bookmarkedbybecky 's review for:

Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon

5.0

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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5️⃣ reasons we gave this book 5 ⭐

1. Relevant Social Issues: The story intertwines fictional elements with real-life circumstances, highlighting the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis in the U.S. and Canada, as well as themes of human trafficking and abuse by men working on pipelines in Northern regions - a powerful commentary on something that’s often overlooked.

2. Strong & Resilient MC: Quil, our protagonist, is a force to be reckoned with. Her determination and grit shine as she searches for her missing sisters despite the systemic neglect of Indigenous women by law enforcement. Her refusal to let her sisters be forgotten is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

3. Emotionally Driven Prose: Reardon captures the raw emotion and intensity of her characters' experiences. Her writing draws you into a whirlwind of panic, frustration, and anxiety, allowing you to truly feel the gravity of the story.

4. Native Experience: Generational trauma, systemic oppression, jurisdictional problems between tribal police and other police/FBI investigations. Their trauma is felt deeply and viscerally. Yet, Indigenous women find resilience and hope through their traditions and spirit. 

5. Narration: Erin Tripp passionately shares Indigenous stories with the audiobook world.  She brings the characters to life with profound emotional depth. Readon’s powerful storytelling, combined with Tripp’s powerful narration, make this novel an unforgettable read that demands attention.