This was fantastic! A bit more of a 4.5/5 than a 5, but I loved the way that this was able to maintain the tone of YA (in the coming of age themes) while also tackling more mature subjects.

Daunis a great lead to read from - while she feels her age, you can also sense the pressures of being an Indigenous woman in the U.S. has had on her and how she has had to, in many ways, act more adult or mature at times. I also liked how this book examined the justice system in an accessible way - having studied tribal jurisdiction a bit, I know it can be a complicated topic to understand (particularly in how unjust it is for many Native women), and while it was heartbreaking to read at times I think this book both explored logistically how it works (or doesn't work) and then the human impact. The discussion on MMIWG2S was also really strong.

I throughly enjoyed this book! It does contain a lot of triggers that I felt make the story incredibly powerful. It was a very heartfelt book that tells a story that will pull at your heart strings and keep you wondering what will happen next.

Daunis' life hasn't exactly been easy, she has lost so many people she loves already, but when her community is faced with a meth epidemic, Daunis is given an opportunity to find out how the meth is getting into her community.

I have been reading YA for a really long time and often my issue with YA is the lack of depth in female characters in particular. There are so many YA books where I have loved male characters, but the female characters often leave something to be desired. I was so happy that this was not the case for Firekeeper's Daughter. Daunis is a complex character trying to find her identity and uphold her father's idigenous roots. The wrestling of this really fleshed out her characters, but along with depth, Bouley gave her female lead humor and drive and the opportunity to be a hero in her own right and I loved that about this book.

From the first chapter to the very end, I was totally sucked into this story. The writing was beautiful and more than once I found myself pausing to re-read sentences. This year I have intentionally sought out works by indigenous authors and I have loved learning about the way the honor the earth and uphold each other within their community. I left this book with a greater understanding and sense of awe for indigenous communities. This is a must read for anyone craving more depth from the YA genre!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars

Content warning: gun violence, death, drug use, rape, sexual assault, violence

4.5 Stars I was so excited for this book and it delivered, but could definitely have used some editing/tightening up. Excited to see what the Obama's will do for the TV adaptation. I appreciated how immersive the reading experience was, and that's credit to Boulley's world building and cultural teachings and sharing. Daunis is such a fully realized character and there's so much of this book that I'll keep thinking about. Would recommend for upper high school - college - adult and will be getting a set for Lit Circles!

Book TW: racism, rape, sexual assault/harassment, drug trafficking, gun violence

It took me a while to process my thoughts on this book. There’s so much more than I can possibly fit into a bite sized IG review that I want to say and all of it’s positive. While there is never a “perfect” book, this one was perfect for me in the moment that I read it. It was beautiful, poignant, and heartbreaking so many times. The prose was amazing. The content was so real and surprisingly dark and gritty for a YA book. There were moments where I wept deeply with the characters and I was so invested in the story that I could not put the book down (literally, I stayed up until 5am one morning).
The character work is definitely where this book shines. Daunis and Jamie, of course, are the most well rounded and engaging as befits MCs (I love and adore them both even when they make objectively bad decisions). I adore Daunis’ blend of a love of both science and indigenous knowledge and how she utilises both. Every single character is just so incredible human and /humanised/ to the point where even the “bad guys” are people that you see from Daunis’ view and you truly don’t want anyone to be bad or be hurt or to be the worst version of themselves, you see the whole of everyone in this story, for better or for worse.
There are so many heavy topics dealt with in Firekeeper’s Daughter, from Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women to the experiences of a biracial woman to grief/bereavement to discerning truth and who can be trusted. I felt all of the topics were handled with thoughtfulness and care and at the same time contributed to the overall plot, therefore keeping the commentary and the pacing in an ideal balance. This story has lovely, happy moments and it is not devoid of joy or triumph, but it is based on reality and so not everything has a perfect, tidy happy ending and I think that’s a good thing. That is part of what kept me thinking and processing the story for a solid week after I finished the last page.
I knew almost nothing of Anishinaabe culture before reading The Firekeeper’s Daughter. The book did a great job of sharing the information that was needed in an organic way that both taught me as a reader without over-expositing or under-explaining and leaving me confused... another case of brilliant balance in this book.
If you’re looking for a gripping thriller/mystery, see here.
If you’re looking for unapologetically indigenous literature, see here.
If you’re looking for a romance that is just so darn cute you’ll squeal, see here.
If you’re looking for beautiful prose and social commentary, see here.
If you’re looking for a book that realizes that science and spirituality aren’t mutually exclusive, see here.
Basically, essentially, if you’re looking for an amazing book that is probably going to be one of my top reads of the year, please, PLEASE read The Firekeeper’s Daughter. It’s just that good.

I wanted to love this book. The cover is stunning, the topic interesting to me, and I kept hearing about it. But, I just could not get into it. I didn’t find myself caring much about the characters and the lack of explanations about Native American culture or even just simple definitions of the words, made it hard to immerse myself in the world. DNF

Daunis Fontaine doesn’t fit. She’s half Native American, but not officially part of the tribe. The other side of her family is from the wealthy White part of town, but they don’t accept her either. Her half-brother is a hockey star and Daunis used to play herself, until she was sidelined by an injury.

When the police start investigating mysterious deaths and chronic drug abuse in the area, Daunis gets caught up in the investigation. There’s also a new guy in town who plays hockey with Daunis’ brother and he has caught her attention. The characters are intricate and alluring and there seems to be a mystery surrounding the hot new guy. As the criminal inquiry proceeds, Daunis’ participation may put her in jeopardy.

There’s quite a bit of Native culture that enriches the story. There are the tribal beliefs, tribal medicine, Native casino allotments, poverty and the culture of the reservation that are all explored. Boulley doesn’t shy away from some of the harsh aspects of tribal life, but instead weaves these into the mystery the police are probing. This is a society that clings to its exclusivity and is suffering, as people are killed or succumb to drug abuse. It also is faithful to its members and its traditions and has a dignity that surrounds the tribal way of life.

Boulley has tackled a subject that gets little attention today. Not only is the setting striking, but the strong characters and the suspense will hold readers’ attention to the very end.

This was an amazing book. I was completely entranced by the book and in different hands I would have found the plot far-fetched, but Boulley made me believe in all of it. Such an important book engaging in what it means to be a Native American, the challenges within some Native American communities, and what it means to belong in a community. Will definitely be purchasing this for my library's collection.

Did you read the summary? If you did, and it doesn’t sound like something you’d like — don’t pay attention to it. Honestly, when I read the summary I felt meh about the book. With all the hype though and being given an advanced copy, I definitely wanted to give it a shot. And I am so glad I did. This story is so deep and so much more than Daunis going undercover. It was honestly a journey. The words I want to use to describe this book, I just have a hard time finding. At the beginning of the book, I was drawn in just by the culture. Angeline does such a fantastic job of building this community that makes the reader feel apart of. The plot of the story doesn’t happen until about 1/3 of the way through the book. But even as I started the book, I never wanted to put it down. And then once the plot picked up – it was almost impossible. The pacing was so intense and fast paced. Nothing seemed like it was out of place and every word had a purpose. I figured out a lot of the major plot points but it didn’t ruin any part of this experience for me.

Daunis. Oh my goodness what to say about Daunis. I freaking love her so much. There is so much to love about her that it’s not hard to immediately start rooting for her character. She’s smart, funny, athletic, dedicated, passionate, and I could seriously just go on and on about the amazing qualities written into this character. She never stops reaching for her goals, even as they change. And I immediately fell in love with Jamie’s character also. Even though this book had it’s own plot of trying to figure out the root of the evil in her community, this book was about community. The relationships built and created in this book were phenomenal. I felt a connection with each person Daunis did and heartbroken with each betrayal.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley is not a book I’ll be forgetting anytime soon. This was such a beautifully written book in so many different ways. The story was rich and exciting, but also a journey. There is heartbreak, love, and self discovery. Daunis was such an amazing character to follow and I know I will read her story again. I highly recommend this book to everyone, regardless of your reading style. It’s a story meant to be read and felt – this is a story for all.

I absolutely loved this book. It was well paced and well written. I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed the plot twists and trying to predict what was going to happen next. I really loved learning about a culture outside of my own, and while I cannot speak for the representation, it felt authentic and realistic. This book addresses important issues in a way that makes you reflect. The message of community and staying true to yourself was beautiful.

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley; Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, 396 pages ($18.99) Ages 14 to 18.

Angeline Boulley spent 10 years crafting this outstanding debut novel, an explosive mix of thriller, romance and coming of age tale set on Michigan's Upper Peninsula against the charged political backdrop of white privilege and the legacy of reservations, boarding schools and other injustices experienced by Native Americans.

18-year-old Daunis Fontaine has always felt caught between two worlds, as the daughter of a woman from a wealthy white family and an Ojibwe man who was killed in a logging accident when she was 7 years old. Nearly 6 feet tall and a gifted athlete, Daunis plays on her half-brother Levi's hockey team. Her plan is to leave her home in Sault Ste. Marie to attend the University of Michigan in hopes of becoming a doctor, but she defers her plans after her beloved Uncle David dies and her maternal grandmother suffers a stroke.

When fresh tragedy strikes, Daunis discovers a particularly deadly form of meth is being sold on the reservation and she becomes key in the investigation into who might be behind it. Along the way she falls for a handsome newcomer on her brother's hockey team, who is not what he seems.

Daunis narrates the novel, set in the early 2000s when meth production was exploding, tribes were flush with cash from casinos and official enrollment in a tribe meant being eligible for cash payouts.

Ojibwe traditions and reverence for the Earth are woven into the narrative, as in this passage where Daunis muses on the poisoned landfill site she is searching for evidence of meth production: "These birch trees, with their scars of fungus resembling burnt charcoal, will never be harvested for the medicine within the Chaga. The black ash trees will never be pounded with a mallet to loosen the layers that hold a story for every year. No one will split their bark into thin strips, soaking some in berry-or flower-dyed water, before weaving the black ash into exquisite baskets. Instead, these trees absorb contaminated groundwater and breathe virulent fumes."

Brainy, brave Daunis is a marvelous character, marshaling all her considerable skills for an investigation that grows ever more dangerous while at the same time dealing with her grandmother's illness, the death of a friend, her misgivings about her role in the investigation of her native community and a violent incident that drives home the second-class status of native peoples.

The striking cover art is by Ojibwe artist Rich Deas

The author, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, offers an expertly paced thriller, a well-crafted plot full of surprises, memorable characters, a fascinating setting on the Canadian border and a nuanced exploration of a young woman's struggle with her cultural identity. Angeline Boulley is a talent to watch.

It’s hard to explain what it’s like being so connected to everyone and everything here … yet feeling that no one ever sees the whole me.

Daunis Fontaine is eighteen years old the year her uncle dies from an apparent drug overdose and her GrandMary Fontaine has a stroke. Daunis has decided to go to a local college that is closer to help her mother through the grief of it all.
Jamie Johnson is the new senior transfer and hot new hockey player but while Daunis is drawn to him, he never answers questions and always asks them.
Daunis has always felt the divide between her Zhaaganaash and Anishinaabe parentage sides, especially now more than ever as she must decide if she is helping or betraying.

To know zoongidewin is to face your fears with a strong heart.

Firekeeper's Daughter is a slice of life fictional story that is told solely in first person point-of-view from our main character Daunis. It was an absorbing tale that had me knowing Daunis inside and out but left some other characters feeling a little vague. When Daunis' mother was sixteen, she got pregnant by Levi Firekeeper, it was the tale of rich white girl who's family looked down on the Anishinaabe boy, even though he was an elite hockey player for the local team. More angst follows when Daunis' mom catches Levi cheating, he crashes his car breaking his legs and ending his hockey career and Daunis' grandparents do their best to keep Levi away. Levi ends up dying when Daunis is seven but she has a half-brother, Levi Jr, that she is close with and her Aunt Teddie from her dad's side keep Daunis connected to the Firekeepers. Daunis also has a bestfriend Lily who has a similar background and they bond over how they are descendants but not enrolled members of the Sugar Island Ojibwe Tribe. This push and pull Danuis experiences, sometimes from her own family members, was a big part of the fabric of the story and I thought the author did a great job portraying the emotions that Daunis had to learn to deal with when the racism came from strangers and her own family members.

Jamie Johnson is not who he says he is. And this is not a dream.

With this slice of life story, we get a little bit of romance, mystery, and some thriller. There's an immediate attraction between Daunis and the new guy Jamie. As Daunis is wary but trying to get to know Jamie, we see her friend Lily dealing with her ex-boyfriend Travis, who was also friends with Daunis. Travis is dealing with an addiction to Meth and we learn that the community has been dealing with an uptick of this. When Daunis witnesses a traumatic event, she sees Jamie and it finally clicks that he's an undercover cop. This is where the mystery comes in and Daunis is now acting as a confidential informant for the FBI and the task force investigating where a batch of meth that severely sickened kids in Minnesota came from and who is selling it. Daunis' activeness and the whole investigation, especially Jamie and his pretend Uncle, is very slow moving and not always front and center. It's a slow burn investigation that focuses more on how drugs come into this community and affects them through Daunis' eyes. There were times I wanted the investigation to be taken more seriously or more action but the focus here is more on Daunis learning how to honor both sides of her heritage and help without betraying her Anishinaabe family.

In this Newer New Normal I am living a lie as a confidential informant for the meth investigation connected to the deaths of my uncle and my best friend.

Daunis' newer new normal begins about 20% into the story, so Daunis working in the investigation encompasses most of the book. The book is also broken up into five parts and I saw Part One as the intro to Daunis and into the community and sets up Part Two where Daunis is a confidential informant, Part Three we know the investigated players and get a little bit of thriller, and then Part Four is the aftermath of what the investigation revealed. This takes place in 2004 and in a town in Michigan that rests on the border with Canada and I thought the author did a great job setting the time, place, and feel for the community. As I said earlier, Daunis is the standout character and I would have liked some others to be filled out more. I'm not sure we ever really got to know Jamie as much as I would have liked, Danuis' Aunt Teddie deserves to have her story written, and if this gets another book for a series, I want it to be about Daunis' ex-boyfriend T.J. Kewadin.

Wisdom is not bestowed. In its raw state, it is the heartbreak of knowing things you wish you didn’t.

I thought the ending was rushed and there's a little bit of info dump when players are revealed and motivations explained. There was also a rape scene that I'm not sure was handled as carefully as it could and should have been; it ended up feeling abruptly put in for some heaviness. I think this might read a little slow for young adults but has elements that will work to keep their attention, reading it as an adult, it kept me locked in. This window into Daunis' life was an affecting slice of life story and strong debut, I will definitely be on the lookout for future works by this author.

When Daunis Fontaine's grandmother has a stroke, she chooses to stay behind in her hometown to look after her mother. The two things tiding her over are the fact that she is going to college in the fall with her best friend Lily and that there's a cute new hockey player, Jamie, on her brother Levi's team. When Daunis witnesses Lily's murder, she's brought into an FBI drug investigation that centers around her tribe. She uses her knowledge of her tribe's medicine and practices to get to the bottom of the investigation.

I overall really enjoyed Firekeeper's Daughter. I was instantly hooked at the start and loved reading about the Ojibwe culture, as well as their traditions. The first part of this book is really dedicated to world-building, with the plot really picking up halfway through and diving into the investigation. I also loved Daunis and how her character was explored — she's biracial and has never really felt as though she belonged to one side or another, but by the end of the book, she feels more connected to her Ojibwe side. I think Daunis and her familial relationships (as well as friendships) are well-developed. I would recommend this book, but I would note that this is definitely a heavy read.

TW: drug use, mention of death by overdose, gun violence, sexual assault, implied torture

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Reading this wonderful book was so enlightening and a learning experience for me, I would recommend this book to every single person who asked me for a book recommendation,

This book is an #OwnVoices book which is amazing, because of this there is authentic representation of Indigenous culture which was so wonderful to see. It's something that we don't see often, especially in YA. I loved how we got to see everything from Native American history to traditions, language and just an array of everything that makes up their beautiful culture. There is just so much heart in this book and it shows, it is really refreshing to see.

The author handles so many sensitive topics so well which is so important and I really appreciated that. This book had me in tears, it is so important to me that this book exist. Everyone should read it, I hope to see more from this new author!

I received this book as an advanced reader copy from net galley. Although this is young adult literature I found it to be a mature read that delved into a relevant exploration of society and diversity. Danios was intelligent and family oriented. I enjoyed reading and learning about the Ojibwe tribe. I thought it was an important book to expose the treatment and i objectification of tribal women. Highly recommend this novel.

"Time is a concept of our earthly minds."

This was such a fantastic book. I loved the mystery, the romance, and learning about the Ojibwe tribal culture.

I was gifted the audiobook version of this book by Macmillan Audio and absolutely loved it! The narrator was absolutely phenomenal and I really felt like she really helped the story come to life.

Firekeeper’s Daughter is layered with history, teachings, and historical and modern injustices that Indigenous people face - specifically the Ojibwe community in this story. Some of which I knew on the perimeter - colonialism, racism, battles with addiction. Most of it ashamedly I did not know - traditions, rituals, teachings, Ojibwe traditional medicine. Boulley crafts a dynamic world that taught me beyond what I've read in my history books.

Boulley boldly develops a rich cast of female characters from the Daunis’ mom, GrandMary, Granny June, and Auntie Teddie. Each woman enriches and completes a fuller understanding of Daunis. In keeping with the theme of strong women, Daunis is a hockey player, a STEM girl, and an Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman). Any one of these identities would make a strong character, but Boulley constructs them together to create a badass character. A character who discovers to honor your spirit - love yourself.

I read somewhere once - - good book teaches you about the world, other people or even yourself. After reading Firekeeper’s Daughter, I'm grateful that I've been taught! Go read this one today!

From the beginning, this story captured my intention; with themes of Indigenous medicine practices, religious practices, family relationships, a little romance, and the impact of outside drugs on the reserve was everything.

I really enjoyed this look at how outside forces (drugs, FBI, etc.) impacted the Ojibwe tribe. Danuis, our main character, was an exceptional character. I really enjoyed her relationship with her family - grandmother, mother, aunt, and even her brother - it really reminded me of my own familial relationships. Danius' passion for medicine, family bonds, and the protection of her culture and heritage made her the perfect heroine for this story. The writing and pacing was perfect and not once did I find myself getting bored with the way the story was unfolding

My favorite part of the entire book was the educational aspects of it! I really enjoyed learning about Indigenous culture and its practices. When Danuis lost her best friend, I was so intrigued with how they prepared the body and even how the name of her friend would change once they passed over to the afterlife. The way Boulley weaved these educational moments throughout the story was done really well. I also really appreciated the examination of Indigenous women and how they are fetishized and even victims of sexual assault and sadly not believed. This was a hard-hitting YA book but was worth reading every single page of it. I really am excited to add Angeline Boulley to my automatic buy list. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Angeline Boulley, Henry, Holt and Co, and NetGalley for this e-advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pros
Great Supporting Cast: By their very nature, the supporting characters are often relegated to the sidelines. Worldbuilding, main character development, and plot often hold more importance, but in Angeline Boulley's work, right from the start, the cast of secondary characters are strong and varied--and primarily women. Daunis's mother, grandmother, best friend, and best friend's grandmother all play predominant roles right form the start. They are fun and funny. Most importantly, they are exciting. They add to the worldbuilding rather than take away from its page time.
Race and Culture: This is a book steeped in First Nations culture--specifically Obijwe. This culture is tackled from multiple perspectives--from the perspective of an outsider like Jaime, from an "insider" like Daunis who has never quite been inside, and from the more accepted insiders like Daunis's brother Levi. This makes the book approachable for all readers without compromising quality and heart. Ritual, tradition, hardship, superstition, family ties, food, influences of colonialism: all of these things are tied up in the identity of this book and its characters. Even racism and colorism come into play, with discussions on what it means to be too dark or too light for a community and what these varying shades mean to the outer world as well as the inner community.
Girl in STEM: Daunis is interested in pursuing science in her degree. Even when she has to put off her degree, she is interested in the science of the world around her. She is acclaimed for her past work in this field--the intermingling of the traditional medicine with mainstream science. The author takes care to weave Daunis's interest into everything she does and even how she examines the world. It is great to see a character so involved in STEM. We need more girls in STEM, in literature and in reality!
Cons
Lack of Context Clues: It can be a little difficult to sink into this narrative at the beginning. This story is full of non-English words, concepts, and phrases, which is something I fully support. Those who have been forced to accept English by colonization shouldn't have to apologize for returning to the languages stolen from them. However, when presented in a print medium to a primarily English-speaking population, the context clues should be there to help readers to make sense of the narrative--especially if the given language is unfortunately difficult to translate on its own. Though the context and meaning becomes clear as one continues to read, the opening pages can be a bit difficult because that context does seem a bit insufficient.
Overly "Text Speak" Texting: c u 2mrw? I mean, I know this book is set in 2004. I know that text culture and language has changed significantly in the past decade and a half. But boy is the texting painful to read!
Slow Burn: This book takes its time to set up the world, the characters, and the setting before ultimately diving into the plot. It is a slow read, and this slowness allows the author to really pull readers into the world and lives of the characters. That is undeniably a good thing. When it takes about a quarter of the book for the plot to really begin, however, some people will find the slow-burn t00 slow. I think it was worth it in the end, but others might not agree.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10

Those who loved Aiden Thomas's Cemetery Boys should take a look at this new book immersed in culture and identity. Those who enjoyed the real-world investigation of Courtney Summers's The Project should check out this gritty new thriller.

There is a lot going on in this book, yet it somehow didn't feel like the author gave us everything plus the kitchen sink. The book captures so many facets of life for Daunis, a biracial teen living in a Native community. There are the added complications of a father who has died and a grandmother who doesn't embrace the indigenous side of the family.

For this very first part of the story, we see Daunis' friends and family and the dynamics there. Then the author pulls back and we are introduced to more characters and bigger problems that are affecting the community. The FBI comes in to look into some bad meth that's been going around and Daunis becomes a confidential informant. So there's a bit of a mystery and heartbreak at how deep it goes.

My thanks to MacMillan Children's Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.