Moon of the Crusted Snow

I'm usually not one for slower moving books, especially ones with more atmospheric horror, but this one captivated me. Having lived far out in the country a number of times, I can see why some people would think the premise far-fetched, but I know from personal experience the not knowing what's going on is very real. I loved every part of this book and can't wait to read the next one.

Super interesting to read about "apocalypse" from an indigenous perspective. And what kind of other apocalyptic things they've been through. Spooky. Chilling at times. Real deal

Moon of the Crusted Snow, authored by Waubgeshig Rice, popped on my radar by way of the Bookriot article titled: Welcome To Indigenous Horror: 4 Indigenous Books To Try, written by Amanda Diehl. This was the only title on this list I have been able to get my hands on so far (borrowed from my library) but I remain hopeful, and diligent in my searching. I also would like to read the other works by this author. My honest review is below, freely given. I rated this novel 4.5 stars. The way the world ends could be endlessly written about, ranging from the fantastical to the horrific, mired in scientific explanation or religious signs; presented with hopeful to despondent emotion. I had not yet read a story of the modern world ending from the viewpoint of of a people already so isolated due to marginalization and separation onto reservations, but I was looking forward to it. If your communication with everyone off the rez (reservation) is spotty at best during the colder weather, then when it happens with finality, you wouldn’t know right away; that gets under my skin, creeps me out. I know they were already preparing, stocking up for winter, but they still thought everything was a-okay with the people that stock their diesel, restock their grocer’s store. There was a whole safety net they thought was under them that had been ripped away. How they dealt with everything that followed, as a small community, fascinated me. These were not random survivors thrown together hashing out their differences, fighting bitterness over perceived slights; these were family, lifetime friends, whose dedication to pulling their weight for the community (or not) was bare for all to see, more complicated to deal with, I’m sure. And having to decide what to do with outsiders asking for shelter, and all the good and bad that can come from that, I thought was another strong pull on the tension that had been building steadily from the first chapter. If I ever get to the point where listening to audio books are possible for me (not while the kids have school from home!), I would love to hear the Anishinaabe written within the book spoken. There are English words I’ve only read that I know I butcher trying to say; I can only imagine at this point how lovely the words shared with us in this novel really sound.