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4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
Angeline Boulley's debut novel speaks to all those who feel between worlds while bringing readers into the contemporary life of the Ojibwe reservation. Structured as a mystery/crime novel where Daunis Fontaine faces grief head on trying to find the truth about her uncle's death and several of her peers' decline into a meth crisis in the community. Yet through Daunis, who does not fit into any neat category -- half white and half Ojibwe, an aspiring scientist, a student of traditional medicines and ceremonies, a hockey player, a dancer, and an unwilling sleuth -- Boulley speaks out about the very real economic and social issues of contemporary Native American communities seeking to thrive within a history of oppression and erasure. In particularly, Boulley brings to light the horrific reality of violence against Native women. Furthermore, Boulley excels in the most difficult task of writing about trauma and violence within a community that is also loving and healing without a need to explain or diminish one experience over the other -- with Daunis we are invited to dwell in the reality that both exist as one and to see clearly the pain and beauty of our world so we can be a point of healing and light for ourselves and those around us.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this story, and I appreciate the tension it held pushing back against NDN stereotypes.
Maybe it’s my own naïveté, but some of the behavior from highschool aged characters and the teenagers’ parents seemed kind of impossible to believe.
Multinational narcotic conspiracy involving kids, parents, and teachers? That’s kind of crazy
Maybe it’s my own naïveté, but some of the behavior from highschool aged characters and the teenagers’ parents seemed kind of impossible to believe.
This book is amazing, from page 1, I was already hooked. Daunis’ character tells the story from her perspective. I love how the reader doesn’t even know her whole backstory because she doesn’t want to think about and deal with some of her own traumas in her past.
The reader finds out that Daunis is a biracial child of an Ojibwe tribe member, but has not been enrolled in the tribe because her parents never married and her mother was underage and her parents didn’t want her to put his name on her birth certificate. The far reaching ramifications of this decision are better explained throughout the story and contribute to Daunis not feeling like she fits in anywhere.
The constant reminders and racial undercurrents that run through this story could honestly be a study all on their own. Boulley does an amazing job reminding readers of these racial injustices throughout the story. While racism is not the sole focus of the story, Boulley takes every opportunity to point out the many injustices that are faced by so many tribes.
Daunis was set to pursue her love of medicine when she has to stay to help take care of her mother and deal with other matters at home. The story proceeds to unfold and the reader also finds out Daunis recently quit playing hockey, a sport that she was quite gifted at, but we aren’t quite sure why she quit nor does anyone else seem to really know the real reason. Soon other things start happening and we find out that drugs are also making their way through the tribe’s younger generations. Daunis is forced to make some very hard decisions, but always tries to make sure she is thinking like her elders, seven generations ahead, because her decisions will not just impact people now, but future generations of tribal members.
I also love how passionate Daunis is about pointing out that too many want to find and exploit or recognize all the bad in the tribes, without focusing on the good. In one of the most powerful points in the story, she lists some of the amazing things that her tribe has done for each other. Daunis is so matter of fact when pointing out that the agents want to look for the bad without considering the good. It was truly one of my favorite parts for Daunis and still brings tears to my eyes when I think of how passionate she is.
So much more happens in this book. It’s a compelling story that keeps readers’ attention. I cannot recommend this book enough. Do yourself a favor and read it, young and old alike.
The reader finds out that Daunis is a biracial child of an Ojibwe tribe member, but has not been enrolled in the tribe because her parents never married and her mother was underage and her parents didn’t want her to put his name on her birth certificate. The far reaching ramifications of this decision are better explained throughout the story and contribute to Daunis not feeling like she fits in anywhere.
The constant reminders and racial undercurrents that run through this story could honestly be a study all on their own. Boulley does an amazing job reminding readers of these racial injustices throughout the story. While racism is not the sole focus of the story, Boulley takes every opportunity to point out the many injustices that are faced by so many tribes.
Daunis was set to pursue her love of medicine when she has to stay to help take care of her mother and deal with other matters at home. The story proceeds to unfold and the reader also finds out Daunis recently quit playing hockey, a sport that she was quite gifted at, but we aren’t quite sure why she quit nor does anyone else seem to really know the real reason. Soon other things start happening and we find out that drugs are also making their way through the tribe’s younger generations. Daunis is forced to make some very hard decisions, but always tries to make sure she is thinking like her elders, seven generations ahead, because her decisions will not just impact people now, but future generations of tribal members.
I also love how passionate Daunis is about pointing out that too many want to find and exploit or recognize all the bad in the tribes, without focusing on the good. In one of the most powerful points in the story, she lists some of the amazing things that her tribe has done for each other. Daunis is so matter of fact when pointing out that the agents want to look for the bad without considering the good. It was truly one of my favorite parts for Daunis and still brings tears to my eyes when I think of how passionate she is.
So much more happens in this book. It’s a compelling story that keeps readers’ attention. I cannot recommend this book enough. Do yourself a favor and read it, young and old alike.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Started slow, it by about 25% in I wanted to know if my hunches were right. An enjoyable read, and beautiful look into the traditions of native people. Should be read by adults even if technically a YA. Tough topics handled with care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
Snuck this one in by the end of the year !
I haven’t knowingly read anything by an and about Native American/s. Although it’s relatively long, it’s a pretty quick read. It took me about 50 pages to get into it but then it went by quickly. The native stories and language sprinkled in were cool. The drug-making and selling thriller along with its impact on this particular native community was sad and fascinating .
Well written .
I haven’t knowingly read anything by an and about Native American/s. Although it’s relatively long, it’s a pretty quick read. It took me about 50 pages to get into it but then it went by quickly. The native stories and language sprinkled in were cool. The drug-making and selling thriller along with its impact on this particular native community was sad and fascinating .
Well written .
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
emotional
mysterious
tense
This is the first book I have read by this author as it is, I believe, her debut novel. It will most certainly not be the last (that I read and, thankfully, that she will write) and I have already added her upcoming Warrior Girl Unearthed to my To Read pile. Her style was grippingly irresistible to say the least. I tore through the audiobook, picking it up at every single chance I got. While there is some very difficult subject matter tackled (drug addiction, murder, rape, racism, discrimination, colonialism, poverty... and that merely scratches the surface), I found the feeling that stayed with me long after the last words had been read was one of hope and inspiration. The main character, Daunis, is so unbelievably strong - I rooted for her from page one - , the "villains" are complex and the twists are satisfyingly shocking. If you're looking for an own-voices mystery/thriller that stands apart from the pack and you don't mind some uncomfortable soul-searching that results from spending so much time entrenched in the lived-realities of many indigenous individuals in North America, you won't regret picking this one up.
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:
Complicated
I think there was a lot of power in this story. I really liked Daunis, she was a strong, smart, and wise lead character, and I liked the community she had supporting her and how she supported them.
emotional
informative
inspiring
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