I've never been more excited to receive an arc. I absolutely loved Firekeeper's Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed so I happy to read more about these characters.

This happens between the two books following Lucy, a woman who recently aged out of the foster system and is now on the run, until a terrible accident finds having to face her past as well as her Indigeneity, which she knew nothing about until later in her life.

This was a powerful story about love, loss and reconnection. As well as the damages of the foster care system when ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) and Indigenous kids are not respected. It also did a really good job filling in some gaps in relation to Jamie and Daunis.

This comes out September 2nd, and I highly recommend picking it up especially if you area fan of the two other books in the series.

This book was STUNNING. Told in several timelines (“present”, near past, and far past) we learn about Lucy: child of a single father who passed away, she grew up bouncing around foster homes and eventually running away. She’s always on the move, outrunning mistakes and people from her past.

Boulley always amazes me with the depth of feeling, the social commentary (specifically within the Native community and the wider American community’s treatment of Native Americans), and the struggle of teenagers and young adults who either don’t have enough support or are caught in difficult positions, ie: substance abuse, gangs, etc. She really isn’t afraid to dig in and approach difficult topics with her fictional but real-feeling characters.

This book has nods to Firekeeper’s Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed, but can standalone. It will, however, hit different when you have read the others.

Three cheers and one thousand stars for this book and Angeline Boulley.

“The ultimate survival game is for girls to survive into adulthood. For the prey to avoid the predators.”

Angeline Boulley knows just how to rip my heart out, and I’ll thank her for it everytime.

What I liked (besides everything?):

First of all, the mystery had me not wanting to put this book down. I was invested in both the flashbacks and the current timeline. Could not get enough of Lucy’s story.

The portrayal of the foster care system, especially with indigenous children (and how it so often fails children) was so real and raw.

The importance of being seen and finding your community is so prevalent in this book. It gives us a bit of hope throughout the story.

Boulley’s characters are always so real and layered. With parts of themselves hidden away behind walls, different traumas and ways of seeing the world.

The audio narration is absolutely fantastic.

What didn’t work for me:

Nothing at all

It's hard for me to rate this because while there is a lot of normal plot points in here that I don't enjoy reading about, the overall story is not only incredibly important but told in a way that really makes you feel the undertones of rage that Lucy is bottling up and doing everything she can to protect herself in the absolutely mind-boggling situations she finds herself in due to the god-awful foster care system, racism, and just evil people that have surrounded her in growing up. I am annoyed at some of the, I don't want to call them tropes because I feel that has a connotation to it that this book did not have but I lack a better word for it, so a couple tropes especially near the end of the book that I don't feel were necessary because there was already so much impact on everything that had happened and was happening in the climax that it just felt like add more fuel to an already blazing fire.

Still, I can highly recommend this book and don't skip out on the author's note either.

After reading the first two books in this series, I had no idea I needed a third but I did it. This answered so many lingering questions and explained what happened during that time jump between the first two books. Once again I was left in a puddle of tears at the end. The history, imagery, the love of culture and found family. It made for a perfect way to round out the trilogy.
It was a bit adult for the middle schoolers I teach, but I highly recommend it for older students.

Content warning: bombing, sexual assault, physical abuse, unethical adoptions, children taken away from their mothers, racism. gun violence, murder

Let's just get this out of the way first, Angeline Boulley, M'AM, I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive you for the events that happen in that final chapter. Respectfully, NOPE. That did not need to happen and I am unwell. Why you gotta do that to your fans?!

SISTERS IN THE WIND has a totally different feel to it from FIREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER (still my favorite one out of this series), and WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED while still tackling another aspect of the Indigenous experience in this country. This one is for all the kids who end up in the system being raised in foster care. While this can be read as a standalone, readers will miss a lot of the backstory to Lucy's Indigenous family and of the two strangers that come to help her.

Isabella Star LaBlanc does a great job with the audiobook narration.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners in exchange for an honest review.

I was caught by this story pretty early on. The narration is well done, and clear. I appreciate the authors skill in adding in every-day details, but keeping the story flowing. It makes the plot feel realistic, but not awkward. When viewed from an overall perspective, several coincidences in the plot feel pretty unbelievable, but while immersed in the story, I didn't feel like they where. This series does a wonderful job of capturing the intended purpose and actual results of a few laws relating to native peoples. I really love how they are clearly explained within the narrative, and the impacts on real people are obvious in the story. This is an excellent way to get young readers to see the importance of legislation in their lives. That sounds boring, but in a book like this it's really not.

I am not ok after the end of this book. I so enjoyed Lucy’s story. This character goes through so much in her short life, but she is so incredibly brave and strong!

Daunis and Jamie from “Firekeepers Daughter” return and are amazing supports to Lucy. They help her understand her Native culture that she is unaware of.

There’s so much mystery throughout out the story, I could not put it down! I highly recommend, especially if you were a fan of “Firekeepers Daughter!”

Then you to Angeline Boulley, MacMillan, and NetGalley for the

Wow. Boulley is a master. This may be her best book yet. I could not put it down. Every character is compelling, even the ones you hate. The narrator is wonderful and tells the story perfectly. I could not stop listening.

Wow wow! If you want to know what happened between Firekeeper’s Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed, you’ll want to get right on this. Bonkers revelations.

Lucy Smith is on the run from her past. She’s been in foster care, and now she’s on her own, but just when she thinks it’s time to take off again, a bomb goes off in her workplace and puts her in the hospital. There she meets Daunis, and meets again Jamie, who promise to help her recover and figure out her future.

This has less Native culture than Boulley’s other books, because Lucy’s heritage is unknown to her, and it’s more of a traditional thriller. Brilliant writing, excellent audio production.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Unwell City: Population Me.

Sisters in the Wind had me captivated from the start. I think this is my favorite book by Boulley to date. The nonlinear timeline worked so well when it came to Lucy’s story. Lucy had been through so much and I was truly rooting for her the whole time. I loved that characters from her past books were included in this one, too. This book covers a lot of really heavy topics and was a bit difficult to binge read at times, so I am really glad I took it slow. The plot of this one was really well done and the pacing was nearly perfect. I don’t want to give too much away because it was truly a wild ride. Isabella Star LaBlanc did a phenomenal job with the narration. I AM NOT WELL.

Thank you so much to Macmillan for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my third book by Angeline Boulley and it did not disappoint. It was fast paced, but well paced. It slipped easily between 2 time periods. Boulley writes about a part of the country, Michigan , that I am not familiar with. She expertly weaves historical facts into her story lines. Sisters in the Wind is heartbreaking but at the same time full of hope. I wanted to bring Lucy home with me. I love also how she incorporated books into Lucy's life as a comfort and a sense of home and family. I highly recommend this book. Make sure you have tissues.
I listened to 95% of this book and loved the narrator. I couldn't wait to finish it so I read the last 5% on my Kindle.
I will be purchasing it for our high school library.

I have read Warrior Girl, Unearthed by Angeline Boulley and absolutely loved it. This book was no exception! Sisters in the Wind tells a story about Lucy who is in foster care after her father dies. She didn't know her mother, who is Native American, while her father is not. Boulley takes us back and forth between her time in foster care and the time after. Someone is out to get her, but meanwhile people who are friends of her family on her mother's side take her under their wing while an explosion at Lucy's job is being investigated. This story brings to light an issue I did not realize existed which is the taking of Native American children and placing them with non-Native families. The reason is resources and greed, not the children themselves. Learning about Lucy's time in various foster homes builds in injustice, but also shows us coming of age and some of her happier moments. I love learning from Boulley about Native American traditions, and also the history of the people. Such an amazing thriller and emotional tale.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Angeline Boulley can do no wrong but this was by far, my favorite book from her, so far. I enjoyed the different timelines and found myself totally invested in the story. I also love how I am able to learn more about Native American culture through Boulley's books, without the information feeling dry. As a Michigander, I enjoyed all of the Michigan references too! 5 out of 5 stars!

I cannot fathom why the publisher is not marketing this as the sequel to Firekeeper's Daughter. Daunis and Jamie are main characters, and the story from that book is very relevant to the plot here. You'd be at a disservice to read this as a standalone.
Now if you've read Boulley before, you know that she writes dark, yet realistic fiction. This is filled with triggers: abusive foster care, child SA, orchestrated impregnation of minors and illegal sale of the offspring, murder, dangerous situations for babies...the pipe bomb from the beginning is possibly the least violent part of the book. This is a hard read.
I never shipped Jamie and Daunis (they were too toxic for me to do that), but Boulley did Jamie dirty here.
I think if you enjoyed Firekeeper's Daughter, you will also love this one. Tribal child removal and placement is a real current issue that deserves more attention, and I applaud Boulley in her continued efforts to support and uplift her community.
I would recommend this book for no younger than high school juniors as the themes are extremely mature as mentioned above.
I both read the ebook and audiobook. The narrator of the audiobook had a lot of characters to work with, and she did an excellent job of being clear and distinct.
Thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt and Co, and Macmillan Young Listeners for this advanced copy to review!
4.5 rounded up

I was so engrossed and so moved by this book. But still an amazing read. With such an engaging plot and powerful message, it's a book I want people to read and learn from. The characters were so likeable, and I loved how everything was slowly exposed, which kept me hooked through the whole thing.

Absolutely phenomenal! Boulley knocks it out of the park again. Everything she writes is literary gold. Make sure you read “Firekeepers Daughter” prior to this book so it makes the most sense to you. I love how she’s connected all her books and this was the closure I needed from the first book that I hadn’t gotten. Love her writing and incorporation of important topics like ICWA while still making the writing entertaining and enjoyable to read. Thank you Netgalley and McMillan Audio for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy of this book - it was great!!

✨ Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
🎧 Audiobook Narrator: Isabella Star LaBlanc
I received this audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, and wow—Isabella Star LaBlanc delivers a deeply moving, unforgettable performance that breathes life into Lucy’s voice.

This story connects to Boulley’s previous novels (Firekeeper’s Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed), with surprise cameo appearances that longtime fans will love.

📚 Trigger Warnings: sexual harassment, religious trauma, misogyny, death, generational trauma, stalking, foster care, missing people, kidnapping, pregnancy & childbirth, drug use & overdose, alcohol, human trafficking, and loss of parents.
I list these because this book is meant to make you uncomfortable—it tackles heavy, urgent topics head-on.

At its heart, Sisters in the Wind is about the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the foster care system. Lucy, an Ojibwe foster teen, must reclaim her identity and fight for her future. Boulley wrote this novel in response to renewed threats against ICWA—a fight that is still ongoing today.

💡 Why ICWA Matters: Before ICWA was enacted, 25–35% of Native children were removed from their homes—most placed in non-Native families, severing cultural and community ties. ICWA was created to protect Native children and keep them connected to their heritage.

📖 Learn More & Take Action:

NICWA (National Indian Child Welfare Association): nicwa.org
Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA): indian-affairs.org
ICWA Training Portal: imprintnews.org
Supreme Court Ruling – Haaland v. Brackeen (2023)
⭐ Rating: 5 stars
Boulley blends gripping storytelling with real-world urgency—reminding us that fiction can be a powerful force for awareness and change.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for the AlC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. This is my absolute favourite Angeline Boulley book. I was blown away by the narrators and the storyline. I thought it gave a small glimpse at how it is to be Indigenous and the horrible conditions they were forced to endure. I think nothing was a well written and important book. This book will stay with me for a long time. I will need to grab a trophy for my shelf.

SUGGEST PICKING IT UP

5/5☆

Audio Narration: 4/5 I loved the voice, inflection, and pacing of the narrator but the pauses at the end of each sentence were excessively long. Even at 2x speed the pauses felt excessively long, which made the sentence structure and prose feel overly punctuated, which for me, makes it sound dry.

I am an emotional wreck, can’t breathe through all these tears and snot. My chest hurts and I’m gutted.

The book was really freaking good. You should read it if you like a little mystery and feeeling all the feelings. And I do mean ALL the feelings. Sad, happy, angry, stressed af, heartbroken, & hopeful.

This was a very compelling mystery that had me binging the book in less 24 hours. Plenty of shocking reveals and twists!

I also really enjoyed how much care went into including Ojibwe traditions as our FMC learned more about her heritage. Not to mention the information about the Indian Child Welfare Act. I leave this book with more knowledge than I started, and in my humble opinion, one of the best ways to leave a book.

I am fairly familiar with the foster care system and how poorly it functions in general but especially when it comes to indigenous children. This book is a gut wrenching, raw, and unfortunately accurate portrayal on a system that fails far too often.

I am not built for traumatic or overly sad stories - so this will need to be my one allotment for a while, but for those readers who enjoy reading real, raw stories, and whose mental health can handle a little gut wrenching, this is an absolute must read!

All that said, despite the emotional rollercoaster this book puts you through the book ends on a hopeful and joyful note!