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4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping
Absolutely breathtaking. A phenomenal display of culture, alongside a realistic depiction of a crisis still effecting many communities today.
I felt connected to this book from the first chapter, and I cried all the way through it. Angeline Boulley’s writing is captivating and kept me hanging on to every last word. A fast favourite, and one I wish I could read again for the first time.
I felt connected to this book from the first chapter, and I cried all the way through it. Angeline Boulley’s writing is captivating and kept me hanging on to every last word. A fast favourite, and one I wish I could read again for the first time.
There were so many things that I loved about this book. The fact that the audio provided me with an opportunity to hear the pronunciation of the word in their dialect was such a joy. It even got to the point that I was saying "thank you" in my head instead of in English. The story revolves around a young Indigenous girl (Daunis) who has just graduated high school who is a hockey star and extremely smart in terms of botany and the benefits of natural medicine. She lives on a reservation where local justice is done by "blanket parties" because the federal government will often leave them alone to enact their own punishments. The area has recently been ridded with an explosion of meth use and with it, many deaths. Daunis is recruited to help the FBI investigate who is responsible for the deaths and distribution of the meth. This book often reads like a Greek tragedy but nothing good will amount from the use of the drug and the havoc/destruction it cases communities. I found it charming that the young federal agent's story is from Rockville, MD and that the story took place in Chippewa County, Michigan (where there was reference to Mackinac Island).
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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:
N/A
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed Firekeeper’s Daughter, it’s a compelling read with a strong lead, interesting cultural insight, and an important look at issues affecting Indigenous communities. The story kept me hooked, and Daunis is a character I genuinely rooted for.
That said, there were some things that didn’t sit right with me that a lot of people are not discussing in their reviews. The undercover FBI agent pretending to be a high school student felt unrealistic and kind of icky, especially once it turned into a romantic relationship. Even though Daunis is 18 and he's 22, (glossing over the fact you have to be between 23 and 36 to be hired by the FBI) the power imbalance is huge, he’s a federal agent and she’s working with him as a confidential informant. That’s not just ethically questionable, it would likely make any case fall apart in real life.
What really bothered me, though, was how he reacted to her assault, asking why she didn’t fight back or scream. That kind of response is incredibly disappointing, especially from someone framed as a love interest. We know better now about trauma responses like freezing, and I wish the book had shown more sensitivity there.
The lack of justice for her in the end was heartbreaking. I understand it's realistic, especially for Indigenous women, but the story didn’t really frame it as a critique of the system, which made it feel even more disheartening.
Overall, I liked the book, it was an engaging and meaningful story, but I wish these issues were handled with more care. I’d still recommend it, just with a few content warnings and some critical reflection.
That said, there were some things that didn’t sit right with me that a lot of people are not discussing in their reviews. The undercover FBI agent pretending to be a high school student felt unrealistic and kind of icky, especially once it turned into a romantic relationship. Even though Daunis is 18 and he's 22, (glossing over the fact you have to be between 23 and 36 to be hired by the FBI) the power imbalance is huge, he’s a federal agent and she’s working with him as a confidential informant. That’s not just ethically questionable, it would likely make any case fall apart in real life.
What really bothered me, though, was how he reacted to her
The lack of justice for her in the end was heartbreaking. I understand it's realistic, especially for Indigenous women, but the story didn’t really frame it as a critique of the system, which made it feel even more disheartening.
Overall, I liked the book, it was an engaging and meaningful story, but I wish these issues were handled with more care. I’d still recommend it, just with a few content warnings and some critical reflection.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Death of parent
yeah I sat and cried for ten minutes after I finished this, and?
what a beautiful, captivating, well crafted book! immaculate story telling and character development. boulley draws you right into her community. I can hear the horn of the ferry, smell grandmary’s rose lotion, everything was so vivid. I haven't read first person fiction in a while and it was so immersive.
culture and spirituality and medicine are at the heart of the story and are incorporated flawlessly
I am hopeful for daunis and heartbroken for everything she had to go through like damn she could not catch a break
i’m glad she and jamie aren't together for the time being, they definitely need their own paths, but jamie I love you
what a beautiful, captivating, well crafted book! immaculate story telling and character development. boulley draws you right into her community. I can hear the horn of the ferry, smell grandmary’s rose lotion, everything was so vivid. I haven't read first person fiction in a while and it was so immersive.
culture and spirituality and medicine are at the heart of the story and are incorporated flawlessly
I am hopeful for daunis and heartbroken for everything she had to go through like damn she could not catch a break
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
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
medium-paced
this was entertaining! well written! my favourite part was being immersed and learning about the anishinaabe and their culture. i don't read a lot of crime books, so this might also just not be totally for me. the ending was unsatisfying, which i'm sure was intentional but still :( all in all? if you like crime thrillers i'd recommend it!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The writing ran a little juvenile for me at times (especially since the protagonist is in her first year of college), but I really appreciate the serious issues it tackles, especially drug addiction/rehabilitation and assault against Indigenous women. I haven't read a lot of Native stories and this had a lot of heart, plus I was invested in finding out who was behind what (a little more of a crime story than a mystery).