“Before I look down, I know it’s there. The crow’s head I was clutching in my dream is now in bed with me.”

Haunting and eerie. Johns’ debut adds a fresh voice to the Indigenous horror genre. 

I’m not one to scare easily, but when Kenzie awoke to find the dead crow from her dream in her actual hand, I was shaken. Violent and disturbing, Kenzie’s ongoing dream sequences are written with such vivid imagery that they became a visceral experience. 

This unique premise and chilling narrative created a looming sense of unease that terrified and engaged in equal portion. Johns masterfully infused Cree traditions, folklore, and history within the plot giving powerful insight and amplifying Indigenous issues. 

And while much of the story centered around Kenzie’s exploration of self, the overarching theme examined grief’s presence, from both personal experience and generational trauma. It’s an affecting journey that magnified the bonds of community, family, and friendship allowing a beautiful blending of horror and heart.

🎧 The audiobook is expertly narrated by award winning artist, Tanis Parenteau, a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta (Cree). Not only did she bring an authenticity to the Cree characters, she also well depicted the horrifying tone of the text. Her performance also amplified the raw emotion experienced by our FMC, Kenzie. 

Many thanks to @prhaudio for the free #gifted copy of this book.