What I'm Reading: Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones and Editor's Choice Lists

While I have your attention, waiting for my STAR review of the upcoming Stephen Graham Jones novel, I first wanted to let you know that the December issue of Booklist also includes the Editors Choice Lists.

They are accessible for free at these links:

• Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2022
• Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults, 2022
• Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Books, 2022
• Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Audio, 2022
• Booklist Editors' Choice: Youth Audio, 2022

If you have a login, you can easily access the back list of Editor's Choice titles with this link. Remember, if your library subscribes to print Booklist you already have a login. Click here to see how to activate it [you might need to coordinate with your serials person].

Okay, you have been patient. Here is your reward-- my STAR review of Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones. As usual, I am sharing my draft review, which in this case is longer. I saved it before I made the cuts to get it to 200 words.

STAR Review
Don’t Fear the Reaper
By Stephen Graham Jones
Feb. 2023. 464p. Saga, $27.99 (9781982186593); e-book, $14.99 (9781982186616). 
REVIEW. First published December 1, 2022 (Booklist).

December 12, 2019, four years after the Independence Day Massacre at Indian Lake, Jade Daniels returns in the midst of an epic blizzard, just as notorious serial killer, Dark Mills South, has murdered his entire armed transport team, and escapes at the Proofrock, ID exit ramp. For the next 36 hours, the citizens of town will be forced to relive their trauma, some from four years ago, others from further in the past, as killers, out for revenge, go on a bloody rampage. Once again, Jade is at the center of it all. Armed with not much more than her slasher knowledge, indefatigable spirit, and strong moral compass,  Jade will need to make another final girl stand if there is any hope of making it to Friday the 13th. Unlike the first book, there is no need to set the scene, the unease builds to terror and bursts with gory action sequences immediately, a pacing that only lets up for brief gulps of air. Readers are given access to a multitude of voices, characters who get a chance to be heard, fleshed out, and ultimately set the stage for Jade’s return. More than the slasher it presents itself as, this is a contemplation on the allure of the genre itself, a novel that acknowledges the well trod ground upon which it stands while simultaneously and ingeniously burrowing new tunnels straight into readers’ nightmares. A superior example of 21st Century horror, an awesome reading experience, a blood soaked thrill ride, with a strong emotionally heartfelt core, where every detail matters, delivered by an author at the top of his game.

YA Statement: Jade made be a full fledged adult now, but the action, carnage, and many of the points of view, are centered around the town's high school seniors. The strong ties and references to well-known slasher films will also be a huge draw.

Further Appeal: While the first book was a survey of the slasher genre the key shift here is that it is a contemplation of the genre– its allure, its grip on humans, and its trauma. And yet, it is non stop action– bloody gorey action– with surprising moments of thoughtful contemplation

Also unlike the first book– which must set the scene and build the backstory– meaning it takes until the last third for it to burst open, here we have a second book in a trilogy and the 2nd book is always all about action. For context-- I normally hate 2nd books in a trilogy-- but, here SGJ does not write a typical 2nd book in a trilogy. I don't want to give anything away because this book unfolds so differently from the first, and yet, so much of the appeal is the same. And, to be honest, I might like this novel even better than the first [and I loved that one].

Like a good second in a slasher series– revenge is the theme– but on a few different fronts. It cannot all be explained with 1 killer or even one motive. Revenge is too complex.

One big difference here is that Jade is not the only voice speaking to the reader. There are so many chances for the reader to see into the thoughts and motivations of others-- both as things are happening, but also how they processed [or didn't process] the past 4 years. Every character, even those destined to be part of the body count, even those on the periphery of the story [from last time as well] get a moment to shine and be further developed.

Next book– when Jade will return again… not going to share when or how, but you get the set up clearly at the end.

There is a new history teacher and a new student turning in an idenpendent study-- this time it is a history of the July 4th Massacre.

Speaking of the next book and the student, this book is set in December 2019, and the student writing the independent study is clearly doing it virtually due to Covid. The next book will be after Covid [due to ending]. But the anxiety that we all know Covid is coming also adds to the atmosphere here.

Here are a few more random reading note:

• Again with the touching ending. An expected gift from every SGJ novel at this point.
• The “lake witch” is still there and still part of the action, her trauma still driving much of the killing. Perfect mix of slasher and lake witch
• Still a focus on trauma – Native American trauma, individual trauma, trauma of surviving a massacre.
•  Uses genre knowledge– well trod– but also masterfully created something new.

A note on my word choice in this review: many of my word choices in this review, and others, are spoilers, but only after you have read the book will you see them as such. With only 175- 200 words I pride myself on making those words work.

Finally, and this came as no surprised because I see it as one of SGJ's trademark now: Every. Detail. Matters. Even when they are coming at you fast. They come back and they matter. It makes for an awesome reading experience, one that many authors cannot deliver on. 

Three Words That Describe This Book: multiple povs, fast paced, ingenious 

Readalikes: I also had to sacrifice a readalike statement in the review itself to word count; however, those of you who look at the review online will see these that I directed my editor to pick titles by Paul Tremblay, Grady Hendrix, and Silvia Moreno Garcia as readalikes. 

Surprise! For those who have read to the end, head on over to the Horror Blog and enter for a chance to win the ARC I read to review this book.