This is one of the best books I've ever read and while it is labeled YA, I believe it transcends age.

I was totally invested in this beautifully written novel and grew so attached to the characters that I didn't want it to end. It's a book that is always going to stay with me-- it's incredibly woven narrative, use of Anishinaabe language and traditions and it's heartbreaking resolution are still tugging at my heartstrings. Daunis Fontaine is the MC that all Indigenous girls need in their lives and I loved how she was unapologetically herself.

I feel like I just said this, (see Barren Grounds review), but although this is technically YA, it covers so many issues-- intergenerational trauma, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, blood quantum, racism, murder and MMIW-- that it transcends age (also note potential content warnings). I don’t want to give too much away because I think the mystery and suspense is what majorly drives the plot, but my absolute favorite part of the book was the Elders and Daunis’ relationship with them. But I also loved her Auntie. Gah! I loved it all.

Daunis Fontaine just graduated from high school and is getting ready to head off to U of M in the fall. Then, Uncle David dies and GrandMary has a stroke and she decides to stay home, go to the local community college with her best friend Lilly, and take care of her fragile mom. Still, things aren't all bad, she and Lilly will go to classes together and a cute new guy has joined her brother Levi's hockey team.

Then, the community is rocked by a shocking murder and Daunis, as the only witness, finds herself in the middle of an FBI investigation. Agreeing to become a confidential informant is a hard decision for this biracial, unenrolled tribal girl who doesn't feel like she's fully accepted by either the Ojibwe people or the White community of her mother's family. But, Daunis considers herself an Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and starts her own secret investigation in the investigation, determined to protect her community traditions while helping law enforcement officials.

Trigger warnings: drug use, meth addiction, rape, violence against women, grief & mourning, racism

Daunis is a strong protagonist, looking out for others and herself and making mostly good decisions. The world Boulley creates feel completely real and I felt like I was sitting there playing cards with the Elders at the Tribal Community Center and tromping through the woods with Daunis. The tension between traditional tribal ways of life and modern American life were dealt with respectfully as she works to find a balance for herself. I love how Boulley portrays the Indigenous woman's power and powerlessness. She both honors their traditions and their innate strength and beauty, while at the same time exposing how the current system both victimizes them and allows their abusers to do so with immunity. It's raw and heartbreaking, but inspiring and powerful, too.

This book is a coming of age YA novel, but it's also a crime novel and it does both very well. I look forward to reading more from this debut author! I highly recommend <i>Firekeeper's Daughter</i> to all readers ages 14+. 5 stars


Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As an Anishinaabe reviewer, I can say confidently that this book is good medicine. Angeline Boulley has artfully crafted a story that is both fiercely Anishinaabe and also accessible to those readers unfamiliar with Anishinaabe community, history, and culture. Firekeeper’s Daughter is also multi-layered with a gripping plot and care and love for Anishinaabeg (Boulley’s dialectic uses Anishinaabek).

Firekeeper’s Daughter is precisely the kind of book I wish I had access to as a teenager and young adult. While her novel is centered around real and difficult issues (drug abuse, violence, MMIW), she has also crafted a novel that exposes the unwavering strength of Indigenous knowledge and community. Daunis Fontaine is relatable and inspiring. Her family and elders are determined, loving, and funny. And, despite all that faces Daunis and her people, Boulley deftly shows how Anishinaabe people survive and will continue to do so.

I can’t wait to reread this novel!

Boulley provides readers with an excellent mystery to unravel intertwined in a rare setting found in fiction - Indigenous American lands and communities. The ties to culture and family are at the heart of this novel, and while the pacing was a little slow in parts, this was an incredible read, and one to come back to again and again.

I had the wonderful opportunity of getting to read Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley ahead of its publication date March 16 2020.

I went into the book not knowing much but I thoroughly enjoyed where the story took me. to be brief, the novel begins with some devastating events that lead our protagonist Daunis Fontaine into the eye of an FBI investigation.

It’s so easy for me to say what I loved about this novel: from Daunis’s unwavering love and care for her community, the immersive experience that Boulley created for the reader, the tender care that Boulley and Daunis both held for those struggling with addictions and never once vilifying them, and the resilience of Indigenous people and our languages. I love all the Anishinaabemowin words and traditions and teachings that were woven into this book.

kinanâskomitin to Angeline Boulley for this beautiful novel that i won’t forget. I encourage everyone to pre-order or pick this up on march 16! Truly an unforgettable reading experience.

This is a great own voices, indigenous author book to have on a classroom shelf, Thrilling, compelling, and engaging, This one is sure to have students wanting to start a conversation.

This story is the perfect mix of mystery and coming-of-age, and I could not put it down - twist after twist and the power of family and friendship kept me hooked.

As an outsider looking in, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the traditions and culture of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Daunis’ relationship between her mother’s wealthy Eurocentric family and her father’s native family is a central struggle because she feels as if she has one foot in each community. The dynamic between and within each community is fascinating as well.

I was left wanting to visit this area of Michigan to see the beautiful locations described and to learn more about the “Lost” boys and girls in the native community.

I will start by saying I was under the false assumption that this was a fantasy piece and I am sadly inadequately educated on the many indigenous nations that exist in North America. I'm embarrassed to say I did not realize the Anishinaabe people were real for the first few chapters and I diligently educating myself as I read. I found the passages where Daunis acts as cultural ambassador for one of the side characters to be a brilliant tool to educate the reader in Ojibwe culture while moving the story along.

The story itself was heartbreaking and captivating- I now believe its slow start is completely intentional because I as the reader, like the main character, entered this story with a certain level of naïveté that is completely broken down and built back up by the end of the book. Some of the mature themes (injustice/betrayal/ identity/toxic vs health relationships/grief) are not exclusive to indigenous people and will undoubtedly cross cultural boundaries -but are representations that are absolutely needed in a YA readings.

I was in tears by the end of this book because, despite it being a complete work of fiction, I knew this narrative was most likely pieced together from many realities. This story brings awareness to disproportionate statistics of sexual assault, missing persons cases, drug abuse, poverty, and violence against women faced on reservations. However, despite the hardships- these communities continue to hold strong to their heritages and aim to restore, rebuild, and endure. I think the only think that could possibly make this book better is pointing the reader toward resources for furthering their education at the end.

I loved how the character of Daunis is split between two worlds: her rich, white grandmother's world and her Native roots from her father's family at the same time. She is so respectful of both worlds and I love how this allows the author to have a reason to "explain" things without it sounding like a textbook. "Native means different things, depending on who is asking and why... It's your identity, but i gets defined or controlled by other people." When Daunis is asked by the FBI to help with an investigation into a meth distribution ring, it becomes that much more important to her to define for herself who she is in the world. But first she must understand the secrets kept by those closest to her as well as overcome her own issues with trust and love.

All the buzz about this book is so well deserved. The perfect combo of a coming-of-age story, a thriller, an Own Voices story with romance. And a pitch-perfect ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for approving me for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This, as the summary says, is a young adult thriller about a Native teen who witnesses the murder of her best friend by her boyfriend that was addicted to drugs. Daunis is no stranger to loss. She’s lost her father, her uncle, and her GrandMary isn’t doing very well. She’s lived a hard life. But she’s so strong because of that. She has such a big heart. But I think my favorite thing about Daunis was her brain. She’s so incredibly smart. I liked following her as she put the pieces together of the investigation that she’s helping the FBI with. Seeing her use her knowledge of the tribe and her culture to figure out what and who was bringing drugs into her community. It was a heart wrenching story about a community being changed by drugs, about losing friends you never thought would be involved, and how betrayal can come from those you thought closest.
I loved learning about Daunis’s experiences being Native. It was really interesting to see her life as an outsider that everyone knows isn’t really an outsider. The community she is a part of is one that has issues, like most, but is filled with so much history and culture that I really enjoyed reading about it.
I feel like I’m not accurately explaining how much I loved this book. It was heart wrenching, but I absolutely could not put it down. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves a good YA mystery/thriller. I had so many theories about what was happening and was almost never right. The story was complex, with several different things going on in the story. Daunis had family issues, there was the investigation, but there was also the question of her future and college and why she didn’t play hockey anymore. I think this was all tied together wonderfully, it wasn’t too much for one story, it was all connected. I really cannot say enough good things about this book. This is a new release you don’t want to miss.

The hype I heard of this book was what intrigued me the most, as an avid fan of Veronica Mars-like story lines... But the writing just felt very stilted and distracting at times. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed, but the lack of complex sentence structures hindered my reading flow.
The story line itself was very interesting and kept me reading, the last quarter of the book was INTENSE.
I would recommend this book for adults, very mature young adults, or people very into sports hockey.

A fantastic, immersive read that is miles different than everything out this year.

I won this book in a YALLWrite giveaway, hesitant to have requested it at first. The minute I began reading it, after adjusting to worldbuilding and being introduced to the language, I was absolutely enthralled. What started as a a beautiful book addressing the negative viewpoints non-Native people have of those who are Native quickly turned into a murder mystery/drug bust that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every time I was forced to put the book down or take a break, I kept thinking of the book, having it occupy my headspace until I was able to pick it back up again. I finished it in a public place and physically threw my hands up at the hundreds of plot twist that snuck up on me while reading.

I can't even describe this book besides the fact that it's fantastic. It's brilliant, eye-opening, enthralling, and a freaking fantastic read. What a wonderful way to bring in 2021 and definitely one of my most highly recommended reads of the year. Whatever you think this book is going to be about, it will change every opinion you have and make you fall in love with it.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillian for the Firekeeper's Daughter ARC.
I enjoyed Firekeeper’s Daughter tremendously and highly recommend this novel.

