Insightful, warm, and nitty gritty look into the lives of Indigenous people, the trials, obstacles, and biases they still face. The dreams versus reality, and pressures from family and environment. At times trying and at other times totally uplifting.

A book for the ages. Edwards delivers a vivid and poignant snapshot of life on a reservation in Winnipeg. Having friends living in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, I could clearly picture many of the scenes he described. The authenticity and depth in Edwards’ storytelling make this novel truly memorable, shedding light on the struggles of overlooked communities.

In Small Ceremonies, we are introduced to a group of unforgettable characters striving to find connection and meaning. The boys on the Tigers hockey team come from decimated homes, and they depend on each other—and their foul-mouthed coach—to feel a sense of belonging.
When the boys discover that their team might be dropped from the league due to funding cuts and political decisions, the stakes become higher than ever. Their fear of losing the one constant in their unstable world sends them spiraling into crisis, and readers get a front-row seat to the chaos,. As we watch the characters grapple with their own personal struggles, from issues of identity to the longing for family and stability, Edwards paints a powerful and heartbreaking portrait of youth fighting for hope and survival.

This is a beautiful, devastating, and action-packed story that pulls at your heartstrings while keeping you on the edge of your seat. . Well-written and expertly plotted, Small Ceremonies is a novel you simply can’t go wrong with, and it’s bound to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

#knopfpantheonvintage #smallceremonies #kyleedwards

I think that this book was pretty good. I do think it should’ve been titled a young adult book given the theme of coming of age in high school. I do like the themes of indigenous people, Socio economic issues, and family. I think it was very well written

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Kyle Edwards was able to make the North End, Winnipeg community of “Small Ceremonies” come richly and vividly alive. With the introduction of each character, I felt like I was rapidly able to get a sense of who they were as a unique member of the book’s cast. And Edwards’ decision to construct the narrative through a combination of first, second and third person narration worked almost shockingly well in helping to craft everyone’s separate voices. All in all, a definite standout of a read for me.

This is a fantastic new addition to the growing array of contemporary indigenous-centered fiction - and likewise, will make a great new addition to the shelves of the library that I work in.

"Small Ceremonies" by Kyle Edwards is a kaleidoscopic story depicting the lives of Indigenous people in Winnipeg.

The novel delves into the lives of Tigers' high school hockey players Tomahawk/Tommy, Clinton, and Floyd, as well as their families and community members, showcasing their struggles, perseverance, complex relationships, and dealings with poverty and systemic racism.

The book explores the transition from youth to adulthood within a culture that has been almost eradicated by their government/ historically and currently marginalized and exploited. It provides insight into how hope and lived experiences influence aspirations and actions.

I highly recommend this impactful novel. Fans of Tommy Orange and Morgan Talty will surely find it captivating. Moreover, readers who appreciate the atmospheric writing of Irish author Claire Keegan will find resonance in Edwards' very visual work, additionally, both authors connect past violence to present struggles and domestic violence to state violence.

I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for providing the ARC.