Review by anabookadventures - Indian Burial Ground

anabookadventures 's review for:

Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina

3.5

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Note: I started this as audio, and had to switch to physically reading it which was a much better experience. The audiobook is really sadly a disservice to this story.

There was a lot of potential in this story, and some parts delivered while others fell a bit flat for me.

The themes and use of indigenous folklore to tell the story were the biggest wins for me. I really enjoyed the passages of folklore stories and the weaving of “spirits” with the horror elements, both really helped with the unsettling atmosphere of the book. Also, when action was happening on page, I was super invested and properly creeped out, wanting to know more.

I almost wish the book went further with the mythical elements because I think it would have fleshed out the point of bringing awareness to inter generational trauma and hardships for indigenous communities. For example, I think the story would have had better connectivity (and pacing probably) if Noemi’s timeline also had the same mythical elements as Louie’s timeline, and then punching up the horror in lieu of the thriller (because the ‘thriller’ aspect of this really didn’t deliver).

I also didn’t love all the mechanisms used to carry out the story (

e.g. the overweight character being the sad, lonely creep turned basic serial killer, the alcoholic mother dying by chocking on her own vomit

), because I think the author could have chosen different ways to get us to the same result.

I will still happily pick up more work from this author, I like what he’s doing and can see me enjoying future books from him.

Content Warnings