Erika T. WurthBesprekingen

I was searching for a book to read on Libby and found this in a list of books by Native authors. I really enjoyed the book, it’s a quick read that I found hard to put down. I enjoyed the Native culture, also being transported to the places of the story, connections to other books and the unexpected twists l didn’t see coming. I’m glad l discovered the author and I will be following her for more!

The pacing for this one really bumped it up a star for me. Read it in like a day, some intense assaulty moments but still super readable noiry thriller with some supernatural elements.

Erika T. Wurth's 'The White Horse' is a captivating journey that earns a solid 4.5 stars out of 5 from this book enthusiast. The characters feel like friends you've known forever, and Wurth's vivid descriptions paint pictures in your mind that linger long after you put the book down. As a big fan of Stephen King, I was delighted by the clever nods to his works sprinkled throughout the story, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for those who appreciate King's tales of suspense and horror.

Beyond the thrilling narrative and rich characters, 'The White Horse' tackles important real-world issues, shedding light on the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women across the Americas. Wurth skillfully weaves these crucial themes into the fabric of the story, prompting readers to reflect on the broader challenges faced by indigenous communities. This thoughtful exploration adds depth and significance to an already compelling tale.

In conclusion, 'The White Horse' is a must-read for those who crave a well-crafted story with characters that feel like old friends. The visuals are striking, and the inclusion of relevant societal issues elevates the novel to a higher level of impact. With a nod to Stephen King and a keen eye on important contemporary challenges, Erika T. Wurth delivers a book that lingers in your thoughts, leaving a lasting impression.

I love, love, loved this!!!

The writing style, the characters, the storyline, everything!

This is not horror, but if you go into it anticipating a gritty mystery based on family secrets you'll enjoy it a lot. There is a little paranormal/visions stuff going on here, but nothing spooky. I enjoyed the protagonist, she's a spunky, fierce, loyal, tho traumatized, Native American woman. She does a lot of grieving and healing over the course of discovering who killed her mother.

There's a ton to love here. White Horse is a blend of horror and murder mystery, anchored by Kari's search to figure out what happened to her deceased mother. And come on -- heavy metal? Stephen King? I was hooked from the cover flap, let alone the opening pages.

I do think there is something to be said for how much White Horse crams into its story. There are a lot of subplots, some of which I didn't find to be entirely successful. But I was really drawn in by Wurth's prose, which is as terse and unforgiving (or perhaps blunt is the better term) as Kari's personality.

If you like spooky mixed with mystery, then you'll want to pick this up.

Yes, we get it. You’re an edgy heavy metal lover who drinks, smokes, and use to party hard. Also the word “crotchfruit”? Trashy. Kari (main character) claims to be 35 years old, but really talks and acts like 20.

Story also had mixed messages, trying to come off as feminist but really wasn’t. It had three different story lines going and tbh I was more interested if Debby would leave or not (She sadly did not clap her tiny white hands out of that abusive marriage).

Also The Shining obsession came out of nowhere? She wastes a chapter going through a tour (On a serious note, if you’re visiting Estes Park in Colorado you really need to do the Stanley tour).

Sadly the worst book I’ve read this year.

A little slow at first - but I quickly became invested in the story the creepier it got. When Kari James is gifted an old bracelet that belonged to her mother, shit starts to go sideways real fast. Though she is an indigenous woman- Kari would describe herself as an urban Indian - preferring sex, drugs, and rock and roll in the city to any other traditions. Her mother disappeared at two days old and her father was in an accident soon after that caused a serious brain injury - so Kari was essentially orphaned - only having her cousin Debby. But the bracelet is causing her to have visions of her mother - terrifying visions and Kari realizes that if she wants the visions to stop she is going to have to find out what happened to her mother. Dark and gritty - this was an exciting read. I hope this author writes more!

35-year-old Kari James has filled her life with heavy metal, Stephen King novels, and beers at the White Horse with her cousin Debby. Her mom disappeared when she was only two days old and her heartbroken father has been permanently disabled from a car crash most of her life.
When Debby finds a family bracelet that once belonged to Kari's mom, it manages to stir up her mother’s spirit… and a mysterious creature.
Kari is determined to discover what happened to her mom; which means confronting her dysfunctional relationships and the loss of a friend while connecting with her mom’s side of the family.

White Horse is an interesting mix of contemporary mystery with horror elements and Native American legend. Kari is a solid character that I was rooting for from page one. I loved the elements of horror, especially the link to Stephen King’s The Shining.
My only complaint is the relationship between Debby and her husband. It often got in the way of Kari’s story and felt completely unnecessary. The story struggled in the middle but luckily regained its footing for a solid ending as it explores heavy topics of family/generational trauma and the very real horror of the murdered and missing indigenous women crisis.

Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. White Horse is scheduled for release on November 1, 2022.

Digging up the past isn’t pretty when you know you’ll find skeletons in the closet.

Kari James isn’t your average heroine. Floating hazily through her thirties, she spends her nights attempting to drown out the past at the White Horse, her favorite bar. She loves horror novels, metal bands, and being left to live her life as she wants. Her carefully constructed life begins to crack when she starts seeing her mother’s ghost after touching a family heirloom, and Kari reluctantly takes up the task of examining her history. Haunted by this bloodied, pleading specter, she must learn the truth before it comes to find her first.

This novel is a slow-burning psychological horror, brimming with Native American lore. It explores the idea that monsters live among us, inside those who invite them. The pacing is steady as a drumbeat, soft, stable, yet loud as thunder in the end.
Wurth uses an undecorated style with her prose, cutting like a blunt pickax just sharp enough to keep your interest. Her images are strong, but fade as quickly as Kari’s visceral nightmares. The dialogue felt slightly underdeveloped, and there were too many side plots, but the author wraps up with a satisfying and well-conceived ending. Overall, I took away a favorable impression of this book, perhaps because I really enjoyed the copious amount of Stephen King references inside. It’s a clever move to reference the master of horror, and Erika T. Wurth is carving out her own place in the world of terror with this suspenseful volume. It’s an homage to classic horror and metal, and Wurth gives an honest and personal depiction of urban Native American lives in the 21st century.

Wonderful way to use the tropes of horror fiction to tell a moving story of the treatment of indigeneous women as a grown daughter faces the truth of what happened to her long-lost mother.

Kari, an abrasive Native woman, comes to possess a bracelet with the power to summon the ghost of her mother, who disappeared when she was 2 days old. She begins to investigate what happened to her mother. Set in Denver and Idaho Springs--lots of local color, to the point of sounding like a tourist guide hitting all the points: Tattered Cover, Twist and Shout, Stanley Hotel, etc. A bit much really.

Kari is an Urban Native living in Denver. She loves to visit her favorite dive bar, the White Horse. She actually hopes to buy the place one day. But, things change drastically when her cousin Debby finds a bracelet that once belonged to Kari’s missing mother.

I had some big feelings about Kari! She is a struggle in more ways than one. Honestly, I hated her one minute and loved her the next. She is definitely a complex character. She has been traumatized by the disappearance of her mother when Kari was just a baby. So, when her mother makes a ghostly appearance, it sends Kari into a complete tail spin.

I’m a bit late with my Halloween reads. But this book fits the bill! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Indian lore and the Indian mystification. It really kept the story moving…oh and we won’t talk about the monster OR Geronimo’s weapon. Talk about edge of your seat suspense…THIS BOOK HAS IT!

Need a mystical ghost story with a spattering of Indian lore…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

"Some things, Kari,...are gone forever. You do things, or people before you do things—even if they're forced to, and a line is drawn. A border, a boundary that cannot be crossed."

Thanks to @flatiron_books foe the gifted copy. White Horse by Erika T. Wurth was the perfect way to kick off my November TBR. The genre be ding of this one captivated my attention the whole time. Wurth did an amazing job of toggling between thriller, horror, and supernatural elements without it ever feeling disjointed. Wurth is a natural storyteller and I was hanging on every word.

I loved how Wurth used the concept of haunting as a metaphor for multiple different themes:
● unresolved trauma
● disconnected identity
● grief and survivor's guilt
● generational curses
● addiction

I loved how Wurth told this story ripe with Indigenous history and tradition. Wurth uses the magic bracelet as a symbol to show that the spirit of our ancestors are in everything and how important it is to remember and honor our history and deal with the ghosts from our past. Wurth really highlighted the layered and complex family ties and the bonds that hold Indigenous communities together.

I appreciated how vibrant and atmospheric Wurth's writing was. She brought the sights and sounds of Denver to life. I loved the ode to bookworms, horror fans and 80s references throughout the story which made this story unique. I feel like The White Horse bar will forever be a memorable place. I've never read a horror story quite like this one. Wurth is a refreshing voice that I am excited to read more from. I will be screaming this one's praises for a long time. Consider reading this one for @nativeladybookwarrior Skoden Readathon Challenge. I highly recommend this one if you're looking for a new kind of horror book.

Margaritte's story is wrenchingly depressing. Around her she tires of seeing the typical statistics of poverty: teen pregnancies, drug and alcohol addiction, arrests, dysfunctional families. The only way she sees out is dealing drugs and saving the profits for her eventual escape. But then she herself becomes a statistic. I found the redemptive and hopeful ending rather too quick and convenient, with everything falling nicely into place for her new beginning.