"Stolen" by Ann-Helén Laestadius is a harrowing tale that draws on the author's Sami heritage, including her background in journalism and crime reporting. What ensues is an emotional tale about the widespread prejudice and injustices the Sami face as they struggle with inter-generational trauma, mental health, rising against the patriarchy, and having their traditions and culture be respected and accepted outside of their people.

Elsa is only nine when she finds her reindeer slaughtered. The person who did it threatened her to keep silent. When Elsa's dad brings her to the police, fear stops her from admitting who is responsible. With no leads, the police classify Elsa's reindeer as stolen and close the case. Over the years, more reindeer have been mutilated and murdered in horrific ways. Still, they are considered nothing more than stolen property and every case brought to the police by the Sami people is closed with no resolution.

When Elsa grows older, her tolerance for the police's blatant disregard for her people and their murdered reindeer turns into a fierce resilience to ensure the police thoroughly investigate the attacks against their reindeer and, ultimately, the attacks against the Sami people. As Elsa becomes bolder and more determined to bring the person responsible to justice, she puts herself directly into the killer's path.

"Stolen" is a powerful story that gives voice to the violence and injustices the Sami people have faced for years. In Laestadius's incredibly detailed and vivid prose, readers will feel the devastation and anger against those who dismiss the Sami people as though they have no real value or importance in society. While the tale is heartbreaking and full of tragedies, Elsa is a strong female lead who chooses to keep silent no longer as she speaks out against those who have done her and her people injustice.

"Stolen" draws attention to a story not many people are familiar with and one that often goes ignored. Elsa's story is about more than a young woman holding multiple people accountable for years of racism and prejudice. This story is told in the voice of many who are holding their ground and speaking out together to create a profound change in their culture, community, and traditions in a way that will hopefully bring them recognition, acceptance and respect.

Elsa's story will hopefully inspire readers to research the Sami people to learn more about their culture and history. "Stolen" by Ann-Helén Laestadius is a highly recommended must-read novel and is expected to be published on January 31, 2023. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a free e-arc and the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.

A beautiful and gripping book. A powerful read by the fire when the weather outside is frightful. I learned about the Sami community and the importance of reindeers through reading this book. Important themes of community, racism and oppression examined. Quite a unique read!

Thank you Net Galley for giving me this opportunity to read the book 'Stolen''.
It' about the Sami way of life in Sweden, ewho are an indigenous people of Sweden.
The story centres around a young Sami girl Elsa, whose family are reindeer herders. This is the only life she knows.
When Elsa is 9 years old she goes off skiing and comes across a dead reindeer and immediately recognizes it as hers.
She hears something that she shouldn't and it has haunted her for many years.
A so-called neighbour Robert isn't to keen on the Sami people. Life goes on and Elsa has kept this secret of what happened to her since she was 9.
Elsa tries to get the police involved with the reindeer who are being killed. There is one suspect who just happens to be Robert. For the police it is Robert's word against Elsa's word.
I found this book very heart wrenching as how the Sami people were/are treated.

A story of the Sami people, a family saga, a story of a disappearing life style, and of an environmental crisis. All of these things in a compelling story of love - of family and culture. As you get to know the family and the hardships of the life they have chosen, you experience the strengths and the weaknesses of a culture in crisis. A compelling read from start to finish.
#Stolen#NetGalley#Simon&SchusterCanada

This book is truly excellent and will be read and discussed by many many people in the near future. People who farm reindeer are at risk of their livelihood and self-worth when random reindeer are found killed and their meat taken. One young lady saw the culprit but was too young, in shock and too frightened to do anything. The police turned a blind eye. This incident altered the young lady and her family and her friends' lives from then on. The victim wanted to kill the reindeer killer and the feeling grew. Hatred and suspicion grew within the community, children ostracized by other children, suicide....and the victim became an adult. Finally, the victim saw her opportunity to get even but could not pull the trigger. The killer did die and not a pleasant death but in the meantime suspicion between brother and sister grew. Finally, by the end, the truth did come out. But at a very huge price. The book demonstrates many things: how hatred can fester and ruin one's outlook and indeed one's life and livelihood; how people once a victim continually become a victim; how rumours and half truths can ruin friendships and lives; the importance of being truthful to oneself and one's family from the start. A well written book. Very very moving. Very emotional.

An atmospheric novel, the reader is transported to the sounds and imagery of the cold winters where the Sámi tribe lives in Sweden - the howl of the wind, the swish of the ski poles, the piles of snow, and the ice in the river are all illuminated as a background to a story about a young indigenous girl from a reindeer herding family.

The novel attempts through the story of Elsa, the protagonist, to illustrate the struggles, the Sámi people must endure, to live where mining activities, climate change, and unscrupulous behaviour threaten their survival and their traditional life style. We meet Elsa when she is merely nine years old skiing her way to the reindeer corral only to discover that her reindeer calf which she had personally marked is viciously killed by a stranger.

The stranger turns out to be Robert Isaksson whose path intersect with Elsa's throughout this novel. Robert threatens her so Elsa remains silent in order to protect her family; she refuses to disclose to the cops that she actually saw Robert in the act of crime. Robert's own upbringing shape his character. Devoid of kindness in life, it's no surprise that he becomes cruel and dangerous.

Elsa lives with her parents, her brother- Mattias, and her grandparents. Her cousins live nearby and the author dwells on the dynamics of this family. Grandma, it will reveal, went to what is referred to as nomad school where indigenous children were forced to never speak their language and where an attempt was made to dilute the Sámi culture and heritage. Grandma's recollections provide insights into her early life while Elsa's own mother is considered "rivgu" or a non- Sámi woman even though she tries to wear traditional clothing (gakti)and integrate.

Elsa's family realize that reporting the constant loss of the reindeer to the police yields no action.

"Because it's classified as theft or property damage, and they're not interested in devoting resources to that. But to us, it's not theft. It's murder, it's a deliberate killing".

The Sámis consider the reindeer, their life; the inaction of the police leads to frustration. The Sámis are referred to in a derogatory way as Lapps and they are perceived as humbugs. They protest mining operations and roads being built right across their grazing lands. The Sámis are concerned that the abuse of the land are causing climate hazards which are further alarming.

An honest lens focused on the life of this minority group. The author draws on her own knowledge experiences to also include tough choices which often lead to alcoholism and suicides. The reader gets a sneak peek into the folklore and spirit world plus the way females are viewed relative to male children and heirs.

Elsa, as a grown up, attempts to infiltrate roadblocks as she establishes herself as head of the household. Feisty and daring, Elsa leaks details of reindeer slaughters to the media in the hope of inciting action and justice. This leads to tension at the Sámi reindeer collective and school fightings which discourage her own cousin from attending school. Elsa tries to grapple with all that is unfolding drawing on inner reserve of strength. A hopeful end and an insightful read about the Sámis in Sweden.