Reviews

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

zekereadseverything's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

3.25

joylehua_95's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

I enjoyed the intricate plot. I really enjoyed the social comentary surrounding reservations, surrounding communities, racism, the lack of government support for reservations, the lack of justice for Native Americans and their communities. I really enjoyed learning about and getting a glimpse into Native American culture and its peoples. It truly is beautiful.

atvreads's review against another edition

5.0

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley is the #ownvoices First People novel we've been waiting for an eon to experience. Boulley deftly crafts a harrowing mystery that combines the misery of a drug-addled small town in the UP, a budding forbidden romance, the love and loss of a best friend, the politics of living in a hockey-town, and all the ways the ones we love can let us down, and us let them down in return in beautiful prose that will haunt me for quite some time.

Boulley's novel is unapologetically Anishinaabe and critically and lovingly examines the complexity of being a Nish woman in the modern age. Her novel reveals the intense prejudices and problems still afflicting our indigenous communities, but in particular, our women. The entire novel revolves around relationships that the protagonist shares with those in her community, her complicated family, her friend circle, and with her former teammates. All of those relationships are seismically shifted one night when an irrevocable choice is made right before Daunis's eyes.

Aside from the harrowing topics broached and explored, Boulley threads so much authenticity into Firekeeper's Daughter. And while the traditional topics are addressed, this book is so much more than the problems that plague us, it is a celebration of a culture that refuses to be silent and accept defeat.. It's a lee-lee into the void "for every girl and woman pushed into the abyss of expendability and invisibility" and the knowledge that we are not alone.

nataliehalpin's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

kukitadrum's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Mid

janagaton's review against another edition

3.0

This was a 5 star prediction for me, but it turned out to drag on a bit too long and have an unexpectedly heavier focus on romance than the mystery aspect, in my opinion. The writing, cultural references, language, discussions, and humor were all stellar. The plot just didn't hit the mark for me for some reason.

dawngerrity's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

allibug26's review against another edition

5.0

This book is beautifully written. I’m reminded more and more how important and beautiful it is to learn more about, and from, cultures outside of my own. There’s so much connection and growth that can come from our differences. I’m thankful to Angeline for writing about something that expands cultural views and gives all of us a range of people to learn from.

abbyobsessesoverbooks's review

5.0

Read this. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Drug abuse and Sexual assault

birdiebby's review against another edition

5.0

This is easily one of the best books (if not THE best) I’ve read this year.