White Horse

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 show more 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. show less

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. show more Dark and gritty - this was an exciting read. I hope this author writes more! show less

"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
● show more 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. show less

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 show more 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. show less

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 show more 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. show less

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.

Kari James is an indigenous woman in Denver - an Urban Native - whose mother disappeared shortly after birth and now cares for father suffered brain damage in a crash. When her cousin and best friend Debby gives her a bracelet that once belonged to her mother, Kari begins to be haunted by her mother's ghost and pursued by a legendary creature known as the Lofa. This puts Kari on the course of finding lost relatives and uncovering generational traumas. Kari also deals with the death of a good friend due to substance abuse, Debby's controlling husband, and planning a future around buying the White Horse, the last Indian bar in a gentrifying Denver. The prose in this novel is not always great and some plot twists seem to come out of show more nowhere. Nevertheless the characterization is strong, and the novel makes good use of horror and folklore elements to tell a story that illustrates the complexities of modern indigenous life. show less