We are seeing some weird scenes on the reservation. A man with a promising career in newscasting inexplicably commits suicide by throwing himself in front of a car at night. An older woman, headed to sing at a wake, has presumably drowned herself in the river. Graves are being desecrated in the cemetery. At their vigils, corpses are sitting up to speak. Things are out of balance and the chilling suspicion is that the ancient Takoda Vampire is at hand.

Noemi Broussard is devastated. She cannot accept that her boyfriend would kill himself. She finds some solace in that her uncle Louie has just returned to the reservation after a ten-year absence. Louie is struck by the similarities he sees now and the circumstances that set him off into exile when he was young. In the 1980’s he shouldered the responsibility of caring for an alcoholic mother and raising young Noemi, at the same time some of the same supernatural occurrences were striking. Could he be the lightning rod drawing evil back to the reservation?

In his Acknowledgments, author Nick Medina recognizes the two “horrific and heartbreaking themes that run through this book–suicide and alcoholism.” These are triggers found in the book and in reality. Given the abject poverty and the generational trauma suffered, it is not hard to grasp that a catharsis found in the telling of horror finds a place in Native American literature.

Told in two timelines, the pacing is slow at first, but quickly draws you in. The sense of eeriness is maintained throughout, and the inclusion of the folklore adds to the atmosphere. Recommended for an ominous ride.

Thank you to the Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina!

Thank you Berkley for the e-copy of Indian Burial Ground in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 2nd book I’ve read by this author and one thing I’ve come to appreciate is the characters he writes. They just come alive on the pages and are so vivid that they tend to stay with you long after you finish the book. These characters have strong, distinct personalities which really make them stand out and that is so true with those we meet in this book. I became so invested in Noemi and Louie’s lives, & loved the dynamic between the two. I also appreciated the folklore that was woven throughout the story as generational trauma is touched upon and how it can have lasting effects. I alternated between the print and audio, as this worked best for me.

This was such a gripping supernatural thriller that blends horror with deep emotional and psychological layers. The story revolves around a group of characters who uncover unsettling truths tied to an ancient burial site. Medina's writing builds tension well, and the plot offers a mix of mystery and supernatural horror that culminates in a chilling finale. Overall, it's an intense and atmospheric read for fans of the genre.

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub for the free #gifted copy of this book. #berkleypartner

“Evil never really goes away. It just searches for its next opportunity to spread and possess and steal all our light. It relocates.”

Dark. Unsettling. Medina delivers another riveting thriller as he reclaims the narrative surrounding native burial grounds.

Told in dual perspective and timeline, Medina returns us to the fictional Takoda tribe from his debut. In the present day, we follow Noemi’s journey through grief after learning of her boyfriend’s apparent suicide. In the past timeline decades before, we meet teenage Louie, struggling to make sense of a series of mysterious deaths tied to the legend of the Takoda vampire.

Medina’s powerful storytelling kept me on edge and fully engaged. The slower pace and strong character focus enhanced the unnerving plot and heightened the wisdom found within the themes.

There was a satisfying dichotomy between the oppressive heat and humidity of the Louisiana summer and the chilling atmosphere of the reservation that loomed with terror. The setting itself became a living entity that breathed dread and tension over the storyline.

But most haunting was the unflinching look at generational curses- like poverty, suicide, and alcoholism- that plague the Indigenous community. With a seamless blending of horror and lore, Medina crafted a narrative that was as relatable as it is humanizing.

Rich in Native American mythology, Medina delivers another winning Indigenous horror/thriller, proving he has a strong future in this genre. I can’t wait to see what he does next!

Apr 27, 2024 ·
Indian Burial Ground is Nick Medina’s second novel and I will make a point of seeking out his first. This story takes place on the reservation in two time periods, the mid 1980s and the present day. We first meet Noemi in the present day, on what may be the worst night of her life. She’s planning to meet her boyfriend when she learns he is dead, a possible suicide. From this unsettling beginning, we are introduced to a family and community who have struggled over the years. Other major characters include Noemi’s mother, Lula, her uncle, Louie, and their mother, Ma, a barely functioning alcoholic.

It is through Louie’s teenage stories in the 1980s that we are introduced to much of the Indian folklore and origin myths that permeate this novel. These become important as Louie learns of the necessity of life and community being in balance. When balance of good and evil is lost, bad or evil can take power until balance is restored. And that imbalance can allow all sorts of havoc in life, including some horrific events. And there are some unnatural and unexpected events that occur here as life does become unbalanced during Louie’s teenage years, when Lula is a young mother of Noemi.

Themes related to both real world social issues and cultural heritage make this a strong and interesting story. And it’s well written as well as compelling.
Recommended reading.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. This review is my own.

It is a chilling horror mystery steeped in Native American mythology, cultural tensions, and eerie supernatural events. Noemi Broussard is a young woman on the cusp of starting a new chapter in her life. She’s leaving behind the reservation she grew up on, and her new boyfriend, Roddy, seems like a bright spot in her life. But everything unravels when Roddy is found dead in an apparent suicide. As Noemi struggles to make sense of his tragic death, she begins to suspect that something much darker is at play.

Things take an even more unsettling turn when Noemi’s Uncle Louie returns to the reservation after years of estrangement. Louie’s past is full of secrets and horrors, and his reappearance seems to coincide with disturbing occurrences—people acting strangely, and unexplained supernatural events. Together, Noemi and Louie are drawn into a hunt for the truth, which leads them deep into the myths and mysteries of their tribal lands.

But as the pieces begin to come together, Noemi wonders if the secrets they uncover are better left buried. The more they dig into Roddy’s death and the unsettling occurrences around the reservation, the more they risk unleashing something that could endanger them all.

Elements
- Mythological Horror
- Cultural Heritage and Identity
- Supernatural Thriller
- Family Secrets

Perfect for
- Thrillers with supernatural elements
- Mysteries set within Native American communities, highlighting cultural themes and mythologies
- Atmospheric horror novels with intricate character relationships

Indian Burial Ground promises to be a spine-chilling exploration of myth, culture, and family secrets. With haunting imagery and a fast-paced mystery at its core, this novel is perfect for readers who enjoy horror stories that blur the line between reality and the supernatural, all while providing a poignant exploration of Native American identity and history.

When Noemi, an Indigenous Louisianan, learns her long-time boyfriend has been killed in a mysterious accident, she struggles to figure out why. Her estranged uncle has returned to the reservation for the annual powwow and he may have answers. Decades before, when Noemi was just a toddler, a string of mysterious deaths rocked the reservation, and her Uncle Louie seemed to be at the center of it all. Switching between Noemi's point of view in the present day, and Louie's 16-year-old voice in 1986, this novel is a creeping horror story tied to Indigenous mythology and the generational trauma of Indigenous Americans. The pacing sometimes seemed more plodding than slow-burning, and while the resolution was interesting, I struggled to keep focus throughout. Not a bad read, just not a particularly memorable one.

Thank you to Berkley for the gifted copy! While this book had interesting elements, I felt that I wasn't able to get truly invested until halfway through. The dual timeline was somewhat confusing and the pacing was glacial. This was too much of a slow burn for me, and I would have enjoyed it more if the pacing was faster and the novel was shorter. I understand that's my preference though - the creepy elements and slow burn will be perfect for other readers!

This is a dual timeline horror following a family living on a reservation. I felt that both timelines were engaging, but Louie's was definitely more suspenseful and filled with more horrific elements, which I particularly preferred. The overall vibe of the story is more slow-paced and character driven with a lot of conversations on mental health and substance use. One thing I really appreciated in Medina's writing was his use of Indigenous stories and myths, which added such a unique element to the story.

