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A review by warlocksarecool21
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
5.0
I don’t usually read mystery or thriller novels but I’m glad I chose to read this one. Firekeeper’s Daughter highlights the real issues that impact indigenous individuals and communities, based off of the author’s own experiences. I thought the mystery element of it was really well-done, while not shying away from exploring the harsh realities that many indigenous communities face. Boulley explored how corruption and violence can overtake a community, especially when there are no support systems in place designed to help indigenous people. I think this book had the right amount of lightheartedness, especially showing Daunis explore her relationship with her family, her culture and the elders in her community. I really enjoyed learning about Ojibwe (and broader indigenous tribes) culture and history, which has purposely been removed from our education.
I thought there were some really great characters throughout the book. Despite her faults, I think Daunis was a really compelling main character and I loved how passionate she was for her family and her community. I adored her Aunt Teddie and how she always looked out for Daunis. I thought all of the elders present in Daunis’s life were really great characters as well, and I loved seeing how they bound the community together. Finally, I adored Jamie and I did really like his relationship with Daunis. While part of me wished they would stay together at the end of the story, I think it was important that Daunis made the decision to end it because it was the best choice for both of them. They both needed to heal and move on, but they would always remember the experience they shared.
Most importantly, I think Boulley did a really good job at showcasing the realities of Indigenous women in this story, which are sadly the real truths of indigenous women all over the country. She portrayed the violence and pain that indigenous women often experience, but she also highlighted the beautiful solidarity that the women in Daunis’s community had amongst all of them, and how femininity and womanhood was positively connected to their cultural beliefs and traditions.
I thought there were some really great characters throughout the book. Despite her faults, I think Daunis was a really compelling main character and I loved how passionate she was for her family and her community. I adored her Aunt Teddie and how she always looked out for Daunis. I thought all of the elders present in Daunis’s life were really great characters as well, and I loved seeing how they bound the community together. Finally, I adored Jamie and I did really like his relationship with Daunis. While part of me wished they would stay together at the end of the story, I think it was important that Daunis made the decision to end it because it was the best choice for both of them. They both needed to heal and move on, but they would always remember the experience they shared.
Most importantly, I think Boulley did a really good job at showcasing the realities of Indigenous women in this story, which are sadly the real truths of indigenous women all over the country. She portrayed the violence and pain that indigenous women often experience, but she also highlighted the beautiful solidarity that the women in Daunis’s community had amongst all of them, and how femininity and womanhood was positively connected to their cultural beliefs and traditions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Rape, and Violence