This is a book that almost feels like two different genres, and the uniqueness of this really stood out to me. The present timeline reads like contemporary literature as characters on a reservation are reeling with the sudden loss of a loved one, where the mid-eighties timeline reads more like a coming of age story infused with a combination of historical legend, horror, and magical realism.

Through both perspectives, characters deal with heavy topics that an alarming number of Native peoples face in real life, like multigenerational poverty and traumas that lead to substance abuse, complex familial dynamics, struggles to stay connected to culture, and/or mental health struggles.

As the mysteries of the past start to intersect with the events unfolding in the present, secrets and stories and family histories come to light in an emotionally compelling way that also kept me on the edge of my seat.

I will definitely be picking up Medina’s other works! Please check the content warnings, as there are several.


Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing House for the advanced copy of this book!

While this has horror listed as the first genre, I felt like it took a little too long to get to the blend of horror, folklore, myth and mystery I was looking for. The buildup was very slow between 20-40% and I started to lose momentum waiting for something to happen.

However, the slow build really gives the reader a chance to immerse themselves in the realities the community is facing and so much of it taken from real life from grief, increased suicide rates of the Native communities, generational trauma, substance abuse, mental health issues, and likely more I am forgetting.

The complexity of these issues is also told through a dual timeline. The scenes from Louie's perspective are in the 80s and from Noemi's perspective are current day. This rounds out how long lasting these issues are, but also how deep seated the horror aspects are in their world.

I have struggled to read this novel for several weeks, starting and stopping multiple times. I've tried the digital version and the audio, and I cannot connect with the story or the characters. The pace is far slower than expected from a horror novel, with nothing to fear other than picking the book up again. The audio is jarring, with two VERY different narration styles and cadence. I don't think this is a bad book; it's just not right for me. I'm from Louisiana and really hoped to connect with that aspect of the story, but there's very little atmosphere or reference to the setting. I appreciate the Native American lore and wanted more of this, yet this gets lost in the day-to-day minutia of Louis' life and the inner turmoil Noemi is experiencing. Meanwhile, there's nothing scary about this story. DNF at 40%.

3.5 stars

I like the way Nick Medina writes. This is my second book by him and I enjoyed his debut, Girls of a Lost Nation more. I enjoyed Noemi’s narrator, but did not like Louie’s.

The story was intriguing and I can see myself reading more books by the author.

Thank you netgalley and Berkley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

✨Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina✨

Genre: Horror
Pages: 370

📚All Noemi Broussard wanted was a fresh start. With a new boyfriend who actually treats her right and a plan to move from the reservation she grew up on—just like her beloved Uncle Louie before her—things are finally looking up for Noemi. Until the news of her boyfriend’s apparent suicide brings her world crumbling down.

But the facts about Roddy’s death just don’t add up, and Noemi isn’t the only one who suspects that something menacing might be lurking within their tribal lands.

After over a decade away, Uncle Louie has returned to the reservation, bringing with him a past full of secrets, horror, and what might be the key to determining Roddy’s true cause of death. Together, Noemi and Louie set out to find answers…but as they get closer to the truth, Noemi begins to wonder whether it might be best for some secrets to remain buried.

📝Spirits and possession are common themes within Native American/Indigenous lore, which makes Medina’s work particularly chilling because the concept of possession terrifies me.

The story not only delves into evil from a supernatural perspective, but it poignantly sheds light on our own human capacity to be evil.

My only critique is the chapters alternate between past and present (especially when we switch POVs from Noemi to Louie). It took me a little bit to pick up on that so I was slightly confused at the beginning.

Will be picking up Sisters of the Lost Nation, another book by this author!

💫Thank you to @berkleypub for my #gifted copy💫

This was very slow paced, which made it difficult to stay engaged. In the end, I’m still not entirely sure I know what happened to Noemi’s boyfriend, but still appreciated reading about Uncle Louie’s life on the reservation and their cultural practices.

Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina was a brilliant idea for a story. However, I feel this book was too long. I'm also not one who does well with horror and this definitely takes you there. The whole idea of this story was genius! It felt so real reading it even though I knew it was fiction. The author did a great job with this book.

Thank you Berkley Publishing for my review copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

As much as I wanted to love this book, the slow burn and never delivered horror missed the mark for me. It was an easily bingeable book, with a lot of heartbreaking themes and stories to tell, but it never fully delivered the emotions I hoped and wished to feel while reading this book. Mixing realistic pain and a paranomal storyline wasn't it. It lacked on both fronts, not quite hitting the mark on either. I will definitely read more books by this author, as you can tell he's a good story teller, and has a lot to share.

I am not really a fan of horror, so that aspect of the book did not excite me. There was a lot of mysticism and supernatural elements as well.
I did think the author did a good job of dealing with grief, alcoholism, family issues, and other issues that affect the Native American community living on a reservation. I also did enjoy the mystery aspect of the story.

This was an excellent book. Medina crafts a mystery thriller with horror elements that has cultural depth and delivers on the emotional subplots, unsettling imagery, and social issues related to indigenous communities.

This was my first read by this author, but I will definitely be picking up his previous novel!

Bit of a slow start, definitely picks up. Great characters, not too "horror" but there are a few spots that will make you sit up and read faster.

Let’s start simple: I loved Indian Burial Ground. Set on the Takoda reservation (the same fictional tribe found in Medina’s previous book, Sisters of the Lost Nation) in Louisiana, this is a dual timeline novel that follows 40-year-old Noemi in the present day, and her uncle Louie, then aged 17, in the summer of 1986. The two stories eventually converge as Louie slowly tells Noemi all about what happened the summer she was three as they follow a dying coyote together the night after Roddy’s death.

Although there are two timelines/points of view here, it’s really in Louie’s story that all the action happens. Through his younger self, we learn the legends of the Takoda tribe, and follow the increasingly disturbing and terrifying events of 1986. It’s this story that really shone out to me. It was dark and uncomfortable, filled with more of a twisting sense of dread than jump out of your seat horror. That feeling of foreboding builds throughout the story into what feels like an inevitable final battle that pits good against evil, and the modern day against legend. The final battle was strange, and I feel that I might have more appreciation for it if I had grown up with my own tribal legends, but I loved the twist that came at the end and that I hadn’t even remotely seen coming.

One thing I do want to note is that I don't feel that the blurb going around for Indian Burial Ground is an accurate representation of the book whatsoever. The blurb centres Noemi as the heart of the book, however, I found that her story almost felt like an afterthought compared to Louie’s. To me, it also lacked resolution, leaving me wondering why we had spent so much time with it. I honestly believe you could chop out Noemi’s story entirely, and it wouldn’t make that much of a difference overall, which is a shame as it felt as if it had potential right until the end.

That being said, this is a brilliant work of horror and one that I think will stick with me long after I finished reading it. The descriptions of the rez and its people were vivid enough that I felt as if I were there, walking its dusty trails and watching out for impossible things in the dirt. It’s a book I will be highly recommending, although I would also advise checking out trigger warnings in advance as some of the content is disturbing to say the least. Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC.

Rating: 4/5

**4.5-stars rounded up**

After reading Nick Medina's story, Quantam, in the Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology, Never Whistle at Night, I knew I needed to pick up more of his work. It was one of my favorites of that collection. I loved his storytelling style and couldn't wait to be immersed in another one of his creative tales.

In this story, we follow two perspectives: Noemi and Louie. Noemi provides us with a Contemporary Mystery. While Louie, Noemi's Uncle, delivers us a beautifully-executed Coming of Age Horror element.

In present day, Noemi's boyfriend, Roddy, dies suddenly and tragically. There's a lot of mystery surrounding his death, but the authorities categorize it as a suicide. That doesn't track for Noemi though, who feels like something more sinister may be at play upon their tribal lands.
Just prior to receiving this tragic news, Noemi's Uncle Louie shows up on her doorstep, in town for an upcoming powwow. After more than a decade away, it's a bit of an awkward reunion, but soon enough Uncle and Niece are bonding just like old times.

