I received a digital advance reader’s copy (ARC) of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones. Since this version is just a proof and not the final version, I won’t quote directly and will keep my comments general.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter takes place in Montana in 1912, following the experiences of Pastor Arthur Beaucarne. He is intrigued when a Blackfeet man attends one of his sermons, then afterward asks to speak with Arthur privately. What ensues is a series of interviews, almost confessions, as this man—known as Good Stab—relates what he has experienced through the years. After a violent encounter with a monstrous humanoid, Good Stab discovers he can only survive by drinking blood. So he stalks throughout the Backbone mountain range, forced to watch as white men systematically damage the land and the buffalo herds that dwell there. But as Good Stab adjusts to his new existence, he realizes he can get revenge.

I’ve never read a book by Stephen Graham Jones before, though I know he’s a well-liked horror writer. I only read certain horror books, so when I heard that his newest work is more on the supernatural side of things, I had to pick it up. And I’m glad I did!

This book has an excellent frame narrative, layers upon layers of story that all come together very well. In 2013, an academic named Etsy uncovers Arthur’s written account and becomes fascinated; her commentary and her own storyline add a lot to the book. I liked how her chapters both open and close the story, pretty much literally.

Then there’s Arthur’s record of Good Stab’s words, which make up the bulk of the book and are the beating heart of the tale. Arthur himself is a dislikeable character, but one who’s obviously intended to be that way. He’s hypocritical and indulges in vices not befitting a pastor, and spouts the usual terrible viewpoints toward anyone not white that were pervasive in his time period. And yet his perspective is fascinating, as we see through his eyes all the ways that Good Stab is horrifying yet compelling. And Arthur’s descent into a hellish life is a tense journey that’s hard to look away from.

As for Good Stab, his chapters were the best ones. Seeing how Jones has adapted the traditional mythology of vampires to suit this story is amazing, and his version of the famous beasts is brilliant and clever. These blood drinkers are as harsh and violent as the “frontier” lands they roam across—yet as you see how the white Americans are treating the land, you wonder who’s really the monster in this situation. You must consider that Good Stab’s actions, though extreme at times, are understandable and even justified.

This is, as one might expect, a rather gory book. Humans and other animals alike often meet bloody or otherwise gruesome deaths, and the story doesn’t shy away from the risks of living in the wilderness. But there are also some moments of humor (though it’s often dark humor) and tenderness, like Good Stab’s bond with Weasel Plume, the young white buffalo he takes care of. That said, if you don’t like blood or violence, this is probably not the book for you.

In the end, though, I thought that The Buffalo Hunter Hunter was a tense, compelling read. The characters are hard to like but also hard to tear your attention from. Their relationships are complex and dark, the plot gripping and relentless. Something about this story reminds me of Frankenstein, from the frame narrative to the questions about what makes something or someone monstrous, and that’s a huge plus for me. This isn’t an easy book, but it’s a thought-provoking one—an examination of humans and monsters, and their intersection. It’s a cry for justice for the natural world, and a condemnation of colonization. It’s a bloody ride, but a more-than-worthy one.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is available now!