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Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II
The bestselling Indigenous dark fiction anthology returns with a new selection of even more daring and sinister stories. From monsters to mutilation, Never Whistle at Night is back for revenge.
They’re baaaaaaaaaack!
As any savvy horror fan the monster never truly dies. The team that brought you the bestselling dark fiction anthology Never Whistle at Night has risen, hungry, from the grave to summon more dark delicacies for your delectation. In these twenty-one brand-new, groundbreaking, gruesome stories—authored by both established and newly unearthed Indigenous talent and illustrated by renowned Cheyenne and Arapaho painter Brent Learned—the contributors are fully embracing both supernatural horrors and the everyday horror of living under colonialist rule.
Featuring stories of unspeakable yet satisfying terror, from twisted psychological tales to gore-filled monster hunts, this new selection of sinister stories will sate your darkest appetites and leave you slavering for more. Never Whistle at Night, Part Back for Blood is a further celebration of Indigenous survival and the enduring tradition of transforming adversity into art.
They’re baaaaaaaaaack!
As any savvy horror fan the monster never truly dies. The team that brought you the bestselling dark fiction anthology Never Whistle at Night has risen, hungry, from the grave to summon more dark delicacies for your delectation. In these twenty-one brand-new, groundbreaking, gruesome stories—authored by both established and newly unearthed Indigenous talent and illustrated by renowned Cheyenne and Arapaho painter Brent Learned—the contributors are fully embracing both supernatural horrors and the everyday horror of living under colonialist rule.
Featuring stories of unspeakable yet satisfying terror, from twisted psychological tales to gore-filled monster hunts, this new selection of sinister stories will sate your darkest appetites and leave you slavering for more. Never Whistle at Night, Part Back for Blood is a further celebration of Indigenous survival and the enduring tradition of transforming adversity into art.
Audible Audio
First published August 18, 2026
About the author
Shane Hawk
17 books554 followersShane Hawk is a horror writer, editor, and creator of the Native Horror Index, a comprehensive database of Indigenous horror. He is a coeditor of the bestselling Never Whistle at Night series and cowriter of the horror stage play The Land Has Spoken. At Counterpoint Press, Hawk exclusively acquires and edits books authored by Indigenous North Americans. You can find his work in numerous anthologies, magazines, and academic volumes. He lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and daughter, and is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Reading for review in the June 2026 issue of Library Journal
Three Words That Describe This Book: Indigenous Horror, Range of Scares, Unapologetic
Draft Review: Spending more than a year on the bestseller list, and sent into 20+ printings, the success of Never Whistle at Night cannot be exaggerated. That first volume leaned more heavily on atmosphere, cautiously testing the market’s appetite for Indigenous horror, but this time the editors are unafraid to lean on the horror with a full throttle because “Back for Blood,” is not just a title, it’s a promise. Some readers will come looking for new stories by Stephen Graham Jones, Tommy Orange, or Ramona Emerson, but half the stories came from an open call, and it is those new voices whose stories are among the most memorable here. Beginning with visceral body horror, moving through stories featuring werewolves, found footage, and Indigenous monsters (such as a tulpa and “That One”), to stories that contemplate the horrors of racism, addiction, and the murder of Indigenous women, leading to an unforgettable science fiction-horror hybrid, a tale that reverberates its terror across time, Hawk and Van Alst Jr lay bare their commitment to unapologetically represent the full range of Indigenous horror voices. The result is a captivating, chilling, and menacing anthology perfectly suited for readers of all genres.
Verdict: The rare sequel that is better than its original. Suggest to fans of any horror stories or anthologies featuring non-dominant culture authors such as Out There Screaming or Our Shadows Have Claws.
illustrated by renowned Cheyenne and Arapaho painter Brent Learned-- One before each story-- gives the reader of sense of what is to come.
The first Never Whistle at Night was a HUGE, surprise success. It spent two years on the indie bookstore bestseller lists and went into over 20 printings. So no surprise there would be a sequel. But would it be as good? And how would dit be different?
The answer to the first questions is an unequivocal yes and it is because of the answer to the second.
This anthology is different because the success of the first allowed MORE Indigenous author to se seen.
In the intro editors say how first volume asks you to sort in the darkness, this one asks you to listen to it breathe!
The other thing I love about this book is the order of the stories by the editors. The first story-- Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe is one of the best body horror stories I have read. It makes the movie The Substance look tame. It is a modern Frankenstein but for the beauty obsessed. And it is uncomfortably bloody, but also you cannot look away because well, who wouldn't want to upgrade their own parts through magic. This is a horror literally visceral and also will hit close to home for every reader.
And that is the START. It is all out horror in every way.
Along the way readers get horror of all sizes-- werewolves, Mothman, found footage, Indigenous monsters, killers, the horror of racism, the horror of addiction, the horror of being a woman, so much horror.
A few more favorites to me (but honestly, there is not a clunker here)
Civilized by A. J. Eversole-- complicated relationship of being half Indian but also contemplates racism and how white skin gets you a pass. Also murdered Indigenous women, and more... There is an unease and terror here that attacks everyone-- no matter their identity. I really liked that. The fear is easily internalized
Guest Account Alicia Elliott-- Introduced the "tupla" to me. Terrifying
Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop-- another monster-- Goatman. But it wasn't the master alone that made this a good story. Great protagonist.
We Don’t Talk About It by Alina Pete-- Protagonist works in the morgue. Her brother leaves rehab again. It is the horror of addiction but also an introduction to the evil creature "That One." This story is immersive and terrifying but also had humor. Protagonist attacks the white reader directly saying how much "people" get wrong about Indigenous monsters. And then gives us a terror that literally crawl inside her and us.
If I had to pick a favorite it is The Body Delivers Erica Tremblay. This is a SF horror that I don't want to spoil because WOW. It has a historical foundation but is set now. It is one of the best SF horror stories I have read full stop. And what it says about humanity and our scientific goals....chilling.
Bios for each author after the story so you can easily find more-- and you will want to.
Also, you know many people are going to be drawn to this book to read a new story by Stephen Graham Jones of Tommy Orange or Ramona Emerson-- all best selling authors. But the FIRST of these stories does not come until page 130. As a reader, you are already hooked by then. Stumbling upon SGJ next, is exciting but you are already invested.
Range of scares and range of places-- cities, suburbs, cabin in the woods, reservation, one with a historical horror twist
Hawk and Van Alst Jr are committed to not only representing the full range of Indigenous voices, not only are they refusing to accept the racism inherent in white readers collecting these stories like souvenirs, not only are the preserving stories of survivors, BUT they are also uplifting horror as serious literature. You can do all of this and they do. And that's why is is a superior anthology for all readers who love horror.
This is horror about being seen by other Indigenous. If white people see them and their stories great, but not the reason. But everyone will be scared by what they see. And unapologetic-- these are Indigenous told in their storytelling traditional ways. Does it follow a structure that the dominant Western culture storytelling does always-- no, not always. Do the endings sometimes feel like the story just ends? yes. Does that ruin my enjoyment of these stories as a white lady. Nope. Not one bit. Some of these I will never forget.
Readalikes-- of course the first book. But also, any horror that is by non white, Western/European voices, anything that showcases how Horror as an emotion and a genre not only transcends identity/culture/background but also illustrates how these horror stories are even more terrifying when the lens of those who have been marginalized (at best) and harmed (at worst) by the dominant culture.
Examples-- The World Horror anthologies by Valancourt, Out There Screaming, The Upcoming Something Followed Us Home, Our Shadows Have Claws, ed. Yamile Saied Méndez & Amparo Ortiz (YA), Black Cranes, Tales of Unquiet Women, Sinew and Silk (up for a stoker this year)
Three Words That Describe This Book: Indigenous Horror, Range of Scares, Unapologetic
Draft Review: Spending more than a year on the bestseller list, and sent into 20+ printings, the success of Never Whistle at Night cannot be exaggerated. That first volume leaned more heavily on atmosphere, cautiously testing the market’s appetite for Indigenous horror, but this time the editors are unafraid to lean on the horror with a full throttle because “Back for Blood,” is not just a title, it’s a promise. Some readers will come looking for new stories by Stephen Graham Jones, Tommy Orange, or Ramona Emerson, but half the stories came from an open call, and it is those new voices whose stories are among the most memorable here. Beginning with visceral body horror, moving through stories featuring werewolves, found footage, and Indigenous monsters (such as a tulpa and “That One”), to stories that contemplate the horrors of racism, addiction, and the murder of Indigenous women, leading to an unforgettable science fiction-horror hybrid, a tale that reverberates its terror across time, Hawk and Van Alst Jr lay bare their commitment to unapologetically represent the full range of Indigenous horror voices. The result is a captivating, chilling, and menacing anthology perfectly suited for readers of all genres.
Verdict: The rare sequel that is better than its original. Suggest to fans of any horror stories or anthologies featuring non-dominant culture authors such as Out There Screaming or Our Shadows Have Claws.
illustrated by renowned Cheyenne and Arapaho painter Brent Learned-- One before each story-- gives the reader of sense of what is to come.
The first Never Whistle at Night was a HUGE, surprise success. It spent two years on the indie bookstore bestseller lists and went into over 20 printings. So no surprise there would be a sequel. But would it be as good? And how would dit be different?
The answer to the first questions is an unequivocal yes and it is because of the answer to the second.
This anthology is different because the success of the first allowed MORE Indigenous author to se seen.
In the intro editors say how first volume asks you to sort in the darkness, this one asks you to listen to it breathe!
The other thing I love about this book is the order of the stories by the editors. The first story-- Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe is one of the best body horror stories I have read. It makes the movie The Substance look tame. It is a modern Frankenstein but for the beauty obsessed. And it is uncomfortably bloody, but also you cannot look away because well, who wouldn't want to upgrade their own parts through magic. This is a horror literally visceral and also will hit close to home for every reader.
And that is the START. It is all out horror in every way.
Along the way readers get horror of all sizes-- werewolves, Mothman, found footage, Indigenous monsters, killers, the horror of racism, the horror of addiction, the horror of being a woman, so much horror.
A few more favorites to me (but honestly, there is not a clunker here)
Civilized by A. J. Eversole-- complicated relationship of being half Indian but also contemplates racism and how white skin gets you a pass. Also murdered Indigenous women, and more... There is an unease and terror here that attacks everyone-- no matter their identity. I really liked that. The fear is easily internalized
Guest Account Alicia Elliott-- Introduced the "tupla" to me. Terrifying
Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop-- another monster-- Goatman. But it wasn't the master alone that made this a good story. Great protagonist.
We Don’t Talk About It by Alina Pete-- Protagonist works in the morgue. Her brother leaves rehab again. It is the horror of addiction but also an introduction to the evil creature "That One." This story is immersive and terrifying but also had humor. Protagonist attacks the white reader directly saying how much "people" get wrong about Indigenous monsters. And then gives us a terror that literally crawl inside her and us.
If I had to pick a favorite it is The Body Delivers Erica Tremblay. This is a SF horror that I don't want to spoil because WOW. It has a historical foundation but is set now. It is one of the best SF horror stories I have read full stop. And what it says about humanity and our scientific goals....chilling.
Bios for each author after the story so you can easily find more-- and you will want to.
Also, you know many people are going to be drawn to this book to read a new story by Stephen Graham Jones of Tommy Orange or Ramona Emerson-- all best selling authors. But the FIRST of these stories does not come until page 130. As a reader, you are already hooked by then. Stumbling upon SGJ next, is exciting but you are already invested.
Range of scares and range of places-- cities, suburbs, cabin in the woods, reservation, one with a historical horror twist
Hawk and Van Alst Jr are committed to not only representing the full range of Indigenous voices, not only are they refusing to accept the racism inherent in white readers collecting these stories like souvenirs, not only are the preserving stories of survivors, BUT they are also uplifting horror as serious literature. You can do all of this and they do. And that's why is is a superior anthology for all readers who love horror.
This is horror about being seen by other Indigenous. If white people see them and their stories great, but not the reason. But everyone will be scared by what they see. And unapologetic-- these are Indigenous told in their storytelling traditional ways. Does it follow a structure that the dominant Western culture storytelling does always-- no, not always. Do the endings sometimes feel like the story just ends? yes. Does that ruin my enjoyment of these stories as a white lady. Nope. Not one bit. Some of these I will never forget.
Readalikes-- of course the first book. But also, any horror that is by non white, Western/European voices, anything that showcases how Horror as an emotion and a genre not only transcends identity/culture/background but also illustrates how these horror stories are even more terrifying when the lens of those who have been marginalized (at best) and harmed (at worst) by the dominant culture.
Examples-- The World Horror anthologies by Valancourt, Out There Screaming, The Upcoming Something Followed Us Home, Our Shadows Have Claws, ed. Yamile Saied Méndez & Amparo Ortiz (YA), Black Cranes, Tales of Unquiet Women, Sinew and Silk (up for a stoker this year)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Héébe/Tous, horror kin!
My name is Shane Hawk, and I’m the co-editor of the Never Whistle at Night Indigenous anthology series. This is not a review so much as a field note from the coeditor, left here early for the folks eager to run into the darkness.
We're back with Never Whistle at Night, Part II: Back for Blood, a new tome packed tight with horrific stories from Native and First Nations writers. This one is heavy and mean.
If you loved the first book, you already know what we’re about. Part II goes further. Part I dipped a few toes into the horror genre. Part II wades in up to its throat, slips under, and comes up grinning behind a hockey mask. You get that copper tang, throat-burn, and wet scrape of something climbing out for its next kill. Stench, teeth, bones, and all!
I’m proud of this one. I worked on it relentlessly alongside my coeditor and friend, Ted Van Alst, and we didn’t do it alone, no. Our editorial backbone at Vintage Books, Anna Kaufman, plus her assistants, helped keep the whole creature stitched together and moving, cut by cut and stitch by stitch. We curated and edited something feral for you. It opens with a foreword from the amazing Richard Van Camp, followed by an introduction written by your editors, and before it grabs and drags you into Danger Land with 21 stories. And each of those stories has its own illustration by the legendary Cheyenne and Arapaho artist Brent Learned.
If you’re seeing this early, please consider adding Never Whistle at Night, Part II: Back for Blood to your Want To Read list here on Goodreads. Storygraph too, if you use it. Even better, preorder a copy from your favorite bookstore so we can keep this journey going. We love discovering writers and shining a light where it’s deserved.
Thank you so much for your support of Never Whistle at Night, Part I. We hope you carry that same energy into this follow-up.
We’re back for blood. Do you have enough to spare?
—Shane Hawk
P.S. You can preorder at NWAN2.com
My name is Shane Hawk, and I’m the co-editor of the Never Whistle at Night Indigenous anthology series. This is not a review so much as a field note from the coeditor, left here early for the folks eager to run into the darkness.
We're back with Never Whistle at Night, Part II: Back for Blood, a new tome packed tight with horrific stories from Native and First Nations writers. This one is heavy and mean.
If you loved the first book, you already know what we’re about. Part II goes further. Part I dipped a few toes into the horror genre. Part II wades in up to its throat, slips under, and comes up grinning behind a hockey mask. You get that copper tang, throat-burn, and wet scrape of something climbing out for its next kill. Stench, teeth, bones, and all!
I’m proud of this one. I worked on it relentlessly alongside my coeditor and friend, Ted Van Alst, and we didn’t do it alone, no. Our editorial backbone at Vintage Books, Anna Kaufman, plus her assistants, helped keep the whole creature stitched together and moving, cut by cut and stitch by stitch. We curated and edited something feral for you. It opens with a foreword from the amazing Richard Van Camp, followed by an introduction written by your editors, and before it grabs and drags you into Danger Land with 21 stories. And each of those stories has its own illustration by the legendary Cheyenne and Arapaho artist Brent Learned.
If you’re seeing this early, please consider adding Never Whistle at Night, Part II: Back for Blood to your Want To Read list here on Goodreads. Storygraph too, if you use it. Even better, preorder a copy from your favorite bookstore so we can keep this journey going. We love discovering writers and shining a light where it’s deserved.
Thank you so much for your support of Never Whistle at Night, Part I. We hope you carry that same energy into this follow-up.
We’re back for blood. Do you have enough to spare?
—Shane Hawk
P.S. You can preorder at NWAN2.com
September 25, 2026
Instead of going through the whole short story collection, I'm just going to note some of my favorites in this collection.
Back for Blood is the follow up to the first book, Never Whistle at Night. I do think the first book was a bit stronger in terms of the overall rating for the whole collection. Regardless, I still enjoyed going back to this world!
Favorites:
Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe
Ivories by Shane Hawk
Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones
Guest Account by Alicia Elliott
Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop
We Don't Talk About It by Alina Pete
Toothjar by Ramona Emerson
I loved discovering some new Indigenous horror authors and hoping for more anthologies in the future!
Back for Blood is the follow up to the first book, Never Whistle at Night. I do think the first book was a bit stronger in terms of the overall rating for the whole collection. Regardless, I still enjoyed going back to this world!
Favorites:
Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe
Ivories by Shane Hawk
Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones
Guest Account by Alicia Elliott
Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop
We Don't Talk About It by Alina Pete
Toothjar by Ramona Emerson
I loved discovering some new Indigenous horror authors and hoping for more anthologies in the future!
Want to Read
March 30, 2026Never Whistle at Night Part II: Back for Blood!!!
Heck yeahhh, that's how you title a follow-up anthology! I absolutely love it. Never Whistle at Night is one of my favorite Dark Fiction Anthologies ever, so I'm stoked we're getting more stories. Edited again by Shane Hawk. This is gonna be good. ARC received!!
Heck yeahhh, that's how you title a follow-up anthology! I absolutely love it. Never Whistle at Night is one of my favorite Dark Fiction Anthologies ever, so I'm stoked we're getting more stories. Edited again by Shane Hawk. This is gonna be good. ARC received!!
September 30, 2026
Title/Author: Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II: An Indigenous Horror Anthology
Format Read: Audio (highly recommend. A fantastic production)
Pub date: August 18, 2026
Publisher: Vintage
Page Count: 368
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/979821700...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- Never Whistle at Night Vol. I
- Horror and Dark Fiction short form works written by Indigenous storytellers
- Coming-of-age, YA, adult horror, queer/Two-spirit POVs, creature-features, body horror, folklore, domestic drama/relationships, psychological horror, psychic trauma
- Variety of tales, tone, style, setting, and substance
- Discovering new talent and authors
Read this with my in-person Tacoma Horror Book Club- the consensus among us was a solid 3.5 (4) stars
__
Minor complaints:
- I was actually suprised by the theme of "coming-of-age"/YA as the strong, prevailing tone/subject/POV. I just didn't expect so many of the stories to explore it
- I think it's an odd choice to claim one anthology is more horror than the other because it makes a comparison where none is needed. I felt inclined to weigh in on if one anthology is "scarier" than the other, in which case--I felt the first one had more hard-hitting stories
Final recommendation:
Rating by Story
**MISS CHEROKEE PRINCESS 1996 by Jessica Doe – 4/5
All the hallmarks of a gruesome body horror story with unlinching gore and graphic detail. Great opening piece as it sets the tone for the "Back for Blood" moniker.
ANIMAL DUMB by P.C. Verrone – 3/5
A Halloween story! Loved that and I loved the closeted MC with a crush on his best friend. This gave me Teen Wolf + gay vibes.
**NEON MOON by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. – 4/5
Love a cryptid creature-feature and this one is fast-paced, foot-on-the-gas action. Maybe not enough set-up or quick character-building but fun nonetheless
LATE-NIGHT STROLL THROUGH A MOONLIT PASTURE by Jim Terry – 3/5
I liked the moody, eerie vibes of this story. I felt like it needed more meat on its bones-the skeletal frame of the story was intruiging but ulimately seemed a little hollow--lacked depth
**SASKAN: BREAKUP by Jessica Johns – 4/5
The prose is beautiful. My Tacoma Horror book club ate this up and lead us to choose BAD CREE as our next read. Also: Sporror + Sapphic romance + haunting tone
CIVILIZED by A.J. Eversole – 2/5
An ambitious story exploring big themes but it didn't dive deep enough under the surface of just a story of a white passing MC who stumbles upon missing/murdered indigenous women and is passed over by the authorities due to his proximity to whiteness. I was confused by the bare-bones backstory and a few of the scenes with his mother--I'm not sure if I missed something but it just felt too thin to carry such a heavy subject
FOOTPRINTS by Sonia Marie Barry – 3/5
I was confused by the story—this young woman is sick. She is mute from the sickness. She goes to a clinic and they take her reproductive organs? Or was she pregnant…do I have to read this again?? Another story that grapples with big social issues and themes but misses the target with clarity issues but it did pull me in emotionally
IVOЯIES by Shane Hawk – 3/5
The audiobook freaked me out though because the monster has a name that sounds like backwards speech (Fire Walk With ME) and every time the name is uttered, I cringed. Oof, creepy! Great feelings on first-time parenthood and how it feels to be barely awake in the middle of the night taking care of a newborn, but the story is told in whole parts! Felt a little long/repetitive
REZ DOGS by Stephen Graham Jones – DNF (normally love SGJ but I couldn't. I didn't read Cujo either)
I hate stories from a dog’s POV when there is abuse…DNF
**GUEST ACCOUNT by Alicia Elliott – 5/5
Enjoyed Alicia Elliott's novel, And Then She Fell. LOVED this!! A fully fleshed-out narrative about the impacts of bullying with a nice punch at the end
PARTY AT THE ALVAREZ RANCH by Mat RudeWalker – 2/5
I did not care for the style/substance/tone/writing
FOUND FOOTAGE by Shaawan Francis Keahna – DNF
I couldn't hang with the style of storytelling here
**SUMMER VACATION by Billy-Ray Belcourt – 5/5
LOVE THIS STORY. A gay couple rent an AirB&B in the hometown of one of the men. The owner of the house is off, big time. Red flag. Felt very tense. Then, add a wildfire to the story and suddenly, the tension is thick and the stakes are so high. The narrator of this story uses a voice for the AirB&B owner that gave me chills! I was so emotionally invested. This is what short form fiction can do!
**GOAT EYES by Jake Arrowtop – 5/5
This is the most HORROR story of the lost. Bone chilling, truly. Content warning for car crashes--seriously so unsettling. Love the folklore-nested storytelling
**WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT by Alina Pete – 5/5
Loved this story! Such a harrowing tale of addiction and the way it can turn people into ghosts of their former selves-emotional, haunting, riveting and a gut punch ending that made me feel so sad
**THE CORPSE ROOM by Debra Magpie Earling – 5/5
This was my favorite story of the whole lot and the narrator did it justice--loved her voice and the depth she brought to it. Especially apt since I read it just before Sept. 30th The Residentional School Day of Remembrance. We must remember the children taken from their families who never returned home, survivors and descendents still suffering, and the lasting impact on native communities.
STAR MOUND by Joshua Whitehead – DNF
The storytelling style and prose was not a fit for me
LITTLE TREE by Tommy Orange – DNF
The storytelling style and prose was not a fit for me
**TOOTHJAR by Ramona Emerson – 4/5
I love Ramona Emerson's Shutter novel and I still need to read Exposure. This is excellent psychic trama and psychological horror but I admit, I was expecting more graphic details since she so cinematicaly brings those details to her novels.
THE BODY DELIVERS by Erica Tremblay – 5/5
Another stand-out favorite of the whole anthology! Really well executed short form horror. Also, love Dark Winds and Reservoir Dogs! Everything was enhanced by the narrator, Lily Gladstone. So good-wonderful to hear her voice
THE MAKING OF MONSTERS by Kimberly Blaeser – 1/5
The storytelling style and prose was not a fit for me
Comps: Never Whistle at Night Vol. 1, Something Followed Us Home ed. Cynthia Pelayo, Out There Screaming Anthology ed. Jordan Peele, Silk & Sinew ed. Kristi Kulski
Format Read: Audio (highly recommend. A fantastic production)
Pub date: August 18, 2026
Publisher: Vintage
Page Count: 368
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/979821700...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- Never Whistle at Night Vol. I
- Horror and Dark Fiction short form works written by Indigenous storytellers
- Coming-of-age, YA, adult horror, queer/Two-spirit POVs, creature-features, body horror, folklore, domestic drama/relationships, psychological horror, psychic trauma
- Variety of tales, tone, style, setting, and substance
- Discovering new talent and authors
Read this with my in-person Tacoma Horror Book Club- the consensus among us was a solid 3.5 (4) stars
__
Minor complaints:
- I was actually suprised by the theme of "coming-of-age"/YA as the strong, prevailing tone/subject/POV. I just didn't expect so many of the stories to explore it
- I think it's an odd choice to claim one anthology is more horror than the other because it makes a comparison where none is needed. I felt inclined to weigh in on if one anthology is "scarier" than the other, in which case--I felt the first one had more hard-hitting stories
Final recommendation:
Rating by Story
**MISS CHEROKEE PRINCESS 1996 by Jessica Doe – 4/5
All the hallmarks of a gruesome body horror story with unlinching gore and graphic detail. Great opening piece as it sets the tone for the "Back for Blood" moniker.
ANIMAL DUMB by P.C. Verrone – 3/5
A Halloween story! Loved that and I loved the closeted MC with a crush on his best friend. This gave me Teen Wolf + gay vibes.
**NEON MOON by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. – 4/5
Love a cryptid creature-feature and this one is fast-paced, foot-on-the-gas action. Maybe not enough set-up or quick character-building but fun nonetheless
LATE-NIGHT STROLL THROUGH A MOONLIT PASTURE by Jim Terry – 3/5
I liked the moody, eerie vibes of this story. I felt like it needed more meat on its bones-the skeletal frame of the story was intruiging but ulimately seemed a little hollow--lacked depth
**SASKAN: BREAKUP by Jessica Johns – 4/5
The prose is beautiful. My Tacoma Horror book club ate this up and lead us to choose BAD CREE as our next read. Also: Sporror + Sapphic romance + haunting tone
CIVILIZED by A.J. Eversole – 2/5
An ambitious story exploring big themes but it didn't dive deep enough under the surface of just a story of a white passing MC who stumbles upon missing/murdered indigenous women and is passed over by the authorities due to his proximity to whiteness. I was confused by the bare-bones backstory and a few of the scenes with his mother--I'm not sure if I missed something but it just felt too thin to carry such a heavy subject
FOOTPRINTS by Sonia Marie Barry – 3/5
I was confused by the story—this young woman is sick. She is mute from the sickness. She goes to a clinic and they take her reproductive organs? Or was she pregnant…do I have to read this again?? Another story that grapples with big social issues and themes but misses the target with clarity issues but it did pull me in emotionally
IVOЯIES by Shane Hawk – 3/5
The audiobook freaked me out though because the monster has a name that sounds like backwards speech (Fire Walk With ME) and every time the name is uttered, I cringed. Oof, creepy! Great feelings on first-time parenthood and how it feels to be barely awake in the middle of the night taking care of a newborn, but the story is told in whole parts! Felt a little long/repetitive
REZ DOGS by Stephen Graham Jones – DNF (normally love SGJ but I couldn't. I didn't read Cujo either)
I hate stories from a dog’s POV when there is abuse…DNF
**GUEST ACCOUNT by Alicia Elliott – 5/5
Enjoyed Alicia Elliott's novel, And Then She Fell. LOVED this!! A fully fleshed-out narrative about the impacts of bullying with a nice punch at the end
PARTY AT THE ALVAREZ RANCH by Mat RudeWalker – 2/5
I did not care for the style/substance/tone/writing
FOUND FOOTAGE by Shaawan Francis Keahna – DNF
I couldn't hang with the style of storytelling here
**SUMMER VACATION by Billy-Ray Belcourt – 5/5
LOVE THIS STORY. A gay couple rent an AirB&B in the hometown of one of the men. The owner of the house is off, big time. Red flag. Felt very tense. Then, add a wildfire to the story and suddenly, the tension is thick and the stakes are so high. The narrator of this story uses a voice for the AirB&B owner that gave me chills! I was so emotionally invested. This is what short form fiction can do!
