There are books that just do not appeal to some readers from the very story. Big Chief was that book for me. I read 3 chapters and could not connect to the story. I hate to review or give stars to a book I did not read.

I had the HARDEST time getting into this book. I’ve been working through this over a few weeks. I went from physical book, to ebook, to finally audio to just finish it. I don’t know if it was just my mood, but this novel felt so slow. The writing was well done, the plot just took forever to get going. Then it felt like at the end it rushed so much it was hard to keep up. Definitely had some pacing issues. The story was interesting once it finally got going.

Big Chief was a super interesting read. I loved the character study and the writing felt propulsive. I'd read more from the author.

I hoped this book would be in the vein of Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden or a Louise Erdich book, but it is incredibly slow paced and not terribly interesting. Maybe I will revisit it at another time to get more out of it, but at this time, I can't recommend it. I hope it finds it's right audience.

This one didn’t quite land for me—at least not yet. Despite being set in a place I know well, I struggled to get into the story and connect with the characters. The political intrigue and cultural tension are compelling on paper, but the pacing felt slow and the narrative didn’t pull me in. That said, I suspect it might be a slow burn worth revisiting in a different reading mood. There’s depth here; I just wasn’t in the right headspace to fully appreciate it.

Overall enjoyed this book that to me is about power and the limits of representational politics. It was an interesting take that “pretendianism” came from within the community as well and whether power is using tools by the colonizer or for community. There were some moments in the middle that kind of dragged for me, but otherwise it was an insightful read!

I enjoyed this novel of politics on a Wisconsin reservation. The strength in this story is the decision to use this specific setting which allows for a personal story that hints at the limits of sovereignty as well as corruption throughout political systems. The novel takes place over a few days which serves the stories pacing well. An enjoyable novel with depth.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this advance copy!

Big Chief follows the weekend leading up to a tribal election on a reservation in northern Wisconsin. Just as Mitch thinks the election might be wrapped up for his friend and boss, someone else starts to make noise, led on by his former love Layla. Navigating tribal politics, death, riots, and a freezing November weekend, Mitch tries to make sense of his life and what it's all for anyway.

I enjoyed this book. Tribal nation politics are so different yet so similar to non-tribal politics and Hickey does a great job of bringing in identity, tribal economics, and today's themes of police brutality, corruption, and fascism into a book that feels timely while also perpetual. The characters were relatable and the suspense of the story kept me turning pages.

The political machinations at the heart of this novel mirror those on the national stage—power grabs, backroom deals, moral compromises—but what makes this book truly compelling is the unique lens through which it tells that story—the perspective of the Passage Rouge Nation of Lake Superior Anishinaabe in Wisconsin. Set within a sovereign Native nation navigating modern politics and cultural survival, this is both a gripping political thriller and a nuanced exploration of identity, legacy, and justice.

At its center is Mitch Caddo, an Anishinaabe descendant, lawyer, and behind-the-scenes political fixer who helps manage the Passage Rouge’s casino operations—both legal and illicit. Mitch is a man torn between two worlds: his deep roots in tribal life and the seductive, often morally murky world of influence and power. As the stakes rise and tribal politics become entangled with external threats, corporate interests, and internal corruption, Mitch finds himself increasingly at odds with the man he thought he was.

When his mentor—a guiding figure in both his legal and cultural education—meets a tragic fate, Mitch is forced to confront the cost of his compromises.

More than just a political drama, this novel paints a rich, layered portrait of a modern Native nation grappling with sovereignty, economic pressure, and the inheritance of trauma. It’s absorbing, deeply human, and thought-provoking—offering a perspective rarely seen in fiction with such authenticity and complexity.

I am currently still reading this one. This is one I forgot I had downloaded and then recognized the cover of the boo at the store. I am about 30% in and really enjoying this book. And most likely will finish this week and review posted later to Instagram, but wanted some type of feedback here before this archive date

Readers hoping to avoid political mudslinging would be wise to take a break and read this astonishing debut.

The Passage Rouge Nation of Lake Superior Anishinaabe in Wisconsin is a microcosm of small-town politics with the added complications of being a sovereign nation. “What happens when the rez dog finally catches up with the car” is a question our main character, Mitch, asks himself a few times – with varying answers throughout Jon Hickey’s Big Chief. There are riots, family drama, a little romance and lots of politics. Mitch Caddo is a political fixer for his friend, Mack Beck. The title works on a couple levels, but when we meet Mack, he’s getting out of a massive bulletproof tricked-out pickup truck with the aforementioned name. The title also alludes to questions of identity. Mitch has lived away from the reservation for some time while getting his law degree–and he wants to support the nation, but struggles with figuring out his place in this society. Complicating things is Layla Beck – Mitch’s childhood friend and former love interest. Layla works for Gloria Hawkins, who’s running against Mack in the upcoming election for Tribal President. Layla and Mack were raised by a well-meaning white family, so yes, things get sticky to say the least.

While Mitch has inured himself to a lot of past trauma, the ghosts of both his mother and adoptive father, Joe, are never far away. In the following passage, Mitch is being gently lectured by a well-meaning elder and is reminded of his mother:
“The voice of self-reproach sounds an awful lot like her voice. Sometimes it feels like I can’t miss her, because her spirit, lost in the woods, follows me everywhere I go, giving me that kind of motherly love that tells me that I’m doing something wrong, that I’ve lost my way like she has, that I’m just as much of a ghost as she is. Or I might as well be.”

Hickey’s writing is promising – while he manages to pack a lot into the book, it is mostly done with a deft hand. My only quibble is overuse of the word “ursine” to describe the out-sized Mack and a few other vocabulary choices. However, any questionable stylistic choices are more than made up for by the unforgettable characters and propulsive plot of this promising new literary voice.
I received an advance review copy of Big Chief from the publisher through NetGalley.

As a political junkie I was drawn to this story of a tribal election, but there is so much more. What makes someone family? What is the correct response to corruption?

The physical manifestation of one’s consciousness. I spent a lot of time contemplating how does one know what the right thing to do is- especially in cases when you have been wronged in the past and to act in your favor now could balance the scales- but only for you.

I’ve recently seen men complaining that the popular books aren’t written for them but obviously historically almost all literature was written with men in mind and if more men read, male centered books about “manly” topics would be the popular books. All that to say, this book is definitely male centered. It’s described as contemporary and that’s true but it’s a political thriller in my mind. I like to see books about Indigenous people that are allowed to be flawed.

An intriguing novel about the inner workings of an indigenous tribe set on a reservation in Wisconsin. Faced with a contentious fight to stay tribal chief, Mack Beck, resorts to immoral and corruptive shenanigans to keep his seat. With the reluctant help of his friend and assistant, Mitch Caddo, they embark on a dangerous, twisted path.

Mitch finds himself in the throes of an internal crisis as he examines his life and where he actually belongs. This a story of power, corruption and the results of nefarious machinations that will have everlasting consequences.

Recommended!

I really liked the characters and the story. My main disappoint was the rushed ending. I felt that the main characters deserved more at the end.

Jon Hickey has an engaging voice and a clear, compelling storytelling style. I found myself drawn in, intrigued by the politics and power relationships. Timely, and a much needed read! Thanks for the arc.

You’re Disenrolled

The Passage Rouge Indian reservation in Wisconsin is holding an election in a few days. The narrator, Mitch Caddo, is the campaign manager for Tribal President Mack Beck and also the brains behind his administration. Mack is facing a strong challenge from Gloria Hawkins, a well-known "Indian county celebrity." As the election nears, Mack resorts to some unscrupulous tactics, putting Mitch in a moral dilemma.

Mack and Mitch have been tight since childhood and they each have strengths that complement the other. Mitch describes Mack as ceremonial and focused on appearances, “He is the look,” while Mitch sees himself as the one with substance. Mack is seen as a true fixture on the reservation, whereas Mitch left to earn a law degree from Cornell. Mack is seen as authentic, while Mitch has been called a "J. Crew Indian," implying that he is a preppy and assimilated version of a Native American, one poised to drift away in time.

Early on we see that Mitch is no saint, either. Guilt and a sense of fair play do not prevent him from using bogus Facebook accounts to anonymously question Gloria’s bloodlines and tribal enrollment status. Just planting these seeds of doubt regarding her identity could sway a few dozen votes.

The Tribal Council has the power to banish, to “disenroll” individuals from the reservation, such as criminals and drug dealers. On the eve of the election, Mack leverages his influence over the council to banish Gloria's primary financier, Joe Beck. He sees this action eliminating Gloria's influence from the reservation.

The novel's story takes place in a tight-knit community with approximately 5,000 people. The close relationships between characters, such as Joe Beck who mentored Mitch and adopted Mack and Layla, add complexity and intensity to the plot. The suspense is further heightened by the romantic history between Layla and Mitch, which remains unresolved. Despite the intricate web of relationships, they are clearly defined and contribute to the overall tension of the narrative.

So, there is romance, political corruption, riots, and a plot-changing tragic death all within a tight six-day window, with the election providing a deadline to the plot. Even with flashbacks, things move at a brisk pace. Most of the characters are pretty well-defined. Mack, in particular, is striking in his audacity. He just believes he can rise above the consequences his actions are going to result in… or that Mitch will find a way to bail him out.

Mitch is the flaw here. He knows Mack is incompetent, he still backs him. He backs an unethical administration, one that even renders him disposable at one point. He knows he is not the man Joe hoped he would be and not the man Layla believed him to be. He is not even sure how “Indian” he is or should be. While Mitch cannot find his identity, the surrounding characters overshadow our narrator.

While the election circus frames “Big Chief,” the text explores the concept of identity. Can the candidate Gloria lay claim to reservation membership? Is Mitch a res Indian or that J. Crew Indian? The idea is challenged that blood quantum or council decisions can determine belonging and inclusion. We are looking at a community tearing itself apart.

“Big Chief” is a fascinating look at an aspect of reservation life I had never considered. This is a fictitious reservation and set of circumstances– and the less said about any reckless and ruthless politicians…

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Prolonged exposure to this level of corruption can leave you with a hatred, a deep disappointment with humanity in general, existential in nature. from Big Chief by Jon Hickey

Mitch was a good guy, Joe Beck told him. But did law school and a career as a political fixer for Joe’s adopted son and Tribal President Mack change him irrevocably?

Reservation politics was full of corruption. Political enemies were taken off the roles and banned from the reservation.

When Mitch started working for Mack, it drove a wedge between him and Joe. Now, information has arisen implicating Joe in mishandling funds. And, Layla is back in town campaigning for Mack’s opponent; Mitch and Layla were briefly an item and still have feelings for each other.

As election day looms closer and protests and violence escalates, Mitch is trapped between his job and his heart, and his very life is threatened.

The haunting story is specific in setting, but universal in understanding politics and human nature. It’s a page turner with depth, questioning a political system based on power and control at the expense of community and friendship.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

Big Chief is a wonderful debut! This is a fascinating exploration of the politics and intricacies of tribal life in the United States, a story that we desperately need more representation of in literature. The prose is lovely, though it is wandering at times, and this ARC probably needed another edit even before the advance copies became available, for the sake of clarity. I’m looking forward to more from this author.

"Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely." - Lord Acton


Big Chief is a twisty story about politics on "the Rez"... there is lots of corruption, overwhelming greed, and who has absolute control. As I read the story, the quote above echoed in my head.

The story focuses on a young lawyer, Mitch Caddo, and his struggles to feel like he "belongs" and the story is woven with his memories of growing up outside of the reservation and feeling a bit lost and not belonging anywhere. At the start of the story, it seems like he has picked the "wrong side" and he is happy to live with that... or is he.

The writing in this story was really so very good. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the digital copy of this book. It was published on April 8, 2025.