It never crossed my mind that we’d eventually get a sequel novel to The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, but I guess we live in a lucky world where Off The Reservation exists. This latest novel by the New York Times bestselling author is one filled with terror but also deeply moving and authentic.
Nate’s life is out of balance, so when he is given the chance to reset his life, and maybe save Sebby in the process, Nate steps up, again. This time it’s into a camper van that is almost as run down as his broken body, filled with three older Blackfeet, to find the bones of the lone Blackfeet boy who died at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School—where many Indigenous children were abused—and repatriate this boy home. The problem is, when they get the bones, something terrible has escaped with them.
While I first stumbled upon the writing of Jones through his comic series Earthdivers, it was quickly after the debut issue where I dove head first into The Only Good Indians. Not knowing what I would expect, the novel truly sunk its teeth in me and never really let go. I have since gone back and read the story over again and each time it hits just that much more harder. Would I have ever expected to tag alongside Nate once again in a future novel, no, but I am sure glad we can. The award-winning novel solidified Jones as a must-read author moving forward, going back to the Blackfeet reservation is a bonus.
While billed some places as a sequel to The Only Good Indians, Off The Reservation is more of a companion novel to the original. We are not five years after the events of The Only Good Indians where Nate is joined by a ragtag group of activists sets out to repatriate the bones of a Blackfeet boy taken to the infamous Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Another stellar plot that had me ready for some terror, but also knowing that I would get a deeper meaning and cultural significance along the way. Something that makes Jones’ novels have more impact than the simple fear factor.
Off The Reservation stands apart from The Only Good Indians in a few ways, while still keeping the familiarity alive. This latest novel is a roadtrip style horror blending with possession horror, but not the typical possession that I am used to, which is fun in its own right. Told from multiple point-of-view, this deep story has moments of creepy horror, but also the real-life terrors that the Indigenous have to deal with on a daily basis. Each character has their own voice, which is only amplified if you listen to the audiobook narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett (returning from the first novel), Darrell Dennis, Tomi Endter, Kimberly Guerrero & Jana Schmieding.
This book carved its own path, even with the foundation set in a previous novel, but brings along some of the feeling from the original. Off The Reservation pushes things to the limit, shifting gears about midway through and goes full force till the end. This is one of the things I enjoyed the most about The Only Good Indians, giving us the same effect in Off The Reservation just made it all the more amazing.
Jones tells these stories with a sense of genuine authenticity, while also weaving in supernatural fear and those real-life fears I mentioned already. His ability to scare us, fill us with dread, and teach us a bit of Blackfeet history all in one book is really unparalleled. Expanding on the lore and story from an award-winning book wasn’t needed, but damn I am sure glad he did. Let’s not scare you away for those who haven’t read the first book, you can confidently read this book going into it blind. Connected reading, but not required reading.
Off The Reservation is another terrifying, yet impactful story from Stephen Graham Jones. It sits squarely in the Blackfeet reservation stories told by Jones, but also stands strong on its own. Jones continues to solidify himself as a master of horror, Off The Reservation just proves it even further.
Off The Reservation hits bookstores everywhere on October 13, 2026 from Saga Press. The audiobook, narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Darrell Dennis, Tomi Endter, Kimberly Guerrero & Jana Schmieding, is available via Libro.fm!
