Thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for the eARC.

Stephen Graham Jones novels are always so intriguing to me. I love the premise, the synopsis, I am excited to read it, and then I struggle to get through it. I am not sure if it is his writing style, content, or just a self issue, but I wanted to love this more than I did.

A chilling vampire tale that will stay with you long after you finish the last page, Stephen Graham Jones' THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER is a masterpiece that should enter the ranks of top vampire fiction.

Reviewing this is complicated for me. It's a good book, weel thought, smartly written, with a great story. But not for me. Yes the writing style is great, fitting for the time the story is set, but it was grating to me. Not because it's hard, I easily follow sparwling sentence and words I don't know. But something in the rhythm just didn't work.
Same goes for the pacing of the story. There is great build up to create a sense of place and atmosphere, but it was too slow and almost boring for me. It's something I encounter a lot with certain kind of horror.

All in all, a good book, but I'm not the reader for it.

It was hard to imagine Stephen Graham Jones ever topping the voice of Jade Daniels as a literary creation, yet here I am –almost done with my second read-through of The Indian Lake Trilogy– and completely in awe of Good Stab and Arthur Beaucarne, the dueling banjos of this century plus spanning vampire revenge epic. The depths of darkness, deeply human and fantastical, that Jones makes his characters claw their way into and out of throughout "The Buffalo Hunter Hunter" are a feat in and of themselves. But, like with Jade in Indian Lake, it's their humanity that shines through the writing as the epistolary novel slowly inverts the relationship between confessor and confessee. An impressive display of imagination from cover to cover, Jones has delivered an instant horror classic that can sit comfortably next to the greatest volumes of vampiric fiction.

“What I am is the Indian who can’t die. I’m the worst dream America ever had.”

This is the type of story that creeps up on you slowly. You sit down to read a chapter or two every night before bed, and then all of a sudden The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is the only thing that you can spend your days and nights thinking about. Yes, I am talking about my own personal reading experience of this novel — I have not been able to stop thinking about it since I was about 20% in.

This is bleak. It’s bloody, it’s gory, and it’ll leave readers with a spine-tingling, chest-tightening sense of utter dread. The prose in this novel is evocative and the characterization is masterful — Good Stab and Arthur Beaucarne both feel like real historical figures.

Stephen Graham Jones shines as an author as he blends both supernatural and real life horrors with the historical fiction genre. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is his best novel yet, in my opinion, and it cements him as this generation’s king of horror, with a fresh voice and skillful pen.

Thank you to Saga Press and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review posted to Goodreads 3/9/25.

Review to be posted to Instagram upon release week, and in my March reading wrap up at the beginning of April.

Despite some major flaws, I do recommend this. It has a wonderful mix of gothic, folklore, and history, and much of it feels very original and hard to pin down. The characters Good Stab and Three Persons are fascinating and slippery, neither one hero nor villain, and the way their relationship develops and intensifies is terrific. On the other hand, the book is overlong and often repetitive, and I found the framing story to be weak and unnecessary, especially the ending. But I still recommend this because its high points are so strong.

This was my first SGJ book. I really enjoyed his writing and the flow of the story. I do believe it was a little longer than it needed to be but it was great, anyway.

I had to google a lot of the words he used while talking as Good Stab in this novel. I learned a lot about that time in history and that part of the country. Historic horror is not an easy genre to write in but this author definitely nailed it. I also loved the way in which the story was told, mostly journal entries.

THANK YOU SAGA PRESS FOR THE HONOR OF READING THIS ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE OF AN ARC.

Another gut-wrenching novel from the inimitable Stephen Graham Jones. I couldn’t even begin to try and relay all my thoughts. Stunning per usual for my favorite author. The setting was brilliant, perspectives well-fleshed out. A vampire story for a new generation, one ready to accept the atrocities committed by our ancestors. You will have to accept that you may not always know what the two primary characters are saying, but it doesn’t change the impact of the story. Bravo, Stephen.

This much anticipated story, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, gave me what I wanted in a way I didn't know I needed. Horror is the genera I live and breathe because it's societies mirror at it's worst, and being native is something I hold near and dear. The two delivered together was beautiful, sad and full of so many feelings, akin to a found favorite blanket with woven stories made by a deceased loved one. If you are also a native reader, perhaps you will feel this special connection aside from it being an exceptional novel.

