Reviews with content warning for Cannibalism - Taaqtumi: An Anthology of Arctic Horror Stories

Iqsinaqtutalik Piqtuq: The Haunted Blizzard by Aviaq Johnston
Content warnings for: harm to a child
Rating: 4

The Door by Ann R. Loverock
Content warnings for: descriptions of blood
Rating: 4

Wheetago War II: Summoners by Richard Van Camp
Content warnings for: harm to children, gore, guns, animal death
Rating: 3

Revenge by Thomas Anguti Johnston
Content warnings for: hunting, animal death, gore, animal attack
Rating: 3.5

Lounge by Sean and Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley
Content warnings for: body horror, micro-aggressions
Rating: 4

Utiqtuq by Gayle Kabloona
Content warnings for: guns, pandemic, gore, forced medical care, removal of children
Rating: 3

Sila by K.C. Carthew
Content warnings for: guns, animal attack,

implied infanticide

Rating: 4

The Wildest Game by Jay Bulckaert
Content warnings for: cannibalism
Rating: DNF because cannibalism grosses me out too much

Strays by Repo Kempt
Content warnings for: animal surgery, heart attack, substance abuse, infidelity,

murder

Rating: 4.5

Content Warnings

nightlight_reader's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

So many of these were really, really good. The first two were my favorite, were completely in line with what I really enjoy about Arctic horror in particular. The second to last one, The Wildest Game, is kinda exactly what you think it’s gonna be and then just rips itself sideways for you in a lightning quick way to give you a last little oomph.

The only one that didn’t really resonate with me was Lounge, but I think it’s a taste thing rather than a quality thing.

These were all super spooky and made for great reads before bed.

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alexalily's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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mirlambda's review

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dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

4.0

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elwirax's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A really interesting anthology of Arctic horror stories by many Indigenous authors. It was wonderfully constructed, each story was different with a variety of genres, yet, there were common threads like setting and themes which held them together. While I found the plots and lore intriguing, the writing in many of these stories lacked depth, namely in its 'telling' aspect and would've benefited from some more editing. This in turn, failed to illicit the emotions these stories would warrant. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable anthology and from a culture I've never read before.

Iqsinaqtutalik Piqtuq: The Haunted Blizzard by Aviaq Johnston- (3.5/5)

The Door by Ann. R. Loverok- (3.25/5)

Wheetago War II: Summoners by Richard Van Camp- (3/5)

Revenge by Thomas Anguti Johnston- (3.5/5)

Lounge by Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley and Rachel Qitsualik- Tinsley- (3.25/5)

Utiqtuq by Gayle Kabloona- (3/5)

Sila by K.C. Carthew- ( 3/5)

The Wildest Game by Jay Bulckaert- (3.5/5)

Strays by Repo Kempt- (3/5)

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illtakethenightshiftx's review

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dark tense

3.0

I was super excited when I read the back of this and grabbed it a few months ago - horror written by indigenous folks set in a remote place? Checks a LOT of boxes for me!!

As with most short story anthologies, the stories are a really hit or miss. For folks who like ‘winter/snow/Arctic horror’ (“winter” feels reductive because all of the stories are so different, but that’s the common thread between them), I definitely recommend this. All of these could be considered horror, save for “Lounge,” which is darker sci-fi with horror elements.

Overall, it was a strong collection and there are a few authors who I think I’ll read further, but the collection as a whole didn’t totally hit for me.

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skeltzer's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

So intrigued with the idea of arctic horror. Some of these short stories were excellent (The Wildest Game stood out - talk about taking clean eating to another level), most were fine and one was a drag (I did not understand Lounge at all).

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starrysteph's review

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

3.0

I love picking up short story collections as a way to discover a batch of new-to-me writers all at once - and Taaqtumi did not disappoint.

There were some excellent & unique pieces here; stories that were chilling to the bone and incorporated crystal-clear haunting imagery and atmospheric terror. The Arctic is the perfect place for horror.

I did find the writing to be a bit uneven, with some stories brilliantly executed and others needing more support. Some of the weaker links were too long and/or had unsteady pacing.

Some stories leaned hard into horror, while others I would possibly classify elsewhere. Every story had at least some uneasy elements, but if you’re looking to be scared out of your mind, this collection overall doesn’t quite offer that. However, it is eclectic and interesting - so I think every reader would connect with at least one piece!

Many of these pieces will stick with me for sure. My personal favorites (though hard to pick!) were Revenge, Utiqtuq, and The Wildest Game.

CW: death (incl. death of children), murder, animal death, animal cruelty, cannibalism, violence, gore, colonization, body horror, medical content, gun violence, grief, vomit, ableism, racism

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