This book was an interesting look into the lives of indigenous peoples of the U.S. and what they face. This book tackles the tension between intracommunity matters and federal law. As I am not indigenous to the U.S. I cannot comment on the accuracy of the depictions in the book, but it is reminiscent of my own experiences with intracommunity matters being broadcast for the rest of the world to comment on. A poignant coming of age story that focuses on self-growth (especially when love is a possibility), this book had the right ending, even if it wasn't a happy one. I encourage everyone to read this book, especially those in the U.S. who are not indigenous.

This was a fantastic YA own voices book. The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. A must read for young adults and adults!

the book was good overall, i didn’t care much for the romance which seemed to be the focus a lot of the time and i felt it was probably 100 pages too long.

I received an eARC of this title through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I'll be honest when I say this is not the typical book I go for. I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction and do not read a lot of mystery thriller titles. However, I found plot to be extremely interesting and the background of Native American history and tradition to be fascinating and relevant to the story. The way it is weaved in to the plot was well done and easy to understand. There were a few times were I was unsure how to pronounce certain words and had to look them up, but that still did not take away from the story, it added to the historical significance of the Native Americans in that particular area and all the hardships they had gone through.

While the plotline was intriguing, I was not a big fan of the love interest aspect of it all. It took me out of the meat of the mystery which had me wanting to skip over those bits to get to the mystery again.

Other than that, this was a good read. I would recommend for anyone who like historical mystery titles.

"Firekeeper's Daughter" by Angeline Boulley is a breathtaking debut novel that seamlessly weaves together mystery, suspense, and cultural richness. The plot follows Daunis Fontaine, a biracial Ojibwe teenager, as she finds herself drawn into a dangerous investigation involving drug trafficking and murder in her tight-knit community. Boulley masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its unpredictable twists and turns, while also delving deep into the complexities of identity, family, and tradition. The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter creating a gripping and immersive reading experience that is impossible to put down.

The character development in "Firekeeper's Daughter" is extraordinary, as Boulley brings her vibrant cast of characters to life with nuance and depth. Daunis is a fiercely intelligent and resilient protagonist whose journey of self-discovery is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Boulley's inclusion of indigenous culture is done with authenticity and reverence, providing readers with a rare glimpse into the rich traditions and beliefs of the Ojibwe people. From the vivid descriptions of powwows to the incorporation of Anishinaabe language and customs, the novel is a celebration of indigenous heritage that is both enlightening and empowering. "Firekeeper's Daughter" is a triumph of storytelling that will leave readers profoundly moved and eager for more from this talented author.

Firekeeper’s Daughter is an absolutely stunning, poignant, and heartbreaking tale from the Indigenous community. I still constantly talk about this book and recommend to anyone who will listen. The author did an amazing job at speaking for her community in a beautiful and emotional story. It breaks the boundaries of a YA novel and can be enjoyed by any audience.

Solid YA mystery that not only engaged with the crime content but also opened a window into Native American culture. The romance subplot was unnecessary and at times it felt like more could have been fleshed out. Would definitely recommend and looking forward to reading more from Angeline Boulley since this is her debut.

I have so many feelings. It's been a long time since a book made me have this volume of feelings. There was a part where I was genuinely sCREAMING. This book was a rollercoaster in the best way and I never knew where the mystery was going to end up, which was fantastic for me.

There are so many great things about this book -- the way that Daunis's knowledge and learning of her culture, as well as her family, informs all her decisions and her thought process (the book is written in first person). The tension and relationship between Jamie and Daunis??? So good.

Also unexpected, don't hate the messenger, but this book is lowkey historical :D. Almost there. It's set in 2004. LOL.

Adding this one to my all time faves shelf tbh.

After witnessing her friends murder, Daunis becomes a confidential informant for the FBI, who are on tribal lands undercover, investigating a meth ring. The writing of this book was beautiful and yet heartbreaking at times. You are along for the ride as you watch Daunis become exposed to life’s cruelties and unfairness.

With all that said, this book at its heart is about love. The love we have for our family. The love we have for our friends. The love we have for our community. The love we build for older ones we look up to. The love we build in romance and relationships. The love we have for the family we choose.

There was one glaringly horrid part of the book that I still can’t understand why it was included in the storyline. TW: (view spoiler) The rape that Donna suffers at the hands of her friends’ father feels wholly unnecessary and vile. Unfortunately, in today’s world women suffer sexual assault at alarming rates. I just feel it should have been omitted and a trigger warning given at the beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc of this book!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Refreshing debut novel! The author's writing has a comfortable flow and the storyline is very reminiscent of Fredrik Backman for me. Character depth is well developed and you are really pulled in to the various plots and histories. This novel gave a delicate perspective of Native community while never being overdone (to the point that you're being pulled away from the mystery of the novel). I would definitely read any further novels put out by this author and cannot wait to read the follow-up that showcases Daunis' niece.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this DRC.
Daunis Fontaine is a strong young woman who shows enormous courage when a murder and a new drug in her community try to derail her life.
I liked this book and the depth of Daunis’ character.

#FirekeepersDaughter #NetGalley

5 stars!!

This book will be one of my favorite book's I have ever read. It combined tough subjects (TW: death, murder, meth/drug use, racial discrimination, sexual assault) with romance, mystery, and historical fiction. We learned about the Ojibwe traditions and language, while following Daunis Fontaine's journey through grief and partnering with the FBI.

This book was so fantastic, I downloaded it on NetGalley quite some time ago, and then completely lost it. After attending a two week seminar of the Upstanders Academy, which focuses on indigenous people and their stories and histories, I was looking through books and saw this one. I remembered I had downloaded it to my Kindle, so I found it and read it in rapid order.

This is such an amazing story, and you don’t even need to understand indigenous history to feel for the characters, as well as the incredible strength and pride they have in their histories and their people.

The story is so well told, with plenty of suspense and danger, love and sadness, growing up and becoming who you were already were and always meant to be. It was also eye-opening to learn a little more about indigenous people who are registered and people who are not, and the differences in how they can sometimes be viewed within their communities.

I have no doubt that the harm inflicted on indigenous communities over the centuries is overlooked and misunderstood. We need to be better about honoring and accepting and supporting the people who have been in the these lands for 25,000 years before any of the rest of us showed up.

Excellent, excellent book, I highly recommend it, even if you know, nothing about indigenous peoples of the Americas, you will learn. And you can’t help but feel for their stories, and what they have gone through.

This book is beautiful, inside and out. The cover alone grabs the reader's eye and says...."you really should read me". Then the story.....Angeline Boulley tells the story of Daunis Fontaine as if it were her won life story she's telling. The characters fit so well into their stories that you expect them to step off the page anytime. As they move through their troubled lives, you'll watch them grow apart, then move back together to save their communities as well as themselves. A beautiful story all around.

I thought this was a fantasy novel. I can't be the only one. Based on the cover alone, which is absolutely beautiful by the way, it looks like it should be a fantasy novel. It's not. It's a mystery/thriller and it's heartwrenching. I wasn't expecting the drug angle. But I really enjoyed this book and learning about contemporary Indigenous people living between their reservation and white people. The writing was real and raw and I loved Daunis!

Beautiful story that fits perfectly between YA and general contemporary audience tastes. Love the Indigenous POV and adventurous spirit of the MC in this story that doesn't shy away from exploring drug use and other tough topics.

Everyone was right - this book is FABULOUS!!! Having taught at the Indian Community School of Milwaukee myself, I connected so many of the Ojibwe teachings I received to the culture that is present in this book. A gem of a story that highlights some needed representation without sacrificing great storytelling. Had me on the edge of my seat!

I sped through this book. It is compelling and insightful as it gives us an authentic view into the modern life of our Indigenous tribes. The action is well paced and the main character is very relatable. I highly recommend this book.

Honestly, I've given this book 3-4 tries and each time I think to myself that maybe it's just my mood or not the right time, but now I think that this book just isn't for me. I think this genre tends to be something I struggle with so it's not really against the author or the writing, but I think it's time to lay this to rest because I just don't think I can keep trying.

Every time I've tried I've only gotten a few chapters in and usually I like to give books at least 100 pages or 20% and I just couldn't push myself to want to read the book. Again, I think the characters were interesting and everything, but I think I just am not the right audience for this.