Reviews of The Night Wanderer by Drew Hayden Taylor often commend its unique blend of Gothic horror with Indigenous cultural elements, making it a compelling young adult novel. Praise is frequently directed at the strong character development and rich, atmospheric setting. However, some critiques mention that the pacing can be uneven and certain plot points feel underdeveloped. Overall, it is generally well-received for its originality and meaningful representation of Indigenous themes.

The ideal reader for Drew Hayden Taylor’s The Night Wanderer is a young adult or adult interested in Indigenous culture, folklore, and supernatural themes. Fans of Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian or Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series will appreciate its blend of contemporary Indigenous life and haunting mystery.

The Night Wanderer by Drew Hayden Taylor follows Tiffany, a 16-year-old Anishinaabe girl from Otter Lake First Nations reserve, and Pierre, an Anishinaabe vampire returning to his homeland after centuries. As Tiffany navigates life with a broken family, Pierre battles his vampiric urges and revisits his past. Both characters' journeys intersect, revealing deeper themes of identity and belonging. Contains descriptions of depression and references to suicidal ideation and suicide.

Mysterious / Dark / Contemplative / Unnerving

- Drew Hayden Taylor is an award-winning playwright, and The Night Wanderer is one of the rare works where he blends elements of Indigenous culture with the conventions of vampire fiction.
- The book provides a unique take by setting a supernatural story within a modern-day First Nations community, reflecting Taylor's interest in exploring Indigenous themes in contemporary settings.
- Throughout his career, Drew Hayden Taylor has been recognized for infusing humor and cultural insights into his works, and The Night Wanderer is no exception, offering both thrills and thoughtful social commentary.

**Tiffany Hunter**  
A 16-year-old Anishinaabe girl dealing with internal and external conflicts related to her identity, family dynamics, and relationships, which are central to her journey throughout the novel.

**Pierre L’Errant**  
An enigmatic Anishinaabe man with a mysterious past, known as the "night wanderer," who plays a significant role in Tiffany's life with his complex connection to the community.

**Granny Ruth**  
Tiffany's caring and wise grandmother, who provides guidance and support while grappling with the changes in their cultural and personal lives.

**Keith Hunter**  
Tiffany’s father, a concerned parent dealing with his own grief and challenges, and often clashing with Tiffany as they navigate their family dynamics.

**Tony Banks**  
Tiffany's white boyfriend, whose actions and attitudes bring additional tension to Tiffany's experiences and relationships.

**Claudia Hunter**  
Tiffany’s absent mother, whose decisions and absence greatly impact the family, leaving emotional challenges for Tiffany and the Hunters.

Drew Hayden Taylor

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Night Wanderer reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Night Wanderer | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Night Wanderer and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Night Wanderer Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Night Wanderer Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 6

The Night Wanderer Prologue-Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-12

The Night Wanderer Chapters 7-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-18

The Night Wanderer Chapters 13-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 19-Epilogue

The Night Wanderer Chapter 19-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Night Wanderer Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Night Wanderer Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Night Wanderer Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Night Wanderer Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Night Wanderer Essay Topics

The Night Wanderer

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Night Wanderer?

Reading Age

Book Details