Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II
Edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
Vintage Books (August 18, 2026)
Reviewed by Rowan B. Minor
Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II, edited by Shane Hawk (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma) and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. (enrolled Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians) is the follow-up collection to Never Whistle at Night, published by Vintage Books in 2023. Written by Indigenous authors, both new and established, these unique tales in Back for Blood encompass both supernatural and real-life horror. This collection features 21 never-before-seen dark and creepy stories accompanied by unsettling illustrations by Cheyenne and Arapaho painter Brent Learned. Although this book is a follow-up, the stories are stand-alone and can be read without knowing its predecessor, especially since Back for Blood features different authors from the first anthology.
Although each story in Back for Blood is highly entertaining and authentic, a few stand out. Erica Tremblay’s “The Body Delivers” is a breathtaking story that puts an interesting and contemporary spin on rebirth and reincarnation. This story is engrossing and takes the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions. “Saskan: Breakup” by Jessica Jones follows a burnt-out couple whose relationship is deteriorating, but when girlfriend Caroline finally claws herself out of bed, a run-in with a Native man and two Native women distorts her reality and makes her rethink her life. Jones does an incredible (and effortless) job of wrapping the end of her story back to the beginning. Alina Pete’s “We Don’t Talk About It” is a poignant and petrifying story about siblings Sasha and Alex, who have a strained relationship. It creatively tackles themes like alcoholism and addiction through an expressionist lens, and the author’s use of language is fresh and captivating. “Party at the Alvarez Ranch” by Mat Rudewalker takes a classic “there’s something in the woods” trope and flips it on its head. With a little bit of body horror, Rudewalker incorporates a Chickasaw folklore monster into his terrifying and brilliant story.
As a whole, Back for Blood is a compelling collection of short horror tales that will become an instant classic, much like its first installment. These stories are more than just that; each one encompasses the author’s identity and culture and embraces the history of Indigenous oral storytelling. Many of these stories are wholly engaging, especially those written in the first person. While some stories are direct and potent and others are more subtle, Back for Blood invites readers into the shadows and greets them with the things nightmares are made of.
