A review by just_one_more_paige
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

 
This was a "last day I worked at the library before the Holidays" impulse grab. Someone had returned it and, instead of sending it back to be shelved, I checked it right out to myself. I had seen a number of positive reviews for it and, while it isn't my normal reading genre (mystery/thriller isn't usually my cup of tea), I thought I'd take the recommendations and go for it, as a page-turner style book might be the perfect thing for a Holiday "escape" read. Plus, this was an ALC offering from libro.fm a few months ago that I had forgotten about, so I was able to combine reading and listening, as convenient, which I'm really growing to love.  
 
Daunis is a biracial, unenrolled tribal member (daughter of a bit of a scandalous relationship situation) finishing up her senior year of high school, getting ready to follow her grandmother's plans to go to college and become a doctor. Although she's changed her plans to stay local and take care of her mother (in the wake of her uncle's sudden/untimely death), she's still planning to follow through on those dreams. Although she's never really felt like she fit in anywhere (neither in her hometown nor with her family on the nearby Ojibwe reservation), and she has strict rules about guys and keeping certain parts of her life separate, she starts to fall for a new recruit to her brother's hockey team, Jamie. But then tragedy strikes, in the form of a violent murder Daunis witnesses, she finds out that Jamie is very much not what he seems and she reluctantly finds herself working undercover on an investigation into new and very dangerous form of meth, one that she is uniquely qualified to help track, with her knowledge of both chemistry and traditional medicine, and with the position(s) she holds within her community. But these kinds of operations aren't easy, or safe, and Daunis finds her life, her body, her emotions, and her family/friends are on the line. 
 
Well, I'm glad I gave this one a chance! I won't give too much detail about the plot or anything, past what was in the description, because I feel like, considering the genre, it would be best for anyone wanting to read it to go in without any more info. It's enough to say, I think, that the pacing was fantastic - the development of the plot, with reveals and realizations and twists (some of which are easier to spot, but at least one that came as a pretty big surprise), and the growth and movement of character interactions/relationships - was all compelling. This was definitely the page-turner I was looking for. And while it is definitely YA, as far as the characters themselves, some of their decisions and thought processes, and just the general vibe, I do want to note that the topics/themes (I'll talk more in detail about those in just a bit), are as adult as they come. And I liked that, because while young adults are not, in fact, adults, that doesn't mean they don't have to deal with adult things...Boulley handled walking that line really well. In fact, I thought the adolescent narrative voice was spot on, intelligent, but with all the right blind spots of youth. And honestly, Daunis was a damn force, with such strength and gravitas, and I love her for it. And at the same time, I am full of soft spots in my heart for all the places she was tough, but shouldn’t have had to be. A few final plot-related points that I'll keep vague, but want to mention. First, I was really happy with the way the romance played out - it was the right mix of pragmatic and hopeful that fits Daunis' young adult personality. And finally, the deeply unsatisfying lack of justice in the ending left me so angry, not least because that aspect is more nonfictional than fictional, but it too was the "right" ending. So, I was overall pleased with the wrap-up of the story as well as the compelling rest of it.  
 
So, like I said, this book is not for the faint of heart, topically. Daunis witnesses violent crimes, there are multiple deaths, meth addiction is a major focal point, there are both references to and scenes of sexual assault/rape, there's kidnapping, and there's quite a bit of content related to race and gate-keeping and misogyny. There is so much grief and letdown and pain in this novel, and yet there is also such beautiful community and acceptance and heart-filling relationships. The contrast is stark, and everything almost hurts more because of it, in a way that is exquisitely well written. Overall, this was a much more emotionally intense read than I had been expecting, though it does help explain how the reviews were so glowing for what I thought was just a crime mystery/thriller. 
 
The final thing I really want to highlight about this novel are the Anishinaabe cultural and traditional and belief details. I was fascinated by them and loved the care and meaning in Boulley's portrayal of it all. In addition, the Anishinaabe language that was used throughout was wonderful, and made me extra grateful to also have access to the audiobook, so I could hear it come to life (on this note, while I have no actual knowledge of how well the narrator did objectively, I subjectively thought they were phenomenal). I loved the stories and parables sprinkled throughout the novel as well, and in particular was struck by the guiding principle of thinking seven generations ahead when making decisions - this seems like a light to live by that we'd all be better off if we followed. Relatedly, the bonds of family and community were such important themes in this novel, and Daunis draws such wonderful strength from them. The honor for the elders, in ways both traditional/historic and in adorable “current” ways, was especially heart-warming. 
 
Well, this was a compulsively readable story. It had wonderful cultural representation, addressed a number of real-life issues, was told in a very genuine YA narrative voice, and had some important messages for the reader, especially that lies, even those we tell to protect, are exhausting and still cause real hurt. Despite the pain in the novel, there are also many moments of beauty. And the closing prayer that Boulley leaves the reader with is absolutely stunning. 
 
“When someone dies, everything about them becomes past tense. Except for the grief. Grief stays in the present.” 
 
“It’s hard to explain what it’s like being so connected to everyone and everything here…yet feeling that no one ever sees the whole me.” 
 
“It’s hard when being Native means different things depending on who’s asking and why. […] It’s your identity, but it gets defined or controlled by other people.” 
 
“When you love someone, but don’t like parts of them, it complicates your memories of them when they’re gone.”
 
“It’s hard to reconcile not liking, even despising, parts of someone you love.”
 
“Do you ever have days where every different emotion seems to cling to you and it’s just…too much?” (This, all of this.)
 
“Love is a promise. And promises you don’t keep are the worst lies of all.”

“When our loved ones die, the love stays alive in the present.”
 
“I am so tired. The weight of my expendability is crushing.” (This one line is so fucking heavy.)
 
“To know truth is to accept what cannot be known.”
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