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Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
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Firekeeper's Daughter (original 2021; edition 2021)

by Angeline Boulley

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
2,4791075,979 (4.3)97
This felt like it needed another round of edits; there's far too much unnecessary tedium and a distinct lack of narrative thrust. The setting is the book's strongest attribute but it's hard to carry a whole story on that. ( )
  fionaanne | Nov 11, 2021 |
Showing 1-25 of 105 (next | show all)
I’m an asshole for saying this but… Firekeeper’s Daughter is 21 Jump Street on a Res with the overt humor stripped away.

Regardless, this was an incredible story and the mystery was well-woven. Not too ridiculous or too shallow. I loved the ending. ( )
  ilkjen | Mar 3, 2024 |
I normally don’t read YA, but this book caught my eye. The story is outstanding, the characters are outstanding, and the writing is outstanding. Worth the read. ( )
  caanderson | Feb 19, 2024 |
3.5 stars. This was a great debut. The problem for me I think was that it was a bit too long and I lost interest in the middle. There were so many things I loved about it. I’m from Michigan so I recognized many of the places that were mentioned and the overall mood. I also loved how the author brought in her own background and shared with us the Native American culture. Daunis was a strong female character and I appreciated her struggles with her identity and who she was. I also enjoyed the banter she had with Lily, as well as the Elders. I just felt that the author had so many great ideas and tried to cram them into one book. I think a few story threads could have been removed and the book would have read better. I would love to see a prequel with Grace and Levi’s story and more about their parents and siblings. ( )
  slittleson | Feb 2, 2024 |
Wonderful, engaging, unpredictable (mostly), and uplifting (totally). I highly recommend this one. I especially recommend the audiobook format, where you can hear the cadence and tone of the indigenous characters. The narrator, Isabella Star LaBlanc, does a masterful job. ( )
  Treebeard_404 | Jan 23, 2024 |
Outstanding!!! This book introduces you to a young woman and her culture. You are from page one brought into her culture and that of the lives of the indigenous people in her community.

There is a suicide, murders, and a SA that happens and there are tender moments of new love. From the beginning we are given glimpses of what indigenous peoples have faced at the hands of those that stole their land and subjected them to many inhumane acts based solely on their racist beliefs and views.

I devoured this book and fell in love with the characters, scenery and the author’s writing style. You are going to love this book. I did.
( )
  AngelaYbarra | Jan 23, 2024 |
This took a while for me to connect with the characters, but then it became a can't-put-down read that teaches and makes you think. ( )
  bookwyrmm | Jan 19, 2024 |
Page turner!! ( )
  mslibrarynerd | Jan 13, 2024 |
I really enjoyed this book and it’s deep dive in the culture. I loved the inclusion of language and the dynamics of the characters. It got a little slow at times but it was absolutely lovely and powerful ( )
  HauntedTaco13 | Dec 29, 2023 |
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1De3MdLxgN/

Angeline Boulley - Firekeeper’s Daughter: I’m probably in the minority saying it’s a bit too long, and in the end, it doesn’t matter - it’s beautifully realized, thrilling and educational. #cursorybookreviews #cursoryreviews ( )
  khage | Dec 19, 2023 |
Fun read. Young adult, but an interesting angle at least: Native American heroine crime novel.
  BookyMaven | Dec 6, 2023 |
This was a good page-turner! Sometimes, I didn’t like Daunis, the main character. She seemed a little stuck up toward the hockey girlfriends though she matures over the course of the story. YA protagonists may seem irrational at times, but it’s more realistic for teen/young adults to not have it all together.

I really enjoyed the tidbits about grief, forgiveness, and family. I LOVED the healthy ending conversation between Daunis and Jamie. I wondered why the story was set from 2004 – 2005. Until you read a Superbowl 2004 reference you forget all about the timeframe. But if I remember right, the author set it here because this was the height of the meth boom.

While the final reveal was fun, the "villain" seemed cartoony/too good to be true. Still, this is worth a read.

