This is a solid YA mystery. I loved the main character and connected with her immediately. I knew this would start with a murder but the circumstances really shocked me! The writing style and format was easy to read and follow and I loved how the author interweaved the main characters personal struggles with the overarching mystery. I cannot wait to see this as a show!!

I am writing this review after reading a digital excerpt I received from Netgalley.

This book is off to an interesting start as the main character, Daunis, navigates her white and Ojibwe heritage and complex family background as well as hockey culture, grief, and substance abuse issues. This book is off to a very interesting start and all of the characters of different backgrounds are set up well. I think this book will be worth the read. My only criticism is that some of the Native American words are not always explained so it can be confusing at times.

I read both the sampler chapters and the full book and I can honestly say this is such a powerhouse of a novel. Highly recommend!

This was an excerpt of Firekeeper's Daughter, but it made me so excited to get my hands on the finished copy! So far I'd rate FKD 4 stars, so I can't wait to see if the story changes my rating later!

I only had a sample but I bought the book and it was incredible. Perfect for grade 12. Taught so much without feeling didactic.

I like the pacing of the story and the way characters are introduced, but for some reason, it felt a bit confusing, which could possibly be better if the entire book is read, instead of only a sneak peek.

Wow. What an amazing read and exquisite debut. This book is powerful. I loved the characters, they were extremely well written and the plot is something else. I'm at a loss for words but I highly recommend it.

THIS BOOK WAS BEYOND AMAZING

I reeeeeally liked this one! It is definitely one of my favorites of 2021 so far! The author is magical with her way of words and I adored the story. Could not recommend this book more.

I cannot remember the last time I DEVOURED a book like I did Firekeeper's Daughter. I was hooked by the Netgalley sample and immediately ran out to buy the full book, which I finished in just a few hours. Boulley has done an incredible job of creating a fully dimensional, richly complex protagonist in Daunis. Perhaps my favorite part of this book was how seamlessly and authentically Boulley wove Ojibwe traditions into the story. I loved getting a glimpse into this culture in a way that felt natural and real, rather than being watered down or simplified for a non-Native audience.

This short preview has definitely intrigued me and encouraged me to order the book. I look forward to seeing where the story progresses in the remainder of the book. I feel, from the short amount I’ve read here that there is going to be a lot to unpack in this one.

I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

First off, I’d like to start by saying that there is A LOT to unpack here. I was super stoked for this book because not only is it somehow the first Native American story I read, but I knew it’d be full of sorely needed representation and a community and culture I could learn so much about.

This book was so intense and powerful and vital. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite thus important, but it truly is. There is a lot of possible triggers in this nook due to the amount of trauma that is dealt with. But it’s also just so indicative to so many people’s everyday lives and experiences, especially indigenous peoples. There is also its mystery element, which makes the book all that much more intriguing. It could get dark, but it was also still so hopeful.

There’s so much more part of me wants to share, but it feels like this is one of those books where it’s better to go in blind with no expectations. It’s definitely worth it.

This is an own voices YA mystery/thriller, set in the Upper Michigan Peninsula. The story centers around Daunis, an 18-year old biracial woman who is an un-enrolled member of the local tribe and revels in the traditions of her native culture. She is also French-Canadian and “light skinned” so she has privileges that many of her Anishinaabe family and friends doesn’t have.

Daunis should be leaving Sault Ste Marie for college but she changes plans and enrolls at the local college to provide support to her mom who is going through a difficult time. She witnesses a murder and finds herself in the middle of a federal drug investigation. She has to decide if she should help the FBI with their investigation which could potentially put the lives of her family and friends at risk.

Through Daunis’s eyes, we lear about the history and culture within the Ojibwe community and the beauty and strength of female friendships and familial bonds. The writer also highlights issues of racism, violence against women and general neglect of the indigenous community. The way the story pulls you into the Ojibwe way of life is truly remarkable. Think of this book as a cross between There There and With the Fire of High with a murder mystery thrown in……what a ride! While it’s not an easy read, I think the insight into issues the community if facing is well worth it.

Many thanks to Henry, Holt & Co. and Netgalley for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this sample. The story is possibly more romance than I typically look for, but the writing is good and I want to know more. The cover is gorgeous, definitely something that would make me want to pick it up. Looking forward to reading the rest of the book soon!

I struggled with this sample. Here’s what I got from the book so far: It’s engaging but very slow going and I feel like even after six or seven chapters I still wasn’t hooked.
I was confused at first because I was expecting a fantasy novel but instead it turns out that this is a contemporary novel with lots of alcohol and teen drama.
Another thing I found hard to follow was the untranslated native language as well as the text conversations which were super abbreviated.
Not sure if I want to pick up the full book which is disappointing because I’ve been looking forward to this book for awhile now but I hope others found this book more enjoyable than I did!
Happy Reading Everyone :)

Ugh! I didn't realize I only requested the "Sneak Peak" and burned though it so quick only to find out the book comes out in a few days and is no longer available to request! Looking forward to supporting this author and what feels like a viral book for 2021!!

This sneak peak has me excited to read the rest of The Firekeeper's Daughter. While the cover alone is captivating, the first chapter has completely pulled me in.

This book was AMAZING. I should have gotten my review in sooner because this is a book everyone needs to read. I will be gladly handselling it to people whether they read YA or not. We need more books with Indigenous characters and Danaus really hits the mark. I, am not Native and I certainly cannot speak for my Native American friends, but a lot of Boulley's storytelling and the experiences that Danaus goes through rang true from the stories I heard from friends growing up who were unenrolled and straddled a line between two different communities. The thriller element sucks you in too.

i really enjoyed the first part of this book. although it mostly reads like a contemporary at this point, i loved getting the background to Daunis, her family, and her culture. you can absolutely tell the author spent 10 years on this books - it is such a rich story!

I missed that this was a sneak peek, so I briefly thought where it stopped was the end of the book and, even so, I still liked it even in that moment. This has a rich world an engaging and unique protagonist, and I also enjoy that she's on the cusp of starting college, which isn't something I've seen a lot in YA. I immediately went and pre-ordered so I can find out what happens.

Daunis Fontaine Firekeeper is an eighteen-year-old unenrolled bi-racial member of the Ojibwe nation living in Sault Ste. Marie along the Michigan/Ontario border. Daunis's identity is torn between her maternal family--where her maternal grandparents are wealthy and influential--and her paternal, Firekeeper family and some of the community who believes she is not Ojibwe enough. When hockey god, Jamie Johnson, comes to town, Daunis feels a spark of attraction, even if she knows to look out for "guy-lies," even if she senses that Jamie isn't quite what he seems, even if her best friend, Lily, thinks she should snag him, and even if her protective brother (younger by a few months), Levi, gives the green light. After witnessing a murder and linking the murder of more local folks to meth-use, Daunis is thrown into a world of more secrets and lies. With her knowledge of chemistry and traditional medicinal plants in the area, Daunis proves to be essential in uncovering how meth is entering her community and revealing the culprits.

This is a wonderful YA thriller/mystery with a splash of romance. The cover is GORGEOUS, the representation is impeccable, and the whole second-half left me in tears. Daunis is a wonderfully intelligent main character (who also makes dumb mistakes) and the book is written in first-person from her POV. Daunis is the Ojibwe Nancy Drew (maybe Dr. Watson??) as she tries to figure out what is going on in her community and what she can do to prevent the deaths of more young Ojibwe women and men.

I loved the the cultural, spiritual, and medicinal references woven throughout the book and the sense of setting it creates. The characters are layered as each mystery unfolds--from Aunt Teddie to the elders to the villains--and I love the sinister turn the book takes. By the second half, I was suspecting EVERYONE of being behind the drug-ring--including Daunis!--which I think marks a good mystery if I could only guess small portions. Angeline Boulley has created a wonderful masterpiece that I cannot wait see come to life as a Netflix original and definitely cannot wait to see what Boulley will create next!