This was a follow-up to a previous novel, The Firekeeper's Daughter, and I thought it wrapped up some unanswered questions for readers. Who does the main character in the first book, Daunis, become? What happened to the people who committed crimes? This was "coming of age" meets "seeking community justice" and focuses on Daunis' niece Perry. Readers will find Perry's personality and character to be similar to her aunt's in ways, but also different in her interests and talents. She is both comfortable with herself and uncertain about her future. A good read for older teens and new adults.

3.0 story
4.5 narration

*some readers may want to look up content warnings

Thanks to the Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. I listened to the audiobook on Libby for this review.

*With news of The American Museum of Natural History (amongst others) closing Native American exhibits in response to new policies regarding Indigenous artifacts and remains, I find myself thinking of the warriors, like Perry, who never gave up on bringing their ancestors home. (January 2024)

Many thanks to my friends at @macmillanusa @mackidsbooks and @macmillan.audio

Riveting. Powerful. Important.

“Everything is connected. The past. The future. The beginning and ending.”

There’s a deep respect and abiding love found in the way Anishinaabe author, Boulley, writes about her culture. There’s an equally powerful passion found in the way she amplifies the horrifying issues that continue to plague the Indigenous nations.

As 16-year-old Perry relentlessly fights to bring home Warrior Girl and other Anishinaabe ancestors, Boulley constructs a riveting narrative focused on stolen Indigenous artifacts and remains. But when Perry’s friend goes missing, it becomes apparent that the fight for repatriation isn’t just one for ancestors, highlighting the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

This book was an immersion into the beauty of Ojibwe beliefs and the honor they bestow upon ancestors. It was also a riveting examination on the effects of colonialism and the ongoing injustices Native Americans face.

The storytelling is poignant and powerful, and the writing is poetic and vivid. Boulley skillfully weaves this gripping tale together with a strong voice, crafting an unforgettable read that I could not put down.

This is my favorite kind of read: one that challenges as well as it entertains. A true must read.

🎧 Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota narrator, Isabella Star LeBlanc took on this role for a very personal reason. “I want my Ojibwe relatives to hear themselves in this.” (Bookpage). And that is apparent all the way through her narration. LeBlanc brings authenticity and passion to this performance. There’s a lyrical rhythm to the way she incorporates Oijbwemowin and English. Her performance effortlessly breathes life into this story.

The big stand out read this month was #warriorgirlunearthed which is probably as unsurprising as my acotar binge. #thefirekeepersdaughter was a favorite read when it came out and I think I might have enjoyed the sequel even more. Equally rich in heart and information, this story involves the community on Sugar Island and centers around the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and the reclamation of Indigenous artifacts and remains from universities and museums. Boulley has such a talent for writing beautiful, complex characters and relationships and you can feel the love and connection to the communities she's writing about/for. Can't recommend this book enough - I loved it and I learned so much.

I really love Angeline Boulley's storytelling abilities. Just like with the Firekeeper's Daughter, I was engrossed in Warrior Girl Unearthed from start to finish. It was not only an interesting story, but full of history and education. This story was layered and I enjoyed following along with all of the characters.

Isabella Star LaBlanc was a fantastic narrator! It was easy to listen to and follow along. I really think the narration elevated the story even more for me.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the copy through NetGalley!

Thank you Macmillian audio for chance to read this book on netgalley. Upon reading Angeline Boulley's Warrior Girl Unearthed, I found it to be an enjoyable read. However, I did feel that it lacked some of the depth and story involvement present in her debut novel, Firekeeper's Daughter. Nonetheless, the book succeeded in educating me about the Ojibwe people and their culture. The author's portrayal of the Ojibwe's respect for the environment and all living beings was particularly noteworthy. Furthermore, the narrator's performance perfectly complemented the book's energy.

It's hard to follow up a well-loved first book in a series, and though Boulley does not let us down, I found this story slightly less enticing as I found Firekeeper's Daughter. This likely could be chalked up to the difference of intensity for the final act of each book. Nevertheless, I love a righteously vengeful female character story and Warrior Girl Unearthed scratch a bit of that itch.

I wanted to love this as much as I did Firekeeper’s Daughter but I just didn’t get invested in the characters and there was so much going on it was a bit jumbled for the first 2/3 or so.
It was so great seeing all the culture and revisiting characters from FD though.
The narration was a great asset. It helped so much to hear Ojibwe as it should be spoken.

Following the remarkable “Firekeeper’s Daughter,” Angeline Boulley returns us to Sugar Island, revisiting familiar characters a decade later. However, the spotlight now shines on the audacious and headstrong 16-year-old Perry Firekeeper-Birch, alongside her more conscientious and anxious twin, Pauline. Their summer plans take an unexpected turn when Pauline reluctantly joins an internship program. Once again, readers are immersed in the Ojibwe culture, history, traditions, rituals, community, and language as Perry embarks on an internship at a local museum under the mentorship of Cooper Turtle. To her surprise, Perry discovers the story of Warrior Girl and the disrespectful treatment of her ancestors’ remains and funerary items, igniting her passion for their repatriation.

The author's multi-layered and action-packed storytelling sees Perry identifying with Warrior Girl, believing she is guided by her spirit as she plans the daring heist. One of the novel’s most compelling aspects is how seamlessly it serves as an educational and informative resource.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ALC in exchange for an honest review.

What a wicked second novel from Angeline Boulley, my thanks to the author and Netgalley for this arc! Not exactly a sequel to Firekeeper's Daughter, we get to know Daunis' nieces 10 years later. Perry is headstrong, or in her words "Pissed-off Perry Punches Plenty". Perhaps most relatable is that it's finally summer, and all Perry wants is to slack off and take it easy. Once she learns about repatriation work, and the slow, greedy process that allows museums to hold on to her ancestors in display cases and uncatalogued storage, Perry has to get involved.

Angeline says it best herself, "Warrior Girl Unearthed is about the need to control Indigenous bodies—both in the past and today". This is so much more than a fantastically woven tale; Ojibwe history and traditions are honoured and present day injustices facing Indigenous community are highlighted. And it really is only just scratching the surface of of the crimes committed against Indigenous peoples on stolen land.

5⭐ I can't recommend both Angeline Boulley's books enough!

Boulley does an excellent job marrying research and mystery in Warrior Girl Unearthed. Visiting Sugar Island and Firekeeper/Birch families felt like visiting old friends. Perry & company were a great cast of misfits and I really appreciated their varying life experiences within the book, all of which played a role in the success of their ultimate mission!

A powerful and interesting young adult mystery about the importance of family and reclaiming your history. Ten years after the events of Firekeeper's Daughter, Perry Firekeeper-Birch was ready for summer of fishing, but after a fender bender she is stuck working to pay back her Auntie Daunis (yes the same Daunis from Firekeeper’s Daughter). She works as an intern and becomes involved in an investigation to find Indigenous women who have gone missing while also trying to reclaim her ancestors’ remains which have been taken.

Much like Firekeeper’s daughter I could not put it down. I was engaged in the story the entire time. Perry was a likable but flawed character. She felt strongly, was caring, compassionate, and loyal but she acted based on her emotions and didn’t always stop to think about the consequences of her actions. Her impulsivity caused many issues.

I loved the way that Angeline Boulley works so much information about the Objiwe tribe, their customs and the importance of honoring their ancestors. It is so good to read storys about people who have marginalized in our society for so long. Everyone’s story should be told! I learned so much about the injustice that Indigenous people face. Especially indigenous women, although this was covered a lot in Firekeeper’s daughter. This book delved deeper into the world NAGPRA, or the repatriation of native items and remains. It is beyond wild to me the nuances of this and why collector's and museums wouldn't give these back to the communities they belong to.

The audiobook was fantastic. It helps me so much to hear the way certain Obijwe words are pronounced.

I cannot wait for more from Angeline Boulley! With this book she has officially been added to my must read list.

Whew. Finally finished. This book has an amazing message at its core, but it sure is a slog to get there. It took several listens to finally connect with the characters. I nearly filed it as DNF, but was intrigued enough to continue. Again, mostly because it has an important message. The story started in a summer fling, troubled youth kind of atmosphere that morphed into a mystery/thriller. I enjoyed the last 25% more than anything, so I am glad I stuck with it.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and author Angeline Boulley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I listened to this as an audio book, and there were some details that I felt I missed as it isn't as easy to go back in and re-read sections as I would do with a print book. Once I get the print version, I am sure I will want to do a re-read. The narrator did a great job and it was so nice to hear how the language would sound when pronounced properly. I also liked how this is a stand alone book but some of the characters from The Firekeepers Daughter reappear. I think the two books could be read in either order, or read a stand alones. The setting is still on Sugar Island but ten years later so we get to see the growth and change of some of our favorite characters. (Daunis, Stormy, Granny June)

Much like Firekeeper's Daughter this is a thriller/mystery story. Boulley writes lovingly of the Ojibwe culture and we learn about NAGPRA an American Law that deals Federal funding to museums and the reclaiming and returning of Indigenous ancestral remains to their tribes. There are some big issues dealt with which include: MMIW, teenage pregnancy and custody, sexual assault and anxiety. There are also some great moments of friendship, family love, community, mentorship, trauma, courage and humor.

I think there is also another story waiting to be told about Shense, who was one of my favorite new characters. She was funny, strong and a fabulous teen mom and I can't wait to see what happens in her next ten years.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

I will purchase this book for my classroom, but I personally could not truly enjoy this book. It was not exactly the same vibe I had from her other novel, but I do want to commend her for adding more native voices in fiction because it's truly overdue.

I read the author’s debut novel, Firekeeper’s Daughter and was nervous to see if her second follow up novel will be as good. Unequivocally, the answer is YES!!

This novel focuses on Perry, an angry teenager who’s life leads her to constantly choose between right and wrong. Something we can all relate to. Like the author’s previous novel, we are given exquisite and fascinating details about Native American tribes, NAGPRA, and a better understanding why missing and unsolved murdered indigenous women don’t get the justice they deserve.

Bonus: we do have Daunis reappear in this novel but as Perry’s aunt.

Simply brilliant!

Loved the narration as Isabella Star LaBlanc brought this novel to life.

5 ⭐️
Full review to come. PLEASE check TW’s!!!

Initial thoughts;
A terrifying, and haunting yet lyrical take on a dark thriller with a horrific twist discussing the ongoing MMIWG2s+ epidemic and the horrific laws that aren’t and have never adequately protected turtle island natives post colonization. It’s got stunning writing such a beautiful storytelling style, and even in the darkest moments the writing almost comforts you through the darkness.

Again VERY dark and disturbing but it’s a talented mix of beautiful teachings, love for family and ancestors and history, coupled with the horrors of today MMIWG2S+ epidemic and the genocide against Turtle Island Natives as well as the history and the systematic atrocities to turtle island native from colonizers and colonization.


It’s technically a sequel I think but they can be read as interconnected standalones because it’s the same area so there are crossover characters including main characters I believe, I don’t really remember details of the first one because it’s also very heavy so my brain blocked details out.

Not my favorite by Angeline Boulley. I enjoyed Native American history also addressing corrupt museum industry. I did not like invesyigative story it felt kind of two stories but not just one together. I still finished it and loved that author push us to another world that is hidden from community outside of Natuve Americans. Audio version was very good.

Time for yet another #bookreview! I have been hustling the last few weeks to get through my netgalley TBR. Some days it feels like I am winning and others, not so much. I am realizing that I get through audio way faster and probably need to limit my ebooks because they take me a lot longer. Anyone else have an obvious digital preference between audio or ebooks?

WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED by @angelineboulley is another excellent YA thriller that takes place on Sugar Island, about a young woman named Perry Firekeeper-Birch who finds herself as she seeks to determine the origin of artifacts and ancestors from her Anishinaabe tribe being pedalled by a white outsider. Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher @macmillanaudio for the audio-ARC.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN STORES AS OF YESTERDAY!!!!

💚💚💚

Along with her twin, Pauline, her friend Chauncey, and her would be boyfriend Eric, she tries to unravel the mystery behind where the artifacts came from and how to get them returned to her tribe to put the ancestors to rest. There are many potential adversaries and Perry soon learns she has to be careful who she trusts. When their investigation intersects with the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) of the area, things heat up fast and Perry will have to make decisions that could change everything.

This book was like a warm and cozy whodunnit with some serious and horrifying realities mixed in. We need more literature depicting the everyday lives of indigenous folks and I really welcome these excellent books written for young people (and old folks too if you are so inclined, like myself!) by Boulley.

As always, I picked up some new Anishinaabe cultural and linguistic references that were new to me which is just another win in my book!

Are you an adult reader who enjoys YA? Or maybe you pre-read books for your students or children? What are your favorites?!?

Hang in there friends, the standard workweek is about half over!

💚SMASHBOT💚

#booknerd #booksta #bookworm #bookish #bookmaniac #booklover #reader #readYA #warriorgirlunearthed #angelineboulley #bookreview

Angeline’s writing and these stories will always be a favorite of mine. They are so important and everyone should be reading and learning more about the struggles and injustices these tribes go through.

Five stars always (although I did enjoy Firekeeper’s daughter more!)

This novel was a great follow up to Boulley's first book, The Firekeeper's Daughter. I really love how Boulley is able to immerse the reader in the Native culture and provide a glimpse into its beauty and complexity. I was absolutely fascinated. Warrior Girl Unearthed is compelling, enjoyable, as well as educational. I highly recommend both of Boulley's books. If you read her first one, you will be delighted with the return of some old friends, who are a generation older in this book, now playing the parental roles.

I alternated between the physical book and the audio - thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio! The narration added a lot to the story and I loved the narrator! This novel is sure to win several awards this year, and for good reason. I learned so much about the culture, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next adventure that Boulley sends our way!