CW: Sexual assault (not detailed), of course, references to drugs ( )
  DestDest | Nov 28, 2023 |
100% recommend. Fantastic characters, strong female lead, really great plot, and helpful insights into some of the lived experiences of the Indigenous people of the Upper Peninsula. ♥️ ( )
  decaturmamaof2 | Nov 22, 2023 |
The story mainly takes place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but the events and issues are common to native populations throughout the region—Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ontario. Daunis Fontaine, the first-person storyteller, is a runner and aspiring anatomy student. Her father is Ojibwe (Chippewa), and her mother is white. Her parents weren’t married. The two sides of her family are at odds. Daunis is not yet an enrolled tribal member, and there are strict rules about who could enroll in the tribe. All of this plays into the main and subplots of the story. Daunis postpones her enrollment at the University of Michigan to take care of her mother, who is grieving the death of her brother and caring for an aging mother. It turns out that Daunis not only takes care of her family but becomes compelled to take care of her Ojibwe community when she witnesses the overwhelming meth abuse and a rash of untimely deaths.

Hockey is a community sport on the Upper Peninsula, and hockey players are revered. The “supes” are an elite league hockey team, a stepping-stone for those hoping to play in college or the pros. Jamie Johnson is a new supe hockey player at the local high school who claims to be Cherokee. He befriends Daunis’s brother Levi, and Daunis is nominated by her brother to be Jamie’s ambassador in the community. Although trying to remain platonic, Daunis falls in love with Jamie. He is kind, sympathetic, mature, and seemingly different from other males she has dated. At first, Jamie doesn’t seem to be guilty of the “guy lies” that Daunis finds typical of most men, but as the story progresses, she finds he is probably a better liar than most.

Daunis is forced to understand and confront the deep-seated beliefs of her family and community. It is not easy to witness violence, discrimination, and death. She makes some difficult and mature decisions as she delves deeper into the constructs of the community, such as the tribal police, dividends from the local casino, tribal customs, and priorities of the hockey team.

The author, Angeline Boulley, is from the Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa. She weaves Chippewa language and customs into this story with modern and classic themes. I love how she refers to Daunis’s growth and sorting of her life by referring to the regular and hockey worlds. Then, this concept is extended to other themes in the book. The author describes the differences between the worlds of two disparate heritages as parallel to those between hockey and the regular worlds. “But the good stuff happens when worlds collide … osmosis combustion,” says one of the characters. There is also much discussion of worlds when describing the afterlife beliefs—when the Chippewa die, they become part of a different world.

The story is beautiful yet heartbreaking. It is realistic and includes many insightful messages about relations between and among the Ojibwe and the whites. Additionally, the characterizations are complete and relatable; the people in the book are realistic, and learning their stories is a worthwhile experience for readers. This book is marketed for young adults, but it has universal appeal. This author writes from her heart and chooses her words to convey vivid images. ( )
  LindaLoretz | Nov 16, 2023 |
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley is a 2021 Henry Holt & Co. publication.

Daunis’s plans take a detour after a family tragedy prompts her to switch colleges and stay closer to home. When a new guy who plays on her brother’s hockey team strikes up a friendship with Daunis, but just as she begins feeling a real connection to him, a stunning murder changes the context of their relationship and puts Daunis at the heart of the investigation…

This is a very good novel – part thriller/mystery- part cultural drama. The characters are ones we feel for and root for. The novel is quite dark with a kitchen sink of difficult and explosive subject matter. Yet, this is not a preachy social issues lecture- it is all within context of the story.

The story is very evenly paced and well-plotted- with huge revelations and twists along the way. I was highly invested in the book and felt it was worth the high praise it garnered. Although it is labeled as a YA novel, which is not a genre I usually read for various reasons, I felt it was an exceptional story and am glad I put my reservations aside and gave it a chance- Deserving of the awards and accolades- but I am still very confilicted about the YA label.

4+ stars

*Note: A brief note for those who might wonder about my misgivings about the YA category this book lands in. I struggle with this category because I don’t believe that just because a main character is a young adult that a book should be labeled as such. Originally, YA was written primarily for the twelve through eighteen age range. Now, statistics show that thirty- to forty-year-olds make up the bulk of YA readers- and the content is usually geared toward that older audience, making this entire category a slippery slope and incredibly hard to rate. (This practice is coming back to haunt publishers and is to blame for much of the suffering libraries are coping with now. So, note to publishers who might want to consider what ‘young readers’ really means.) Because this novel is dark and deals with trigger-y material- I would not recommend it to younger teens or those with certain sensitivities. This book contains strong language- (F-bombs)- emotional deaths, drug use, drug trafficking, sexual situations, and sexual assault- though handled delicately- could still be trigger-y and is still disturbing. Sounds like adult reading material to me- but you be the judge. ( )
  gpangel | Oct 26, 2023 |
FIREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER is billed as a young adult novel. I'm an adult and YA novels usually bore me. But FIREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER didn't. As a matter of fact, it kept me reading late into the night. What a pleasant surprise!

Told in first person by the main character, Daunis, this book is the story of an 18-year-old girl who is half white and half Native American. After her best friend is killed by an ex-boyfriend high on meth, Daunis becomes a confidential informant for the FBI, trying to help solve the drug problem that is hurting her community and friends. FIREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER is a nail–biting mystery/thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat as Daunis becomes dangerously involved in drug operations both inside and outside her tribe.

I read a borrowed copy of this book. Now I plan to buy it so I can attend an author event and have Angeline Boulley sign it. ( )
  techeditor | Oct 20, 2023 |
Dear lord, this started all slow and funny and innocent, and the last bit got real dark real quick. I really needed some time to recuperate tbh, such sadness. Well written, although Daunis' science-y asides in the first half of the book felt forced and unnatural. I'll be picking up the next book by Angeline Boulley once it's available. ( )
  Yggie | Oct 12, 2023 |
A powerful but flawed debut YA novel about Daunis, a young Ojibwe woman of mixed heritage who finds herself caught up in an investigation into drug dealing in her community. There’s much to like about Angeline Boulley’s Firekeeper’s Daughter: it has a wonderful sense of place to it. Boulley writes with clear and fierce affection for her people’s language, worldview, and Elders, while also acknowledging intra-tribal tensions and traumas around issues of identity, belonging, and colorism. I wanted to linger in those parts of the book.

However, the genre elements of it are weaker. Firekeeper’s Daughter is trying to fit into the noir/thriller genre, but a number of the plot beats are clumsily incorporated and/or don’t quite make sense when you think them through. For example: sure, I can buy the FBI leaning on an 18-year-old to make her an informant—but I couldn’t quite suspend disbelief over how they did it here, or how neither of the undercover FBI people seemed to be doing anything independently of Daunis. Equally, I couldn’t buy the gang’s insistence at the climax of the book that Daunis had to be the one to cook meth for them, or their decision to just confess to everything they’d done in a Scooby Doo-esque villain’s speech. I didn’t get the sense that Boulley had given as much thought to the plot as she had to the interpersonal relationships. It’s also much too long, and probably 100 pages could have been edited out without losing anything. The ‘romance’ in particular could have been excised. I was really hinky about Daunis being involved with an undercover FBI agent whose actual name she doesn’t even know, and even apart from that Daunis/Jamie just read a bit too much Not Like the Other Girls/Blank Slate with Great Abs.

These gripes aside, I will still keep an eye out for the sequel to this book. There’s a lot of promise to Boulley’s writing, particularly if she has the confidence to set the genre framework to one side, and I’d be happy to spend more time with the Sugar Island Ojibwe community that she shows us here. ( )
  siriaeve | Sep 16, 2023 |
Angeline Boulley's debut was one of the first books in a while that captured me so incredibly and fully, that I basically read it in one go, so let's dive into it!

First of: "Firekeeper's Daughter" is a book I encountered often on my research into Indigenous communities, many people recommending it as a way to learn more about their experiences and culture, as well as just in general marking it as a very insightful book. So when I saw it in my local bookstore and the description sounded intriguing as well, I bought it and brought it home. Also, I generally am having trouble learning from non-fictional books, so for me an educational opportunity as well as a good read in one sounded like a win-win situation.

However I did not spoiler myself anything before the read and, as I would recommend you to do as well, went into the reading experience without any knowledge than what was provided in the short description as well as the fact that it was about the struggles in Indigenous communities.

Here is a short spoiler free review: Simply put: It was beautiful. I did not put that book down, expect for lessons or if someone barged into my room wanting something from me. I know so many characters and slow build may not be everyones thing, but if one book ever pult it of, it was this one.

