Wow.

Okay, I loved “My Heart is a Chainsaw,” thought it was fantastic and Jade a fantastic character. This sequel gives us everything Chainsaw did and more. We get Jade — now going by her birth name of Jennifer — years later, having been in prison and finally gotten released, and trying to live a normal life. Of course, that happens to be just when a serial killer named Dark Mill South escapes while being transported nearby, and things go even more horribly wrong from there.

Jones doesn’t repeat his last story, but he is absolutely exploring the trauma — on both Jade/Jennifer and the town of Proofrock as a whole — of the events of the first book. We get more POV characters than previously, and while we get the same “student explains things to a teacher” interstitials, it’s a different student, different teacher, and different set of explanations.

At risk of oversimplifying, if you liked the first book, you’ll probably like this. Similarly, if you were one of the folks who bounced off the first book or found it unsatisfying, I’m not sure this’ll be your cup of tea; I think a lot of folks wanted more of a traditional slasher, instead of an often-literary horror novel that happens to center around a slasher-obsessed character, and while we do get a few more explicit “slasher-style” scenes, that’s not what this story is about.

While this is the middle book of a trilogy, it, like the first one, tells a complete story even as it sets up elements of the next book. Absolutely fantastic.

It was great to be back with Jade/Jennifer and co with this second installment. I loved her opening scene, and what a surprise at the end of it! I wasn’t sure where things could go after the first book, which I didn’t know at the time was the first of a trilogy, but the time jump worked perfectly for the events of next storyline.
This is not my usual genre, but I like Jones so much, I just had to read it, and I’m eager already for book 3. Not being a slasher movie fan myself, I’m sure I’m missing some Easter eggs and references, but he does a nice job explaining without over-explaining, so I wasn’t lost.
Like a slasher movie, it’s extremely gory, which anyone who read the first book should know to expect. This one ramps up the gore, I think, which is maybe comparable to slasher sequels? I’m guessing at that.
As in other Jones books I’ve read, I really liked the acknowledgements at the end, where the author provides personal history that relates to his main character and literary influences, besides the standard thanks to the folks who helped and sweet notes to his family.

I absolutely loved Don't Fear the Reaper, Stephen Graham Jones' follow up to 2021's My Heart is a Chainsaw.

The book brings Jade Daniels back to Proofrock, Idaho. She's been in some legal trouble following the events of Chainsaw and is finally released into the world on the weekend of the winter's biggest snowstorm. Coincidentally, the nation's deadliest serial killer, Dark Mill South is being transported across state lines for trial. The inclement weather impacts the caravan and he escapes into Proofrock . . .

This is the premise of the 2nd book in the Lake Witch Trilogy, and the bodies hit the floor from the beginning. Like Randy Meeks in Scream 2, Stephen Graham Jones knows the rules for surviving a horror sequel, and he employs them to great effect in this book.

What are Randy's rules?

1. The body count is always bigger.
2. The death scenes are much more elaborate. More blood, more gore. Carnage candy.
3. Never assume the killer is dead.

The first best thing about this book is that the body count is bigger and the death scenes are more elaborate. The slow pace of Chainsaw (which I absolutely loved) kept some readers from fully enjoying the book. If they come back for round 2, they'll find the pace faster, and the kills coming in frequently. Overall, more bodies give fans of the slasher genre what they want.

Gruesome deaths.

The second thing I loved about this book is the character development of multiple characters in the book. Stephen Graham Jones uses multiple points of view to not only draw the reader into the narrative, but also to help the reader understand the motivations of many of Proofrock's townies. This allows the reader to root for, fear, or understand those people Jade interacts with. It gives the story a different kind of depth than Chainsaw, which was mainly told from Jade's point of view. Now the reader gets to gaze on the ramifications of the Independence Day Massacre from the townsfolk, people who now understand the trauma of being a survivor--they relate to Jade in more ways than they did in the first book.

The third thing I loved about the book is how the kills in this book correspond to kills in the movies he references. I also loved that he updates the movie references with movies that have come out in the last 4-5 years. This adds a nice flavor to the book for those readers who also love slasher films.