**GOAT EYES by Jake Arrowtop – 5/5
This is the most HORROR story of the lost. Bone chilling, truly. Content warning for car crashes--seriously so unsettling. Love the folklore-nested storytelling
**WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT by Alina Pete – 5/5
Loved this story! Such a harrowing tale of addiction and the way it can turn people into ghosts of their former selves-emotional, haunting, riveting and a gut punch ending that made me feel so sad
**THE CORPSE ROOM by Debra Magpie Earling – 5/5
This was my favorite story of the whole lot and the narrator did it justice--loved her voice and the depth she brought to it. Especially apt since I read it just before Sept. 30th The Residentional School Day of Remembrance. We must remember the children taken from their families who never returned home, survivors and descendents still suffering, and the lasting impact on native communities.
STAR MOUND by Joshua Whitehead – DNF
The storytelling style and prose was not a fit for me
LITTLE TREE by Tommy Orange – DNF
The storytelling style and prose was not a fit for me
**TOOTHJAR by Ramona Emerson – 4/5
I love Ramona Emerson's Shutter novel and I still need to read Exposure. This is excellent psychic trama and psychological horror but I admit, I was expecting more graphic details since she so cinematicaly brings those details to her novels.
THE BODY DELIVERS by Erica Tremblay – 5/5
Another stand-out favorite of the whole anthology! Really well executed short form horror. Also, love Dark Winds and Reservoir Dogs! Everything was enhanced by the narrator, Lily Gladstone. So good-wonderful to hear her voice
THE MAKING OF MONSTERS by Kimberly Blaeser – 1/5
The storytelling style and prose was not a fit for me
Comps: Never Whistle at Night Vol. 1, Something Followed Us Home ed. Cynthia Pelayo, Out There Screaming Anthology ed. Jordan Peele, Silk & Sinew ed. Kristi Kulski
September 2, 2026
“He was no different than the cow, no different than any creature on earth that had to keep one eye open for the bigger and more dangerous things in the world. And beneath that was a deeper realization, one that had whispered lifelong around his brain but now let loose a trembling, horrified breath. Things existed that were beyond his understanding, ancient things, things his People knew about and honored and gave the respect they deserved, things he’d laughed over in the daylight and squirmed about when the sun went down.”
With stories ranging from paranormal to body horror to creature feature, and each page teeming with Indigenous folklore, heritage, and voice, this was another fantastic anthology from editors/authors Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. ! I'm genuinely keeping my fingers crossed for a third volume!
Here were some of my favorite stories:
Miss. Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe
Late Night Stroll Through a Moonlit Pasture by Jim Terry
Civilized by A.J. Eversole
Guest Account by Alicia Elliott
Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop
Summer Vacation by Billy-Ray Belcourt
We Don’t Talk About It by Alina Pete
With stories ranging from paranormal to body horror to creature feature, and each page teeming with Indigenous folklore, heritage, and voice, this was another fantastic anthology from editors/authors Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. ! I'm genuinely keeping my fingers crossed for a third volume!
Here were some of my favorite stories:
Miss. Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe
Late Night Stroll Through a Moonlit Pasture by Jim Terry
Civilized by A.J. Eversole
Guest Account by Alicia Elliott
Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop
Summer Vacation by Billy-Ray Belcourt
We Don’t Talk About It by Alina Pete
April 20, 2026
First off, huge thank you to @netgalley , @aaknopf , @pantheonbooks , and @ireadvintage for the ARC!
I LOVED The first Never Whistle at Night collection and was so pissed I hadn’t read it sooner! This time when I saw it on NetGalley I requested it so damn fast 🏃🏻♀️💨 This collection was even better than the first, which I didn’t even think was possible! Being able to find new indigenous horror makes my heart so happy 🥰 I really hope they decide to keep doing new volumes in the future!
Some of my favorite stories are:
🕸Miss. Cherokee Princess 1996
🕸Neon Moon
🕸We Don’t Talk About it
🕸Guest Account
🕸Party at the Alvarez Ranch
Be sure to check out Never Whistle at Night II: Back for Blood on August 18th, 2026!
I LOVED The first Never Whistle at Night collection and was so pissed I hadn’t read it sooner! This time when I saw it on NetGalley I requested it so damn fast 🏃🏻♀️💨 This collection was even better than the first, which I didn’t even think was possible! Being able to find new indigenous horror makes my heart so happy 🥰 I really hope they decide to keep doing new volumes in the future!
Some of my favorite stories are:
🕸Miss. Cherokee Princess 1996
🕸Neon Moon
🕸We Don’t Talk About it
🕸Guest Account
🕸Party at the Alvarez Ranch
Be sure to check out Never Whistle at Night II: Back for Blood on August 18th, 2026!
September 21, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the advanced copy of the ebook - I also purchased the book on release day for my shelves and also bought the audiobook (mainly for my faves) hehe
Another fantastic 5* horror anthology from Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr! While I will say the stories in this bunch didn't hit me in quite the same way as the first collection, I found myself pretty much loving every story. I don't think there were any duds in the bunch (though I was worried about encountering one or two, by the time each story ended I was sold). This contains the a lot of the same themes as the first collection, naturally, with a lot of theming to do with identity and what that means to people who aren't indigenous as well as to those who are - are you native "enough", are you "passing", what beauty standards do you embody, what part of the culture do you engage in (if any), etc making for an intense commentary on what it's like to be indigenous in today's world.
Just a few of the standout stories that left strong impressions on me:
- Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe*
- Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones
- Guest Account by Alicia Elliott* (probably tied with Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 as my favorite)
- Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop
- The Corpse Room by Debra Magpie Earling
- The Body Delivers by Jessica Tremplay
But again... ALL these stories are good!! I highly recommend checking out this collection for yourself as at least a few of the stories are bound to resonate, no matter who you are.
I also recommend checking out the incredible audiobook, narrated by some great actors, narrators, and voice actors like Kaniehtiio Horn, Lily Gladstone, and Shane Ghostkeeper.
An excellent collection of horror stories that I cannot recommend enough. Absolutely loved this.
Another fantastic 5* horror anthology from Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr! While I will say the stories in this bunch didn't hit me in quite the same way as the first collection, I found myself pretty much loving every story. I don't think there were any duds in the bunch (though I was worried about encountering one or two, by the time each story ended I was sold). This contains the a lot of the same themes as the first collection, naturally, with a lot of theming to do with identity and what that means to people who aren't indigenous as well as to those who are - are you native "enough", are you "passing", what beauty standards do you embody, what part of the culture do you engage in (if any), etc making for an intense commentary on what it's like to be indigenous in today's world.
Just a few of the standout stories that left strong impressions on me:
- Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe*
- Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones
- Guest Account by Alicia Elliott* (probably tied with Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 as my favorite)
- Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop
- The Corpse Room by Debra Magpie Earling
- The Body Delivers by Jessica Tremplay
But again... ALL these stories are good!! I highly recommend checking out this collection for yourself as at least a few of the stories are bound to resonate, no matter who you are.
I also recommend checking out the incredible audiobook, narrated by some great actors, narrators, and voice actors like Kaniehtiio Horn, Lily Gladstone, and Shane Ghostkeeper.
An excellent collection of horror stories that I cannot recommend enough. Absolutely loved this.
Want to Read
June 24, 2026Stephen Graham Jones, Tommy Orange, Alicia Elliott, Billy-Ray Belcourt . . . I'm in. Also lots of people who I haven't heard of or who are brand new. But I do still need to read the first one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25 stars
I was excited about this second installment because I had a great time with the first book. Unfortunately, this wasn't as strong as Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology.
This was the definition of a mixed bag. There were definite highs and lows, and the lows were really dull and almost put me to sleep. And the highs weren't good enough to carry the anthology for me to wholly recommend it.
I did love the Indigenous rep and how it was front and center in each story. This was definitely done really well. And even with the duds, you can still see the care and thought that went into the rep for each of the stories.
Thank you to Vintage and NetGalley for this arc.
Here are my quick thoughts and ratings on each story:
MISS CHEROKEE PRINCESS 1996 by Jessica Doe
4/5 stars
I'll always (well, usually) stan a racial body horror story about beauty standards, and this was done really well.
ANIMAL DUMB by PC Verrone
2/5 stars
Very typical story about puberty and growing pains that was pretty forgettable sadly. I've read one too many of these stories.
NEON MOON by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
4/5 stars
It's so hard for me to say no to stories about monsters and colonialism.
LATE NIGHT STROLL THROUGH A MOONLIT PASTURE by Jim Terry
2/5 stars
A monstrous omen, but make it anticlimactic. I guess it was interesting in a modern art kind of way. I wish something cool would've actually happened.
SASKAN: BREAKUP by Jessica Johns
3.25/5 stars
The mushrooms and mushroom lore were super cool, but the love story was too melodramatic for me.
CIVILIZED by AJ Eversole
3.5/5 stars
Take the phrase, "A blessing and a curse," but make it a supernatural story about being white presenting. I can't say no to stories about race and ethnicity.
FOOTPRINTS by Sonia Marie Barry
5/5 stars
I also can't say no to stories about colonialism, eugenics, and genocide. This was real life horror at its best. All I could think about is the recent investigation and legal case in Greenland.
IVOЯIES by Shane Hawk
2/5 stars
I usually love cosmic horror and interdimensional monsters, but I was really bored with this story. There wasn't really enough time to build sympathy for the MC, so I didn't care about him being hunted/haunted.
REZ DOGS by Stephen Graham Jones
1.5/5 stars
SGJ has more misses than hits for me. (I was really surprised that I liked The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.) This was definitely a miss. Supernatural slice of life isn't really my thing.
GUEST ACCOUNT by Alicia Elliott
1/5 stars
Another forgettable story. It was pretty much your average demon-adjacent possession trope.
PARTY AT THE ALVAREZ RANCH by Mat RudeWalker
1/5 stars
Very B movie. Some dudes run into a monster. Yada yada yada.
FOUND FOOTAGE by Shaawan Francis Keahna
3/5 stars
This was very Millenial autofiction meets The Ring. It wasn't scary scary, but more the idea of horror because the storytelling felt very passive.
SUMMER VACATION by Billy-Ray Belcourt
3.25/5 stars
Racism as horror in this couples' getaway story. This was actually really sad because I can see something like this happening in real life, if it hasn't happened already.
GOAT EYES by Jake Arrowtop
3.5/5 stars
Nothing I love more than reading about budding serial killers. That was creepy af.
WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT by Alina Pete
4/5 stars
Talk about your problems manifesting as monsters. This was another depressing story. I did like the character building, which made it easy to sympathize with the characters and their problems.
THE CORPSE ROOM by Debra Magpie Earling
3.5/5 stars
A supernatural revenge story set in an Indian boarding school. Perfect setting with a great ending. I actually wish this was a novella.
STAR MOUND by Joshua Whitehead
1.5/5 stars
This was way too lit fic and abstract for me. The sentences were strung together in a pretty way though.
LITTLE TREE by Tommy Orange
1.5/5 stars
Very modern fable. You have to really care for the characters, which I didn't.
TOOTHJAR by Ramona Emerson
3/5 stars
I liked the creepy animal motif. Not sure how I feel about the rest of the story though.
THE BODY DELIVERS by Erica Tremblay
5/5 stars
Oh man, I do love stories about unethical (and racist) things done in the name of science. And the Indigenous twist really hits the spot. Oh, and the writer's a filmmaker too? This would be a sweet sci-fi thriller.
THE MAKING OF MONSTERS by Kimberly Blaeser
2/5 stars
Damn, how do you make a post-apocalyptic story so boring? Or maybe I'm too stupid to understand the underlying theme.
I was excited about this second installment because I had a great time with the first book. Unfortunately, this wasn't as strong as Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology.
This was the definition of a mixed bag. There were definite highs and lows, and the lows were really dull and almost put me to sleep. And the highs weren't good enough to carry the anthology for me to wholly recommend it.
I did love the Indigenous rep and how it was front and center in each story. This was definitely done really well. And even with the duds, you can still see the care and thought that went into the rep for each of the stories.
Thank you to Vintage and NetGalley for this arc.
Here are my quick thoughts and ratings on each story:
MISS CHEROKEE PRINCESS 1996 by Jessica Doe
4/5 stars
I'll always (well, usually) stan a racial body horror story about beauty standards, and this was done really well.
ANIMAL DUMB by PC Verrone
2/5 stars
Very typical story about puberty and growing pains that was pretty forgettable sadly. I've read one too many of these stories.
NEON MOON by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
4/5 stars
It's so hard for me to say no to stories about monsters and colonialism.
LATE NIGHT STROLL THROUGH A MOONLIT PASTURE by Jim Terry
2/5 stars
A monstrous omen, but make it anticlimactic. I guess it was interesting in a modern art kind of way. I wish something cool would've actually happened.
SASKAN: BREAKUP by Jessica Johns
3.25/5 stars
The mushrooms and mushroom lore were super cool, but the love story was too melodramatic for me.
CIVILIZED by AJ Eversole
3.5/5 stars
Take the phrase, "A blessing and a curse," but make it a supernatural story about being white presenting. I can't say no to stories about race and ethnicity.
FOOTPRINTS by Sonia Marie Barry
5/5 stars
I also can't say no to stories about colonialism, eugenics, and genocide. This was real life horror at its best. All I could think about is the recent investigation and legal case in Greenland.
