Historical fiction plus vampires was something new to me but I really enjoyed it. I just read his book I Was A Teenage Slasher so I was excited to read this and it did not disappoint. It kept me engaged and I finished it in one day.

Buffalo Hunter Hunter is one of many novels I've read from the masterclass Stephen Graham Jones. It might not be my absolute favorite of his but there is something special here. Plus, like so many of his other novels, it demands to be read.

Weasel Plume
I never knew you but GOD I miss you…
I couldn’t said it better myself this book makes you wish it was true. Revenge on the founding fathers for what so many of them did to the indigenous people is enough to give anyone white guilt. My heart breaks over the treatment the injustice and deaths
While three persons tore out the heart of Good Stabs people SGJ tore out my heart. This book is so good while the pacing is incredibly slow around halfway you can no longer put it down. I’m beginning to believe the man can not write a bad book 5 stars

I was very excited to read this one but just ended up not loving it. The writing was slow and hard to get through. I felt like the use of native terms added to the authenticity but made it hard to follow at times. There were also so many characters that were difficult to keep straight and ultimately not important to the story.

I think this book definitely has an audience I'm just not it.

Unlike any vampire horror I've ever read before because that's just how Stephen Graham Jones crafts a novel.

I found this much easier to read, somehow, than Only Good Indians in that the gore was easier, again somehow, to read.

The story is so incredibly rich, detailed, and well crafted. It even took my by surprise when the plot began to twist, which is a real thrill.

You should read this if you like horror in general, historical fiction, vampire stories, or really good genre bending fiction.

I don’t even know how to talk about this one. It’s a revenge story, it’s a beautiful work of epistolary fiction, and it’s one of those few instances of very different vampires that work. It’s gory and heartbreaking and I’m not used to horror making me feel things so strongly. It’s only April but The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is definitely in the running for best of 2025!

While horror is not my genre, the story of an indigenous vampire confessing to an aging Lutheran pastor with a less godly past and recorded in his journals to be discovered generations later by one of the clergyman's ancestors is compelling for readers of all types of fiction. The historical facts that serve as backdrop to this story are the true horror story.

True to Indigenous Lore and Darkly Gripping

This book is a masterful blend of dark horror and old west grit, reminiscent of the eerie atmosphere found in Alex Grecian's work. What truly sets it apart is how authentically it draws from Indigenous lore and tradition—respectful, rich, and immersive.

The storytelling format is excellent, with a structure that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The pacing hits just right—not too fast, not too slow—and each of the three narrative voices is compelling in its own way. They weave together beautifully, adding depth and tension in all the right places.

A standout for fans of genre-crossing horror with cultural weight and western edge.

What can I say about Stephen Graham Jones that I haven’t already said? I’m a huge fan and so happy I still have an extensive back catalogue of books and stories to catch up on. As of this review I have read 7 Novels, 8 Novellas/Short Stories, and I have written reviews for 4 of the novels. I had pre-ordered this from a publisher in the United Kingdom for a special edition but due to events outside of the publisher’s control, I will not be getting the hardcover special edition for a bit. Thankfully, I was approved by Saga Press and NetGalley for an eARC which allowed me to get into this right before the book was released.

Buffalo Hunter Hunter (BHH) is different than any of the stories I have read by Stephen Graham Jones so far. This is written like historical fiction. Starting in modern day as a renovation crew uncover a journal hidden in the walls of a parsonage. Translated and shared with Arthur Beaucarne’s great-great-granddaughter Etsy who is hoping this journal will lead to her tenure at the University she teaches at. The story is told from two viewpoints, one being Beaucarne, a Lutheran preacher nick-named Three-Persons, and the Native American vampire, Good Stab, who gave Beaucarne the nickname.

Stepping into the world of 1912, Good Stab recounts his life since the “Cat Man” changed him to the monster he has become. Good Stab talks of how he got his name, and his crusade to enact Blackfeet justice on the hunters who do not respect the spirit of the wild. We are included in the progression of Good Stab as he learns and copes with his new way of life. BHH does a great job paying homage to vampire mythology, but at the same time puts Stephen Graham Jones’s own spin on it. I enjoyed that Good Stab’s body burns blood like a car does gasoline and he has to replenish to continue. Just like gasoline, the higher quality of blood the longer he can go between feedings. What I found a fun change to the vampire mythology is depending on what Good Stab drinks, human/animal, it will cause changes in him that may present physically. If you are confused as to what i mean, you will just have to give it a read.

Talking technical, I really love Stephen Graham Jones’s writing style. Everything ties together so well by the end of the book and once you know the truth, or the twist, it is fun to remember previous scenes that gave little hints that seemed so minute at the time. The characters are very well developed and feel real. The book makes readers feel like you are living the lives of each character in tandem with them and not just an outside observer. One thing I loved was the little bits of levity thrown in. I got such a kick out of Beaucarne being gifted treats by his parsonage and he rationalizes why he ate a weeks worth of treats in one night. “Because warming my belly also warms theirs, yes.” The ones being referred to are the town folk recently found dead.

My thoughts on this, and I will be honest. Initially I was going to give this 4 glasses. I’m not a fan of historical fiction and I had to do some research to understand some of the vocabulary in this which is kind of a bummer. However, I finished this a few days ago and have been working on this review a bit at a time. the more time that passes the more I am thinking about this book. I find I am enjoying the book more and more having time to really process this emotions, depth, and viciousness of the book. Another 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃 book and one I will highly recommend. This is definitely one that needs to be pondered and enjoyed.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter dredges up the historical truth of the massacre, reminding us of the ways history is often written by the victors/colonisers, and consequently sanitised, whitewashed or buried. THE MOST THOUGHTFUL VAMPIRE NOVEL I'VE EVER READ, AND PROBABLY EVER WILL!!!

I think this is my favorite Jones book to date> I have become a big fan of this author over the years and he does such an amazing job at blending multiple genres with this latest novel of his. This is an instant classic written by one of the most haunting horror authors currently writing.

5/5

This book was brutal and beautiful. It was confusing and complex but also had such a wonderful flow to the writing. It did not hold back, it thrust you into the narrative and into a world and language you can barely keep track of and expected you to keep up. But once things started clicking and the flow took over it didn’t matter if you understood every word because the story was there and it really made you feel the pain of the characters.

This has been Stephen’s best book yet that I’ve read and he continues to really deliver stories with a real heart and equally real pain within. I loved it.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a dark, powerful mix of historical horror and revenge, told through journal entries from three different characters. The real horror here is the brutal history that actually happened. Good Stab’s way of speaking took me a while to get used to, especially since there’s no glossary, but I get why SGJ did it — he wasn’t trying to soften or make it easy. It made me slow down and really sit with the story, and it was worth it.

The story had a good plot but it was SO drawn out and I found my mind wandering off as I listened. The plot picked up towards the end, but I felt the payoff wasn't enough. Not my favorite read by this author.

4.5 Stars

"But we were already a nation...We didn't ask you to come.
...
"We just wanted to live"

Where do you begin writing a review where the true horror in the story wasn't the vampires, but our nation's history?

First - there are a lot of triggers in this book. If you are squeamish, definitely check them out.

I really enjoyed the journal entry style that led us through the majority of the book. I found myself theorizing about the pastor's past. I was always eager to find out more, and for heartbreakingly deserved, revenge.

This vampire lore was a bit different than what I've read before, a unique twist that I found incredibly interesting. This take on it also led our characters to make even more difficult decisions, piling on an additional mountain of guilt vs morals dilemma.

I'm a short chapter lover so some of these chapters were tough only because there wasn't a good stopping point when I had to stop (boo adulting!). Some portions were challenging to follow, but I at least understood the gist so I didn't feel I was missing the essence at any point.

