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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have spent so much quality time with Indian Burial Ground that it feels like I am saying goodbye to an old friend. Beginning in June, I started to listen to the audiobook. Unfortunately, the narration was difficult for me to keep up with, and especially with the more scary bits of the story ramping up, I ended up shelving the audiobook at 57%.
Then, in August, I got the hardcover from the library annnddd… I am a bit ashamed to say that I have renewed this book twice lol. For some reason, it felt really difficult to get through the first 57% of the book. But there were definitely key details and moments that didn’t stick from my earlier listen, so I slowly juggled it between books until a couple days ago, at which point I read the remaining 43% like my life depended on it.
There will be some vague spoilers throughout but nothing to give anything major away.
Indian Burial Ground follows Noemi in the present day and her uncle Louis in 1986, predominantly taking place in the past. Noemi’s boyfriend dies mysteriously, causing her to question whether it could be suicide, and reminding her uncle Louis of strange occurrences that took place when he was a teenager. This story is a beautiful blend of indigenous folklore and reality, showcasing life on a reservation in the late 80s and issues that plagued it – namely alcoholism and suicide – with a hint of myth sprinkled in. Although I have no experience with living on a rez, this story felt exactly like growing up in a small town (and although I wasn’t alive for most of the 80s, it felt very reminiscent of the 90s.) All the townsfolk felt real, creating a very immersive atmosphere that was almost nostalgic.
This story felt like a reclamation of the “Indian burial ground” trope that so many horror authors have leaned heavily upon through the decades, creating something new and chilling that haunts the residents of the fictional Takoda reservation. Louis, who was so obsessed with the legend of the Takoda vampire that it kept him up at night, became acutely aware of strange events that began to plague his community. From the sweltering humidity of Louisiana in the summertime to the chilling horror that hangs over the reservation like a threat, each moment felt palpable.
On his quest for answers, Louis unraveled a mystery that was fascinating and gripping, and as the pieces began to fit into the puzzle, I was (mentally and emotionally) on the edge of my seat. I did not predict any major thing, which is shocking, especially looking back at all the small moments that added up to final truths, and I was satisfied with the ending even though not every single question I had was answered. This book is a bit of a slow burn at first but once things begin to ramp up, it truly takes you for a ride.
More vague spoilers to warn about some themes: Although 16-year-old Louis does his best to think critically and open-mindedly, he is still a teenager, and a bulk of the story is told in his point of view. For that reason, he tends to be quite degrading while talking about a fat character, even when he is being kind to that character. He is also at his wits end with an alcoholic character, and despite Louis’ best efforts of trying to understand the character, the narrative frames them in a pretty bad light. These are areas that I think people will struggle with his character and with the narrative, but it honestly made the story feel all the more realistic and at times claustrophobic. As someone who dealt with alcoholic family members, there were times when it was hard to remember when they were more than the cold, almost monstrous person they had become, and the portrayal felt pretty spot on. If you are able to look past those parts or hold space with them next to the rest of the book, I highly recommend it. This story is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming.
I actually expected this one to land around a 4.0-4.5 star simply because Noemi's POV seemed completely pointless. However, I don't think it slowed or bogged down the story at all, and the ending was nice enough that I decided I don't think finding it pointless lessens the impact of the story overall? If that makes sense?
Then, in August, I got the hardcover from the library annnddd… I am a bit ashamed to say that I have renewed this book twice lol. For some reason, it felt really difficult to get through the first 57% of the book. But there were definitely key details and moments that didn’t stick from my earlier listen, so I slowly juggled it between books until a couple days ago, at which point I read the remaining 43% like my life depended on it.
There will be some vague spoilers throughout but nothing to give anything major away.
Indian Burial Ground follows Noemi in the present day and her uncle Louis in 1986, predominantly taking place in the past. Noemi’s boyfriend dies mysteriously, causing her to question whether it could be suicide, and reminding her uncle Louis of strange occurrences that took place when he was a teenager. This story is a beautiful blend of indigenous folklore and reality, showcasing life on a reservation in the late 80s and issues that plagued it – namely alcoholism and suicide – with a hint of myth sprinkled in. Although I have no experience with living on a rez, this story felt exactly like growing up in a small town (and although I wasn’t alive for most of the 80s, it felt very reminiscent of the 90s.) All the townsfolk felt real, creating a very immersive atmosphere that was almost nostalgic.
This story felt like a reclamation of the “Indian burial ground” trope that so many horror authors have leaned heavily upon through the decades, creating something new and chilling that haunts the residents of the fictional Takoda reservation. Louis, who was so obsessed with the legend of the Takoda vampire that it kept him up at night, became acutely aware of strange events that began to plague his community. From the sweltering humidity of Louisiana in the summertime to the chilling horror that hangs over the reservation like a threat, each moment felt palpable.
On his quest for answers, Louis unraveled a mystery that was fascinating and gripping, and as the pieces began to fit into the puzzle, I was (mentally and emotionally) on the edge of my seat. I did not predict any major thing, which is shocking, especially looking back at all the small moments that added up to final truths, and I was satisfied with the ending even though not every single question I had was answered. This book is a bit of a slow burn at first but once things begin to ramp up, it truly takes you for a ride.
More vague spoilers to warn about some themes: Although 16-year-old Louis does his best to think critically and open-mindedly, he is still a teenager, and a bulk of the story is told in his point of view. For that reason, he tends to be quite degrading while talking about a fat character, even when he is being kind to that character. He is also at his wits end with an alcoholic character, and despite Louis’ best efforts of trying to understand the character, the narrative frames them in a pretty bad light. These are areas that I think people will struggle with his character and with the narrative, but it honestly made the story feel all the more realistic and at times claustrophobic. As someone who dealt with alcoholic family members, there were times when it was hard to remember when they were more than the cold, almost monstrous person they had become, and the portrayal felt pretty spot on. If you are able to look past those parts or hold space with them next to the rest of the book, I highly recommend it. This story is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming.
I actually expected this one to land around a 4.0-4.5 star simply because Noemi's POV seemed completely pointless. However, I don't think it slowed or bogged down the story at all, and the ending was nice enough that I decided I don't think finding it pointless lessens the impact of the story overall? If that makes sense?
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
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!
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
I was disappointed with this. I expected to lose myself in this story after reading the blurb and critical reviews. Instead, I never connected with either main character in either timeline, although I did feel more for Louie. I feel like Noemi’s entire story in the present could have been deleted. The author tried to make a statement about suicide rates for Native American men but so much of the story was based upon the belief that Rodi had been murdered, ultimately making the anti-suicide statement fall flat. I couldn’t stand how much Medina would reference Louie’s balls/needing to pee/etc. Every time that was mentioned it took me completely out of the story. I also was not a fan of either of the voice narrations, both of them annoyed me.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes