Biracial Native teen Daunis hasn’t found her ‘place’ in the world yet. She’s an unenrolled tribal member who has never felt completely accepted by her hometown or tribe. With aspirations to go to medical school, her plans get put on hold to care for her grandmother.

When Daunis witnesses a murder, she is convinced to take part in an undercover investigation where she uses her knowledge of chemistry as well as traditional medicine.

The perfect mix of young adult, crime fiction, and Indigenous culture with a twist of romance. This story was complex, fast paced, rich with Ojibwe culture. While there was a lot going on in the story, it was peppered with a glimpse into modern Ojibwe traditions and tribal politics that I found fascinating. There were some heavy themes that I thought were handled very well. Daunis was a relatable and strong heroine. I loved the cultural aspects; the beauty in their traditions as well as the difficulties Indigenous communities face past and present.

Well, I am hooked. 86 pages in the preview just wasn't enough. So far we're following Daunis after multiple life-changing events, and the preview takes us right up to what seems like yet another one. The story has moved so quickly already, and we've gotten to know so much about Daunis and her family and friends. I cannot wait to read the rest and see what happens!
5/5 for the preview. Thanks to Netgalley for providing an e-ARC preview!

Daunis doesn't fit into either life- not her white mother's life, nor her father's Native American life. Going away to college was supposed to give her a chance to start over, but after illness and tragedy hits her family, she decides to stay near home for college. After meeting Jamie, a new hockey player, her life seems to pick up a little, but this nice, cute boy has a girlfriend waiting for him back home. Daunis refuses to be "That Girl" and interfere in a relationship. The end of this sneak peak finishes on a cliffhanger, making it easy to want to reach for the book to see how everything turns out. I didn't get to experience the rest of the story which focuses on a murder that Daunis witnesses and how she goes undercover for the FBI to investigate.

I felt pain for Daunis as she navigated the reality of not belonging fully to either half of her heritage. She was all alone, different, and misunderstood. I know I didn't come close to actually getting into the meat of the book, but the bit that I read was quite good. I enjoyed getting immersed in the culture and language, even though it was difficult to get into at first due to all the foreign words. I hope to be able to read the whole book to experience the mystery aspect of it, which I really enjoy in novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for giving me the chance to read the sneak peak of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a preview of the book. So far I am really enjoying it! I can't wait to read the whole book. It is moving fast and keeping me engaged.

Sneak preview review:

4 stars so far!

Contemporary isn’t my usual genre but I really really liked this!! I can’t wait to read more when it releases! The cover is stunning and so is the contents. I read all of the preview (89 pages) in one sitting, which I think speaks to how engaging the story was!

I can’t wait for more!!

CW: murder, meth, drugs, police, rape, violence, guns, homophobic language, racist language, fatphobic language, internalized slut shaming

i am obsessed with this book cannot wait for the full versión

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just couldn't get into this book. I loved how it started with a burst of action, but it went flatly into too much backstory for my enjoyment.

For me, it was too much with all the cultural language. As soon as I would start to get into the story, my brain would have to stop for too long of a moment to keep trying to pronounce /understand the language. It just took the excitement out of the story.

The MC seemed likeable enough and the attention on the elders, respectable, but with such a short synopsys, I am just not interested in reading the whole book.

This is a preview, I am pending of reading the whole book but MAN I WAS HOOKED, at first since I am don't live in the USA and neither I am from the USA, my knowledge of USA geography is nearly zero, I had to google places and some words I order to understand the story completely and I don't regret it since I learned something new.

I really liked the story and the protagonist Daunis and how she struggles to find her place in her community since she is biracial, she is torn between her two cultures, ahd seeing her struggle gets to you because it feels authentic, because it happens to every biracial kid.

I am eager to read it completely whenever it's through NetGalley or buying it, is definitely in my TBR list.


Plus it has a beautiful cover. SO BEAUTIFUL.

😄 I am very excited for the whole book! 😄 It has lovely writing and good characters! 😄 Great perspective! 😄

Loved the sneak peek to this upcoming YA release! Will definitely be acquiring the rest of the book upon release to get the rest of the story. Very interesting character POV (Ojibwe Indian), feel like it's not one seen very often and that is part of the appeal. Along with a stunning cover this sneak peek got a 4 star rating from me JUST based on the small part I got to read. Can't wait to discover the rest of Daunis's story!

4 Stars

I just want to talk to the person decide that ending the sample on an explosive cliffhanger like that was a good idea because now I'm obsessed with this book.

Firekeeper's Daughter follows Daunis Fontaine, a biracial tribal member who's struggles between her Native community and her white side. When she is pulled into a criminal investigation, Daunis must track down the criminals who are corrupting the tribe.

