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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good story, some awesome visual scenes, but sometimes the politics was hard to follow.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this overall, loved that it took place in Wisconsin. The prose was lovely and characters felt like real people. This is a great debut, for me I just wanted it to push further in some areas, but really it's probably just that character driven novels don't always do it for me so this is largely personal taste. This was also a very character driven novel, a lot of inner community conflict during a short period of time, a slow build to a climax that for me just made it a bit slow, but I was listening to the audiobook which was excellent so that helped. I appreciated the commentary on identity, abuse of power, and the struggle for sovereignty while still confined within the corrupt US system.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
”I want to feel like I matter around here.”
The Story
This election year, the writing is all over the wall: Mack Beck won’t get another term as Tribal President. It’s Mitch’s duty as Mack’s political fixer to do something about that. By any means necessary.
It’s not so simple for Mitch. Fixing the impossible means playing dirty to defeat Mack’s dissatisfied constituents and his fractured family, and they all want to see him lose.
Then, the accidental death of a local political juggernaut shakes the table. The friction rising across the reservation is finally set to blow.
My Verdict
Come thru, mawmaw!!!
Captivating, tense, earnest.
What I Loved
- The mixed-race main character who fears that his access to community died when his mother did. 💔
- I’m a sucker for political drama, and exploring corruption within tribal leadership brings a fresh take to a cherished genre.
- Disenrollment and banishment are used like an authoritarian sword, and the aftermath of this violence is palpable.
What You’ll Love
- The many heavy betrayals driven by the pain of complicated family dynamics and complex community relationships.
- A thoughtful, slow introduction to existing tension among the cast, ensuring every wicked decision that follows is all the more devastating.
- Scandals and crime piling up for the sake of power—all to ensure that those who have felt powerless never again feel quite so vulnerable.
This review has been repurposed from content designed to be published on my Instagram, so it may be missing elements that would complete the presentation. To see more or follow other reviews, meet me on Instagram at @dbg.was.here.
ARC/Audiobook Review⭐️⭐️⭐️.5’s
Thank you to the author @jonvhickey, @SimonBooks #SimonBooksBuddy for the gifted book and to @Simon.Audio for the gifted audiobook.
Jon Hickey’s Big Chief is a bold and compelling debut that delves deep into the intersection of power, identity, and heritage within Native American life and politics. With the intensity of a political thriller and the emotional resonance of a family drama, Hickey crafts a story that is both thought-provoking and engaging.
At the heart of the novel is an aspiring political fixer navigating the fraught landscape of tribal leadership and national politics. As he climbs the ranks, he must constantly balance ambition with morality, facing tough questions about loyalty, integrity, and the cost of power. The tension between personal gain and cultural responsibility drives the story forward, creating a high-stakes narrative packed with drama and difficult choices.
Family dynamics add another powerful layer to the plot, as generational conflict and personal reckoning force the protagonist to confront who he is and where he comes from. Hickey’s exploration of identity—both individual and collective—is nuanced and authentic, offering insight into the complexities of heritage and the pressures that come with leadership in a community steeped in tradition.
With sharp prose, some strong language, and a storyline that refuses to shy away from hard truths, Big Chief stands out not just as a gripping political drama, but as an important reflection on the challenges facing Native communities today.
Thank you to the author @jonvhickey, @SimonBooks #SimonBooksBuddy for the gifted book and to @Simon.Audio for the gifted audiobook.
Jon Hickey’s Big Chief is a bold and compelling debut that delves deep into the intersection of power, identity, and heritage within Native American life and politics. With the intensity of a political thriller and the emotional resonance of a family drama, Hickey crafts a story that is both thought-provoking and engaging.
At the heart of the novel is an aspiring political fixer navigating the fraught landscape of tribal leadership and national politics. As he climbs the ranks, he must constantly balance ambition with morality, facing tough questions about loyalty, integrity, and the cost of power. The tension between personal gain and cultural responsibility drives the story forward, creating a high-stakes narrative packed with drama and difficult choices.
Family dynamics add another powerful layer to the plot, as generational conflict and personal reckoning force the protagonist to confront who he is and where he comes from. Hickey’s exploration of identity—both individual and collective—is nuanced and authentic, offering insight into the complexities of heritage and the pressures that come with leadership in a community steeped in tradition.
With sharp prose, some strong language, and a storyline that refuses to shy away from hard truths, Big Chief stands out not just as a gripping political drama, but as an important reflection on the challenges facing Native communities today.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes