I am always looking for powerful books as I build a diverse classroom library, This novel was gripping with believable interesting characters, demonstrated a unique setting, and a distinctive point of view. I highly recommend this novel for high school students.

3.5* review

I enjoyed this book but I definitely felt a disconnect with the plot and the characters. The best part was the mystery journey and uncovering clues along the way. I was super invested however when the reveal finally came, it was not as exciting because it ended up being pretty obvious halfway so I was hoping for a plot twist. Not only that but the MC took forever to acknowledge who the culprit was which was a bit frustrating.

Basically I think that the beginning half was great as I enjoyed learning more about the culture as well as the effects of drugs in certain minority communities but the second half went a bit downhill.

This story was informing while being engaging. I was excited to get into this book, while not really knowing anything about it. The reality of the situations was heart breaking and knowing this is fiction doesn’t hide the fact that this is real in many communities. Such a wonderful book.

Thank you to the publisher for not only sending me an ARC, but also getting me in contact with the author for an interview for College Magazine!

Again, I'm not a big mystery/thriller reader - I feel as though I have greatly expanded my genres in the past two years, and this book is only proof that there are so many different ways to engage with genres you are not comfortable reading. Angeline Boulley breaks down barriers for readers of all ages with "Firekeeper's Daughter" - especially as there are so few Indigenous/Native voices in the publishing world (to my knowledge). I always recommend this book to young readers, especially considering the content and current socio-political climate. I enjoyed this book so much that I went out and bought a copy of it as well - how could I not have this cover displayed on my shelf? I am beyond ready for whatever Angeline Boulley will write next, and know that I will put it in the hands of as many readers as possible.

I have just recently found out that a coworker read this as well, and enjoyed it immensely!

This is my favorite book of 2021. I love all the different aspects that are contained in this novel. It's authentic and real.

Amazing book, wonderfully told story with character portrayal that I haven't seen represented before. Just captivating and heart-wrenching.

I tried to read this but it’s just not for me, I can see why people would enjoy it, but for me it was a miss.

I have no idea why I waited so long to read this novel. I was approved to read it last year before it was published and I wish that I had read it in time to promote this important story back in March 2021. That being said, if you are like me and have been putting off reading Firekeeper's Daughter, this is your sign to pick it up. This YA novel is full of twists and turns and will keep you in suspense up until the very last chapter. It also has great indigenous representation within its setting and characters. I am excited to watch the Netflix series that is coming based on this novel and will read whatever Boulley writes next!

This debut YA mystery from Angeline Boulley follows Native teen Daunis Fontaine, who is caught up in a criminal investigation after she witnesses a murder and must use her knowledge of chemistry and medicine to track down the killer.

Daunis is a teen struggling to find her place in her world. She's biracial and doesn't feel as though she wholly fits in with either community in her town. It doesn't help that the solace she once found in playing hockey has been taken away from her after an injury. But everything in her life changes when she gets swept up with the FBI and begins working as an informant.

I enjoyed the exploration into Ojibwe culture and community (particularly the bonds between women) and Daunis' determination to protect the people she cares about.

I can see this translating particularly well to the upcoming Netflix series adaptation, and readers will be eager to see what Angeline Boulley writes next,

I'd recommend readers look up content warnings for this title, as there are a handful of traumatic elements that might be triggering.

This was a good story. I love the title and the books cover is gorgeous. This was a story I had never read before. I was happy to see that. Books need to tell stories from all races and cultures. This story is one of them.

An amazing story that has readers sucked into the very fabric of life on Sault Saint Marie. While your heart breaks for many of the injustices faced by Daunis's community, your spirit cheers at the sense of resolute resolve shown by a tight-knit community that knows how to succeed in beautiful ways against the flow of obstacles.

Daunis Fontaine has never felt like she’s fit in anywhere. Not in her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie (on the Michigan side) and not on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Not only is she a biracial, unenrolled tribal member, there was also quite a bit of scandal surrounding her birth. She’s always dreamed of one day moving away and studying medicine but now has to put those dreams on hold after a family tragedy. Then, if things weren’t complicated enough, she witnesses a murder and finds herself working undercover with the FBI. Through the course of the investigation Daunis is forced to face some uncomfortable truths about her community and decide just how far she’ll go to protect the ones she loves.

This is an expertly written and compulsively readable book. Boulley has brought such a textured, layered world to life on the page. You really feel like you are completely immersed in Daunis’ world. It’s fast-paced and the mystery of who is behind the murder and the drug trade in the community kept me guessing. I also loved the role hockey played in this story. Daunis is a player herself and deep into the town’s hockey culture. These parts of the novel are fun but also round out Daunis’ personality.

During the investigation, Daunis gets romantically involved with one of the undercover agents, Jamie. Jamie is a young agent so he is able to go undercover as a fellow high school student and hockey player. This was probably the one part of the novel that didn’t work for me. This relationship just felt unsettling on multiple levels, first the age difference and second the power dynamic of an undercover agent and a confidential informant. I also want to include a trigger warning for a rape scene that happens later in the novel.

Firekeeper’s Daughter definitely handles some difficult topics, but it is a compelling read, that will keep you turning pages until its thrilling conclusion. This is Angeline Boulley’s debut novel and she is definitely one to watch! Can’t wait to see what she writes next.

LOVE THIS BOOK!! We used this for our school district's high school battle of the books, and I've bought copies as gifts and one for myself. The audio was also fantastic and I loved hearing the pronunciation of the native words and phrases.

Recommend listening to this as an audiobook as it is a great listen. Great story and well developed characters. Can't wait for her next book.

Okay. I know this book has won a ton of awards but I genuinely didn't love it. My first issue is that even when reading a published copy, I found a number of typos. Second, this is a YA book that is almost 500 pages long. There is absolutely no reason for a contemporary YA book to be that long. While this book is described as a "thriller" I have to disagree. If anything this felt like an adult mystery novel.

One of the best books I've read recently, Firekeeper's Daughter deftly creates a modern world with rich Indigenous community. A mesmerizing story, told brilliantly, with complex characters capable of growth, this is a new classic for every reader.

Well, I mistakenly purchased this title for our Science fiction/Fantasy Book Club. It is not SciFi or fantasy! Once I got over my confusion, I truly loved this book. I did guess some of the villians early on but I was reading it for the story and not to be surprised so it did not interfere with my enjoyment.

wow this book really out did all my expectations!! It was such a beautiful story and will stay with me for a long time to come. I'll keep recommending it.

TW: drugs, death of friend, rape

WOW. I was blown away by how good this book was.

First thing, this book does not pull punches. There were a lot of really difficult topics addressed throughout this story.

If you are unaware of the laws that affect Native Americans, this brings to light of the injustices that they face without being too overly political, just objective and sorrowful

Daunis is a very relatable character, a girl who has dreams and ambitions, but wants to be there for her family and wants to find love and wants to do what is right. Her internal conflicts were a driving point in this book and I appreciate that she never made easy decisions.

Jaime, the male love interest, made for a good romance and added to the plot -- can’t say much more in case that’s considered a spoiler, but they made for a realistic post-high school kind of romance, realistic expectations and resolution

The murder mystery of this book has now opened up a whole new genre to my eyes. Did I know this was sort of a mystery thriller going in? NOPE. But did I love every bit of the NCIS / law and order SVU vibes it gave -- ABSOLUTELY.

I sort of guessed the direction this book was going, but there were enough hints throughout to keep you guessing and forming your own hypothesis

Things really pick up from chapter one, and it's full send to the wild, edge-of-your-seat, brutal ending

Perfect blend of Natural medicine with Western Medicine, interesting to see intertwined. Seeing how their history and stories mix in with the science of medicine and drugs made for a unique and nearly fantastical kind of plot.

Believe all the hype surrounding this book! I need to think about what I'm going to write, but please know I highly recommend this book to ALL! Great and incredible writing.