Bad Cree
Books | Fiction / Horror
3.9
Jessica Johns
In this gripping, horror-laced debut, a young Cree woman’s dreams lead her on a perilous journey of self-discovery that ultimately forces her to confront the toll of a legacy of violence on her family, her community and the land they call home."A mystery and a horror story about grief, but one with defiant hope in its beating heart." —Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and The Pallbearers ClubWhen Mackenzie wakes up with a severed crow's head in her hands, she panics. Only moments earlier she had been fending off masses of birds in a snow-covered forest. In bed, when she blinks, the head disappears. Night after night, Mackenzie’s dreams return her to a memory from before her sister Sabrina’s untimely death: a weekend at the family’s lakefront campsite, long obscured by a fog of guilt. But when the waking world starts closing in, too—a murder of crows stalks her every move around the city, she wakes up from a dream of drowning throwing up water, and gets threatening text messages from someone claiming to be Sabrina—Mackenzie knows this is more than she can handle alone.Traveling north to her rural hometown in Alberta, she finds her family still steeped in the same grief that she ran away to Vancouver to escape. They welcome her back, but their shaky reunion only seems to intensify her dreams—and make them more dangerous.What really happened that night at the lake, and what did it have to do with Sabrina’s death? Only a bad Cree would put their family at risk, but what if whatever has been calling Mackenzie home was already inside?
Horror
AD
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More Details:
Author
Jessica Johns
Pages
272
Publisher
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published Date
2023-01-10
ISBN
0385548702 9780385548700
Ratings
Google: 5
Community ReviewsSee all
"Not at all what I was expecting. Not scary at all. This is more of a story about family and enduring life together through all the ups and downs. "
The Lazy Reader
"A beautiful story of grief, family, and generational trauma and being able to get through it together as a family. "
Sandy Lopez
"Just phenomenal. The small gripes I have do not measure an inch next to the miles of elation I have after the experience of reading this book. Family, community, grief, honesty, and trust are all beautifully on high display and examination in this.. thriller? Horror? Mystery? All of the above, I suppose, but ultimately a celebration and prayer I couldn’t put down."
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CaitVD
"Couldn’t put it down! A unique plot that starts right away and keeps you invested. Not to mention a variety of Indigenous characters that don’t fit into a trope/stereotype. Loved it!!!"
Sara SoDeezy
"I love the narration of this book. Mackenzie’s grief is made evident in the writing, as the simple descriptions have an underlying sense of deep emotion and hurt. Because the writing is so simple it’s an easy read, but the underlying emotion makes it meaningful and draws you in as a reader. This book does a great job of depicting family relationships and the complexity of familial conflict in the face of death. Would read again just to witness such beautiful writing come to life! "
Ghostie Gal
"4.5 stars - This was incredible. Heartbreaking, heartwarming, terrifying, exciting, sad, and so so tender. Beautiful and horrible. I am literally sobbing at the ending."
Reading into the Void
"so creepy! Slow burn at the start but trust the process it gets good."
Zoemist 101
"Didn’t live up to the hype. I liked the family’s vibes and its eeriness. I just wanted more from the story and the ending was disappointing. "
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Bonnie Smart
"Until the (excellent) ending the horror content was a little slow for me, but I loved the warmth and healing of the family relationships. They all felt like real people to me. It was also really refreshing to read a book that so completely centres women (and one nonbinary person) and their relationships to one another.<br/><br/>Raven Reads has not steered me wrong yet. Highly recommended."
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awesome_user_984860
"Book Club Pick! (Link in bio if you want to join.)<br/><br/>Before the first page: <br/>I’m really excited about this book. I’ve been eyeing it for a long time, and I happened to be able to snag it right when the paperback was coming out, which is a plus. I’m hoping for a creepy, indigenous horror that will scare me.<br/><br/>First impressions:<br/>So far, the creepiness is creeping. I’m digging the ambience and the tension. I like not knowing what’s going on. Having a good ol’ time so far.<br/><br/>First 50%:<br/>I didn’t realize how much this book would tackle the depth of grief. It’s more sad than it is scary right now. Don’t get me wrong, there have been a few parts that freaked me out, but otherwise, it’s really just pulling on my heartstrings.<br/><br/>Last 50%:<br/>Honestly, I think the not knowing was scarier than when I did know.<br/>I loveddd the closeness the three girls had toward the end though.<br/><br/>Final Review:<br/>This book really shed light on how blessed I am to have such a loving family, each member having their own quirks and features that stick with you even if you don’t realize it.<br/>Beautiful commentary on family and grief, but I wish it was scarier.<br/>⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 stars"
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awesome_user_53873