When Louie hears the news of Roddy's mysterious death, it brings to mind for him some very dark memories, all of which occurred in the Summer when he was 16-years old. We alter back and forth between Noemi, taking us through the current events, and Louie recounting what happened on the reservation, all those years ago.

Medina wastes no time jumping into the intrigue of this story. The very start is fascinating, as we get a glimpse into the events surrounding Roddy's death. I was immediately impressed with the writing. IMO, Medina just has a natural storyteller's voice. The way he delivered this story, specifically the sections from Louie's perspective, felt like Louie was speaking his story directly to me.

You forget that you are reading a book. It feels that fluid, and comes across as an actual person would tell the story of their life, versus an author trying to impress you with all the big words they know...

This is exactly the type of writing that I like to read!

It was fascinating to go back and forth between the two perspectives. I couldn't see right away how Louie's past was going to help Noemi understand her present, and I loved how Medina ultimately wove the two together. The Coming of Age aspect was the highlight for me, but I think as a genre blend, this worked together so well.

The Horror imagery itself was very well-crafted. There were some truly unsettling moments. Things that gave me downright chills. It was never difficult picturing exactly what was happening to these characters. I loved the examination of the real life horrors, as well. Particularly in regards to addiction, which really is its own vampire in a way, isn't it?

Additionally, the family drama and other events occurring on the reservation brought a heavy emotional component to the story. This one definitely moved me and the ending hit me like a punch to the gut. Ultimately, Louie's story will live on, rent free in my heart forever, and ever, Amen. This is a special book.

A slow burn mix of Indigenous Horror with a powerful Coming of Age story; what's not to love about that? The themes explored and rich quality of storytelling are impressive to say the least.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is for sure on my Most Memorable List for 2024!!!

I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of this novel ever since stumbling across Nick Medina's debut novel, Sisters of the Lost Nation. Medina, a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and a Chicago local, draws upon his native folklore and history to craft mystery thrillers (with a dash of horror) that both incorporate Indigenous culture and raise awareness about contemporary Indigenous struggles. Sisters of the Lost Nation, for example, draws from various Native folktales about a rolling/disembodied head, but also seeks to encourage support and activism for #MMIWG (Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls). Indian Burial Ground, Medina's second book, is a prequel/follow-up to Sisters, but is most accurately a companion novel--readers don't need to read one to understand the other. If you do, there are some wonderful cameos of central and significant characters that readers will welcome like old friends. (Hi, Anna!) This book focuses more on the Takoda Tribe's origin story (starring alligators), with a dash of Coyote, and haunted by a mysterious malevolent entity.

Indian Burial Ground follows Louie and Noemi (first appearing as supporting characters in Sisters) as they navigate life on the rez before and after the establishment of the casino featured in Book One. Louie's story is mostly told in the prequel chapters, and follows his coming-of-age story as he struggles with an alcoholic mother, his role as a teenage uncle (Noemi is his niece), and a tribe that has not yet found financial support. Future adult Noemi, on the other hand, must come to terms with the sudden death (possible suicide) of her boyfriend and the stigma regarding mental health on the rez.

Medina's storytelling masterfully weaves traditional tales with suspense, drawing the reader in while constantly wondering which accounts to believe. Mystery blends with supernatural, leaving the border between reality and imagination blurred: a technique he demonstrated skillfully in Sisters, and which returns in Indian Burial Ground. Medina is also adept at plot twists--even at the very end, the reader is kept on their toes. Will their guess be correct? What element(s) did they miss? While this novel does answer some questions left at the end of Sisters, more remain...but fear not--Medina has already announced plans for a third installment of the series!

Indian Burial Ground is perfect for fans of quick, short chapters; multi-POV narration; and alternating timelines. This is definitely a page-turner focused on humanizing social issues through the lens of individual perspectives. Fans of ambiguous supernatural elements and mythology will enjoy this book, though it is not for the faint of heart. If you enjoy Stephen Graham Jones, Oskar Hokeah, and Killers of the Flower Moon, this is a book for you!

I absolutely loved this read! This as has been my most enjoyable read so far this year. I think Nick Medina did a great job of setting the tone of the book right from the start. It was spooky and eerie and the way he blurred the lines between reality and realism was great. This story was full of heartbreak and misery and I think it handled a lot of the topics seen among the native community with great care and regard. I think the author tackles the topic of generational trauma well and really highlights how it can seep into a person's soul and wreak havoc. Closing the story out with healing was an awesome way to highlight the importance of dealing with ones trauma and not being afraid to utilize services that help tackle mental health issues.

I finished Indian Burial Ground tonight and immediately want to go reread Sisters of the Lost Nation. Nick Medina’s sophomore novel is similar to his debut in that he tells a story about family life on a reservation, but ties it to Native American mythology in a way that will grip you and keep you captivated all the way through. I loved following both timelines, but there was something truly special about Louie’s storyline. I just absolutely loved his character, and I was scared for him and rooting for him as he sought to uncover the mystery of the Takoda Vampire. I enjoyed seeing characters and locations from SotLN pop up in Indian Burial Ground and even though they are technically standalones, I think you’d appreciate the story more if you read SotLN first.

Also, I will always be weary of an open casket from now on.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a review copy. I can’t wait to see what Nick has in store for us next.

A beautiful heartbreaking story, this was evocative and impactful, a real punch in the gut read! The writing was fantastic I loved the dual POV, fully immersive writing

In a similar realm of "Get Out," where horror is used as a way to highlight dark, timely topics like mental health or marginalized persons' trauma, is “Indian Burial Ground” by Nick Medina. The author returns to the fictional Takoda reservation he brought to life in “Sisters of the Lost Nation” with a story that blends the past and the present, and mythical and the real. Similar to Medina’s debut, which touched on the murdered and missing epidemic of Indigenous women and girls, in “Indian Burial Ground,” he again addresses issues impacting Native U.S. communities. This time, the focus is suicide and alcoholism. Dual timelines detail multiple bizarre deaths plaguing the lives of 38-year-old Noemi and her Uncle Louie in the modern day, and 17-year-old Louie in the mid-eighties. An eerie, uneasy force pulsates throughout the novel as Noemi, Louie, and the reader unveil secrets and release darkness, but beyond this cloud of fear and dismay shines a message of hope.

This wasn’t my usual read but I flew through it! INDIAN BURIAL GROUND is a bone chilling story that follows a family in crisis as they confront the spirits and demons that they thought had long been buried, dealing with the horrors of both the supernatural and earthly variety. It’s a character-driven horror novel about generational drama that’s filled with mythology and tribal lore and highlights the social issues that many marginalized people living on reservations often experience, including mental health, suicide, alcoholism, and violence.

This was unlike any story I’ve read before. I love stepping into new genres and I really enjoyed this one. I especially enjoyed learning more about tribal traditions and lore and I loved how the author weaves mental health advocacy throughout the book to raise awareness of the staggering rates seen within Native American communities.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing for the advanced digital copy! INDIAN BURIAL GROUND is out now.

This book was way outside my comfort zone, but I’m so glad I picked it up. This slow burn mystery with Native folklore and supernatural elements delivered on the horror. It was creepy, eerie, and unsettling.

A look at life on an Indian reservation through the eyes of a dysfunctional family was enlightening. These characters struggle with the impact of trauma, alcoholism, suicide, and mental health issues. I enjoyed seeing how the two main characters leaned on each other in the past and present. Their connection provides hope in this otherwise dark, heartbreaking story.

This isn’t an easy read. The subject matter is heavy, the timelines can be confusing, and there are a lot of characters. However, I found it thought provoking and fascinating.

Indian Burial Ground is a good choice for those who enjoy character driven, slow burn, mystery/horror books.

Thank you to Berkley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.