i'm conflicted with this story and how i feel. entertainment and scares wise holy shit 5 stars. the narrator is incredible and does a great job. i actually felt fear and disgust and it's rare for horror to truly effect me. i enjoyed the characters and the spooky atmosphere but it can't go without the glaringly obvious indigenous influence.

i think the authors intentions with this story was good, thought it ended up falling flat. he's studied but i do not know what that all entails. there is a note by the author at the end of the story that shines light on the intention with references and purpose for including indigenous culture in this particular story (as a white man). i, a white woman, can't speak for another culture so i recommend reading reviews from indigenous reviews on this particular story because to me it felt stereotypical at times and my least favorite trope: the white savior / poc must die to save the white man

although i read for entertainment, and this did that, i can't go without acknowledgement of white people profiting off stories that do not belong to them. if you want a scary ghost story that is freaky i'd say check it out, but go into it open minded and know this story does not represent the indigenous culture.