Wow!

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This was a long first impression, and all I could think of was that I want more. The cover is also stunning.

The very beginning sucked me in and had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was happening, and what happened next, even though I didn't know any of the characters yet.

Once I got to know the characters a bit, I was even more interested. Daunis straddles two worlds - she is knowledgeable and immersed in her Ojibwe culture even though she is white-passing. She's a great student with college in her future, she's a successful athlete, with a thriving social life, and strong family and community ties, she's also dealing with grief, loss, and an awareness of the things that go wrong in her community.

I love the quality of writing - it made the story feel so real that I could picture myself right there with Daunis, watching these events occur as if I was right over her shoulder. It also shares Ojibwe culture and traditions in an accessible way, exploring the meaning behind each ritual or practice, and the importance of everything that Daunis and others from her family or social group do. I loved the way the costumes and traditions associated with the powwow were explained, how far these costumes and traditions stretch back, and why they are so meaningful.

I've had my eye on this book for some time, and absolutely cannot wait to get a chance to read the full copy of this. I want to find out what happens to Daunis and the rest of the people in her story.