenes from Game of Thrones. It's chaotic, but the writing makes it easy to follow.

I cannot recommend this book enough, even if you don't like slashers!

Loved everything about this, from the wildly relatable main character (whose love of horror movies shines throughout this entire book) to the "slasher" aspect. This isn't my first Stephen Graham Jones book, and it won't be the last -- I LOVED THIS!

Gosh, where to start? There is so much going on in this novel from the introduction of the main characters to the slasher storyline to the countless movie references that had me looking everything up. Its almost a novel version of a very specific type of encyclopedia. I loved it. Jade is a fully realized character and the twist backstory was so welcome. Highly recommended.

This book definitely had some tangents and felt a little (dare I say) boring BUT I still realllly enjoyed it overall! Slasher books with a female lead love it!

4.4 stars

Embrace the horror and dive into a twisted tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

My Heart Is a Chainsaw is the ultimate homage to all things horror, a journey through blood-soaked plots and masked killers that will captivate your imagination. If you're a fan of horror fiction and the slasher genre you likely love this book! It's a perfect pick for readers who enjoy complex characters, slow-burning mysteries, and reading about trauma and its effects on individuals.

Jade is a half-Indian teenager living in a rural lake town. She's an outcast lover of horror films, especially slasher movies. As mysterious and violent events start happening in her town, Jade believes that a real-life slasher plot is unfolding. The novel combines elements of horror, thriller, and mystery as Jade navigates the line between her obsession with horror movies and the potentially dangerous reality she perceives.

Here are 10 reasons why you NEED to read it:

🎬 Unforgettable Homage: Experience a masterful tribute to horror, packed with references and nods to iconic slasher films.
🩸 Complex Protagonist: Follow Jade Daniels, a unique and intricate character who finds solace in the blood-soaked world of horror.
🌑 Twisted Plot Unfolds: Watch as the lines blur between reality and horror, with Jade's predictions taking a terrifyingly accurate turn.
🎃 Perfect Fall Read: Set in a rural lake town, this book is a perfect companion for autumn, with its chilling atmosphere and suspenseful plot.
💔 Unveiling Trauma: Dive into Jade's mind as she battles personal demons and uncovers the scars she hides beneath her horror obsession.
🔍 Slasher 101: Immerse yourself in Jade's Slasher 101 papers, offering an in-depth analysis of horror's most iconic moments.
💀 Slow-Burn Suspense: Allow the tension to build as you explore the depths of Proofrock, a town with a history as dark as its secrets.
🪓 Gritty Realism: Experience horror on a visceral level, from the gore to the genuine emotions that flow through every page.
🌟 Unique Perspective: See the world through Jade's eyes, a girl who defies convention and turns the slasher genre on its head.
💖 Unforgettable Ending: Brace yourself for an ending that will leave you stunned and haunted long after you've closed the book.

You may not like this book if you a fan of slow-burning narratives. The story's pacing is deliberately slow, allowing readers to immerse themselves in Jade's mind, which is intricately linked to her fascination with the horror genre. The book provides an in-depth look at the conventions, history, and tropes of slasher films, making it a treat for horror aficionados who relish dissecting the intricacies of this genre. The book takes its time to establish the characters, the town's dynamics, and Jade's psychological state. Also, be aware that this book offers plenty of graphic violence and gore, and contains topics of abuse.

If you're a fan of horror, especially slasher films, and enjoy character-driven stories that explore deep psychological themes, and stories where the lines between reality and horror fiction blur, this is a must-read!

Wonderful! Passionately written and just felt like someone laid their heart on the page. Wonderful! Passionately written and just felt like someone laid their heart on the page. Wonderful! Passionately written and just felt like someone laid their heart on the page.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Unfortunately, this was not for me. I was unable to get past the first few chapters. I believe this is just an issue of my taste not aligning with the story. I recommend others try it!

4 stars

I love SGJ and consider him to be one of my favorite authors and I always am pained to give him something other than 5 stars. I loved Jade's character, but she goes on long endless tangents and spirals that often take the reader out of the pacing of the story. I would say I was bored for a good 1/3 of the book from about page 100-200 because it was tangents after tangents after tangents (you get the picture). The opening 100 pages were so good and that last 100 pages were AMAZING, but everything leading up to it had moments where I was enthralled or were of me forcing myself to truck forward and complete the book. I love a good slasher novel, but I am realizing I rarely give them more than 4-stars. I loved the last portion of this book though. It was so strong and absolutely cemented my love for Jade's character. I'm looking forward to book 2 in the Indian Lake Trilogy and I'm hoping to have more of a connection to it now that I'm used to Jade's ramblings and inner monologues.

I liked this book for the most part. In some parts it got really hokey and sometimes it was hard to follow. I found my mind drifting and thinking about different things when I was reading. I wish it would have packed a little bit more punch or grabbed my attention a little bit more.

A final girl fest for the year. Twisted backstory, horror film enthusiast, and a slasher with a vendetta are all a few of my favorite things.

I was so intrigued by this book going into it, I love slasher films and anything horror. But holy moly, I cannot read anymore of this book. I made it to page 130 before throwing in the towel, I don’t understand the hype with this book. The dialogue is terrible, I’m confused as all get out, when does the actual scary stuff start? I made the mistake (or blessing) of looking up some reviews and I think I’m glad I’m stopping where I am.

Many thanks to Saga Press for the gifted copy.