I only wish Noemi's narrative was a little more fledged out during her timeline. Overall, this was a very intriguing story that I would definitely recommend!

This book was so well done. This has some magical elements in it that helps to discuss the story very heavy topics brought to the attention of the reader through this book, which is alcoholism and suicide. I felt like this gave a look into how these two things are hurting Native American communities, while also telling a very compelling story with magical realism elements. This was a heavy book, but it left quite an impression.

A tense read that bounces between the past and present while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. I think this will be a hit with Stephen Graham-Jones fans!

Review can be found on the Chinook Indian Nation blog: https://chinooknation.org/review-of-indian-burial-ground/

I feel so lucky to have been able to narrate this book alongside Gary farmer! As an actor, I’ve found that there are some books that are written so perfectly for performance. You’re able to settle into the character, feel her perspective and her deep emotions. You don’t always get that, but Nick Medina’s book had that. And I am so appreciative of that.

Indian Burial Ground is a horror novel following the perspectives of Noemi and her Uncle Louie. We follow Noemi in the immediate aftermath of her boyfriend’s alleged suicide, and mixed in are chapters where we learn about Louie’s past before he’d left the reservation. I really enjoy novels that are more character driven, and Medina’s characters are well-rounded, complex, and layered. The book covers grief, mental health, substance abuse issues, and more. And it handles it all with care. All wrapped within a horror that had me in its grips until the very end.

I highly recommend this book, and now I look forward to reading his debut novel ‘Sisters of the Lost Nation’.

Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina
.
Noemi is devastated by the death of her boyfriend and is convinced it could not be a suicide. Her Uncle Louie wants to help her get answers, especially since things are reminding him of what happened in his past.
.
Indian Burial Ground had two timelines: what was happening in the present with Noemi and Louie telling the story of what happened in the past.
Of the two storylines, Louie’s was better. It told a complete story of strange and scary things happening. Louie was very concerned about these things and he kept looking for answers and got them.
There is a strong theme throughout about addiction and the trauma that causes.
Noemi’s story was sad and seemed more like just the means to get Louie to tell his story, and also to see where Louie and others are at in the present day after everything that happened in the past.
So basically this is Louie’s story.
.
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 I liked Louie’s story and just felt so bad for everyone.

Solid book! Cool cover and the scary beginning pulled me in immediately. I appreciated the creepy moments and it gave me S.G. Jones vibes.

Things are looking up for Noemi Broussard. She’s got a boyfriend who treats her well and is moving back to the Reservation where she grew up. When her boyfriend dies by apparent suicide, things fall apart for her. But the details of his death don’t add up, and people start suspecting something sinister is lurking on their tribal lands.

Noemi’s uncle Louie has been away from the res for over a decade, and now that he’s back, he teams up with Noemi to discover what really happened to her boyfriend. Louie has insight into old secrets, but maybe it’s better to let the past stay buried.

This book explores the generational trauma of Indigenous folks and the damage that alcoholism does to these communities. Blending real world issues with traditional folklore, this book is what I love about horror. It takes our fears and real problems and uses supernatural and paranormal elements to help shed light on them. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Berkley Pub for the free e-arc! Wow! Nick Medina knows exactly how to set up a creepy and slow burn atmosphere in his stories. I enjoyed the duo POV set in different time periods that shows what could be happening in the present time. Although I did find the pacing of this story to be inconsistent, I can still appreciate that different cultures may just present storytelling a little different than what I am used to and that's okay too.
Medina did a great job in showing generational trauma through a horror lens. The ending was a great pay-off.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the eGalley.

I made it to 30% and DNF. The story was slow paced and what really made me put this down is the characters. I will try again later and see if my opinion changes.

I tried, but this one was not for me. As much as I enjoy a book that incorporates mystical Native American beliefs, I just could not connect with this book. Nothing against the writing. I listened to the audio and people might find the Uncle Louie narration a little frustrating in cadence - I listened at 1.8 speed and that helped.