Jones found a way to discuss points of history through the lens of horror, with the horror being both unwashed native stories and wickedly tasteful monster horror. He has proven to be a master of writing in a timepiece. Not once did he veer from the selected time, and the language used was so immersive that the picture playing in my head was vivid. His story is multilayered in the sense of a modern day character discovering an old journal, bringing us to this time period, in addition, the characters in the story sharing the layers to their back stories, most beautifully done with Good Stab. We go through so much emotion as he experiences changes he would have never wanted or wish for his family including the ones we learn play important roles in the natural world around him. We experience his character before, during and after with points of great growth. The during phase was so intriguing with learning about his new self and how he interpreted all the points through discovery making battles within himself and the world around him my truly favorite experience of the novel. The creativity that went into the Cat Man and what it meant to be this new creature and how to exist was a wonderfully unique experience.

If you aren't intrigued by now, I'm shocked, but if you're looking for the gore factor in this novel, I promise you will not be disappointed. This element is done creatively and with much purpose. Moments both in battle and in personal struggle are experienced in such a degree, so be ready.

This whole novel has a tone that I just love. There are moments of sorrow and pain. There are moments of anger and revenge. This is a potent read with a lot to say and process if certain topics are new to you. I suppose a few passages wouldn't hurt.

The depravity of a man's heart knows no floor, and everyone in this hard country has a sordid chapter in the story of their life, that their either trying to atone for, or stay ahead of. It's what binds us together. 3%

It's like if you tore down your dead-man-cross up there and dragged it though the street, then burned it, and then made water on the ashes. Your god would leave you, then, and your whole world. That's what was happening to me, and I didn't even know it, was only thinking about many shots-gun. 15%

It was the old meat and tobacco smoke, rum and leather and dried blood, and the picture it made in my head was a sound, was thunder but deeper, and I screamed with rage to hear it, because I was hearing it again, but I couldn't remember from where. 22%

If you asked why I did what I did, why I became what I became and went to war against the hide-hunters, then watch me right here, letting those calves suck on my fingers in the darkness, and knowing that the few of them that didn't starve, the big-mouths were going to pull them down, and the one or two that got away from that were going to starve, still calling for their mothers. 36%

What I am is the Indian who can't die.
I' the worst dream America ever had. 38%

"It flies above every camp of dead Indians. I will always pull them down. You put your reminders of pain on the wall and pray to them. We still hurt, we don't need that reminder." 56%

"I understand," he said, however. "You wanted to make us cry. And so you did. You wanted our land, so you took it. You wanted us out of the way, so you killed us in our lodges. Is there more to it, Three-Persons?' 70%

My Rating: ⭐️3.75⭐️
Publication Date: 3/18/2025

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠, 𝐼 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒, 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎, 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑚𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔.

In Jones’s latest novel, a diary written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor is discovered in a wall. Its contents transcribe interviews with a Blackfoot named Good Stab, who shares the narrative of his life over a series of confessions to the pastor.

I struggled to find the words to accurately rate this story. I have read a few books by SGJ and have come to understand that I will either love his writing style, or struggle with it. The story was incredibly well developed and the perfect slow burn, but I struggled with his writing style. The story constantly changes perspectives between the Lutheran pastor and Good Stab. While it took me a while to grasp the language style of Good Stab’s POV, I found myself ravenous for his engaging story. The pastor’s POV was rough. I struggled to get through the overly wordy descriptions of his passages, but I believe this to be an accurate way to write this character for the time. It was just hard to get through.

I loved the historical horror elements and found myself pausing the book to research the actual events behind this story. It goes into detail about the Marias Massacre in 1870, where the U.S. Army slaughtered almost 200 innocent Piegan Blackfeet Natives. It also details what caused the death of nearly 600 Blackfeet Natives during the Starvation Winter.

This is an incredibly emotional read and, at times, I felt overwhelmed and had to take breaks due to the harrowing depictions of violence. I also loved the vampire elements of this story, which surprised me because I normally dislike anything to do with vampires. This was the one element that I couldn’t get enough of. It’s written very similarly to Interview with a Vampire, and I loved how this was done.

Overall, I enjoyed this read for the historical elements along with the unique story. It’s a fantastic Native American revenge story, and if you enjoy historical horror with a paranormal twist, along with Jones’s unique writing style, I highly recommend picking this one up.

Thank you so much to Saga Press and Netgalley for giving me access to the eARC of this book for my honest review.

4.5⭐
Incredibly sad, quite gruesome, and I couldn’t put it down.

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"You can’t stop a country from happening, Good Stab.”
“But we were already a nation. We didn’t ask for you to come.”

