The book’s sorrow isn’t just told—it’s felt. The writing is so immersive that the grief and desperation settle in your chest, making every moment heavy with emotion. Especially in the struggles Nadine and Ayita face both within themselves and in their relationships with others. The narrative effectively conveys the weight of their trauma, allowing the reader to experience it with them.

I also enjoyed the cultural aspects woven into the story. While I’m not very knowledgeable about Native American folklore, I appreciated what the book offered and the light it cast on the various aspects.

The book employs multiple POVs and shifts between timelines, which highlights how past events shape current conflicts. It intertwines generational traumas, showing how cause and effect ripple through time. Ultimately affecting the characters in powerful ways. However, some portions felt underdeveloped or unclear. There were moments where I wasn’t sure if I had missed something, and even after re-reading, I was still left with unanswered questions.

That said, I was surprised to learn this is the author’s debut novel. Despite my frustrations at times, the writing was strong, and I ultimately enjoyed the book. I’m definitely interested in seeing what he does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC!

3.5 stars. This novel left me wanting more. The story jumped around a lot, and I do not feel as though we got an entire picture of any aspect of the story.