I didn't care for Etsy at all, (also that name irritated me to no end, did you really want us thinking of online shopping every time?). I believe she was supposed to be in her forties but had the "voice" of a 21 year old. Her portion of the story is what brought the rating down by a half star.

Horror isn't my normal genre but I do enjoy historical fiction occasionally, with my fav genre being fantasy. This was a unique mix of all three, and I enjoyed the combination. I definitely recommend checking this out.

A few things you will find:

🦬 Revenge
🦬 Mutilation
🦬 Vampires
🦬 Depressing AF true portions of American History

A huge thank you to @sagapressbooks for the invite to read this on NetGalley, even after publication.

Is there anyone doing horror like Stephen Graham Jones? Nope. Not even close. Huge fan of all his works, but this might be his best work yet--and that is really saying something considering how much I loved I Was a Teenage Slasher! Would be surprised if this isn't the best horror novel of 2025.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a horrific, brutal comment into a very real piece of American history encompassed in a vampiric fiction piece. There were moments I physically cringed while reading about the violence and death that Graham depicts, but every moment was one that had me enthralled in the story that Good Stab had to tell. This was an incredibly unique take on vampirism and the way Graham interwove it with Native American lore was eye-opening and shed light on a brutal piece of American history. A Pukini vampire is on a brutal path of revenge against those who caused the decimation of his people and the buffalo. I couldn’t compare this work to any other piece of fiction and I think that is incredibly telling in itself- Graham had produced a masterpiece of historical-fiction horror! I will not soon forget the story of Good Stab, the cat man, and the buffalo.

Thank you Saga Press for providing me with an e-copy and an audiobook! All thoughts are my own.

*Review includes some minor spoilers.*

Stephen Graham Jones’ The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a historical, supernatural horror unique in that its historical facts are far more horrific than its fantastical elements.

Mongrels, SGJ’s werewolf novel, is one of my all-time favorite books. Naturally, when I heard that he was releasing a vampire novel I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on it. Ever since middle school I’ve never NOT been a vampire girly. I graduated from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Twilight to True Blood to Anne Rice’s novels and beyond. To this day I never seem to be without some type of vampire-related something or other going on!

This book is WORLDS away from the aforementioned vampire series. Instead, it is a raw, brutal, honest portrayal of America’s horrific past. As a former Social Studies teacher, I would recommend this to absolutely everyone for the history lesson alone. The vampire stuff? That’s just a bonus.

What I loved most about Mongrels was the depth of its characters. The same is true for this book. SGJ weaves the narrative in such a way that makes the characters seem so vivid and alive. Although it is told from alternating, opposing viewpoints, somehow by the end of the book you will find that you have become attached to both hero and villain. And to be clear, one of these characters is VERY much the villain.

Overall, this is easily in my top 5 books of the year thus far. A must read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It took a minute for me to figure out what was going on in this story because of the way the text is written in 1912 diagloue. Once i start to understand the diagloue better the story flowed much better. it was a most enjoyable for after that.

Me and this book started out rough. It wasn't written in the Stephen Graham Jones style I know and love. A historical fiction horror story, or more accurately, a story about the horror of a developing America, it's told by a present day woman reading a journal from a pastor in 1912 who is listening to a vampire's confession. I switched to audio about 1/4 way in and wow, incredible multicast narration.

With a really original take on vampires, Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a Native American revenge story, sparing nothing. A sort of retelling of a little known piece of cruel American history, The Marias Massacre, it is violent, brutal, and incredibly hard to hear. I can't even count the number of times my heart split right open.

And like I said, it took me a minute to adjust to the style of writing I was expecting, but once I did, it was a truly brilliant way to tell this story. And I did end up getting that SGJ style I love so much at the end in the present day. On the whole, Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a piece of exceptional writing showcasing important Native American history in an ingenious way. With lots of blood, lots of horror, and lots of truths wrapped up in a chilling vampire story.

Thanks so much to saga press for the audiobook and NetGalley for the ebook.