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A review by missbreathing
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“My Heart Is A Chainsaw” is a meta-slasher seen through the eyes of a slasher-obsessed teenage girl. And it is. So. Freaking. Good. I’m giving it 4.5⭐️. Some thoughts:
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In classic Stephen Graham Jones fashion, this novel is ripe with themes of settler colonialism, classism, and gentrification. It’s also heavy on the meta-slasher angle (think Scream, but on steroids) in a way that really lets the author’s knowledge of the genre shine. This book delivers on both excellently constructed themes and all the gory goodness of a Golden Age slasher film. There is a moment where this balance is thrown off and, for about 100 pages, we don’t get enough slasher-y vibes. But when it picks up, it PICKS UP.
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Jade Daniels, our protagonist, is a stand-out character. She’s deeply flawed and makes decisions that leave readers shaking their heads. She’s also incredibly sympathetic and easy to root for. Jade is a the anti-final girl I didn’t know I needed in my life.
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I never would have expected to read a slasher horror through misty eyes, but here we are. This book can be absolutely heartbreaking. The heavy themes and emotional moments are handled with expert care, but do check the trigger warnings if that’s something you need.
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All in all, this is one of my favorite reads of the year. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel. 🖤
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In classic Stephen Graham Jones fashion, this novel is ripe with themes of settler colonialism, classism, and gentrification. It’s also heavy on the meta-slasher angle (think Scream, but on steroids) in a way that really lets the author’s knowledge of the genre shine. This book delivers on both excellently constructed themes and all the gory goodness of a Golden Age slasher film. There is a moment where this balance is thrown off and, for about 100 pages, we don’t get enough slasher-y vibes. But when it picks up, it PICKS UP.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jade Daniels, our protagonist, is a stand-out character. She’s deeply flawed and makes decisions that leave readers shaking their heads. She’s also incredibly sympathetic and easy to root for. Jade is a the anti-final girl I didn’t know I needed in my life.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I never would have expected to read a slasher horror through misty eyes, but here we are. This book can be absolutely heartbreaking. The heavy themes and emotional moments are handled with expert care, but do check the trigger warnings if that’s something you need.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
All in all, this is one of my favorite reads of the year. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel. 🖤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Incest, Pedophilia, and Rape