Reviews with content warning for Abortion - Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

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Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

25 reviews

annemaries_shelves's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

4.25 stars

As with every anthology, there are some personal hits and some personal 'okays'. There wasn't a bad story in this bunch, though!

The editors did a fantastic job compiling a set of stories that alternately scare, unsettle, disturb, or otherwise make you feel something. There's an emphasis on themes of colonialism and racism, grief, hauntings and spirits, identity and family, and the unexplainable (either to the reader, to an individual outside a particular culture's set of traditions and knowledges, or to the characters themselves).

While some stories are more traditionally scary/disturbing, many land on the side of just unsettling or tense. I recommend readers go in without any expectations of mainstream horror or dark fiction to enhance your experience with the great storytelling found in this collection.

I truly enjoyed reading so many new to me authors (including some I've wanted to try for while) as well as revisiting some authors through their short stories.

My favourites include:
Kushtuka by Mathilda Zeller
White Hills by Rebecca Roanhorse
Navajos don't wear elk teeth by Conley Lyons
Snakes are born in the dark - D.H. Trujillo
Scariest. Story. Ever. by Richard Van Camp
Human Eaters by Royce K. Young Wolf
Sundays by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
The Scientist's Horror Story by Darcie Little Badger
Collections by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala
Limbs by Waubgeshig Rice

CW: rape (on-page rape of children at residential schools), murder, forced abortion, gore and body injuries, mental illness, drinking/alcohol abuse, colonialism, insects (ticks specifically), and more

Content Warnings

mmccombs's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.5

Probably one of the strongest short story anthologies I’ve ever read! I have read a fair amount of horror at this point and am often hard to please, and I’d say like 1/3 of these stories made me say “oh no” out loud which is hard to do! Obviously, I enjoyed some much more than others, but I was very impressed by how much these stories complimented each other while also providing such diverse approaches to and perspectives on horror. Some were more thriller-y, some classic feeling slashers, some very grounded in folklore, others sharp social commentaries. My favorites were Kushtuka, Tick Talk, Night in the Chrysalis, Behind Collin’s Eyes, and Uncle Robert Rides the Lightning (and SGJ’s foreword, which probably doesn’t count as a story but really hyped me up for the collection so I’ll give it a shoutout, too). This anthology has introduced me to a lot of new authors I’m excited about, I had a great spooky time reading this one!

Content Warnings

luckylulureads's review

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challenging dark reflective medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

readingwithkaitlyn's review

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

ericarobyn's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.75

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst is a collection of some of the most creative and unsettling tales I have ever had the opportunity to read. Covering a wide array of chilling topics, you never know what will be served up next.

CW: I added a few notes on content warnings for some of these tales. If you are cautious about your triggers, I would tread lightly here as the authors don’t shy away from the darkness. Click here to check out a full breakdown.

My Thoughts on Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. –

When this anthology was first announced, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy! When I requested it via NetGally, I was so thrilled to see I had been approved. Diving into the collection immediately, I was fully immersed in these stories.

My favorites from the collection included –

Kushtuka by Mathilda Zeller
Wingless by Marcie R. Rendon
Before I Go by Norris Black
Night in the Chrysalis by Tiffany Morris
Behind Colin’s Eyes by Shane Hawk
Night Moves by Andrea L. Rogers

Per usual, here are my notes on each tale:

Foreword by Stephen Graham Jones –

This is one of the best Forewords I’ve read in a very long time. Not only does this perfectly set the tone of the upcoming tales, but it also sheds light on so many key factors and drills home the feel of sitting around telling stories.

After reading this, I wanted to be sitting by a fire while I read these tales so badly.

Kushtuka by Mathilda Zeller –

Forced to work for a man who already wants to take advantage of her, this woman’s rage simmers just below the surface before it finally boils over.

PHEW. What a horrific and gore-filled tale. I was so nervous for this woman every step of the way. But that ending, man was that satisfying.

White Hills by Rebecca Roanhorse –
CW: Abortion.

Pleased with her absolutely picture-perfect life, this woman can’t wait to tell her husband about her pregnancy. But when a seemingly innocent comment sets him off, the news of the baby takes a very different turn than what she expected.

My gosh, my blood absolutely boiled for this poor woman. I cannot imagine living a life like hers, even if it had all the fancy things she loved. The lack of control she had under the careful watch of this family’s legacy was terrifying.

Navajos Don’t Wear Elk Teeth by Conley Lyons –
CW: Toxic relationship.

Caught up in a difficult and very controlling situation with an extremely forward person, this man doesn’t kick the guy out based simply on loneliness. But things keep getting more and more bizarre and the red flags can’t be ignored any longer.

After reading this tale, I had to take a walk around the room to loosen up as my entire body was super tense from the read. I haven’t had a physical reaction to a story like this in a long time. My gosh, that last line.

Wingless by Marcie R. Rendon –
CW: Child abuse.

As one of the two foster kids in the home, this kid is equally shocked and curious about the other kid’s interest in violence. Never one to shy away from making a scene, even when it ends in a brutal beating, the sibling continues to make waves. One day, the shy sibling will have their turn to display violence.

These poor kids! In a horrible living situation, I couldn’t help but root for them to find a way out.

Quantum by Nick Medina –
CW: Child abuse.

After getting the genetic results, this mother finds out that only one of her two sons has enough Indian blood to be considered one of them. After that, her obsession with her second son gets very intense.

It was horrible to see how this woman treated her children so differently. I assumed things changed after the blood test, but as we were dropped into the story there, I can be sure. Either way, my heart broke for her firstborn.

Hunger by Phoenix Boudreau –

Uninterested in a young man’s advances, this young woman leaves the party after denying his ego. Little does she know, this young man has been possessed by something and it is hungry…

Gosh, the entitlement of forcing itself on this young woman was so upsetting. But that ending was brilliant!

Tick Talk by Cherie Dimaline –

After the death of his parents, this man goes on a hunting trip only to pick up a tick.

What an awesome quiet grief horror tale! The focus on having something missing hits hard.

The Ones Who Killed Us by Brandon Hobson –

Determined to find the ones that killed their people, this group of men wanders. Thinking only of revenge and of their women who were killed, they aren’t afraid of what is to come.

This story is very heavy. Focusing on the brutality of white people as they invaded and took what wasn’t theirs, this one had me ready to cry numerous times throughout the read.

Snakes Are Born in the Dark by D. H. Trujillo –

Going on a hike with his cousin and her boyfriend, this man is shocked to see how horrible the boyfriend is. Not only disrespecting the native art, but making horrible racist comments. But soon, they get what’s coming to them.

My goodness, the anger that readers will feel with this one! If only all racists could have things like this happen. Hopefully, it would make them actually facilitate change.

Before I Go by Norris Black –

Going back to where her fiancé died on the one-year anniversary, this woman sees spirits but doesn’t heed one of their warnings as her grief is still too deep.

Such a powerful grief horror tale that reflects on things being better left alone.

Night in the Chrysalis by Tiffany Morris –

Spending the night in a new-to-her home that her aunt had purchased, this woman has trouble settling as she’s haunted by nightmares and spirits. All she can do is wait for the sunrise.

I’m so in love with the scene where a ghost tells her to leave and yet at the same time, slams the door shut so she can’t leave, and the main character calls her out for the contradiction. What a nightmare of a tale!

Behind Colin’s Eyes by Shane Hawk –

Before a hunting trip, this boy can’t sleep in anticipation. Unsure if his eyes are playing tricks on him, he tries to brush aside his fears in the night. But once in the woods, he sees things he can’t explain.

This tale was wildly eerie! I shivered a few times while reading, the setting was just so chilling. I’m obsessed with the way Shane blends beauty and darkness perfectly. For example, there was the section of terror in hiding from the being and the beauty of a father and son relationship, and a section where we see the beauty in the sunrise then the horror of the lost teeth, and so many more.

Heart-Shaped Clock by Kelli Jo Ford –

A son who just wants to be loved by his mother can’t help but keep getting himself into bad situations.

This one was absolutely heartbreaking.

Scariest. Story. Ever. by Richard Van Camp –
CW: Animal brutality.

Determined to meet with an elder to steal a story from him for an upcoming contest, this man doesn’t anticipate the elder seeing right through him.

Oh, I love stories within stories! The build-up for this was so good. Then the ending hits so fast! What a great tale!

Human Eaters by Royce K. Young Wolf –

Preparing two young boys for what needs to be done, she doesn’t hold back telling them what could go wrong. She needs the boys to do this correctly, otherwise the slight will continue to fail.

What an eerie story she tells of their legends. However, it’s not just lore. The creatures are right there, watching. I was so nervous reading this one! I hope the boys did well!

The Longest Street in the World by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. –

After a violent attack, a being appears in their real estate office with a bunch of heads. When a second visitor arrives, things just keep going sideways.

This tale was so bizarre and fun, but also super tense and blood-boiling! What a wild mix.

Dead Owls by Mona Susan Power –

Spending time with her Aunt, this young girl is chilled after seeing a horror film and questions if the house is haunted. One night in her dreams, she’ll learn about the troubles.

This was such a soft horror tale based on everyday life, but also digs deeper into history and past trauma on the lands.

The Prepper by Morgan Talty –

While spending time with his dying grandfather, this young man becomes absolutely convinced that zombies are coming. Preparing for the downfall, he falls deeper and deeper into the delusion.

This tale is so heartbreaking. Seeing the grandfather struggle was one thing, but seeing the inner turmoil of the young man as he narrates when he’s in a mindset where he realizes he should have known better was brutal.

Uncle Robert Rides the Lightning by Kate Hart –

A tale of two men who live and die, but don’t yet give up on a few loose ends.

This tale is heavy. I loved the bits focused on their afterlife!

Sundays by David Heska Wanbli Weiden –
CW: Pedophilia, cancer, PTSD.

After the sudden death of his wife, this man struggles with nightmares of his past. Determined to get some sort of justice, he takes things into his own hands.

This one will have your stomach churning from start to finish. Despicable, and yet, a beautiful tale of forgiveness.

Eulogy for a Brother, Resurrected by Carson Faust –

Still grieving her brother’s death, this woman decides that she wants him back. Luckily, her aunt agrees.

Oh gosh, that ending…

Night Moves by Andrea L. Rogers –

While off fighting in a war, but taking a break to drink in a bar, these men are told to beware of the wolf. Walking back to their camp, they risk going through the woods rather than staying on the road…

This was such a quick tale that packs an eerie punch with a slap of brutality! The final four lines are intense!

Capgras by Tommy Orange –

On a trip to France for the translated debut of his book, this man becomes more and more distressed as time goes on. Making things much worse, it’s clear that his translator did not do right by his book.

Seeing this man drown every inconvenience in alcohol while his family was right there was so upsetting.

The Scientist’s Horror Story by Darcie Little Badger –

Sitting around with their beverages of choice, these three scientists decide they need to tell stories to one another.

I love stories within stories!

Collections by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala –

Attending a dinner party after a long day, this student is hoping to ask the professor for a letter of recommendation. But once she arrives, all she wants to do is flee.

This was so unsettling! The calm demeanor of everyone around her made this even more chilling!

Limbs by Waubgeshig Rice –

Taking a white man on a trek through native lands, this man is treated horribly. When he’s tortured, things are about to get much worse, but luckily he is able to call for help.

I get so uncomfortable reading about people treating others poorly for no reason at all. This one had me ready to rage.

My Favorite Passages from Never Whistle at Night –

Bloody footprints covered the floor. Blood spatters and smears graced the walls. There weren’t men here, there were pieces of men. Entrails of men.
— Kushtuka by Mathilda Zeller

Marissa laughs because who wouldn’t laugh in the face of a monster.
But the monster doesn’t laugh back.
— White Hills by Rebecca Roanhorse

Soon, there would be light in this nightmare.
— Snakes Are Born in the Dark by D. H. Trujillo

I am the Night Mohter. I am the last, wet gasp of a punctured lung. I am the quiet sound of blood cooling in dead veins. I am the end of all things, and all things that end are my domain.
— Before I Go by Norris Black

A little girl rocked silently on a chair, staring at Cece with wide doll eyes. Her dress had an unnatural satin gleam in the moonlight; her glassy eyelids blinked, rolled open, blinked, rolled open as she rocked back and forth on the chair.
— Night in the Chrysalis by Tiffany Morris

I’ve noticed that when you see a good horror film, your senses open up like you’re a bug with a thousand feelers. You hear more noises, sense every breeze.
— Dead Owls by Mona Susan Power

The future itself was constantly being replaced by the ever-present present, which never looked enough like the future to be the future — plus there was always more future to be had, and the past could loom too, always threatening to come back.
— Capgras by Tommy Orange

My Final Thoughts on Never Whistle at Night –

This collection had so many names I didn’t recognize. I’m honored to have been given the chance to not only read this book early but to also now know of many of these new-to-me authors so I can go read more of their work!

Horror lovers, this anthology is a must-read!

You may close this book and walk away at the end, but you can’t walk away from the content. These stories are going to stick with you for a long time, floating around like spirits and popping up every now and then to make sure that they aren’t forgotten.

Content Warnings

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