Cover Image: Hunting by Stars

Hunting by Stars

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Member Reviews

An amazing young adult novel that lives up to the brilliance of The Marrow Thieves. Our staff love this author and have been recommending this title to youth and adults alike!

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Heartbreaking and beautiful! Returning to this world made me excited and even apprehensive. It is so easy to be immersed in the world that Cherie has created, and it leaves you gasping for air and clutching your heart.

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I absolutely loved this book! I found it hard to put down. I highly recommend reading it! You won’t be disappointed.

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Oh, hell. I don't even know where to start. This is a slow burn, a bit like it's predecessor, The Marrow Thieves, but once it starts, it really starts. And kickstarts your heart and stops it all at the same time. Bring your Kleenex, add this to your Grade 11 Indigenous voices list - this is decidedly Grade 9 and up. There is so much here. So very many stories. So much to sit with. Read it. Reserve it. Pre-order it. You need to read this one. And walk with it. Thanks to @netgalley for the #ARC, and to @pernillesripp for reminding me of that option. @cherie.dimaline you are such a gift. #Bookstagram #AvivaAndFriendsRecos

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I had to be in the right frame of mind for this book, ready for the heaviness of its too close to reality story of injustice and violence. But once I was in the right mindset, I devoured it. It was lovely to spend some more time with Frenchie and the others. Heartbreaking and exhilarating all at once, this is a story that will keep you both entertained and will make you weep.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review.

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This follow up to The Marrow Thieves was just as heartbreaking, and at the same time, just as hopeful. Cherie's writing is beautiful and poetic and draws you in. The parallels to the real world is eerie. This book, like the first, serves as a reminder of what has been done to Indigenous people with very real residential schools. This book will leave its mark on you and stay with you. long after you've finished it. I am way behind on leaving my review but I had this book preordered long before it came out.

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I really enjoyed this book. While I enjoyed her first book the Marrow Thieves, I didn't connect to the characters in the same way as I did with this book. Maybe I was grappling more initially with the setting and the many parallels to our Residential school history, but the Marrow Thieves didn't grab me like Hunting by the Stars did. As soon as I started her second book, I couldn't put it down. I settled right back into the story and while it was maybe even more disturbing, I cared more for Frenchie and his group of survivors. The suspense and action kept me wondering about what could possibly come next. I really hope Cherie is not done with these characters because I know I am not!

Thank you to netgalley for the free ARC and the opportunity to preview this book prior to publishing.

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Hunting By Stars is the sequel to the Marrow Thieves, two books set in a world where the is a big plague: people have stopped dreaming, and ultimately face their deaths because of it. As a result, Indigenous folks ("dreamers" - the only people who still dream) are placed in camps and robbed of their bone marrow until they, too, are dead.

Where the first book was about French finding a family and reconnecting with community and home, the second books takes the reader into different directions. French wakes up in one of the "schools" where he waits to face his doom, only to be indoctrinated into that system. In the meantime, his family is pulled apart as they try to get to him while also running from the people that threaten to end their lives and families.

Hunting By Stars was excellent. It wasn't what I expected at all, but I was really thrilled with the way that Dimaline's storytelling evolved from the first novel - the different perspectives in the story allowed for so many adventures to be explored, while still embracing the idea of community, culture, and love that drove the first novel and made me fall in love with the characters. I could not put this book down! It made me laugh, cry, smile, and sit at the edge of my seat. I loved it.

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I received a gifted copy of Hunting by Stars by Cherie Dimaline from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.

The Marrow Thieves had captivated and haunted me ever since I read it last summer. The story of survival, dreams, family, found family, and belonging is one that lingers in your mind - especially as it deals with really real issues in a futuristic way that feels too real and possible. And while I was strangely content with the way the book ended - hopeless and yet hopeful at the same time - I was okay with the open-ended ending. So it came as a pleasant surprise when I found out that a sequel would be out - Hunting by Stars. It picks up right after the events of The Marrow Thieves and it is just as intense as the first novel. I was holding my breath throughout the book as events unfolded. And I was once again captivated by the storytelling style that Cherie Dimaline weaves in her books. This story of betrayal, of redemption, of facing the worst of humanity - is a look into the ways we all find ways to survive and justify the means. Just like with Marrow Thieves, Hunting by Stars is a story that I will carry with me.

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Dimaline stuns with the depth of feeling she is able to conjure with her words as she leads us back to Frenchie and his family, his community. When your very marrow is the most precious resource in a shattered world, where and how far can you run to remain free?

Hunting By Stars expands the portraiture of found family established in The Marrow Thieves, focusing a wider lens into community, memory, resistance, family, and love; giving the reader insight into the misguided and warped thinking of the Institute, its mandates and changing goal.

Dimaline draws upon Indigenous history and experiences with residential schools, how that horrific past can still be excavated and used to detail a trauma that has not been healed and that Indigenous peoples still encounter and live with today. The phrase 'kill the Indian in the child' occurs more than once and impresses upon the reader that manipulation and indoctrination is also a part of what was done then and that has bearing on the treatment of Indigenous bodies today.

But what stays with me after reading this novel and having experienced this series is the power of choosing family. Of living one's truth and keeping tradition, story, community, and identity foremost as we move ever forward.

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I was so excited to read Cherie Dimaline's new book - Hunting by Stars. It continues the story that began in her 2017 multi award winning novel, The Marrow Thieves.

In the not so distant future, a plague and natural disasters have decimated the world - and erased the ability to dream. Without dreams people go mad. Until...the government discovers that Indigenous people are still dreaming. And now they are being hunted for their bone marrow, as the government believes that's where the dreams are stored.

Seventeen year old French and his family have been on the run for years, hiding in the forests, determined to build their community, keep their language - and stay out of the hands of the Recruiters. But a single slip finds French in a cement walled unlit room - and he knows where he is...

There is a large cast of characters, with some being lost and some being found along the way. I've become quite invested in everyone's story over the two books. We come to know the stories of many characters through their own words. I love the sense of community, the continuity, the loves, the losses, the hopes and yes, dreams. And what family is.

Dimaline's world building is believable, well described and easily imagined as I read.

I started Hunting by Stars on September 30th, which seemed very fitting as the day was the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There are many levels to Hunting by Stars. It's a fabulous, suspense filled page turner that you won't be able to put down. But it's also a narrative on the horrific treatment of Indigenous people - fact, not fiction. Residential schools, horrific living conditions with no clean water, missing women on the Highway of Tears, racism and so much, much more.

Gut wrenchingly good - absolutely a five star read! Dimaline is a consummate storyteller. You'll want to read The Marrow Thieves first. I don't think this story is done - I'll be watching for the third book!

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A fantastic follow up to the marrow thrives. I loved diving back into this world and seeing the family I fell in love with again. It was full
Of adventure, deliberately inclusive, heartbreaking, and hopeful

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Where do I even start? This book has got to be one of my favourite sequels of all time. Diving back into the world of The Marrow Thieves, it provides backstory for more of the characters and had I not been reading this in public, I probably would’ve cried.

The relationships between all the characters are so well developed. The struggles of trying to keep a family together was perfectly written, and I think some part of me was secretly rooting for Mitch to realize that Frenchie is still his brother.

Cherie Dimaline’s writing will never fail to impress me, and her characters seem to leap off the page and I felt like I was enduring everything with the characters. As a non-Indigenous person, some of the things that these characters go through is quite horrific, but Dimaline handled it in such a way that I think we can all learn that these are sometimes normal for those living in Indigenous communities.

The representation in this novel is wonderful, not only with the relationships, but also with the non-bianary representation.

Here’s the blurb: Years ago, when plagues and natural disasters killed millions of people, much of the world stopped dreaming. Without dreams, people are haunted, sick, mad, unable to rebuild. The government soon finds that the Indigenous people of North America have retained their dreams, an ability rumored to be housed in the very marrow of their bones. Soon, residential schools pop up—or are re-opened—across the land to bring in the dreamers and harvest their dreams.

Seventeen-year-old French lost his family to these schools and has spent the years since heading north with his new found family: a group of other dreamers, who, like him, are trying to build and thrive as a community. But then French wakes up in a pitch-black room, locked in and alone for the first time in years, and he knows immediately where he is—and what it will take to escape.

Meanwhile, out in the world, his found family searches for him and dodges new dangers—school Recruiters, a blood cult, even the land itself. When their paths finally collide, French must decide how far he is willing to go—and how many loved ones is he willing to betray—in order to survive.

Overall this book deserves so much more than 5 stars and I cannot wait to hold a physical copy in my hands. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I read The Marrow Thieves with my Indigenous student book club and when I heard about this sequel, I was thrilled! The first book made me feel so many things and I was so happy that we got to know more about French and his little found family! Much like the first instalment, I was on the edge of my seat for nearly the entire book! Every single character holds such a dear place in my heart and this book just solidified my love for the family.

The new characters were all super interesting (and many of them completely evil!!) and it was really great getting to learn more about the schools and the evil people running them. So many shocking revelations had me reeling! Honestly, I need more!! I need to know what happens to everyone and how their journey continues, I’m not ready to say goodbye to this world!

I loved the non-binary representation and how they were naturally introduced with no judgment or harmful narrative added. They simply were and I loved that!

As an Indigenous person, I was all at one appalled by the racism and dehumanization the family endures, but at the same time, it wasn’t surprising at all. The fact that the events of this book could happen tomorrow is frightening, but the love the Indigenous characters have for each other, language, stories, and land is super inspiring. It makes me hopeful that no matter what, Indigenous peoples will always come together and remain forever resilient in the face of evils like white supremacy and capitalism.

The thing I love about this series is how much feeling there is- the emotional responses readers have about the events and the characters is deeply profound and meaningful. Overall, I will always highly recommend this book (and the first book too, of course) because it has so many lessons and important takeaways for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers!

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The much anticipated sequel to The Marrow Thieves does not disappoint. I fell in love with the characters all over again. I was riveted as the story unfolded and was not bothered at all by the shifting narratives. The story takes some unexpected turns, some very tough choices have to be made and loves continue to be altered. I find myself at times alternately sobbing and cheering. A fantastic read and one that will stay with me for a long time.

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I see what you did there Cherie Dimaline and hope others will too!

Hunting by Stars was a brilliant conclusion (never say never?) to the Marrow Thieves. Opening with French in a dark room in one of the newly revived residential schools, the reader is introduced to the horrors almost immediately. The schools have rebranded as institutes but are still trying to remove the history and stories of indigenous peoples via their dreams. The non indigenous people have come to learn how much indigenous peoples have to offer in terms of surviving in the post plague and dying world. Judging by comments made in The Marrow Thieves I believe this book takes place in approximately 2050.

Dimaline is so adept in her ability to bring to light important topics of colonialism and racism without spelling it out for the reader. The result is reflection and hopefully a plan to be an ally.

I loved the world-building and often felt like I was right there in the scene with the character. The descriptions of how things feel, be it negative or positive were graspable to my own senses.

While there is an F bomb thrown in there now and then, it is written with ages 12 and up in mind. I hope middle and high schools carry this book and that it is shared widely. For adults, there is nothing in this novel that seems immature and works perfectly for an adult audience.

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomca / @penguinteenca for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. This ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read comes out October 19, 2021.

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So much more than a YA fantasy book! This was a compelling, continuation of the Marrow thieves story featuring the rag-tag cast of Indigenous characters I fell in love with the first time as they continue to evade capture by authorities looking to use their blood to cure people afflicted with a pandemic like disease. So much of this dystopian story rings eerily true, from the legacy of residential schools, the history of racial discrimination and ill treatment of Indigenous peoples and of course life during a pandemic. I couldn't put this sequel down and look forward to more should we be so lucky. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy!

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This sequel that was never supposed to be written was the one we all didn’t know we needed.

This story showed the lengths we go to for our family, but also proves ‘family’ doesn’t always mean blood relation.

I was so invested in this story, and I know a lot of kids would be too. It’s a perfect series for high school students to be taught. The ending was absolutely beautiful and left me with a heavy heart.

I’d love more in this series for the simple reason that it has been left open for more and I’m selfish and want more.

Thank you for this sequel and for this story.

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I was very excited to learn that Cherie Dimaline had written a sequel to the Marrow Thieves, and Hunting by Stars did not disappoint. Everything about it grabbed me and kept me reading - and the experience of reading it during a global pandemic, while the bodies of Indigenous children are being recovered from residential schools, was particularly thought-provoking and emotional. I will definitely be recommending it to a wide variety of readers.
Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic copy in advance of the release date.

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Fantastic followup to the incredible Marrow Thieves. Having read the first book prior to the pandemic and this one in the middle of a global pandemic, I found it much more believable and sinister. The actions of a few crazed, privileged and wealthy white people were incredibly disturbing.
I loved the presence of Minerva throughout - she was a great loss to our heroes and their grief and determination to continue the language keeping was critical. The "new" residential schools echoed the complexity of the past, with inmates coping by any means available. Interesting way to introduce multigenerational trauma to YA audiences by way of a thrilling fictional adventure.
I want more - by Cherie Dimaline and others who write like she does!
So grateful for the early access, thank you.

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