IVOЯIES by Shane Hawk
2/5 stars
I usually love cosmic horror and interdimensional monsters, but I was really bored with this story. There wasn't really enough time to build sympathy for the MC, so I didn't care about him being hunted/haunted.
REZ DOGS by Stephen Graham Jones
1.5/5 stars
SGJ has more misses than hits for me. (I was really surprised that I liked The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.) This was definitely a miss. Supernatural slice of life isn't really my thing.
GUEST ACCOUNT by Alicia Elliott
1/5 stars
Another forgettable story. It was pretty much your average demon-adjacent possession trope.
PARTY AT THE ALVAREZ RANCH by Mat RudeWalker
1/5 stars
Very B movie. Some dudes run into a monster. Yada yada yada.
FOUND FOOTAGE by Shaawan Francis Keahna
3/5 stars
This was very Millenial autofiction meets The Ring. It wasn't scary scary, but more the idea of horror because the storytelling felt very passive.
SUMMER VACATION by Billy-Ray Belcourt
3.25/5 stars
Racism as horror in this couples' getaway story. This was actually really sad because I can see something like this happening in real life, if it hasn't happened already.
GOAT EYES by Jake Arrowtop
3.5/5 stars
Nothing I love more than reading about budding serial killers. That was creepy af.
WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT by Alina Pete
4/5 stars
Talk about your problems manifesting as monsters. This was another depressing story. I did like the character building, which made it easy to sympathize with the characters and their problems.
THE CORPSE ROOM by Debra Magpie Earling
3.5/5 stars
A supernatural revenge story set in an Indian boarding school. Perfect setting with a great ending. I actually wish this was a novella.
STAR MOUND by Joshua Whitehead
1.5/5 stars
This was way too lit fic and abstract for me. The sentences were strung together in a pretty way though.
LITTLE TREE by Tommy Orange
1.5/5 stars
Very modern fable. You have to really care for the characters, which I didn't.
TOOTHJAR by Ramona Emerson
3/5 stars
I liked the creepy animal motif. Not sure how I feel about the rest of the story though.
THE BODY DELIVERS by Erica Tremblay
5/5 stars
Oh man, I do love stories about unethical (and racist) things done in the name of science. And the Indigenous twist really hits the spot. Oh, and the writer's a filmmaker too? This would be a sweet sci-fi thriller.
THE MAKING OF MONSTERS by Kimberly Blaeser
2/5 stars
Damn, how do you make a post-apocalyptic story so boring? Or maybe I'm too stupid to understand the underlying theme.
July 22, 2026
Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II arrives tasked with following one of the most celebrated horror anthologies of recent years, and it surpasses that challenge. Rather than trying to recapture the atmospheric dread of Never Whistle at Night Part I, this collection embraces horror in all its forms, delivering 21 stories that are bloodier and stranger, remaining deeply rooted in Indigenous storytelling. A compelling feature of this anthology is its incredible range. Readers will find everything from visceral body horror and the supernatural to psychological terror, found footage nightmares, and unsettling explorations of racism, addiction, grief, and colonial violence. The opening story, Jessica Doe's "Miss Cherokee Princess 1996", immediately sets the tone with an unforgettable piece that is as emotionally resonant as it is gruesome. The stories that follow rarely let up, constantly shifting styles while maintaining a high level of quality. Back for Blood strikes a balance between established names and emerging voices in Indigenous horror. Readers may initially be drawn to contributors like Stephen Graham Jones and Tommy Orange, but many of the most impactful stories come from newer or lesser known authors. Highly renowned Cheyenne and Arapaho painter Brent Learned's striking illustrations preceding each story further enhance the reading experience, offering eerie visual preludes without revealing too much. Most importantly, Back for Blood remains true to its purpose. These stories are not merely horror filtered through an Indigenous lens. They are fierce Indigenous stories that embrace traditional storytelling while confronting both supernatural legends and the very real, and still current, horrors of colonialism. The result is an anthology that is frightening, emotionally powerful, and wholly original. Whether you're a longtime horror reader or want to discover more culturally diverse stories, Back for Blood stands as one of this year's most essential anthologies. Thank you so much to Vintage Books for getting me a review copy and to NetGalley for an eARC. Don't miss this one y'all! Preorder wherever you buy your books as this drops soon on August 18th, 2026.
September 1, 2026
Whew! This was a mixed bag for me. The first 3 stories started off strong and I anticipated more like them. But others were just downright confusing or boring. The last handful of stories were tough to get through. I didn’t even bother finishing one of them. I loved reading stories that combined indigenous folklore, horror and sci-fi. Shout out to queer representation, too! Majority of these stories had potential and most started off promising only to lose me along the way. Neon Moon was my favorite! A mothman roaming the streets of Chicago that might have a smidge of empathy? One I’m bummed about was Summer Vacation. It could have been a great horror story if gone a different direction. But to me, it wasn’t horror. It was a fiction story based on how awful and inhumane homophobic people can be. I was just sad after I read it.
Here’s my scoring system.
Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 - 4 stars
Animal Dumb - 4 stars
Neon Moon - 5 stars
Late-Night Stroll - 3 stars
Saskan: breakup-2 stars
Civilized - 4 stars
Footprints - 4 stars
Civilized - 5 stars
Ivories - 2 stars
Rez Dogs- 2 stars
Guest Account - 4 stars
Found Footage - 1 star
Summer Vacation - 2 stars
Goat Eyes - 3 stars
We Don’t Talk About It - 5 stars
The Corpse Room - 3 stars
Star Mound - DNF
Little Tree - 2 stars
Toothjar - 2 stars
The Body Delivers - 3 stars
The Making of Monsters - 2 stars
I am excited to have come across new horror writers and to see what else they have.
Here’s my scoring system.
Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 - 4 stars
Animal Dumb - 4 stars
Neon Moon - 5 stars
Late-Night Stroll - 3 stars
Saskan: breakup-2 stars
Civilized - 4 stars
Footprints - 4 stars
Civilized - 5 stars
Ivories - 2 stars
Rez Dogs- 2 stars
Guest Account - 4 stars
Found Footage - 1 star
Summer Vacation - 2 stars
Goat Eyes - 3 stars
We Don’t Talk About It - 5 stars
The Corpse Room - 3 stars
Star Mound - DNF
Little Tree - 2 stars
Toothjar - 2 stars
The Body Delivers - 3 stars
The Making of Monsters - 2 stars
I am excited to have come across new horror writers and to see what else they have.
August 20, 2026
I really enjoyed Never Whistle at Night: Part Two, although I have to admit that I liked the first anthology a little more. The stories in the first book felt scarier to me overall and had more of those genuinely creepy, unsettling moments that stuck with me after I finished reading.
That said, I still really appreciate what this collection is doing. Once again, the anthology brings together Indigenous authors and a wide range of horror, folklore, and unsettling experiences. Not every story worked for me equally…anthologies rarely do…but there was still plenty here to appreciate. I especially enjoyed seeing the different interpretations of horror and the ways the stories explored culture, identity, tradition, and the things that can haunt us.
While I don’t think Part Two quite reached the same level for me as the first book, it was still a solid collection and one I’m glad I read. If you enjoyed Never Whistle at Night, I definitely think this one is worth picking up, just note it in my opinion isn’t as scary as the first book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
That said, I still really appreciate what this collection is doing. Once again, the anthology brings together Indigenous authors and a wide range of horror, folklore, and unsettling experiences. Not every story worked for me equally…anthologies rarely do…but there was still plenty here to appreciate. I especially enjoyed seeing the different interpretations of horror and the ways the stories explored culture, identity, tradition, and the things that can haunt us.
While I don’t think Part Two quite reached the same level for me as the first book, it was still a solid collection and one I’m glad I read. If you enjoyed Never Whistle at Night, I definitely think this one is worth picking up, just note it in my opinion isn’t as scary as the first book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
August 31, 2026
"Tell me how come then Mary was preggers, a virgin, AND unmarried? They call US dumb?
In the grand tradition of many a horror franchises before it, Never Whistle at Night delivers a rushed out, strike while the iron's hot, underwhelming sequel. After being extremely satisfied with the original, still thinking about some of those stories even now, I had been anxiously awaiting this release since finding out it was happening.
There are quite a few issues that I have with this anthology, the first being just such a high number of average to below average works. A lot of this book feels as if many of the writers wrote to a prompt and submitted, as opposed to having fleshed out stories that fit the theme. This seems to be the case in that the book begins by outlining how this book puts an emphasis on the blood and horror, and in the end, so many of the stories don't really inspire fright.
The sequencing and content of stories additionally is a big set of issues I had. In the first half of the book, it really seems like a lot of the entries thought "Okay, horror book. I'll put some kids in a scene with a monster! Done!" and left it at that, which would be fine on its own, but when so many of them get jammed together, one after another, especially being such weak writings to begin with, it really set a poor tone for the book.
The back half of the book suffers a similar problem, wherein the stories become darker, grander, and try to world build beyond the limits of a short story. I found myself trudging through melodramatics in gruff and bloody settings, but the content felt rushed and the implied horrors felt unearned, so I was left desensitized and unhorrified.
This whole anthology felt like the editors accepted too many works, where easily 1/3 should have been excised. I understand not every anthology can be filled with 5 star material throughout, but when the bad material far outweighs the good, and especially when the absolutely abysmal work overtakes the exceptional pieces, that is a big problem. There should never have been a scenario where in this collection of 20+ pieces, the number of stories that I found to be literally unreadable outnumbered the ones I would actually recommend reading individually.
I appreciate the work that was done here, and wholeheartedly suggest reading the first collection, and still would recommend reading this book for what it offers in terms of the voices it brings together. Most specifically though, I wish to highlight The Corpse Room and Guest Account as stand out pieces here. The Corpse Room was my absolute favorite by a long shot, though I can see how it might not be for everyone, and Guest Account is an amazing look at our modern online society, and the creatures it creates.
----------
An anthology where, despite my excitement for it, the overall content was mediocre, dragging down the whole. I feel like for a lot of these stories, I graded comparatively, in that "well it wasn't as bad as the last one so I guess it was okay," which I don't think is fair, but it was so hard to stomach so much of this book.
Individual reviews and ratings below.
Miss Cherokee Princess 1996:
Very underwhelmed, the story plays out campily and likely would have worked so much better as a short film, although it seems to already be heavily pulling from body horror film/TV in the zeitgeist. A little too on the nose in its messaging, as it notes itself, but I don't feel like there was anything more than the superficial examination of the subject matter. Surprised this is the opening piece for a horror anthology, as it downplays the traditional horror elements that it presents, glossing over the described acts, and it doesn't go in depth into the societal horror that is implicated.
2 Stars
P.S. In the context of all the stories that would come, this one actually had a very unique story to tell and I commend it for that. Most of my issues with it still remain, and I still believe this would be great as a short film.
3 Stars on revisit ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Animal Dumb:
Narratives that heavily rely on "You" to drive the story forward just really annoy me. It too often gives the story an amateurish quality, and really feels like a crutch in terms of building a narrative and connection to the reader. Though I understood and really identified with the material, it just wasn't super interesting. Throwing in pop culture references additionally often sours me to a story, as it leaves so much of the emotional backbone to be carried by other media.
2 Stars ⭐ ⭐
Neon Moon:
I enjoyed the backstory given to the creature, but that was shriveled to just a couple of pages in this story. Chase scenes don't really make out as entertaining to me as it's largely a slapdashing of "Run! Oh no, it's right behind me! Gotta keep running!", especially with no real stakes laid out. This largely could have been boiled down to a three page cryptid profile and been much more engaging. Also just didn't vibe with the overall tone.
2 Stars ⭐⭐
Late-Night Stroll Through a Moonlit Pasture:
The first story in the collection to hold my interest. Tonally very similar to the other three, just more streamlined and adept at building a narrative, though I don't know how much more I can take of a body's mutilation being described as slowly turning into a wet squelchiness, followed by a cracking sound like chicken bones, but it's not chicken bones, it's a person. Not this story's fault, just the sequencing and narrow subject matter so far.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
Saskan: Breakup:
A reflective piece about a young woman dealing with her first major break-up. The set up and follow through of how the story progresses is well paced and engaging for the short length. Mushroom themed, which isn't normally a horror genre I enjoy, but I look forward to reading more from the author.
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Civilized:
Such a strange story in that it felt very surface level in terms of approaching and analyzing the subject matter of white passing. Leaving a trail of dead brown women to not go deeper than it did, and almost even narratively justifying the situation left me feeling icked out. I feel like the last scene should have shifted the direction when the MC's mother arrived, showing that there are limits to what is allowed to even the most passing of POC's, but nothing was done, which aligns with the rest of the story, but it felt hollow in terms of real world analysis. I think the author tried to say too much with too little, and I just couldn't vibe with the white (passing) guilt.
1 Star ⭐
Footprints:
A story of medical abuse, sterilization, and the harm caused to indigenous women and societies. The story is told in quick blurs and snippets so it was difficult to get into the groove, didn't quite find it in the end, but I feel like that might be an unintentional theme with this anthology. Very big ideas that aren't given the proper time to build and breathe.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
Ivories:
One of the longest stories in the collection, Ivories starts out strong enough, at least in comparison to the other entries, but it largely tanks any set up from the first half in its third section. The narrative skips to a disjointed omnipresent viewpoint that makes whatever storyline that might have been there devolve into a nondescript mess. I understand the author is one of the editors for the collection, but this had too many pages to go nowhere, and leaves me thinking that maybe the issue with a lot of these short stories isn't necessarily not having enough room to breathe, but maybe it just boils down to a lot of bad writers turning in mediocre work. Too long, can't really tell you what happened here.
1 Star ⭐
Rez Dogs:
Perhaps this is my bias, but any story about dogs is welcomed by me! I can't say much without spoiling the tale, but it's a bit of an animal slice of life. Only ever read one book by the author, Teenage Slasher which I had to DNF, but what's here is certainly succinct and interesting.
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Guest Account:
A look into mental health in the internet age, primarily how online activity affects and influences children and teens, and to an extent how modern media affects all demographics. This was a depressing joy to read, with fleshed out characters, a story arc and a fully realized narrative voice.
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Party at the Alvarez Ranch:
Another teen creature-feature chase scenario, I think this one is so far the best in the book. The dialogue is not great, on par with the similarly themed inclusions, but this one has a clear destination and keeps it short. Not great overall, but serviceable enough.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
Found Footage:
It's hard to tell what exactly is going on here. The author seems to have a background in film which may explain the poorly structured script style of writing, but the content is just abysmal. The lack of narrative, description, and direction make this so difficult to stomach. The content that is there just reads like a middle of the pack pretentious MC monologuing, and it's not entertaining or endearing. This needs so much work to even be passable as a story, even if I'm to take it as the excerpt of a podcast, it's not impressive in style or substance.
1 Star ⭐
Summer Vacation:
A multi-pronged horror narrative, equally eco, survival and queer. Spending time at a rental cabin in an environment that is hostile in so many ways. Well paced over a solid foundation, with perhaps the closest thing we've gotten to a "happy ending" in this anthology so far. Thank you!
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goat Eyes:
A little mix of weird-kid horror and body horror. You get some stories within a story to set the tone and the pay off is strange but fitting.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
We Don't Talk About It:
A tale of addiction/possession. Solid foundation with decent development of characters. The monster element was a little under done but I believe that was intentional. Overall fine.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
The Corpse Room:
With one foot set in religious horror, and the other foot firmly planted in the history of indigenous people's genocide, specifically in this case, at boarding schools within the USA, author Debra Magpie Earling deftly pieces together a chilling and furious tale that leaves me both haunted by the realities it presents, and grateful to those who have survived, persevered, and created beautiful works in both life and art.
666 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Star Mound:
Easily the worst story in the book. 25% of the way through and I had literally no idea what was happening. Hard to tell if it's a monologue or a dialogue and there seems to be no plot. DNF.
0 Stars ⭕
Little Tree:
Not sure where or how this story started but it set a terrible tone for what was a mildly interesting second half. Unfortunately, I was still lost and not sure if it was a ghost story, a metaphor or something else.
2 Stars ⭐⭐
Toothjar:
Contagion horror story but focusing on the madness of family seclusion, I think. I think this story was too big for what it was trying to do, too many elements with not enough world building, it couldn't support my interest with how quickly it moved.
2 Stars ⭐⭐
The Body Delivers:
Maybe I'm just burnt and burned out by this book, but I'm just not connecting at this point. The story here has elements that remind me of Rosemary's Baby and Get Out. I listened to this one on audiobook and maybe that didn't help. Lily Gladstone was overacting through the whole thing, both dialogue and exposition, and it made it really difficult to get through. The story was fine but as mentioned before, there are other places to find the same story beats more effectively fleshed out. Rating based on audiobook experience.
2 Stars ⭐⭐
The Making of Monsters:
Too big a story for me to care or be invested. The writing is very capable and confident but it just devolves into noodling in a jam band, where just because the content is deep and dark, doesn't mean it's coherent or good. DNF' a few pages before the finish line.
1 Star ⭐
In the grand tradition of many a horror franchises before it, Never Whistle at Night delivers a rushed out, strike while the iron's hot, underwhelming sequel. After being extremely satisfied with the original, still thinking about some of those stories even now, I had been anxiously awaiting this release since finding out it was happening.
There are quite a few issues that I have with this anthology, the first being just such a high number of average to below average works. A lot of this book feels as if many of the writers wrote to a prompt and submitted, as opposed to having fleshed out stories that fit the theme. This seems to be the case in that the book begins by outlining how this book puts an emphasis on the blood and horror, and in the end, so many of the stories don't really inspire fright.
The sequencing and content of stories additionally is a big set of issues I had. In the first half of the book, it really seems like a lot of the entries thought "Okay, horror book. I'll put some kids in a scene with a monster! Done!" and left it at that, which would be fine on its own, but when so many of them get jammed together, one after another, especially being such weak writings to begin with, it really set a poor tone for the book.
The back half of the book suffers a similar problem, wherein the stories become darker, grander, and try to world build beyond the limits of a short story. I found myself trudging through melodramatics in gruff and bloody settings, but the content felt rushed and the implied horrors felt unearned, so I was left desensitized and unhorrified.
This whole anthology felt like the editors accepted too many works, where easily 1/3 should have been excised. I understand not every anthology can be filled with 5 star material throughout, but when the bad material far outweighs the good, and especially when the absolutely abysmal work overtakes the exceptional pieces, that is a big problem. There should never have been a scenario where in this collection of 20+ pieces, the number of stories that I found to be literally unreadable outnumbered the ones I would actually recommend reading individually.
I appreciate the work that was done here, and wholeheartedly suggest reading the first collection, and still would recommend reading this book for what it offers in terms of the voices it brings together. Most specifically though, I wish to highlight The Corpse Room and Guest Account as stand out pieces here. The Corpse Room was my absolute favorite by a long shot, though I can see how it might not be for everyone, and Guest Account is an amazing look at our modern online society, and the creatures it creates.
----------
An anthology where, despite my excitement for it, the overall content was mediocre, dragging down the whole. I feel like for a lot of these stories, I graded comparatively, in that "well it wasn't as bad as the last one so I guess it was okay," which I don't think is fair, but it was so hard to stomach so much of this book.
Individual reviews and ratings below.
Miss Cherokee Princess 1996:
Very underwhelmed, the story plays out campily and likely would have worked so much better as a short film, although it seems to already be heavily pulling from body horror film/TV in the zeitgeist. A little too on the nose in its messaging, as it notes itself, but I don't feel like there was anything more than the superficial examination of the subject matter. Surprised this is the opening piece for a horror anthology, as it downplays the traditional horror elements that it presents, glossing over the described acts, and it doesn't go in depth into the societal horror that is implicated.
2 Stars
P.S. In the context of all the stories that would come, this one actually had a very unique story to tell and I commend it for that. Most of my issues with it still remain, and I still believe this would be great as a short film.
3 Stars on revisit ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Animal Dumb:
Narratives that heavily rely on "You" to drive the story forward just really annoy me. It too often gives the story an amateurish quality, and really feels like a crutch in terms of building a narrative and connection to the reader. Though I understood and really identified with the material, it just wasn't super interesting. Throwing in pop culture references additionally often sours me to a story, as it leaves so much of the emotional backbone to be carried by other media.
2 Stars ⭐ ⭐
Neon Moon:
I enjoyed the backstory given to the creature, but that was shriveled to just a couple of pages in this story. Chase scenes don't really make out as entertaining to me as it's largely a slapdashing of "Run! Oh no, it's right behind me! Gotta keep running!", especially with no real stakes laid out. This largely could have been boiled down to a three page cryptid profile and been much more engaging. Also just didn't vibe with the overall tone.
2 Stars ⭐⭐
Late-Night Stroll Through a Moonlit Pasture:
The first story in the collection to hold my interest. Tonally very similar to the other three, just more streamlined and adept at building a narrative, though I don't know how much more I can take of a body's mutilation being described as slowly turning into a wet squelchiness, followed by a cracking sound like chicken bones, but it's not chicken bones, it's a person. Not this story's fault, just the sequencing and narrow subject matter so far.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
Saskan: Breakup:
A reflective piece about a young woman dealing with her first major break-up. The set up and follow through of how the story progresses is well paced and engaging for the short length. Mushroom themed, which isn't normally a horror genre I enjoy, but I look forward to reading more from the author.
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Civilized:
Such a strange story in that it felt very surface level in terms of approaching and analyzing the subject matter of white passing. Leaving a trail of dead brown women to not go deeper than it did, and almost even narratively justifying the situation left me feeling icked out. I feel like the last scene should have shifted the direction when the MC's mother arrived, showing that there are limits to what is allowed to even the most passing of POC's, but nothing was done, which aligns with the rest of the story, but it felt hollow in terms of real world analysis. I think the author tried to say too much with too little, and I just couldn't vibe with the white (passing) guilt.
1 Star ⭐
Footprints:
A story of medical abuse, sterilization, and the harm caused to indigenous women and societies. The story is told in quick blurs and snippets so it was difficult to get into the groove, didn't quite find it in the end, but I feel like that might be an unintentional theme with this anthology. Very big ideas that aren't given the proper time to build and breathe.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
Ivories:
One of the longest stories in the collection, Ivories starts out strong enough, at least in comparison to the other entries, but it largely tanks any set up from the first half in its third section. The narrative skips to a disjointed omnipresent viewpoint that makes whatever storyline that might have been there devolve into a nondescript mess. I understand the author is one of the editors for the collection, but this had too many pages to go nowhere, and leaves me thinking that maybe the issue with a lot of these short stories isn't necessarily not having enough room to breathe, but maybe it just boils down to a lot of bad writers turning in mediocre work. Too long, can't really tell you what happened here.
1 Star ⭐
Rez Dogs:
Perhaps this is my bias, but any story about dogs is welcomed by me! I can't say much without spoiling the tale, but it's a bit of an animal slice of life. Only ever read one book by the author, Teenage Slasher which I had to DNF, but what's here is certainly succinct and interesting.
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Guest Account:
A look into mental health in the internet age, primarily how online activity affects and influences children and teens, and to an extent how modern media affects all demographics. This was a depressing joy to read, with fleshed out characters, a story arc and a fully realized narrative voice.
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Party at the Alvarez Ranch:
Another teen creature-feature chase scenario, I think this one is so far the best in the book. The dialogue is not great, on par with the similarly themed inclusions, but this one has a clear destination and keeps it short. Not great overall, but serviceable enough.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
Found Footage:
It's hard to tell what exactly is going on here. The author seems to have a background in film which may explain the poorly structured script style of writing, but the content is just abysmal. The lack of narrative, description, and direction make this so difficult to stomach. The content that is there just reads like a middle of the pack pretentious MC monologuing, and it's not entertaining or endearing. This needs so much work to even be passable as a story, even if I'm to take it as the excerpt of a podcast, it's not impressive in style or substance.
1 Star ⭐
Summer Vacation:
A multi-pronged horror narrative, equally eco, survival and queer. Spending time at a rental cabin in an environment that is hostile in so many ways. Well paced over a solid foundation, with perhaps the closest thing we've gotten to a "happy ending" in this anthology so far. Thank you!
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goat Eyes:
A little mix of weird-kid horror and body horror. You get some stories within a story to set the tone and the pay off is strange but fitting.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
We Don't Talk About It:
A tale of addiction/possession. Solid foundation with decent development of characters. The monster element was a little under done but I believe that was intentional. Overall fine.
3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐
The Corpse Room:
With one foot set in religious horror, and the other foot firmly planted in the history of indigenous people's genocide, specifically in this case, at boarding schools within the USA, author Debra Magpie Earling deftly pieces together a chilling and furious tale that leaves me both haunted by the realities it presents, and grateful to those who have survived, persevered, and created beautiful works in both life and art.
666 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Star Mound:
Easily the worst story in the book. 25% of the way through and I had literally no idea what was happening. Hard to tell if it's a monologue or a dialogue and there seems to be no plot. DNF.
0 Stars ⭕
Little Tree:
Not sure where or how this story started but it set a terrible tone for what was a mildly interesting second half. Unfortunately, I was still lost and not sure if it was a ghost story, a metaphor or something else.
2 Stars ⭐⭐
Toothjar:
Contagion horror story but focusing on the madness of family seclusion, I think. I think this story was too big for what it was trying to do, too many elements with not enough world building, it couldn't support my interest with how quickly it moved.
2 Stars ⭐⭐
The Body Delivers:
Maybe I'm just burnt and burned out by this book, but I'm just not connecting at this point. The story here has elements that remind me of Rosemary's Baby and Get Out. I listened to this one on audiobook and maybe that didn't help. Lily Gladstone was overacting through the whole thing, both dialogue and exposition, and it made it really difficult to get through. The story was fine but as mentioned before, there are other places to find the same story beats more effectively fleshed out. Rating based on audiobook experience.
2 Stars ⭐⭐
The Making of Monsters:
Too big a story for me to care or be invested. The writing is very capable and confident but it just devolves into noodling in a jam band, where just because the content is deep and dark, doesn't mean it's coherent or good. DNF' a few pages before the finish line.
1 Star ⭐
July 1, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Vintage Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have challenged myself to expand beyond what I normally read and seek out more diverse stories I may not normally gravitate towards. This includes Back for Blood, which is the second anthology of Indigenous Horror from both more well known and new authors.
I think that the strongest stories in this anthology are the ones that pull from the lived experience of Indigenous people, with some even exploring the way that intersecting identities can really shape those experiences. Some stories that did this exceptionally well were Civilized, Summer Vacation, We Don't Talk About It and Toothjar.
Some of my other favorites that really stood out were Guest Account and The Body Delivers .
I think, for me, some stories felt disjointed, too abstract, or just too short for me to feel anything for the characters or the story, which is what led me to 3.5 stars vs 4. I do think there was some good horror in here, especially by some of the newer authors. I appreciated learning more about Indigenous culture through the lens of horror and folklore. I would still absolutely recommend this anthology, more diverse horror is needed in literature.
I have challenged myself to expand beyond what I normally read and seek out more diverse stories I may not normally gravitate towards. This includes Back for Blood, which is the second anthology of Indigenous Horror from both more well known and new authors.
I think that the strongest stories in this anthology are the ones that pull from the lived experience of Indigenous people, with some even exploring the way that intersecting identities can really shape those experiences. Some stories that did this exceptionally well were Civilized, Summer Vacation, We Don't Talk About It and Toothjar.
Some of my other favorites that really stood out were Guest Account and The Body Delivers .
I think, for me, some stories felt disjointed, too abstract, or just too short for me to feel anything for the characters or the story, which is what led me to 3.5 stars vs 4. I do think there was some good horror in here, especially by some of the newer authors. I appreciated learning more about Indigenous culture through the lens of horror and folklore. I would still absolutely recommend this anthology, more diverse horror is needed in literature.
March 30, 2026
Another amazing mix of Indigenous horror - full of dark corners, things that go bump in the night, and the horrors of survival.
This is a very nice mix. I went from each story more surprised and shocked by the twists and fascinating takes on body horror, scary nightmare creatures, and things that follow you in the dark. Each story had such a unique voice, interesting perspective, and a toe-curling terrifying horror twist. The audio has a nice mix of narrators that really kept each story feeling unique and eerie. I highly recommend this one on late night walks - just to really spook yourself.
Another great mix from an amazing group of storytellers, I hope we get another!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This is a very nice mix. I went from each story more surprised and shocked by the twists and fascinating takes on body horror, scary nightmare creatures, and things that follow you in the dark. Each story had such a unique voice, interesting perspective, and a toe-curling terrifying horror twist. The audio has a nice mix of narrators that really kept each story feeling unique and eerie. I highly recommend this one on late night walks - just to really spook yourself.
Another great mix from an amazing group of storytellers, I hope we get another!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
September 27, 2026
Ok I did overall find most of these fine and liked them for the most part, I just felt underwhelmed by most of them. Maybe the first one just set such a high bar it was hard to live up to. I do look forward to more volumes though.
Unfortunately, the sequel just did not hit like the first one did. I appreciate that this edition seemed to include the very wide spectrum of horror, but for me there were too many that felt like they could have been in a general fiction collection leaning way more literary horror or fiction with real life horror. I think given the title I was expecting more horror than general dark fiction so that might be just me going into this with the wrong assumption or they just didn't have the grab that I needed them to have, and a number of them ended so abruptly they almost felt unfinished.
I skipped Rez Dogs after looking for content warnings for this story and seeing it had graphic animal violence- I can't believe I skipped a SGJ but I just can't do the graphic animal stuff right now. I also skipped The Corpse Room after seeing a content warning for SA and I could not find any context so I skipped it. And I ended up DNFing Goat Eyes as I just do not ever care to read a detailed description of the gutting/dressing of an animal, and I've read it just too many times at this point.
Unfortunately, the sequel just did not hit like the first one did. I appreciate that this edition seemed to include the very wide spectrum of horror, but for me there were too many that felt like they could have been in a general fiction collection leaning way more literary horror or fiction with real life horror. I think given the title I was expecting more horror than general dark fiction so that might be just me going into this with the wrong assumption or they just didn't have the grab that I needed them to have, and a number of them ended so abruptly they almost felt unfinished.
I skipped Rez Dogs after looking for content warnings for this story and seeing it had graphic animal violence- I can't believe I skipped a SGJ but I just can't do the graphic animal stuff right now. I also skipped The Corpse Room after seeing a content warning for SA and I could not find any context so I skipped it. And I ended up DNFing Goat Eyes as I just do not ever care to read a detailed description of the gutting/dressing of an animal, and I've read it just too many times at this point.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The first thing you need to know about Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II is that Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. were apparently sitting around asking themselves, "What if we took the horror dial and snapped it off entirely?" Because this collection does not stroll politely into the room. It kicks the door open, throws a cryptid at your head, and then follows it up with a story that emotionally devastates you before you've even recovered.
What I loved most is that this anthology understands something a lot of horror forgets. Monsters are great. We love monsters. We support monsters. But sometimes the thing keeping you awake at 2 AM isn't the creature lurking outside your window. It's beauty standards. Racism. Addiction. Loneliness. The feeling that you're disconnected from your family, your culture, or even yourself. Then, because horror loves multitasking, sometimes there's also a monster outside your window. This collection said, "Why choose?" and honestly, respect.
The opening story, Miss Cherokee Princess 1996, basically grabbed me by the collar and informed me that we would not be having a calm evening. The body horror alone made me want to leave my skin behind and apply for a new one. Multiple stories hit that sweet spot where you're simultaneously horrified and unable to look away, like when you accidentally see someone posting their entire relationship meltdown on Facebook and suddenly forty-five minutes have passed.
What surprised me was how much variety is packed into these pages. You've got werewolves. You've got Mothman-adjacent chaos. You've got internet horror that made me deeply grateful my embarrassing teenage online presence existed in an era when social media wasn't recording every bad decision in high definition. You've got monsters from folklore, monsters from history, monsters from grief, and monsters that are technically human but are somehow much worse. Every time I settled into one kind of horror, the anthology changed outfits and showed up wearing something completely different.
Alicia Elliott's Guest Account absolutely wrecked me in that very specific way stories about identity and isolation can. Meanwhile, We Don't Talk About It and The Corpse Room hit with the kind of dread that slowly settles into your bones and refuses to pay rent. Then you get something like Neon Moon or Party at the Alvarez Ranch, which feels like the horror equivalent of someone grabbing your shoulders and yelling, "HEY, WHAT IF THIS NIGHT GOT WAY WORSE?" The range here is ridiculous.
The anthology's secret weapon, though, is how much heart lives underneath all the blood. There are stories about people trying to belong. People carrying family history. People navigating loss, shame, love, survival, and the complicated mess of inheritance. Not inheritance in the rich-grandma-leaves-you-a-castle sense. More the kind where your family hands you generations of pain, resilience, warnings, and stories and says, "Good luck, you're up." Some of the most haunting moments aren't scary because something jumps out of the darkness. They're scary because they're true.
I do think anthologies are always a little uneven by nature. Twenty-one stories means some will become instant favorites while others feel more like intriguing conversations you weren't quite smart enough to finish before everyone left the party. A handful left me scratching my head. A handful left me emotionally compromised. A handful made me want entire novels immediately. That's honestly part of the fun. Everybody's favorites are going to be different, and half the joy is arguing about them afterward.
By the time I reached the end, I had that wonderful anthology feeling where my TBR somehow grew by seventeen authors and my emotional stability decreased by approximately the same number. Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II feels bigger, meaner, bloodier, and more confident than its predecessor. Not every story landed equally for me, but the overall experience absolutely did. Four stars, and several of those stars are covered in suspiciously fresh blood.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Distrust Beauty Pageants, Internet Friendships, Family Folklore, Rural Roads, and Basically Every Noise I Hear After Sunset
And a huge thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and NetGalley for the ARC. Y'all handed me twenty-one reasons to sleep with the lights on and somehow convinced me to be grateful about it. That's a remarkable achievement.
What I loved most is that this anthology understands something a lot of horror forgets. Monsters are great. We love monsters. We support monsters. But sometimes the thing keeping you awake at 2 AM isn't the creature lurking outside your window. It's beauty standards. Racism. Addiction. Loneliness. The feeling that you're disconnected from your family, your culture, or even yourself. Then, because horror loves multitasking, sometimes there's also a monster outside your window. This collection said, "Why choose?" and honestly, respect.
The opening story, Miss Cherokee Princess 1996, basically grabbed me by the collar and informed me that we would not be having a calm evening. The body horror alone made me want to leave my skin behind and apply for a new one. Multiple stories hit that sweet spot where you're simultaneously horrified and unable to look away, like when you accidentally see someone posting their entire relationship meltdown on Facebook and suddenly forty-five minutes have passed.
What surprised me was how much variety is packed into these pages. You've got werewolves. You've got Mothman-adjacent chaos. You've got internet horror that made me deeply grateful my embarrassing teenage online presence existed in an era when social media wasn't recording every bad decision in high definition. You've got monsters from folklore, monsters from history, monsters from grief, and monsters that are technically human but are somehow much worse. Every time I settled into one kind of horror, the anthology changed outfits and showed up wearing something completely different.
Alicia Elliott's Guest Account absolutely wrecked me in that very specific way stories about identity and isolation can. Meanwhile, We Don't Talk About It and The Corpse Room hit with the kind of dread that slowly settles into your bones and refuses to pay rent. Then you get something like Neon Moon or Party at the Alvarez Ranch, which feels like the horror equivalent of someone grabbing your shoulders and yelling, "HEY, WHAT IF THIS NIGHT GOT WAY WORSE?" The range here is ridiculous.
The anthology's secret weapon, though, is how much heart lives underneath all the blood. There are stories about people trying to belong. People carrying family history. People navigating loss, shame, love, survival, and the complicated mess of inheritance. Not inheritance in the rich-grandma-leaves-you-a-castle sense. More the kind where your family hands you generations of pain, resilience, warnings, and stories and says, "Good luck, you're up." Some of the most haunting moments aren't scary because something jumps out of the darkness. They're scary because they're true.
I do think anthologies are always a little uneven by nature. Twenty-one stories means some will become instant favorites while others feel more like intriguing conversations you weren't quite smart enough to finish before everyone left the party. A handful left me scratching my head. A handful left me emotionally compromised. A handful made me want entire novels immediately. That's honestly part of the fun. Everybody's favorites are going to be different, and half the joy is arguing about them afterward.
By the time I reached the end, I had that wonderful anthology feeling where my TBR somehow grew by seventeen authors and my emotional stability decreased by approximately the same number. Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II feels bigger, meaner, bloodier, and more confident than its predecessor. Not every story landed equally for me, but the overall experience absolutely did. Four stars, and several of those stars are covered in suspiciously fresh blood.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Distrust Beauty Pageants, Internet Friendships, Family Folklore, Rural Roads, and Basically Every Noise I Hear After Sunset
And a huge thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and NetGalley for the ARC. Y'all handed me twenty-one reasons to sleep with the lights on and somehow convinced me to be grateful about it. That's a remarkable achievement.
August 3, 2026
Never Whistle At Night returns with a vengeance in the second volume, Back For Blood. Stories from Indigenous authors collected again, with a fresh batch of terrifying tales.
An encounter with a mothman. A father watching as something else takes over the life that should be his. A girl who went into the hospital to get her vocal cords fixed, and emerged with something taken instead. These are just a few of the stories included in this volume, and they’re all chilling. My personal favorite is the first one, Miss Cherokee Princess 1996, where a girl tries to make herself look more Indigenous, only to make herself look uncanny in the end. (And my word, what an insufferable character to narrate a story!)
Miss Cherokee Princess 1996: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Animal Dumb: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Neon Moon: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Late Night Stroll Through A Moonlit Pasture: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Saskan: Breakup: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Civilized: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Footprints: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ivo R Ies: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rez Dogs: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Guest Account: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Party At The Alvarez Ranch: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Found Footage: ⭐️⭐️
Summer Vacation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Goat Eyes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (SO UNSETTLING)
We Don’t Talk About It: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Corpse Room: ⭐️⭐️
Star Mound: ⭐️
Little Tree: ⭐️⭐️
Tooth Jar: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Body Delivers: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Making of Monsters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Vintage pub for the e-arc! Never Whistle at Night Part II: Back For Blood releases on August 18!
An encounter with a mothman. A father watching as something else takes over the life that should be his. A girl who went into the hospital to get her vocal cords fixed, and emerged with something taken instead. These are just a few of the stories included in this volume, and they’re all chilling. My personal favorite is the first one, Miss Cherokee Princess 1996, where a girl tries to make herself look more Indigenous, only to make herself look uncanny in the end. (And my word, what an insufferable character to narrate a story!)
Miss Cherokee Princess 1996: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Animal Dumb: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Neon Moon: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Late Night Stroll Through A Moonlit Pasture: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Saskan: Breakup: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Civilized: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Footprints: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ivo R Ies: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rez Dogs: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Guest Account: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Party At The Alvarez Ranch: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Found Footage: ⭐️⭐️
Summer Vacation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Goat Eyes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (SO UNSETTLING)
We Don’t Talk About It: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Corpse Room: ⭐️⭐️
Star Mound: ⭐️
Little Tree: ⭐️⭐️
Tooth Jar: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Body Delivers: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Making of Monsters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Vintage pub for the e-arc! Never Whistle at Night Part II: Back For Blood releases on August 18!
July 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!!
I loved ‘Never Whistle at Night’ and when I saw there was a sequel I knew I had to have it in my hands. Indigenous horror is one of my favorite genres and I love discovering new Indigenous authors.
Some of these stories were hit or miss, but that can be said with all anthology collections. These were my favorites:
👄 Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe
🐄 Neon Moon by Theodore C Van Alst Jr.
🚶🏻Late Night Stroll Through A Midnight Pasture by Jim Terry
💔 Saskan: Breakup by Jessica Johns
🔪 Civilized by A.J Eversole
🖥️ Guest Account by Alicia Elliot
🎉 Party at The Alvarez Ranch by Mat RudeWalker
🔥 Summer Vacation by Billy-Ray Belcourt
🤐 We Don’t Talk about It by Alina Pete
I loved ‘Never Whistle at Night’ and when I saw there was a sequel I knew I had to have it in my hands. Indigenous horror is one of my favorite genres and I love discovering new Indigenous authors.
Some of these stories were hit or miss, but that can be said with all anthology collections. These were my favorites:
👄 Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe
🐄 Neon Moon by Theodore C Van Alst Jr.
🚶🏻Late Night Stroll Through A Midnight Pasture by Jim Terry
💔 Saskan: Breakup by Jessica Johns
🔪 Civilized by A.J Eversole
🖥️ Guest Account by Alicia Elliot
🎉 Party at The Alvarez Ranch by Mat RudeWalker
🔥 Summer Vacation by Billy-Ray Belcourt
🤐 We Don’t Talk about It by Alina Pete
Review of advance copy
*2.5
I have enjoyed short story collections and anthologies in the past—at least a lot more than I enjoyed Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II—so, I think it’s fair to say that this just wasn’t for me.
When it comes to any short story, I like to think my criteria is pretty simple: I want to be entertained, and I want to be surprised. While this collection had a few stories that did just that, I found the overwhelming majority to be pretty unremarkable. They read more like general fiction with mentions of folklore and slivers of magical realism sprinkled throughout. In my opinion, there was very little actual horror in this horror anthology.
I didn’t find most of the stories particularly interesting, and I’m a little baffled by how many mediocre stories made it into the final collection. The stories weren't necessarily bad (well, I'd say there are a couple that are actually bad), but they were dull and monotonous in execution to me.
The anthology felt beyond bloated; at least half of these stories could have been cut to make for a much stronger anthology overall. But maybe that wasn't the point. Perhaps the goal was to simply spotlight a wide range of Indigenous authors and give their work a platform—and I'm honestly not mad at that. What I am mad at, though, is the fact that too many of these stories did absolutely nothing for me.
That said, there were a some standouts. Neon Moon by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. and The Body Delivers by Erica Tremblay were easily my favorites. I want full-length horror novels from these authors ASAP. I’ll also be picking up Ramona Emerson’s novel Shutter soon because I really enjoyed her story, Toothjar.
I think readers who regularly enjoy general fiction with light speculative elements will get much more out of this anthology than I did. There are some genuinely great stories in it, but they weren’t enough to overcome an otherwise bloated, largely forgettable collection.
Rating by Story
MISS CHEROKEE PRINCESS 1996 by Jessica Doe – 3/5
A youthfully toned, simply written YA-ish story about the woes of being a “mixed” white/Indigenous person. It has a hint of The Substance, but without the poignant commentary. Very “girly-pop” horror—just not for me.
ANIMAL DUMB by P.C. Verrone – 3/5
A closeted MC with a crush on his friend. Transformation is an allegory for gay awakening and/or puberty. Good message but bland execution. Also very youthful in tone—also not for me
NEON MOON by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. – 5/5
Loved this one! A fast-paced, cryptid feature with a noir tone and a whole lot of violent! Excellently ties Indigenous erasure, mythic imagery, and indigenous folklore into a story that is equal parts entertaining and surprising.
LATE-NIGHT STROLL THROUGH A MOONLIT PASTURE by Jim Terry – 2/5
Well, that was boring.
SASKAN: BREAKUP by Jessica Johns – 2/5
Also boring-and I really did not care one bit about these people's relationship. Readers who liked Our Wives Under the Sea might like it though.
CIVILIZED by A.J. Eversole – 1/5
I have thoughts about this one, but I think it's best for everyone if I keep them to myself...
FOOTPRINTS by Sonia Marie Barry – 2.5/5
Something about motherhood and... fish? Idk
IVOЯIES by Shane Hawk – DNF
A creepy kid (baby, really) type of story-the writing in this one is way too choppy and fragmented for my taste.
REZ DOGS by Stephen Graham Jones – 2/5
Yawn. I know so many people love Jones' work, but I just can't get into it!
GUEST ACCOUNT by Alicia Elliott – 3.5/5
Finally, a story with some personality! The bullied becomes the bully and the dangers of internet anonymity. It went on a little too long in the middle, but only slightly.
PARTY AT THE ALVAREZ RANCH by Mat RudeWalker – 2/5
Yawn again. Felt like this story should have started where it ended.
FOUND FOOTAGE by Shaawan Francis Keahna – 2/5
Yawn x3. Felt like the story should have started where it ended... again.
SUMMER VACATION by Billy-Ray Belcourt – 2.5/5
Reminded me of the TV show From vibe-wise for some reason, but it was a nothing-burger. Could have been good if the first half was cut and the second half had fully committed to its horror elements.
GOAT EYES by Jake Arrowtop – 2/5
*yawns aggressively*
WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT by Alina Pete – 3.5/5
Good commentary on substance abuse and addiction. I wish the horror went a little further.
THE CORPSE ROOM by Debra Magpie Earling – DNF
I can tell this one is touching on important topics like SA, but it isn't a good fit for me stylistically.
STAR MOUND by Joshua Whitehead – DNF
Read like the rambling manifesto of a serial killer (and not in a good way).
LITTLE TREE by Tommy Orange – DNF
I just could not handle how unbelievably dry this one was.
TOOTHJAR by Ramona Emerson – 4.5/5
A great change of pace with the quiet apocalyptic story set on a farm. Excellent psychological tension, I just with it had ended with a stronger punch that was a little more surprising.
THE BODY DELIVERS by Erica Tremblay – 5/5
Another nice change in setting with some awesome occultist horror and sci-fi elements! This one was pretty dark conceptually. And that ending!-I loved it!
THE MAKING OF MONSTERS by Kimberly Blaeser – 2/5
Another one that has an important message but communicates it in such a bland manner.
I have enjoyed short story collections and anthologies in the past—at least a lot more than I enjoyed Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II—so, I think it’s fair to say that this just wasn’t for me.
When it comes to any short story, I like to think my criteria is pretty simple: I want to be entertained, and I want to be surprised. While this collection had a few stories that did just that, I found the overwhelming majority to be pretty unremarkable. They read more like general fiction with mentions of folklore and slivers of magical realism sprinkled throughout. In my opinion, there was very little actual horror in this horror anthology.
I didn’t find most of the stories particularly interesting, and I’m a little baffled by how many mediocre stories made it into the final collection. The stories weren't necessarily bad (well, I'd say there are a couple that are actually bad), but they were dull and monotonous in execution to me.
The anthology felt beyond bloated; at least half of these stories could have been cut to make for a much stronger anthology overall. But maybe that wasn't the point. Perhaps the goal was to simply spotlight a wide range of Indigenous authors and give their work a platform—and I'm honestly not mad at that. What I am mad at, though, is the fact that too many of these stories did absolutely nothing for me.
That said, there were a some standouts. Neon Moon by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. and The Body Delivers by Erica Tremblay were easily my favorites. I want full-length horror novels from these authors ASAP. I’ll also be picking up Ramona Emerson’s novel Shutter soon because I really enjoyed her story, Toothjar.
I think readers who regularly enjoy general fiction with light speculative elements will get much more out of this anthology than I did. There are some genuinely great stories in it, but they weren’t enough to overcome an otherwise bloated, largely forgettable collection.
Rating by Story
MISS CHEROKEE PRINCESS 1996 by Jessica Doe – 3/5
A youthfully toned, simply written YA-ish story about the woes of being a “mixed” white/Indigenous person. It has a hint of The Substance, but without the poignant commentary. Very “girly-pop” horror—just not for me.
ANIMAL DUMB by P.C. Verrone – 3/5
A closeted MC with a crush on his friend. Transformation is an allegory for gay awakening and/or puberty. Good message but bland execution. Also very youthful in tone—also not for me
NEON MOON by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. – 5/5
Loved this one! A fast-paced, cryptid feature with a noir tone and a whole lot of violent! Excellently ties Indigenous erasure, mythic imagery, and indigenous folklore into a story that is equal parts entertaining and surprising.
LATE-NIGHT STROLL THROUGH A MOONLIT PASTURE by Jim Terry – 2/5
Well, that was boring.
SASKAN: BREAKUP by Jessica Johns – 2/5
Also boring-and I really did not care one bit about these people's relationship. Readers who liked Our Wives Under the Sea might like it though.
CIVILIZED by A.J. Eversole – 1/5
I have thoughts about this one, but I think it's best for everyone if I keep them to myself...
FOOTPRINTS by Sonia Marie Barry – 2.5/5
Something about motherhood and... fish? Idk
IVOЯIES by Shane Hawk – DNF
A creepy kid (baby, really) type of story-the writing in this one is way too choppy and fragmented for my taste.
REZ DOGS by Stephen Graham Jones – 2/5
Yawn. I know so many people love Jones' work, but I just can't get into it!
GUEST ACCOUNT by Alicia Elliott – 3.5/5
Finally, a story with some personality! The bullied becomes the bully and the dangers of internet anonymity. It went on a little too long in the middle, but only slightly.
PARTY AT THE ALVAREZ RANCH by Mat RudeWalker – 2/5
Yawn again. Felt like this story should have started where it ended.
FOUND FOOTAGE by Shaawan Francis Keahna – 2/5
Yawn x3. Felt like the story should have started where it ended... again.
SUMMER VACATION by Billy-Ray Belcourt – 2.5/5
Reminded me of the TV show From vibe-wise for some reason, but it was a nothing-burger. Could have been good if the first half was cut and the second half had fully committed to its horror elements.
GOAT EYES by Jake Arrowtop – 2/5
*yawns aggressively*
WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT by Alina Pete – 3.5/5
Good commentary on substance abuse and addiction. I wish the horror went a little further.
THE CORPSE ROOM by Debra Magpie Earling – DNF
I can tell this one is touching on important topics like SA, but it isn't a good fit for me stylistically.
STAR MOUND by Joshua Whitehead – DNF
Read like the rambling manifesto of a serial killer (and not in a good way).
LITTLE TREE by Tommy Orange – DNF
I just could not handle how unbelievably dry this one was.
TOOTHJAR by Ramona Emerson – 4.5/5
A great change of pace with the quiet apocalyptic story set on a farm. Excellent psychological tension, I just with it had ended with a stronger punch that was a little more surprising.
THE BODY DELIVERS by Erica Tremblay – 5/5
Another nice change in setting with some awesome occultist horror and sci-fi elements! This one was pretty dark conceptually. And that ending!-I loved it!
THE MAKING OF MONSTERS by Kimberly Blaeser – 2/5
Another one that has an important message but communicates it in such a bland manner.
August 1, 2026
Thank you to my besties Ted & Shane (and Vintage) for my free ARC of Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. — out August 18!
» READ IF YOU «
🐺 finished the first Never Whistle at Night and wanted more
🩸 love stories that show monsters and humans in the same horrific light
📖 want an anthology that’ll help you discover new authors
» SYNOPSIS «
Never Whistle at Night returns with twenty-one brand-new stories of Indigenous horror, from both the established names you love and newly discovered voices. This time, we’re leaning aaaall the way into horror—supernatural terrors sitting right alongside the everyday horrors of the human condition in a post-colonial world.
» REVIEW «
Whew. This one's more horror-forward than the first collection, and it shows in all the best ways. While I personally adore dark fiction and bleak literary vibes, there's more “go for the throat” with the horror stories in NWAN II—monsters, murder, gore, and terror. As with any anthology, it's a mixed bag, but the hit rate on this one is genuinely high for me, just like with the first edition.
SGJ’s "Rez Dogs" was (unsurprisingly) a standout for me; nobody writes closing lines like that freakin’ guy. Jessica Johns's "Saskan: Breakup" hit me hardest emotionally, turning heartbreak into something monstrous (a fave metaphor of mine). Jessica Doe's "Miss Cherokee Princess 1996" opens the collection with a sharp, unsettling vibe that will stick with me for ages. And Debra Magpie Earling's "The Corpse Room" is truly horrific and unsettling, with a closing visual that’s to die for…literally. Plus so many more!!
If you loved the first NWAN, this second installment packs even more of a “horror” punch that you’re sure to devour. Back for blood, indeed. Don’t miss it!
» RATING «
😙 I'm NOT Whistling 😵
» READ-A-LIKES «
• One Bad Night & Other Stories (anthology)
• Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
• Reservation Dogs (TV show)
• Never Whistle at Night (anthology)
» READ IF YOU «
🐺 finished the first Never Whistle at Night and wanted more
🩸 love stories that show monsters and humans in the same horrific light
📖 want an anthology that’ll help you discover new authors
» SYNOPSIS «
Never Whistle at Night returns with twenty-one brand-new stories of Indigenous horror, from both the established names you love and newly discovered voices. This time, we’re leaning aaaall the way into horror—supernatural terrors sitting right alongside the everyday horrors of the human condition in a post-colonial world.
» REVIEW «
Whew. This one's more horror-forward than the first collection, and it shows in all the best ways. While I personally adore dark fiction and bleak literary vibes, there's more “go for the throat” with the horror stories in NWAN II—monsters, murder, gore, and terror. As with any anthology, it's a mixed bag, but the hit rate on this one is genuinely high for me, just like with the first edition.
SGJ’s "Rez Dogs" was (unsurprisingly) a standout for me; nobody writes closing lines like that freakin’ guy. Jessica Johns's "Saskan: Breakup" hit me hardest emotionally, turning heartbreak into something monstrous (a fave metaphor of mine). Jessica Doe's "Miss Cherokee Princess 1996" opens the collection with a sharp, unsettling vibe that will stick with me for ages. And Debra Magpie Earling's "The Corpse Room" is truly horrific and unsettling, with a closing visual that’s to die for…literally. Plus so many more!!
If you loved the first NWAN, this second installment packs even more of a “horror” punch that you’re sure to devour. Back for blood, indeed. Don’t miss it!
» RATING «
😙 I'm NOT Whistling 😵
» READ-A-LIKES «
• One Bad Night & Other Stories (anthology)
• Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
• Reservation Dogs (TV show)
• Never Whistle at Night (anthology)
August 10, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.
I feel uncomfortable giving this a total rating as some stories and writing styles resonated with me more than others. I do have 5 standouts that will stay with me though.
I also want to thank the editors of this short story collection for the introduction. I felt truly welcomed into this book if that makes sense, as it acted as a good overview of what is included in the collection and what to expect.
Here were my personal favourites:
Toothjar: Creepy and great for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction.
The body delivers: Fast-paced, sci fi kind of, but horrifying all the same.
Ivories: This one is surrounded by a sense of dread and would scare anyone with a baby. It’s by one of the editors of the collection.
Guest account: a scary story for the digital age for sure.
Summer vacation: a terrifying one as this could actually happen, this one disturbed me the most.
I feel uncomfortable giving this a total rating as some stories and writing styles resonated with me more than others. I do have 5 standouts that will stay with me though.