Y'all not only does this book have Indigenous representation, is an own-voices novel, and is a freaking thriller, BUT the cover too!! Everything about this book is so freaking amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the digital ARC of Firekeeper's Daughter in exchange for an honest review. Daunis Fontaine was born to a white teenage mother and a Ojibwe father. Daunis tries to figure out her place in both worlds; her hometown and the reservation. The book describes the culture of the Ojibwe people. The story involves violence, sexual assault, drugs, and racism. When Daunis witnesses a murder she decides she must protect her community and help the FBI with their drug investigation. The story was very well told but does have a mature content., This would be a great addition to any YA library.

someone needs to stop me from reading previews on netgalley because im obviously not mentally stable enough to get really invested only for it to end on a major cliffhanger.

help.

either way, i was not sure if i wanted to read this but now i am. this starts really slow but i kinda enjoyed the build-up. this way when the cliffhanger thing happened i actually cared about the characters and what was happening.

i can’t say anything about the accuracy of the representation but i thought it was so interesting to read about it. the author did an excellent job at weaving it through this book without it feeling like a major info dump.

my predictions are that this book will continue to be well-written, will become more twisty and that i’ll hopefully be blown away! all i can tell for sure is that i am seriously in need of the full book.

FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Angeline Boulley
Pub Day: March 16, 2021

A stunning debut novel by indigenous storyteller Angeline Boulley.
Set in Sault St Marie and Sugar Island, straddling between the USA and Canadian border. It is a story of an Ojibwe community, their a journey through waters steeped in systemic inequity and lateral violence due to resource scarcity yet strong in culture and drive to not only survive but thrive. It’s a story of a girl, Daunis, born carrying the blood of 2 families, Fontaine and Firekeeper; Zhaaganaash and Anishinaabe - yet burdened by not belonging to either - not fully. She must forge her own path and claim it for herself.

Sadly, I was only privy to a sample of this novel so I can only tell you Initial thoughts that are blurred by my lack of fuller context that the full story may have afforded. Especially as it includes a love for hockey!

There is such power and knowledge in the first section of his book. I live a few hours from the Sault, in Canada, Turtle Island. The themes emerging speak to a culturation, biculturation, pan-indignity and honouring indignity from micro to macro levels. From the outset Daunis and the youth are grappling with identity formation, their role within their family and community as well as a sense of belonging.

Jamie’s character provides our protagonist, Daunis, the ability to not only imbue knowledge to the new kid and hockey prodigy but also me as a reader creating an immersive reading experience. The storytelling prose is infused with teachings and lessons that feels like an offering passed by elders that connected me further with each passage.

I will definitely be returning to this novel as soon as I can!

My thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Henry Holt And Company for the advanced sample copy.

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley is a new genre and new author for me. I liked the main character immediately. Her family has experienced losses and although she’s eager to flee her small community she postponed her academic plans to look after her family. She feels very conflicted about her roles within the community and culture. I liked how she formed a fast bond with Jamie because she needs confidence and the assurance she received from him. There is a fair amount of native words used that I had no clue what their meaning was, which while remaining true to the story, left me hanging with lack of definition. The ending was also incomplete. Will there be a follow up book?

The only thing more beautiful than this cover, as far as I can tell, is the beginning of the story inside it. It starts off with a startling first bit, cutting it off in a bit of a cliff hanger and then switching to the “before” events leading up to how the main character got there. I am absolutely dying to read the rest!

I can't wait to finish this book! This is hands down going to be one of the most powerful books written this year. I really enjoyed this sneak peek and can't wait until March 16!

I received a sampler of the first nine chapters from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Firekeeper's Daughter follows 18-year-old Daunis Fontaine, a young woman who feels like she doesn't quite fit in either among her white mother's family, or the Ojibwe reservation where her father lived. There is a definite lack of books around with Native American protagonists, particularly own voices authored books, so this isn't a culture I'm familiar with at all. Even in the sample I have read, Angeline Boulley has already brought both halves of Daunis's world vividly to life, and Daunis herself jumps off the page as a well realised character who I want to get to know better.

The first section of the book introduces Daunis and sets up her relationships with her best friend Lily, her mother and grandmother, and her brother's team mate - new student, Jamie. It is only towards the end of the sample that the action really begins to pick up, but it is testament to the quality of the writing that I never felt bored or impatient waiting for something to happen, as is sometimes the case. Instead, while we learn the details and experiences of Daunis's everyday life, there is clearly some tension crackling under the surface, just waiting to arise. I can't wait to read what happens next.

Daunis is a senior in high school, ready to leave for the University of Michigan in the fall, but in the aftermath of a family tragedy, she decides to attend Lake Superior State University. She is assigned to be an ambassador for Jamie, the new boy on the school's hockey team.

Daunis' best friend is having trouble with an ex-boyfriend. He used to be an honor student, taking all the AP classes. Now, drugs have taken that all away. Lily wants to help him, and can't walk away.

When Lily goes missing for a day, Daunis worries. When Lily and Travis show up together at the party, Daunis knows something is wrong. But, when Travis pulls a gun, Daunis fears for her life.

I was only able to read a sample of this book, but it grabbed me and wouldn't let go. It is as beautiful as it is powerful. I am anxiously awaiting my chance to read the rest.

I loved this contemporary YA thriller set in a small town in the upper peninsula of Michigan and the Ojibwe reservation. A star hockey player and an incredible student, 18-year-old Daunis has strong ties to friends and family, but she has never felt fully whole as she has straddled the wealthy, privileged world her mother was from and the Native family of her father. As she finds herself wrapped up in a horrible crime, she is also on a quest for her own identity. Great characters, excellent writing, and a page-turning plot make this a must-read for fans of YA. Note there is language, sex, and drugs.