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nursemelissa19's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Violence, Death, and Drug abuse
soleil_soleil's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
SUCH A GOOD BOOK!!!!! Coup de coeur immense omg. ❤️ Can I read it again for the first time?
So many tough things that happen throughout the story, and Daunis overcomes so much. It's amazing. Angeline Boulley did a really great job of introducing readers to Ojibwe culture and Anishinaabemowin words in a very organic and natural way. Everything about the book sticks with me. It was sad. It was beautiful. I loved every part of it.
"There is healing medicine in those kisses" (465)
"Wiijiindiwi: when you no longer walk alone on your path but are together for the journey on this earth" (138)
"Ninde gidayan: you have my heart" (36)
So many tough things that happen throughout the story, and Daunis overcomes so much. It's amazing. Angeline Boulley did a really great job of introducing readers to Ojibwe culture and Anishinaabemowin words in a very organic and natural way. Everything about the book sticks with me. It was sad. It was beautiful. I loved every part of it.
"There is healing medicine in those kisses" (465)
"Wiijiindiwi: when you no longer walk alone on your path but are together for the journey on this earth" (138)
"Ninde gidayan: you have my heart" (36)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Addiction, Rape, Racism, and Sexual assault
meredithamadee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars! I enjoyed this! What a great opportunity to learn about Native culture and for a YA, this felt more mature. I enjoyed the protagonist a lot and loved how immersive the story was. The pacing felt slow at times and some of the plot twists were a little unbelievable but overall, it was enjoyable and educational and a propulsive read. Would recommend and excited to discuss it at book club!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Rape
dear_reader19's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Drug abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
djreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Drug abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Drug use, Kidnapping, Car accident, Colonisation, and Death
avalon_green's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I love this book. It's enticing and fun, while being inspiring and informative. The storyline is so well done, the layers of teh story and characters is great. I cannot recommend this book enough, it's a new classic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Addiction, Suicide, and Sexual assault
m_yinger's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I AM UNWELL! This book was so very good and was written so beautifully. I have never been so invested in an audiobook before and I cannot recommend this enough
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Drug abuse, and Rape
micaelamariem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Going into this book, I had no idea this was a thriller, so that was definitely a surprise. But despite my aversion to mysteries, this book sucked me in.
Each chapter left me hungrily wanting more and there were deep scenes that evoked strong emotions from me. The representation of grief I thought was done really well as well as the PTSD the character was experiencing; though it wasn’t named that, the symptoms were visceral and evocative, and it felt believable, not a laundry list from WebMD. I’m not indigenous, so I can’t speak to the representation of a native tribe, though I think I learned more about tribe systems and laws. And with the ending, that wasn’t quite happy or sad, we got just a taste of the injustices indigenous tribal members face to this day.
Though I felt empathy for the main character, there were times I didn’t like her. I felt like she slipped into the “not like other girls” category like a lot of YA protagonists have a tendency to do. She acted like she wanted to speak up for women, but she called other girls dating her brother’s friends “angler fish” and judged them way too harshly.
I also think the pacing was slightly off. The first two thirds of the book was slow to medium paced, but still enjoyable. In the last third, lots of action came seemingly out of nowhere and it felt like we were racing to keep up until the end. If the pacing could’ve been evened out a little more, I think it would’ve made for an even more enjoyable read.
However, I did love this, and I do recommend it! It kept me on my toes and taught me a few lessons, while being mostly believable.
Each chapter left me hungrily wanting more and there were deep scenes that evoked strong emotions from me. The representation of grief I thought was done really well as well as the PTSD the character was experiencing; though it wasn’t named that, the symptoms were visceral and evocative, and it felt believable, not a laundry list from WebMD. I’m not indigenous, so I can’t speak to the representation of a native tribe, though I think I learned more about tribe systems and laws. And with the ending, that wasn’t quite happy or sad, we got just a taste of the injustices indigenous tribal members face to this day.
Though I felt empathy for the main character, there were times I didn’t like her. I felt like she slipped into the “not like other girls” category like a lot of YA protagonists have a tendency to do. She acted like she wanted to speak up for women, but she called other girls dating her brother’s friends “angler fish” and judged them way too harshly.
I also think the pacing was slightly off. The first two thirds of the book was slow to medium paced, but still enjoyable. In the last third, lots of action came seemingly out of nowhere and it felt like we were racing to keep up until the end. If the pacing could’ve been evened out a little more, I think it would’ve made for an even more enjoyable read.
However, I did love this, and I do recommend it! It kept me on my toes and taught me a few lessons, while being mostly believable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Vomit, Death, Classism, Racial slurs, Bullying, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Alcohol, Car accident, Cultural appropriation, Murder, Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Confinement, Grief, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
spindere11a's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Rape, Drug abuse, Murder, Racism, and Addiction
kristin_o's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.0
I don’t know why this is considered YA. I would be hesitant to give it to anyone under 16. Check CWs throughly. That said,
This book (and the audiobook narration) was great. The look into life on the reservation, good and bad, was well done. It’s about drugs in the indigenous community but nothing is black and white. Talented writing and characters with solid motivations and believable flaws.
This book (and the audiobook narration) was great. The look into life on the reservation, good and bad, was well done. It’s about drugs in the indigenous community but nothing is black and white. Talented writing and characters with solid motivations and believable flaws.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault