"This is a terrific novel. It is beautifully written with unforgettable characters whose nuances of personality are explored with great compassion and insight. The novel is filled with intriguing tensions and paradoxes: it is at once a dark novel -situated in the poverty and hopelessness of a Native American reservation in the shadows of the historical legacy of violence, injustice, and neglect -- and a novel of light, of hope; the characters are both ordinary and noble; and the plot itself is at once crazily implausible and yet somehow crazily plausible. This is a tragic story, certainly, but also one in which Robbins finds space for lightheartedness and comedy. It is also an important novel, giving voice to those whose voices have been ignored and whose history has been continually suppressed."

— Daniel Berthold, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Bard College 

The hardcover edition of Black Cloud Rises will be promoted through targeted outreach to librarians, educators, and Indigenous organizations during Native American Heritage Month and the Thanksgiving season. Additional visibility will come through author platform engagement, including The Douglas Robbins Show podcast, social media announcements, and email newsletter updates. Select regional library and community events will support continued promotion into early 2026.