I also want to thank the editors of this short story collection for the introduction. I felt truly welcomed into this book if that makes sense, as it acted as a good overview of what is included in the collection and what to expect.
Here were my personal favourites:
Toothjar: Creepy and great for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction.
The body delivers: Fast-paced, sci fi kind of, but horrifying all the same.
Ivories: This one is surrounded by a sense of dread and would scare anyone with a baby. It’s by one of the editors of the collection.
Guest account: a scary story for the digital age for sure.
Summer vacation: a terrifying one as this could actually happen, this one disturbed me the most.
September 7, 2026
Another interesting collection of indigenous horror, but unfortunately not as exciting as the first anthology to me. Despite enjoying fewer of the pieces collected here than in the first anthology, I still found a few of the short stories very interesting. My favorites were: Neon Moon by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr., Saskan Breakup by Jessica Johns, Ivories by Shane Hawk, Summer Vacation by Bily Ray-Belcourt and The Body Delivers by Erica Tremblay.
September 1, 2026
4 ⭐️
RTC. I loved the first anthology so I was PUMPED to read the second one, right as spooky season was starting 👻
RTC. I loved the first anthology so I was PUMPED to read the second one, right as spooky season was starting 👻
August 25, 2026
One of our bookstore regulars is one of the many narrators!! I'm so hyped for her and to go back and read Part 1. Congratulations to everyone a part of this collection! I am just extra hyped for Erin Tripp. :)
Some of my favorites consisted of:
Guest Account by Alicia Elliot.
Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones.
We Don't Talk About It by Alina Pete.
Some of my favorites consisted of:
Guest Account by Alicia Elliot.
Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones.
We Don't Talk About It by Alina Pete.
August 5, 2026
Thank you to Vintage and NetGalley for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
The editors of the acclaimed Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology are back again with yet another collection of Indigenous horror short stories… and your enjoyment of the collection as a whole may depend on how much horror you appreciate.
I liked Hawk and Van Alst Jr.’s editorial decisions here. Rather than just asking the authors from the first collection to contribute again, they’ve opened it up to include new voices. That means you get an awesome range of stories spanning all types of horror, in particular horror that is unapologetically Indigenous. That’s because, as the editors remind us in the introduction:
Or, as Stephen Graham Jones’ characters say in the creeptacular “Rez Dogs”:
In these stories, friends get ripped apart by legendary monsters at night. Family members are eaten. Natives’ body parts or genetics are stolen, colonized, replaced—or they do it to themselves, which is even more hard-hitting (see Jessica Doe’s banger of an opening story, “Miss Cherokee Princess 1996”). Some more of my favorite stories include:
- “Civilized” by A.J. Eversole - Displays the horror of white privilege in a unique way
- “Ghost Account” by Alice Elliott - I thought she showed a great understanding of the Gen Alpha mindset, and the MC’s voice was strong
But again, YMMV. Some of these stories make use of experimental narrative formats or more literary styles that didn’t work for me. The point is that there’s something here for everyone, just as there are also guaranteed to be stories here that are not for you. I love that collections like this exist, though, and encourage everyone (even the scaredy-cats like me who don’t think they can stomach horror) to check out Part 1 and/or Part 2, to learn your horror reading tastes and see just what kinds of horror stories are out there.
The editors of the acclaimed Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology are back again with yet another collection of Indigenous horror short stories… and your enjoyment of the collection as a whole may depend on how much horror you appreciate.
I liked Hawk and Van Alst Jr.’s editorial decisions here. Rather than just asking the authors from the first collection to contribute again, they’ve opened it up to include new voices. That means you get an awesome range of stories spanning all types of horror, in particular horror that is unapologetically Indigenous. That’s because, as the editors remind us in the introduction:
“Native and First Nations horror exists because Native and First Nations reality exists.”
Or, as Stephen Graham Jones’ characters say in the creeptacular “Rez Dogs”:
“‘You’re going to Indian hell for that, you know?’...”
‘We’re already in Indian hell, yeah?’”
In these stories, friends get ripped apart by legendary monsters at night. Family members are eaten. Natives’ body parts or genetics are stolen, colonized, replaced—or they do it to themselves, which is even more hard-hitting (see Jessica Doe’s banger of an opening story, “Miss Cherokee Princess 1996”). Some more of my favorite stories include:
- “Civilized” by A.J. Eversole - Displays the horror of white privilege in a unique way
- “Ghost Account” by Alice Elliott - I thought she showed a great understanding of the Gen Alpha mindset, and the MC’s voice was strong
But again, YMMV. Some of these stories make use of experimental narrative formats or more literary styles that didn’t work for me. The point is that there’s something here for everyone, just as there are also guaranteed to be stories here that are not for you. I love that collections like this exist, though, and encourage everyone (even the scaredy-cats like me who don’t think they can stomach horror) to check out Part 1 and/or Part 2, to learn your horror reading tastes and see just what kinds of horror stories are out there.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Average Overall Rating: ★ 3.75 / 5
I am a HUGE fan of the original anthology, so you can imagine my excitement at learning a sequel was in the works. I was flying through this book, and it made me want to reread the first anthology again or at least reread favorite stories.
✧ Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe ★ 4 / 5
✧ Animal Dumb by P. G. Verrone ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ Neon Moon by Theodore C. Van Aist Jr. ★ 3 / 5
✧ Late Night Stroll Through a Moonlit Pasture by Jim Terry ★ 2.75 / 5
✧ Saskan: Breakup by Jessica Johns ★ 4.25 / 5
✧ Civilized by A. J. Eversole ★ 5 / 5
✧ Footprints by Sonia Marie Barry ★ 4.75 / 5
✧ Ivories by Shane Hawk ★ 4.5 / 5
✧ Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones ★ 4.5 / 5
✧ Guest Account by Alicia Elliott ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ Party at the Alvarez Ranch by Mat Rudewalker ★ 3 / 5
✧ Found Footage by Shaawan Francis Keahna ★ 2.5 / 5
✧ Summer Vacation by Billy-Ray Belcourt ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop ★ 3.75 / 5
✧ We Don’t Talk About It by Alina Pete ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ The Corpse Room by Debra Magpie Earling ★ 4 / 5
✧ Star Mound by Joshua Whitehead ★ 2 / 5
✧ Little Tree by Tommy Orange ★ 3 / 5
✧ Toothjar by Ramona Emerson ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ The Body Delivers by Erica Tremblay ★ 4.5 / 5
✧ The Making of Monsters by Kimberly Blaeser ★ 3.75 / 5
They’re less stories in this installment, and that was a smart decision by the editors because it allowed these stories to live longer.
You can obviously see my favorites above based off of the ratings, but the ones that are still seared into my mind are The Body Delivers, Civilized, Footprints, and Ivories.
The Body Delivers was particularly horrifying in a sci-fi, horror type of way. It was the most shocking of the stories to the point where I was physically hanging my mouth open, unable to compute what I was reading. I had to double back multiple times to reread because my brain was just stunned.
All in all, if you’re a horror lover and you haven’t picked up the Never Whistle at Night anthologies—do yourself a favor and grab one of them this fall.
Thank you Vintage for sending me an ARC to review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am a HUGE fan of the original anthology, so you can imagine my excitement at learning a sequel was in the works. I was flying through this book, and it made me want to reread the first anthology again or at least reread favorite stories.
✧ Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe ★ 4 / 5
✧ Animal Dumb by P. G. Verrone ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ Neon Moon by Theodore C. Van Aist Jr. ★ 3 / 5
✧ Late Night Stroll Through a Moonlit Pasture by Jim Terry ★ 2.75 / 5
✧ Saskan: Breakup by Jessica Johns ★ 4.25 / 5
✧ Civilized by A. J. Eversole ★ 5 / 5
✧ Footprints by Sonia Marie Barry ★ 4.75 / 5
✧ Ivories by Shane Hawk ★ 4.5 / 5
✧ Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones ★ 4.5 / 5
✧ Guest Account by Alicia Elliott ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ Party at the Alvarez Ranch by Mat Rudewalker ★ 3 / 5
✧ Found Footage by Shaawan Francis Keahna ★ 2.5 / 5
✧ Summer Vacation by Billy-Ray Belcourt ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ Goat Eyes by Jake Arrowtop ★ 3.75 / 5
✧ We Don’t Talk About It by Alina Pete ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ The Corpse Room by Debra Magpie Earling ★ 4 / 5
✧ Star Mound by Joshua Whitehead ★ 2 / 5
✧ Little Tree by Tommy Orange ★ 3 / 5
✧ Toothjar by Ramona Emerson ★ 3.5 / 5
✧ The Body Delivers by Erica Tremblay ★ 4.5 / 5
✧ The Making of Monsters by Kimberly Blaeser ★ 3.75 / 5
They’re less stories in this installment, and that was a smart decision by the editors because it allowed these stories to live longer.
You can obviously see my favorites above based off of the ratings, but the ones that are still seared into my mind are The Body Delivers, Civilized, Footprints, and Ivories.
The Body Delivers was particularly horrifying in a sci-fi, horror type of way. It was the most shocking of the stories to the point where I was physically hanging my mouth open, unable to compute what I was reading. I had to double back multiple times to reread because my brain was just stunned.
All in all, if you’re a horror lover and you haven’t picked up the Never Whistle at Night anthologies—do yourself a favor and grab one of them this fall.
Thank you Vintage for sending me an ARC to review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 17, 2026
The first Never Whistle at Night anthology was one of my best reads of last year and is my favorite anthology I have ever read. So when I saw there was going to be a second installment of Indigenous Horror stories, I was so excited. (We won’t even talk about the yelling I did when I was approved to read it early…) But I was also scared it couldn’t live up to the amazing experience I had with the first one. My fears were unfounded though, and this one was also incredible and unique and I loved it so much. And Just like the first one, I loved it so much that I had a difficult time when I came across any negative reviews about any part of it. 🤣😤🫣
If you know me you know Indigenous Horror is my favorite genre and I definitely had my favorite stories, but I can honestly say I loved and appreciated each and every one. It was really cool to see some of my favorite authors, as well as some completely new names, together in the same book. And also like the first one, I have added some new authors to my watch list 👀.
Including a wide variety of real life and lore horrors including violence against Indigenous women, racism, and quite a few Indigenous creatures, this collection was horrifying and incredibly impactful.
My favorites were:
📗 Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe (one of the best body horror stories I have ever read)
📖 We Don’t Talk About It by Alina Pete (set partly in a morgue and includes themes of the horrors of addiction)
📗 Civilized by AJ Eversole (this one stayed with me and I think about it daily, it’s so hauntingly brutally real)
📖 Footprints by Sonia Marie Barry (I can’t even type the title without tearing up 😭😭😭😭😭)
📗 Ivories by Shane Hawk (scariest of the stories by far 🫣)
Ok I’m going to stop now because honestly they are all amazing and if you didn’t preorder this book do it now from an Indigenous owned book shop or go buy it tomorrow from your local bookstore on pub day!
Thank you to @netgalley and Vintage Publishing for the opportunity to read this one early!
If you know me you know Indigenous Horror is my favorite genre and I definitely had my favorite stories, but I can honestly say I loved and appreciated each and every one. It was really cool to see some of my favorite authors, as well as some completely new names, together in the same book. And also like the first one, I have added some new authors to my watch list 👀.
Including a wide variety of real life and lore horrors including violence against Indigenous women, racism, and quite a few Indigenous creatures, this collection was horrifying and incredibly impactful.
My favorites were:
📗 Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe (one of the best body horror stories I have ever read)
📖 We Don’t Talk About It by Alina Pete (set partly in a morgue and includes themes of the horrors of addiction)
📗 Civilized by AJ Eversole (this one stayed with me and I think about it daily, it’s so hauntingly brutally real)
📖 Footprints by Sonia Marie Barry (I can’t even type the title without tearing up 😭😭😭😭😭)
📗 Ivories by Shane Hawk (scariest of the stories by far 🫣)
Ok I’m going to stop now because honestly they are all amazing and if you didn’t preorder this book do it now from an Indigenous owned book shop or go buy it tomorrow from your local bookstore on pub day!
Thank you to @netgalley and Vintage Publishing for the opportunity to read this one early!
Read
September 30, 2026Never Whistle at Night Part II: Back for Blood is an anthology of Indigenous horror short stories edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. This is a wonderful collection of stories from established authors and newer authors. The introduction to this collection described the book perfectly: “If the first volume asked you to sit with the darkness, this one asks you to listen to it breathe…Allow the story to end where it ends, and notice what keeps moving after the last line. Horror thrives in that knowledge—knowledge we do not romanticize because it is lived.” It is a deliciously creepy mix of supernatural horror, psychological tales, sinister stories, and the every day horrors of living in a colonial world. These stories will haunt you long after you turn the last page. I appreciated the depth and variety of content. There is something for everyone here. If you loved the first Never Whistle at Night or want more horror in your life, then this one will grab you by the throat and won’t let go until you’ve devoured every word.
Some favorite stand-outs:
-Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe
-Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones
-Ivories by Shane Hawk
-The Corpse Room by Debra Magpie Earling
-Star Mound by Joshua Whitehead
I recommend this for readers who like Stephen Graham Jones, specifically The Only Good Indians, the original NWAN, unsettling and creepy stories, and Chupacabras by Vida James (in the anthology We Will Rise Again).
Thank you NetGalley and Vintage for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Some favorite stand-outs:
-Miss Cherokee Princess 1996 by Jessica Doe
-Rez Dogs by Stephen Graham Jones
-Ivories by Shane Hawk
-The Corpse Room by Debra Magpie Earling
-Star Mound by Joshua Whitehead
I recommend this for readers who like Stephen Graham Jones, specifically The Only Good Indians, the original NWAN, unsettling and creepy stories, and Chupacabras by Vida James (in the anthology We Will Rise Again).
Thank you NetGalley and Vintage for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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