Stephen Graham Jones has done it again—The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is my favorite of his books yet! This novel is a fresh, haunting take on the vampire myth, seamlessly blending historical fiction with immersive horror.

At its core, the book is deeply tied to the real-life Marias Massacre of 1870, in which U.S. soldiers murdered over 200 Blackfoot people. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, starting with that of Etsy Beaucarne, a professor struggling to secure tenure. She comes into possession of her great-great-great-great-grandfather’s journal—Arthur Beaucarne, a Lutheran pastor in Miles City, Montana in the early 1900s. Arthur’s journal recounts a chilling encounter with Good Stab, a Native American man who visits his church with an unbelievable tale. The novel weaves between Etsy’s present-day research, Arthur’s written account, and Good Stab’s direct narration.

I encourage readers to be patient with the writing style—it takes a little time to adjust. Both Good Stab and Arthur speak in voices authentic to their time and character, which, while immersive, requires a few chapters to fully settle into. But once I did, I was completely captivated.

SGJ is a master of atmospheric horror. When Good Stab tells his story, the tension is relentless. I physically could not put the book down. The horror here isn’t just supernatural—it’s rooted in real atrocities, making it all the more devastating. And the vampires? This is hands-down the most original and thought-provoking take on vampires I’ve ever read. The mechanics of how they feed, what they consume, and the consequences of their existence are utterly fascinating. Also, there were some really well done twists related to the vampires that I did not see coming at all!

"We're all but pigs in the style, and our moments of repose when we can see beyond the with and violence of our lives are few and far between"

Few books truly scare me, but this one did. There were moments where I felt a creeping dread settle over me, where my heart raced as I turned the page. What SGJ achieves with Good Stab as a character is next level—he is unforgettable, tragic, and utterly terrifying.

"With enough blood in me, I can see colors in the night, and I can taste these colors, and I can hear the roots of trees, reaching one piece of dirt deeper in."

Beyond the horror, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is an unflinching exploration of history. Many Americans are aware, at least in broad strokes, of the destruction inflicted upon Native communities during the country’s formation. But this book, even as fiction, taught me. It made me sit with the weight of that history in a way few novels ever have.

I cannot recommend this book enough—even to those who don’t typically read horror. This is a story that needs to be read. I will be thinking about Good Stab and his haunting words for a long time to come.

"What I am is the Indian who can't die. I'm the worst dream America ever had."

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones releases on March 18. A huge thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the advanced physical and e-ARC. Also, thanks to Libro.fm for the audiobook.

Historical fiction meets horror in this incredible work of fiction from Stephen Graham Jones. The great granddaughter of a Lutheran preacher discover a crumbling old journal recounting the confessions of a Blackfeet man called "Good Stab" on how he was turned into a "catman" (vampire) and all the lives he's taken since. But is he really looking for absolution-- or revenge?

4.75 ⭐️ rounded up to 5 ⭐️

There’s something about jaw-droppingly amazing books that leave me completely unsure of where to start my review. I guess with that, this book was amazing. I’m not sure if it’s weird to call a heavy and gorey horror novel beautiful but this book was.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is an awesome combination of Interview with the Vampire and Frankenstein with its own unique spin that left me with such great impact. We see a man, a priest, haunted by a Native American vampire told through the priest’s journals as read by one of his descendants. Jones’ ability to write so distinctly between each of the narrators was amazing to read. Each of the three characters are so different, and so Them, it really did feel like a different person was writing each person.

My only negative is that occasionally the writing became a little confusing and hard for me to follow, which ultimately took me out of the story. I do think that it was intentional, to mirror our narrator’s mental state, but it happened enough that it slowed down my reading. This is definitely just a personal thing, however, and others might not even notice it.

The way the story unfolds is a masterclass in narrative structure and storytelling. Jones leaves a sublime trail of breadcrumbs that leaves the reader desperate for more. This book is devastating and a hard look at American history through the scope of a horror novel. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is dark and violent but powerful and poignant, it’s definitely worth the read even if you’re not a horror fan.

This is the first book I’ve read by Stephen Graham Jones but, after finishing this, his other work has definitely made it onto my TBR.

I love Stephen Graham Jones but this one isn’t working for me. The long chapters leave me confused. I tried my best :( I would read him again though for sure!!

Note: Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the opportunity read an e-ARC of this novel!

This book was savored over many days. The juxtaposition of Arthur and Good Stab's narration such an experience to read and come back to as we piece together the mystery of Good Stab's motives and life. This book forces you to confront and grapple with the purposefulness with which Native Americans were murdered, starved, and forced from their native lands.

Told in journal-writings of Lutheran priest Arthur Beaucarne and Beaucarne's recordings of Good Stab's own narration, and the perspective of Beaucarne's great-great-great granddaughter at the beginning and the end, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter tackles the genocide of Native Americans at the hands of white colonizers, and the purposeful near-extinction of buffalo with chilling detail and expert story-telling.

The horror in this is sometimes thrust in your face with the bloody history Good Stab recounts, and at others is a lingering dread rising further and further within you until you begin to choke on it. Several times I had to put my phone down and come to terms with what was happening, which only heightened what the book was laying out and saying.

This is the first book I've read from Stephen Graham Jones--I applied for this ARC on the off-chance I would get it--though I've been meaning to read his work, which has just moved up in my to-read priorities.

For fans of Dracula, Stephen Graham Jones' other works, and revenge stories, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a horrifying tale of the crimes of the United States, gore, and revenge.

Thank you netgalley & saga press for gifting me this advanced reader copy

have you ever felt like a book was burrowing itself under your skin and rewriting parts of you? that’s how this book was for me. what an amazing story that hides behind this beautiful cover.

the Buffalo hunter hunter is a gripping horror and western novel following a Lutheran priest and a vampire. The story is told through transcripts and spans across years with a gruesome story between both of our main characters.

I won’t lie it took me a while to really adjust to SGJ writing. During the chapters from the pastors point of view I had a hard time focusing and not getting sleepy. but once Good Stab started sharing his story, I was enthralled and found this book to be so heartbreaking and gruesome.

The gore in this one was great, it definitely made me squeamish and I think we need more vampire and horror novels like this! SGJ definitely wasn’t afraid of “going there” he’s very gifted at his craft!

It’s really hard for me to put into words or speak about the story told. I physically felt my heart ache during multiples points. This book really brings to light the pain and heartbreak of being an immortal blood thirsty being. Weasel Plume I love you forever

I really felt the pain and knowledge in SGJ’s writing. This is a book of fiction but it’s filled with so much history and massacres that really happened, and it makes it hard to read. I mourn for what was lost and for the indigenous people who are still being affected. Please read into the Marias Massacre before or after reading this. Like I said there’s real pain and anger behind this story and Good Stab was justified in all of it.

Thank you again the saga press, Stephen graham jones, and netgalley for this ARC copy!

"The Buffalo Hunter Hunter" by Stephen Graham Jones is a 4-star historical fiction read! Etsy, a struggling professor, receives word of a discovery at a construction site that could be the key to revitalizing her career. The find connects her to her great-great-grandfather, Arthur Beaucarne, a Lutheran pastor who, in 1912, documented the chilling "confession" of a mysterious visitor recounting the fate of his Indian tribe.

I haven’t read many vampire stories, so I was excited to give this one a try. Much of the novel unfolds through diary entries from 1912, but the events themselves take place in the 1870s. There’s plenty of gore for those who enjoy that element of horror. However, at times, the pacing felt slow, and I wished the story had maintained stronger forward momentum. I also think the novel would have been more impactful if it hadn’t returned to 2012—I believe it could have ended in a more satisfying way.

Overall, this was an intriguing read, and I look forward to picking up another book by Stephen Graham Jones!

Thanks to Saga Press, Stephen Graham Jones, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

This is a book to be savored and enjoyed, and although I am a very fast reader, I found myself slowing down just so I could delight in each word and description.

A modern day woman finds the journal of her great grandfather, a minister in 1912, and begins reading the story of Good Stab, a Blackfeet vampire who, little by little, tells the story of his life (and post-life existence) to the minister. There is a reason for everything in this story, and Good Stab certainly has his own reasons for revealing what he is.

Stephen Graham Jones is a master storyteller. I found myself easily picturing the settings and hearing Good Stab's voice as he told his long and painful tale, each detail of Blackfeet life and death vibrant like blood on snow. I also enjoyed the lore of the story, the way that the blood a vampire drinks begins to change him. You are what you eat, indeed.

My first SGJ book, but definitely not the last.

Stephen Graham Jones truly gets better each and every book I read. He has covered all the subgenres of horror and has added indigenous folklore and culture effortlessly into these typical tropes. I have a soft spot for historical horror so I knew this one would be a hit for me. And I was right!