Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

695 reviews

zulm4's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious

3.5

This book tackled some interesting themes and topics, including conversation of indigenous culture and politics, and I enjoyed reading it. However, looking at the book more critically, I felt there were some flaws in the storyline. I also hated the way that Daunis leaned into the dynamic of being "one of the guys" and feeling superior than the girls who came to support their boyfriends' hockey games. It seemed that the worst thing she could be was an "angler fish" and I really would have liked to see more character growth and feminist solidarity by the end. 

It does feel very YA in the way the story develops. I just couldn't bring myself to accept how

the relationship between Jamie and Daunis was generally portrayed. It just felt extremely problematic, with Daunis not seeming to understand (or be willing to understand) the gravity of the situation. This is an 22 year old man who you do not know anything about, who planned to manipulate you in order to advance his own career. I'm glad they didn't end up together, even though it was alluded that it might happen in the future. It just made me feel so icky and I wish the author had given Daunis the autonomy and character growth to more seriously challenge and question the situation that these grown men had put her in. It wasn't just Grant who took advantage of her, it was all of the men - Ron, Levi, Mike, Jamie, etc.

This whole storyline just felt very irresponsible. 

The book also covers some very heavy themes,

including SA. Although I somewhat get what the author may have been trying to do with Daunis' character in terms of showing her growth after being raped and becoming part of an unfortunately large group of similarly abused women within her community. I just wish there was a larger analysis of the patterns and systems that perpetuate these abuses that never receive justice, rather than showing her as just another victim.

One of the book's most redeeming qualities was the conversations on Ojibwe culture, tradition, and the insularity of the tribes, even to someone who clearly has such deep connections and roots. I also enjoyed how strongly Daunis cared about her family and the many genuinely good relationships that were shown.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Suicide, Kidnapping, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use

pastelplanet's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Car accident

Minor: Confinement

reasek's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Abandonment

dweoport's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

EVERYONE should be reading and talking about this book forever. Boulley's writing is so engaging, clear, and creative - I had been recommending this book to others within the first 50 pages or so. Unforgettable storyline that, while with predictable twists, leaves you on the complete edge of your seat, turning page after page just because you NEED to know what happens next. I love Daunis, I love her community, I love the history and relationships and the stories that she shared with us. Boulley's background in storytelling is evident throughout her writing, and she places so much care into making readers think beyond the black-and-white lens that is often inherent in stories about substance abuse and racism. The mystery/investigation felt so well-planned, and I was on the same train of thought as Daunis when she was uncovering more and more secrets, the surprise and shock was incredibly infuriating and so extremely satisfying (I knew it! I knew exactly what was going on and it made me so mad!). I cried, he crew, we both crode, especially during the scenes when Daunis was being supported by her Elders, and the ending was so succinct, beautiful, and thoughtful. I'm so glad I picked up this absolutely fantastic story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Toxic relationship

emiiiiiiii's review against another edition

emotional 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Racism, and Rape

reike's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Car accident, and Sexual harassment

cindylindy's review against another edition

dark 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Car accident

shuteyessee's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

I would give the indigenous aspects of this book fire stars. I feel like some of this book was very unbelievable or details were skipped over to keep the story moving. Some things were way too simple and others outrageously complicated. Overall I did like it

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Violence, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Sexual assault, Vomit, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Medical content

I would give the indigenous aspects of this book fire stars. I feel like some of this book was very unbelievable or details were skipped over to keep the story moving. Some things were way too simple and others outrageously complicated. Overall I did like it

caitlinmchoi's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Death of parent

jess_all_reads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

I LOVED Firekeeper's Daughter. I highly recommend it to anyone. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cursing, Blood, Car accident, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism