I always find horror books hard to review because the experience of actively reading is the important component. On their own and plainly stated, the plot, characters, pacing, motivations, or style of speaking don't make a "good" horror story. And sometimes the techniques to make an effectively tense tale involve breaking with expectations of "good" writing in order to string the reader out a little longer. For me, the tension of almost-unpleasant anticipation paired with a visceral almost-disgust is what makes a horror story work.

That goal is certainly accomplished here!

It is also a story with strong imagery and characters we can slip beside to experience their fears, griefs, joys, and pains. That makes it even more lingering, and I expect that some of these scenes will stay with me for a long time, not by sheer power of gore (although there is some of that) but by creating such a multi-sensory experience for characters we have grown empathetic with.

Added to the Native American/First Nations/Indigenous Peoples box

From the Indigenous Peoples bookbox.
This has been on my want-to-read list since it came out.

This book was on my want-to-read list, but after I started it I was disappointed.