4.4 AVERAGE

challenging emotional informative sad tense 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: Complicated
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I felt like Daunis was such a strong female MC, almost too strong because of one particular thing she goes through (and she goes through a lot). I really liked her and Jamie’s ever changing dynamics. I assumed Jamie was lying about having a girlfriend, but I didn’t see his whole truth coming. I loved the Native cultural elements and the powwow. I enjoyed the hockey elements and the fact that Daunis was not only a hockey player but played with the guys. The last third (ish) of the book ended up being a wild ride to the conclusion.

I feel this would actually be more of a 4.5 star for me. The reasons I went with a four star would be the book felt a little too long and I felt it was too slow going in the beginning. I actually started this back in June and quit around 15%. I just had other books going at the same time and this one just didn’t immediately grab me. I still wanted to read it though. I’ve seen such good reviews. So, I’m glad I gave it another chance.

This last thought could be viewed as a spoiler: There was one thing that I really didn’t like. Daunis makes meth with the FBI (to understand it better?/ know what to look for). For some reason that really made me annoyed, and again when she brings up that she made better meth when she sees some later in the story. I don’t think/ would hope that this is not a common practice - that would be really disturbing to me.

That aside, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

Content Warning: Drugs, alcohol, sexual assault, death, grief (there’s more but they would be direct spoilers)
mysterious 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
adventurous emotional reflective 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Stunning
adventurous challenging dark 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: Complicated
dark emotional informative tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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: Complicated

A devastating and beautiful read. I learned a lot about Ojibwe culture along the way 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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: Yes