I purchased the ebook, but I highly recommend the audiobook! The narrator is excellent. She does a wonderful job bringing Daunis and the rest of the characters to life. I've read several reviews that indicated that this book was paced too slowly or too long. I didn't feel that way at all with the audiobook. I found it hard to put down, it is just over 14 hours and I got through it in about 3 days. If you do pick this up and find that the pacing is a bit slow for you or you have trouble with the language on the page, there is quite a bit of Anishinaabemowin spoken in the book, I'd give the audio a try before giving up on it.
This is marketed as a YA thriller, but I never got that heart racing suspense vibe. There is a criminal investigation happening, but it lacked the suspenseful feeling I want from thrillers and mysteries. It does have a crime procedural feel as the investigation goes through its paces and uncovers who is at the heart of the murders and drug ring in the community. That being said, the story was still wonderful and I'm so glad I read it. This book discusses several different issues that Native Americans struggle with and it isn't the first book I've read this year that talks about these issues. The author discusses racism, acceptance, drug use, corruption especially in the justice system, and the importance of cultural heritage.
There is a lot going on in this book, which will not work for some readers. There are several different plot lines going on all at once, and some of them do not end with a happy ending and are not wrapped up neatly with a shiny bow. I think this is done purposefully to shed light on real problems in the indigenous community that most readers know nothing about. I think the author did a great job bringing awareness of Ojibwe customs and beliefs to the reader through Daunis. Despite being biracial and not always accepted by her community, she is very deeply connected to the Firekeeper side of her family and their customs. She loves her family and wants to protect her community and preserve the things that are important.
Overall, I loved this! It is one of the best books I've read this year so far.
This is marketed as a YA thriller, but I never got that heart racing suspense vibe. There is a criminal investigation happening, but it lacked the suspenseful feeling I want from thrillers and mysteries. It does have a crime procedural feel as the investigation goes through its paces and uncovers who is at the heart of the murders and drug ring in the community. That being said, the story was still wonderful and I'm so glad I read it. This book discusses several different issues that Native Americans struggle with and it isn't the first book I've read this year that talks about these issues. The author discusses racism, acceptance, drug use, corruption especially in the justice system, and the importance of cultural heritage.
There is a lot going on in this book, which will not work for some readers. There are several different plot lines going on all at once, and some of them do not end with a happy ending and are not wrapped up neatly with a shiny bow. I think this is done purposefully to shed light on real problems in the indigenous community that most readers know nothing about. I think the author did a great job bringing awareness of Ojibwe customs and beliefs to the reader through Daunis. Despite being biracial and not always accepted by her community, she is very deeply connected to the Firekeeper side of her family and their customs. She loves her family and wants to protect her community and preserve the things that are important.
Overall, I loved this! It is one of the best books I've read this year so far.