The fourth thing I loved in the books is Jade's character development. She's changed, and finds herself wary of slashers. She becomes the experienced leader some of these townsfolk need in a time of crisis.

The fifth thing I loved about the book is how we have a new student writing history papers. In Chainsaw, the Slasher 101 papers from Jade gave us insight into who she was and how she viewed the world. The Slasher 102 papers from the student (no spoilers as to who it is), keeps the reader grounded in all the local lore so you can have a compass as to what's happening in the book.

This book, for the most part, is more accessible than Chainsaw.

This leads me to a few drawbacks of the book. Like his other work, Stephen Graham Jones writes with a nuance that makes the reader work to understand some of the narrative. This nuance is less straightforward than some readers like and might keep them from moving on. It's literary at times, and you have to work to understand what's happening.

Second. The book also suffers from so much going on (this was a drawback in Chainsaw as well). You have to remember so many characters, events, local urban legends and more that it becomes difficult to keep the story straight.

However, for those willing to put in the effort, you will be rewarded. Stephen Graham Jones has created a masterful book to explore the nature of survival. In Chainsaw it was Jade's survival from the trauma of abuse and derelict family he explored. In this narrative, he explores the survival of grief, loss, guilt, and other facets of being human.

Overall I absolutely loved the book and don't have to worry about Randy Meeks' opinion of sequels. According to him, "Sequels suck! By definition alone, they're inferior films."

Good thing this isn't a sequel. It's a trilogy.

I personally can't wait for the third installment.

P.S. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

if you liked My Heart is a Chainsaw I can almost guarantee that you're gonna love this book too. tbh, I liked it more than the first one (which actually surprised me, because I really really liked the first one).

some quick notes to whet your appetite but give zero spoilers;
- the pacing of this book is brutal. there is no meandering opening like in Chainsaw; action happens fast and it happens continuously. the slower sections that allowed for longer conversations felt like much-needed breathing room
- the vibe of December in Proofrock, ID was absolutely frigid and I am living for it. I finished reading this ARC during a heatwave in August and I spent a good portion of the book curled up in front of my portable heater. the atmospheric winter writing was just amazing
- the wearied surprise!final girl in Chainsaw is back with a sort of cult following now. "Jennifer" remains a phenomenal and fascinating protagonist. I never got sick of hearing from her and actually I quite enjoyed that the newer horror movie references went right over her head
- speaking of, if you like horror movies but you haven't sat through the classic 80s backlog, rest assured that this book has it all. the chapters are named after horror movies and let me tell you what, I cheered when there were references to It Follows and Happy Death Day
- the elk !!!! I will say nothing else about them but w o w
- do identical twins kind of weird you out? this book is definitely for you. the Ginger and Cinnamon show was done so well I genuinely didn't know which twin was which about 90% of the time they were on scene

imo, this felt more like a slasher than Chainsaw did. I think bc in Chainsaw there's such a long build-up, and it's good, but the huge massacre at the end wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Reaper has more of the vibe I wanted; high school seniors are dropping left and right and half of Proofrock doesn't even know because there's a bad winter storm blowing through. the mystery, the isolation, the confusion -- chef's kiss. this was just a great book and I am so so excited for it to be published so more people can read it and I can ask which twin they think was where.

small ps; I can't imagine squeamish people will be reading Reaper if they couldn't get through Chainsaw but please stay aware of the trigger warnings, there's quite a list. this book is brutal and no punches are pulled

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, it made my friends very very jealous 😇

I was excited to read this sequel. I've read several of the authors books and novellas. My heart is a chainsaw was one of my favorite books last year. Jade makes a great antihero, someone I naturally want to root for. The story was a slow burn, but a good burn. All of the mystery of who was behind the murders and returning characters did make the story a challenge to follow, but I had it sorted out by the middle. I can't wait to see where book 3 takes us!

I re-read My Heart is a Chainsaw right before digging into Don't Fear the Reaper and I'm glad I did! This is the second book in the series and while I'm sure you could read it on its own, I will be recommending reading them chronologically to my patrons. It's virtually impossible for me not to compare the two books, but I'm going to try my best.

Jade is back, this time a few years older and wiser. No more slasher references for Jade (who now goes by Jennifer) as she's tried to put the past behind her. But that's hard to do when she returns to her small town of Proofrock, years after the Fourth of July massacre. There, she reconnects with some of her old friends and acquaintances, observing how the town is doing after the mass traumatic event (spoiler alert: no one is doing well). When the bodies of high school students start turning up, and a serial killer is reportedly on the loose, it's up to Jade to figure out how to stop it from happening again.

My Heart is a Chainsaw was my #1 favorite horror title last year, and Reaper was a near-perfect sequel. For those who adore Stephen Graham Jones' ability to capture the interior lives of his characters, you won't be disappointed. Recommended to fans of slashers (duh) especially the Scream franchise.

Both absolutely creepy and exhilarating at the same time. I had so much fun reading this. I had so much fun going along the journey. I was spooked out and creeped out on multiple occasions or course! But I also feel like that was a given and was absolutely going to happen. Stephen graham Jones simply never lets me down in the spook factor. 5/5 stars!

After a disappointing first novel, I thought the premise of Don't Fear the Reaper held some promise that it might be better than the first, but it was a let down for me. I struggled to get through the first novel, and the same goes for this one. The writing is sluggish, forcing you to read pages and pages of inner thought that hinges itself on so many movie references that it's easy to get lost. I think the story itself, without all the extra add-ins, was fantastic and unique, but I could see many people giving up long before the story gets moving.

This is the perfect sequel to My Heart is a Chainsaw! i can hardly wait to get this one into my library. Our patrons love this kind of book and I often donate books that I like. I'll make sure to get a review done for goodreads.

Jade serves 4 years in jail for the events that happened at the end of My Heart Is A Chainsaw and is released the same day a serial killer escapes near Proofrock. Almost two days later in the middle of a snowstorm with phone lines down, a trail of bodies is left behind. Jade reunites with Letha as they track down the murder and save the town. Slasher trivia is thrown in this time by both Jade and Letha. It has the same feel of the first book, horror mixed with history of the town and a little bit of supernatural too. I'm looking forward to the next book!

This book was the perfect sequel to My Heart is a Chainsaw. Just brilliant the entire way through. The characters all developed into even cooler (or better) characters, and the Friday the 13th references were aplenty. Horror sequels are so tricky, but this one captured the heart of the original (pun not intended) while building on the established storylines. I enjoyed getting to read another story with Jade, and I am so excited for this to be released so I can tell everyone to read it. Stephen Graham Jones did it again, and I am so thankful for him.

When the best part of a new novel are the chapter headings - each borrowed from a slasher film of the past 20 or so years - you know you are in trouble. It was a cool and original idea, perhaps the only one in the book.

I looked forward to reading Don't Fear The Reaper. Stephen Graham Jones' sequel to his heart stopping My Heart is a Chaisaw. Chainsaw was fresh, told a compelling story, and had terrific characters and great pacing - qualities which Don't Fear the Reaper unfortunately lacks.

I read an advanced copy of Don't Fear The Reaper, courtesy of NetGalley, the author, and Simon and Schuster/Saga Press. in exchange for an honest review. I read about 20% of the book, before giving up in frustration and disappointment. I had too many other equally promising books waiting to be read. Oh, well.

Horror at its best. The incredible sequel of my heart is a chainsaw is out! I enjoyed this book immensely. I think the best part about it is horror but it’s still got a great story as an anchor. I couldn’t wait to revisit the setting.

Stephen Graham Jones is the modern master of horror. He's an automatic first purchase author and this title is no different.

Better than the first one. Jade, Letha, and a few other familiar faces are back in Proofrock as a serial killer escapes his armed convoy and the cycle of violence starts again.

Every chapter title is the title of a horror movie, which was a great little, added touch, and I got to add a couple of movies to my watchlist.

This is everything I want from a slasher novel and then some. The release is so far away, I don't want to say anything else that could come close to a spoiler, but if you liked the first one, you're going to love this.