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A review by mari1532
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
I listened to this audiobook through my library.
Brief Summary: Perry Firekeeper-Birch is a laid-back teen with no summer plans. That is until she crashes her car and is required to work off her debt to her aunt. Luckily she can join a group of misfits for the summer program gaining experience and money. However, when her work experiences expose her to how the university system treats the remains of an ancestor, Perry's life is changed forever.
Thoughts: I read this book fairly early in the year, but I have absolutely no doubt that it is going to be in my top two books of the year. Boulley's writing is enthralling. I was hooked on every word in this story and did not want it to end.
Perry is also an excellent depiction of a teenager. At the beginning of the book, she thinks she knows what is important in life and no one can tell her any different. However, as she is exposed to other members of her community she begins to realize that there is room for the things she holds dear and expanding her horizons. I particularly enjoyed her relationship with Cooper Turtle. The development of their relationship and the lasting impact that he has on her as a mentor was a beautiful description of how important teachers can be to shaping the next generation.
The "Misfit Toys" were also a great group of characters and I enjoyed that even though the larger summer program saw them as outcasts our perspective showed them as the normal teenagers that they were because we are seeing things from Perry's perspective. Shense was my second favourite character in the book, not only because of her friendship with Perry but because of how loyal and honest she is throughout the story.
Although it was not my favourite part of the book, I did enjoy that Boulley also included the drama of teenage relationships against the far more complicated picture of the narrative. I truly enjoyed Perry's reaction to Lucas and Pauline and how that played out throughout the study. It was also interesting to see how Erik and Perry's story ended. I was captivated by the push and pull of them and I felt entirely satisfied by this portion of the subplot.
It was interesting how Boulley could weave so much information about the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The way that it was woven into the story not only informed the reader of the law itself but also about how the bureaucracy of the university and federal system continue to disadvantage Indigenous groups.
I would highly recommend this book!!
Brief Summary: Perry Firekeeper-Birch is a laid-back teen with no summer plans. That is until she crashes her car and is required to work off her debt to her aunt. Luckily she can join a group of misfits for the summer program gaining experience and money. However, when her work experiences expose her to how the university system treats the remains of an ancestor, Perry's life is changed forever.
Thoughts: I read this book fairly early in the year, but I have absolutely no doubt that it is going to be in my top two books of the year. Boulley's writing is enthralling. I was hooked on every word in this story and did not want it to end.
Perry is also an excellent depiction of a teenager. At the beginning of the book, she thinks she knows what is important in life and no one can tell her any different. However, as she is exposed to other members of her community she begins to realize that there is room for the things she holds dear and expanding her horizons. I particularly enjoyed her relationship with Cooper Turtle. The development of their relationship and the lasting impact that he has on her as a mentor was a beautiful description of how important teachers can be to shaping the next generation.
The "Misfit Toys" were also a great group of characters and I enjoyed that even though the larger summer program saw them as outcasts our perspective showed them as the normal teenagers that they were because we are seeing things from Perry's perspective. Shense was my second favourite character in the book, not only because of her friendship with Perry but because of how loyal and honest she is throughout the story.
Although it was not my favourite part of the book, I did enjoy that Boulley also included the drama of teenage relationships against the far more complicated picture of the narrative. I truly enjoyed Perry's reaction to Lucas and Pauline and how that played out throughout the study. It was also interesting to see how Erik and Perry's story ended. I was captivated by the push and pull of them and I felt entirely satisfied by this portion of the subplot.
It was interesting how Boulley could weave so much information about the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The way that it was woven into the story not only informed the reader of the law itself but also about how the bureaucracy of the university and federal system continue to disadvantage Indigenous groups.
I would highly recommend this book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Kidnapping, Racism, Toxic relationship, Genocide, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Car accident and Sexual assault