A review by smalltowncreepy
Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad slow-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

5.0

 
Bad Cree is one of the best examples of grief horror I’ve ever read. The slow hike down the trail of family, what it means to be a “bad,” guilt, and loneliness vs being a burden on your loved ones not only added to the character development and dire circumstances Mackenzie is in but also created a sense of realness I couldn’t shake even when I closed the book. The relationships, the descriptions of the people and places, the way Mackenzie described feeling as a member of her family all felt so real – like I was sitting in High Plaines with them, smelling the cooking and wrapping myself in the blanket of their relationships that was both comforting and uncomfortable depending on what was going on.

I loved how this book subverted the plot tool of isolations. If you know anything about writing or dissecting horror, you know that isolating the main character or characters from help or comfort is a huge plot device. It adds to tension, danger, and helps draw the main characters and the antagonist or monster together.
In Bad Cree, the isolation is played with not only physically but internally/emotionally and then done away with completely. Johns holds up isolation and tosses it in the corner showing that it is not only unnecessary for a scary, tension filled plot but the overcoming of isolation rather than succumbing to it can also be part of the horror itself.

I also loved the diversity in the book. Not only is the book filled with Indigenous characters by an Indigenous author but many of those characters are queer from Mackenzie’s best nonbinary friend Joli to her bisexual cousin Kassidy. The inclusion of the characters not just in the story but in the lives of the other characters without explanation, preamble, or mention of homophobia or transphobia was not only wonderful to read as a queer person but made it all the more real and comforting even during the difficult parts of the plot.

In all, this is a book the wormed into my heart and will be there a long time.
5 stars. Highly recommend. 

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