In Firekeeper's Daughter, Angeline Boulley delivers a rich story full of myriad layers of culture, love, spirituality, and questioning. This is a fantastic YA crime novel that delivers so much more than a mystery/thriller than many other books. Daunis, our 18 year old heroine, deals with many issues throughout the novel including feelings about her heritage and where she belongs, her romantic relationships, the death of her loved ones and how her people are being affected by a variety of traumas depicted within this book.

I think this book does a great job of weaving a mystery into more of a coming-of-age tale where Daunis considers who she is and where she belongs and what she needs in her own life to be who she wants to be. We see other characters, like Jamie, having similar revelations throughout the novel. This book has a bit of a slow, methodical start, but it seemed right seeing as how quite a few of the characters were scientists with such a methodical way about them.

I would recommend this book to readers of Courtney Summers and Angie Thomas.

I love that this is the sort of story I've never really gotten to read from this perspective. The way the community was built was one of my favorite parts; I would definitely recommend this.

First of all, thank you to Fierce Reads for an eARC in exchnge for an honest review!

Daunis Fontaine is a biracial nd unenrolled tribal member of the Ojibwe nation. Though her plan is to move away and study medicine, she's stuck around to take care of her mother. She meets Jamie, a new recruit on her brother Levi's hockey team. After a shocking murder, some secrets, and a series of meth-related murders, Daunis joins the investigation, going undercover to uncover what is killing everyone in her town.

This was so so relatable. There's a quote "to some people you'll never be native enough" and it just really struck me. This is an amazing debut, and I definitely recommend it! Also makes for an amazing audiobook!

The mesmerizing & gorgeous cover is only the beginning. The cover itself portrays two sides of one person staring back at each other. She is of two worlds and she is struggles to navigate her life as she figures out where she fits.

From the several chapters I was allowed to read, I gained insight into the main protagonist, Daunis who is both strong physically and mentally but also has underlying self-consciousness about who she is as both worlds do not seem to fully accept her. She is a mixed race, born a secret by a white mother (descendants of wealthy French traders to the land) & native father (Firekeepers are one of the oldest families from Ojibwe tride).

"My Zhaaganaash and Anishinaabe grandmothers could not have been more different. One viewed the world as its surface, while the other saw connections and teachings that run deeper than our known world. Their push and pull on me has been a tug-of-war my entire life."

I absolutely loved what I've read so far, learning about the few phrases in the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language). The book is steeped in tradition and culture and the way the author explains it is understandable yet doesn't deviate away from her main story. It allows me a glimpse of their lives.

This novel continues to weave Daunis' two worlds together as something explosive happens that causes her to delve deep into why there are drugs in her community. She works undercover with the FBI.

We need more novels written by and about indigenous/original people of the Americas. What an incredible novel!

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Daunis grew up in two different worlds. White suburbia and the tribe that her father was apart of before he passed away. When her grandma takes a spill and ends up in the hospital and then extended care living, she decides to put her college life on hold and stay to support her family during their time in need. Daunis meets Jamie, a handsome hockey player that she gets introduced to thanks to her job teaching children how to skate. Things soon spiral out of control and she is forced to use her knowledge that she worked so hard to gain to help the FBI track down a new drug instead of attending University of Michigan. The more and more Daunis gets into the situation, the more uncomfortable she gets with how things are turning out. She now has to decide what world she wants to be apart of and who she is willing to protect.

OK this was a very long read for me and I felt that it kind of slow in building the story. I kept trucking on and I am glad I did. The ending of this book was amazing, and it was worth the many hours where I thought “do I even finish this book?”. I really got pulled into this story because I am from Michigan and grew up learning about different tribes and the kind of racial barrier that there is between tribes and this white suburbia life that Danuis is living. Although I am not Native American, I witnessed firsthand what she was going through from my own friends struggles growing up. I think in that aspect I really liked learning more about the tribe and their belief system.

I will say that there are some triggering things that happen in this book and although I enjoy reading things like this, it was hard to read these sections. I do think that you need to go into reading this book with that warning ahead of time to mentally prepare. I however, did not. So when I got to these sections of the book I had to put it down for a little bit. I do think this book was written well and it was a good story. This is not something I would have probably picked up or even finished but I am glad I did.

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley is the #ownvoices First People novel we've been waiting for an eon to experience. Boulley deftly crafts a harrowing mystery that combines the misery of a drug-addled small town in the UP, a budding forbidden romance, the love and loss of a best friend, the politics of living in a hockey-town, and all the ways the ones we love can let us down, and us let them down in return in beautiful prose that will haunt me for quite some time.

Boulley's novel is unapologetically Anishinaabe and critically and lovingly examines the complexity of being a Nish woman in the modern age. Her novel reveals the intense prejudices and problems still afflicting our indigenous communities, but in particular, our women. The entire novel revolves around relationships that the protagonist shares with those in her community, her complicated family, her friend circle, and with her former teammates. All of those relationships are seismically shifted one night when an irrevocable choice is made right before Daunis's eyes.

Aside from the harrowing topics broached and explored, Boulley threads so much authenticity into Firekeeper's Daughter. And while the traditional topics are addressed, this book is so much more than the problems that plague us, it is a celebration of a culture that refuses to be silent and accept defeat.. It's a lee-lee into the void "for every girl and woman pushed into the abyss of expendability and invisibility" and the knowledge that we are not alone.

4.5 Stars
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I want to first thank both #NetGalley and #MacmillanPuclishers for this gifted E-ARC in exchange for an honest review! Some things could definitely be triggering to some people, so please did your research before picking up this book!
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I want first to say that I really enjoyed this book! Not only was it a powerful story overall, but the amount that I learn in this book was remarkable. I really enjoyed how we followed Daunis (the main character) and her life after a major event. Throughout the book, many different traditions are introduced through the Ojibwe community, whom the author is also a part of in real life. I love seeing the difference between keeping with the tradition of her community and trying to find her place in the world.
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Overall, this book did have a slower start than I may have liked for my own personal preference. That didn’t last long as soon as the major event in the book kicked off, then I could not put the book down. I would be honestly shocked if this book does not end up being one of the best books of the year. After reading this book, it has made me want to actively seek out other books by similar authors.
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Honestly, I cannot recommend this book enough; it is completely different from what I see most people read on bookstagram or in general. I think this book was great, and I am excited to see how successful it is once it is officially released. I recommend this book to literally anyone but especially those that want to learn about a community that I often do not see as much as I want to.

First and foremost I would like to thank the author and publisher for allowing me early access to this title.

I read the book and then was granted access to the audio copy and wanted to wait to write my review. Long story short, I LOVED IT. My gosh this was an explosive debut from Angeline Boulley. I was constantly questioning the motives of everyone. The tone of the narrator really made this book go from a five star to a five billion star. Her depth and understanding of Daunis as an #OwnVoices narrator brought so much more to the character than what was on the page alone. This is a book that will stick with me for a long time. I don't want to give too much away, so just know if you like thrillers and are exploring more indigenous, diverse authors, this is one to put on top of your TBR.

I am marking this book as one of my favorite books and top recommendations for anyone looking for a good murder mystery-type thriller novel, regardless of age. Though it was hard to read at times — whether it was because of difficult-to-read-content (TW for SA) or because it was heavy in information — it was 100% worth it. Of my own (and the US education system) fault I have very very little exposure to Native American culture and the different nuances of various tribes but this book was a very welcome change to that. Not only was the plot good (the last 100 pages was constant twists and turns, like truly I did not stop gasping), but this book was INCREDIBLY well written. I never felt too confused about what was going or what certain things meant. It was really, really truly well done. Whatever Angeline Boulley does in the future will be an automatic buy for me.

If you’re looking for a good book (this is not an easy read, just a heads up) with a little bit of romance sprinkled in (pretending to be lovers trope for the sake of a mission, anyone? one of my favorites!) with amazing characters and even better writing, this book is for you. Just: wow.

I was a little worried going into this one because of all the early hype that surrounded it. The story was a definite slow build, but once it hit about 75% I couldn't put it down. I read long into the night to finish the last bit of the book. The storytelling was amazing. I was worried about the Native American dialect that was peppered throughout the novel, but the author was very good at letting you know what was actually said. Daunis grew on me and the love story between her and Jamie had its ups and downs but it was amazing. The twists and turns that led to the climax of the story were AMAZING. At one point I actually screamed out loud "NOOOOO". Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillian for the eARC. It was incredible, 5 stars.

Warning: The main character gets sexually assaulted in the third act. It's not described in graphic detail, but it does happen.

This book hurt in a way that the truth does.

Daunis, half white, half-Native, lives in between two worlds where she feels like an outsider by both people. A new strand of meth is going around her community. One night her life changes when her best friend's ex-boyfriend kills her best friend. This leads Daunis to discover that the new hockey player at school is an undercover agent and wants her help finding the drug creators.

This book is part mystery, part information on the life and beliefs of Ojibwe. Daunis follows their beliefs and is respectful of their traditions. Even though she doesn't feel fully accepted by the tribe, she loves them. There is a sense of community throughout the book. I was worried that because this is a YA, she would go light on the issues, but Angeline Boulley digs into the unfairness of life on a reservation.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

Daunis Fontaine is a young woman pulled between cultures. She is the illegitimate daughter of a White mother and Ojibwe father. Her mother was sixteen when she was born and her White grandparents didn't want her to have anything to do with her father's people. Her mother rebelled and made sure that Daunis knew her father's family. While Daunis loves her grandparents, she also loves and honors her Native family and its traditions.