My journey started with the beautiful cover art and flowed excitedly as each page was devoured!

The characters were well written with compelling lives interwoven in this YA realistic fiction novel #OwnVoices. You could follow each character's story and how the connection with each other is well thought out.

The Native American protagonists have a story to tell. I love this female-driven story. It is heartbreaking, funny, interesting, with powerful messaging about community, strength, family, customs, and figuring out one's identity when you are multiracial. I enjoyed learning a little about the Ojibwe teachings and appreciated the authentic Native language featured throughout the novel.

The setting of the novel in Sault Ste. Marie was a beautiful additional character. I am eager to learn more about the location and community.
#FirekeepersDaughter #NetGalley
Content warning: drug use, mention of overdose, murder, grief, sexual assault, racism

Thank you to Netgally for the advance copy on exchange for my honest review.

Recent high school grad and hockey goon Daunis Fontain is coming to terms with the suspicious death of her uncle when she witnesses the murder of her best friend. From there she is asked to investigate a meth ring on Sugar island as a CI.

I have mixed feelings about this book. While I lived Daunis, it is very YA, as in repetitive and we are consubekng told and explained too. Which is frustrating. Also, I feel that there were plot holes around Jamie’s character and the reactions to certain events...some of which just felt thrown in for no apparent reason and which were very disturbing.

I liked learning more about the Ojibwe tribe and culture and language. It was a pretty well paced book. And it is a vital reminder of the ugly truth that this country will not see: the disappearance and murder of Native women and girls.

Trigger warnings: addition, rape, sexual assault, kidnapping...

Final book of 2020! 🎉⁣
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Y’all. I cannot believe how good FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER is. It’s a coming of age story, a murder mystery, and a love story, but most importantly, it’s a much needed Native #ownvoices contribution to YA. I learned so much history and culture, but it never became pedantic or sacrificed characterization and plot. I don’t know what else to say besides you absolutely need this when it debuts in March. ⁣
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Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for an eARC in exchange for this review. ⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Riveting own voices tale about coming of age as an Ojibwe/white teen in Michigan. Daunis Fontaine deals with death, political rights, drug use and even sexual abuse. All the very tense subjects in this book are dealt with deftly and equitably. I appreciate that we can see Daunis' thoughts, it really helps the reader empathize with the character. I also appreciate the bond that Daunis has with the tribal elders, it's nice to see positive adult/teen relationships.

The cover is beautiful! The story is powerful! It's not often that we see Native American stories set in current time. I enjoyed learning about some of the culture and traditions and even a little bit of the language. Daunis is a strong biracial young woman caught between two worlds she deeply loves. The twists and turns kept my son and I engaged and wanting more! Great debut!

An intense thriller, cultural story of Ojibwe teachings, and coming of age. Fantastic YA debut!
I was enthralled by its beautiful cover and the first pages had me hooked into the story. The violence is intense and not expected but the story and its tale of history and present injustices. It's all accurate of the treatment of Indigenous peoples in North America.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillian for the Firekeeper's Daughter ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although challenging at times (for me to understand), I appreciated the authentic Native American language and traditions mentioned. The storyline kept me guessing and I found myself reading late at night to find out what would happen to Daunis and the rest of the characters. This is a must read for adolescents as well as adults.

Intrigue and tragedy plague eighteen-year-old Ojibwe Daunis Fontaine. So-engrossed by the immediately-captivating Daunis and her story, the reader may not realize what an education they get along the way, from Ojibwe Tribal politics and traditions, to complicated and cross-cultural family dynamics, to jurisdictional issues, to the historical trauma of Indian boarding schools, to the toll drug addiction takes on communities and individuals, to the complications of boosters involved in sports teams. Daunis is the daughter of then-teenage Ojibwe former hockey great, Levi Firekeeper and Grace Fontaine.

From the first chapter, Daunis tries to balance her existence in two worlds: she is unable to enroll in the tribe of her father because her maternal grandparents kept her father off of her birth certificate--an expression of their prejudice against Native Americans--but deeply-rooted in the practice of her tribal traditions and community. Alternately criticized and celebrated for not being Native enough, Daunis navigates the waters of her community and her family’s concurrent racism and love.

Her Gramma Pearl, on her Firekeeper side, always said that bad things happen in threes. First, her maternal uncle died in April, second, her maternal grandmother had a stroke, and third...nothing could prepare Daunis for what comes next and the turmoil that it unleashes on her person and community.

Boulley deftly places the reader in the community and geography of Sault Ste. Marie, fully fleshing out characters and personalities from Daunis’s intergenerational circle. People are complicated and messy and Boulley does a masterful job of showing the many facets of those in Daunis’s life, from her nieces, to her GrandMary, to her brother, aunt, elders, and mother. Everyone has a story and while Firekeeper’s Daughter is wholly Daunis’s, Boulley shows the reader how completely intertwined our individual stories are.