Daunis has just graduated from high school and had intended to leave home for the University of Michigan to begin her studies to be a doctor. But her Uncle David has recently died and her GrandMary has suffered a stroke which has left her mother in a very fragile state of mind. Daunis has changed her plans and is now going to attend the nearby community college with her best friend Lily in order to stay at home and take care of her mother.

Only plans change again when her friend Lily is killed by Lily's ex Travis who has become a meth head and who then kills himself. Daunis and her new friend Jamie are quick to come upon the scene. There she learns that her new fried is an undercover cop sent to investigate the growing meth problem on the reservation. Lily agrees to become a confidential informant to try to get to the bottom of the drug problem on the Rez. Her knowledge of chemistry and her in with both the Whites and the Natives puts her in a powerful position to be of help. But it also puts her in a position to learn a number of secrets that she would prefer not to know.

This excellent story is filled with information about Ojibwe beliefs and rituals and culture. It is also a great depiction of the hockey culture of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. An it is an excellent mystery/thriller that kept me guessing about the whole situation. Along the way there is a growing love story between Daunis and Jamie that was filled with much more than the usual "getting to know you" of a normal relationship.

It was wonderful watching Daunis grow into her own power as a strong Native woman and decide what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley is an #OwnVoices, new adult / young adult novel about the devastation of addiction and the resiliency of women. When many members of an Ojibwe tribe die due to meth addiction, Daunis Fontaine accepts the responsibility to work as a confidential informant for a federal investigation that puts herself in danger and her tribal allegiance in jeopardy. Using traditional storytelling and Anishinaabemowin language, the reader is immersed in the Ojibwe world, which adds to the depth of this narrative.

At times, this book felt a bit long-winded, but ultimately the action picked up toward the end and it was worth the time spent reading. I loved the feminist and matriarchal aspects of this book - together, women can heal from generational trauma and live in harmony with their ancestors, elders, and future generations.

Advanced copy provided courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Content warning: addiction, deception, rape, generational trauma of Native peoples, murder, suicide, gun violence

The novel follows Daunis from the local Ojibwe reservation and all of the strange things happening in her life and town. From deaths, to FBI involvement, to drug rings, and even some love with a local hockey player, the mystery of the town grows deeper every chapter. As someone who spent a good deal of time in Michigan, I loved the depictions and descriptions of the locations. While I admittedly know very little about the First Nations/Native American history of the area, the traditions of the Ojibwe people that were included in the novel made it much more compelling.

Thank you to #NetGalley and publishers for the ARC of #FirekeepersDaughter in exchange for an honest review.

This book was really special! It's both a compelling, suspenseful read and truly meaningful story. Daunis, an Ojibwe teen living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, sees her best friend killed right in front of her. After experiencing that trauma, she discovers that there are undercover FBI agents working in her community to try to find the heart of a meth ring that they believe to be running in the area. Daunis decides to work with the feds to try to prevent further deaths and devastation in her community. Romance sparks between her and her partner, but just as the relationship begins to heighten, so does the intensity of the investigation and the violence that follows.

My favorite part of this book is how seamlessly Angeline Boulley wove so much incredible detail about the practices and traditions of the Ojibwe people into this gripping mystery story. I felt like I was learning something new about Ojibwe culture on every page, but it never felt like a knowledge dump. Daunis is a character to love and root for, and closeness she feels with her community in Sault Ste. Marie is enviable.

I will be recommending this book very highly to pretty much everyone I know.

Outstanding Suspense Thriller
This is an outstanding suspense thriller that takes place on tribal lands near Sault Ste. Marie. The book is full of tribal lore, beliefs, and medicines as well as the disconnect with white bigotry. The mystery portion addresses something that has affected almost all of the families in the US. The final denouement is very surprising. The ending is satisfying and haunting. I highly recommend this book. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

I would classify this as New Adult Crime Fiction. However, it’s also a love story, a story about family, a culturaeautiful aspects of Daunis’ culture with hockey life but also coming to terms with who she is.

Daunis is a force. She is strong, smart, loyal and knows what she wants and how to get it. People in her life have helped her to be strong and I loved her connection to them whether alive or not.
I recommend going in blind! I did not know what I was in for abd that made it all the sweeter.


This is a partial review to not miss the archive date. Full review will be on my
Blog and Instagram on pub day

Firekeeper’s Daughter
By Angeline Boulley
Pub Date: March 16, 2021

This debut book by new author, Angeline Boulley, delivers on every level for her young adult audience. The book is well written, has a plot with twists and turns and characters that young adults will identify with.

The main character is Daunis, who lives in two worlds – one is the world of her tribal community and the other the well-to-do, non-Native community of her mother. Daunis is a complex character who though deeply connected to her indigenous heritage is not widely accepted by her Native relatives. The depiction of a native community is well done, highlighting the close knit ties that bind the community together. Indigenous traditions, ceremony and language are sprinkled throughout the book and explained for those who may not be Indigenous.

Another central character is Levi, a brother from another mother. Levi and Daunis share a father, who died too young but still impacted the lives of his children. Levi is the captain of the local hockey team, a sport enjoyed by Native Americans and non-Natives alike. It is one of the only things that brings Daunis’ two worlds together. When the meth epidemic strikes their community, it strikes too close to home, and Daunis is targeted to become a CI or confidential informant.

Boulley tackles many of the issues faced by young adults today – substance abuse, sexual assault and for Native Americans, the Missing and Murdered Indian Women (MMIW) epidemic. She doesn’t shy away from the barriers that face Native Americans in particular. This is a new author to watch – I cannot wait for her next book!

***Personal Note***
I am from the community that Boulley writes about, and felt a deep connection to the community and characters. It was fantastic to see the language of our tribe, our connection to hockey, and even a little bit of tribal politics play out in this book. I absolutely loved it!!

WOW - this was such an amazing debut!

This was a really fascinating read. I'd describe it as Winter Counts meets Beartown meets A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. This is definitely the type of YA novel that feels VERY adult and should not be overlooked. I honestly don't think the average teen could appreciate all the nuance in this one.

This story covers a tight-knit community of native and non-native americans living at the tip of Michigan right on the Ontario border. It was extremely immersive into tribal life and all that comes with it, as well as a small town that lives hockey. This story quickly morphs into an investigation to drug trafficking and how different people from this town are involved.

There are some VERY heavy themes here, but this was written in a way that made the story very enjoyable. I was rooting for my girl Daunis from the first page and just loved her journey throughout. Read this if you like crime mysteries, coming of age stories, learning about other cultures, complex characters and relationships....the list goes on. I will be recommending this to everyone!

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book quite literally starts off with a bang. I thought it would be more of a thriller, but it seemed more like a mystery novel in my opinion (which didn’t disappoint either way!). With that being said, this book was spectacular.

It follows Daunis, an Indigenous young adult, as she gets caught right in the middle of an ongoing criminal investigation. She agrees to go undercover to help her community. While being undercover, she uncovers secrets, traces connections, and really dives into her roots and culture. There are unexpected twists, turns, and problems waiting around every corner. Can Daunis help her community without getting into trouble herself?

There are so many things that make this book stand out. Firstly, the author tries to not leave anything out relating to the Ojibwe culture and language. She masterfully shows how Daunis struggles to not be defined by just one side of her family, since she is a blend of both. Daunis embraces her Indigenous roots and shows the power and bonds within her community. I got emotional at the very end, when the Elders helped out and AGAIN when the women got together in honor of all of the missing and Indigenous women. It was one of many beautiful scenes. Secondly, the author describes how Daunis struggles with participating in the investigation, since she knows it’ll help, but ultimately change comes from within the community. She discusses the consequences from the fallout of the investigation, and how even when the investigation ends, the community will still be there. What is even more powerful is how this concept is so relevant to us to this day. Thirdly, the author included an instance of sexual assault. There wasn’t any justice for it, which was so infuriating, but describes the situation for so many women. In addition to that, the author discusses the murder and disappearances of Indigenous women. By discussing this, she brings light to problems that are STILL HAPPENING. The list of injustices against the Indigenous community is long, and this draws the reader’s attention to it. Since this was an unfinished copy, I’m not sure what will be at the end, but I really hope the publisher includes a list of resources to help report sexual assault as well as to help raise awareness about the disappearances of Indigenous women.

The only thing I didn’t like about the book was that sometimes the pacing seemed off. It might have been the formatting since this is an unfinished copy, but one paragraph wouldn’t seem like it was ending and then a whole new idea, place, and time would start. It threw me off and confused me at first, but after a while I got used to it. The very beginning was a little slow pacing-wise, but once I got to the end of the book, I realized it was to set up a lot of what was going to happen.
Overall, a magnificent book. I would recommend it to anybody who likes a good mystery especially. However, I think that there is so much more to it than the mystery. If you enjoy books that center around communities, that explore identity (especially biracial ones!), or even explore moral questions, this is a great one to pick up. I can’t recommend it enough and I look forward to seeing the TV show!!!