The book holds love for a culture I do not know many things of and as such it was not only an introduction into new characters, but a culture, and a real one at that, (because, yes I know Fantasy books introduce cultural systems all the time) as well. And I feel like I know a lot more about Anishinaabe-culture than I have known before. It gave insight into the relationship with religion and community, with the elders and family. It also told about the generational trauma within the Indigenous communities, the combat against addiction and the violence against indigenous women (84% of Indigenous Women have experienced violence in their life time), as well as the racism, stereotypes and fetishization they are facing.

The very casual use of the Ojibwe language, Anishinaabemowin was not only a wonderful experience in case of submerging yourself into Daunis' world, but for someone who loves languages and linguistics, a perfect way to introduce a culture, because our languages are our stories and identities and shape our reality. I definitely recommend to do some digging into Anishinaabemowin, as well as in general the Algonkin-language group, and if you are really interested, I recommend to look into jamesvukelich's Instagram-profile. He teaches people Anishinaabemowin and can give you a general idea of how to pronounce the words! (I had the fortune of funnily enough following him for like half a year before getting the book, so realizing that I have at least an inkling about how to pronounce the vocabulary when I started, made this all the more of an pleasant reading experience for me ^^ Link: https://www.instagram.com/jamesvukelich/ )

So yeah, it is not everyones cup of tea, look at the negative reviews if you want to, but for me this one was one of the last two years greatest reads yet, so I would totally recommend it to you!

CW: Sexual assault & rape, death, drug (meth) abuse and trafficking, fat-shaming, racism & use of racist slurs, suicide, overdose, kidnapping, sult-shaming

SPOILERS FROM HERE ON:

From page one on, Daunis pult me in. And not simply because of the intriguing writing style, but because she is one of the most realistic YA-character I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. I saw some people complain about her being the "not-like-other-girls"-trope, and yes, in the beginning Daunis very much seems to fit into this category. She for example slut-shames the "anglerfish-girlfriends" of her hockey-friends, and seems to think of herself as above them. But please do not forget, that if anything that is realistic. Many of us, are like that. "I would never." and stuff. It is the internalized misogyny many of us are taught and later on Daunis actually realizes she might be wrong and I think that is more than beautiful. While posing as Jamie's hockey-girlfriend they give her a team-jersey and she notes their compassion towards her, even noting down, how she does not give them any, again shown in the bathroom-breakdown seen. I think it is not only interesting, but incredibly important and beautiful to add that development to her character.

Daunis felt alive. She had so many layers, so many stories to tell, so many relationships, but I think that was exactly what gave her that life. Because life is a whirlwind, uncontrollably sweeping us of our feet. We can't control anything and for me many characters that are toned down to one simple red plot- and one red emotional line feel artificial. For me having so many relationship, casual talk-to-people and friends is far more realistic than the side character that shows up for two lines.

The sheer variety and length of the book was what kept you on your toes, what gave opportunity of representing not only Daunis, but her community, that she loves so deeply. Showcasing her complicated relationship with herself, her family, her community, past and heritage, the racism they experience, the struggles with violence, addictions, trauma, not only recent, but generational as well, it all tied together, painting one, mesmerizing, well thought out picture of a persons life. Sure, the FBI coming by and falling in love with the investigator is not really realistic, but hey. That is what fiction is for. And is not that the art of it all? Making it seem so realistic even if it is not?

I can not judge how well represented the Ojibwe culture was within the story since I am neither part of it, nor even live in the same country. But, what I can say, is that what was shown pulled me in. The continued use of Anishinaabemowin, the powwows, dances, medical teachings and religion were built up as a huge part of Daunis' persons, her love for her community being her main motivator to become the FBIs Informant. I also liked how her religion was not discredited or made up as a myth. While that may be hard to understand as someone not part of that religion and particularly for people who are not part of any religion at all (like me), it was for me one of the most beautiful parts of the book. Because it felt real.

So, to close this of, the last thing I want to talk about is: "I love you... and I love myself." As Daunis says, Jamie's and her relationship start out as a deception, wich in itself is a hugely problematic thing in my opinion and as she also mentions, his need for her love comes over as toxic at times. Many YA-novels I know skip over these things. They get together, they have their together "happy-ever-after." Daunis sends Jamie aways, lets him go in favor of herself and I think that is one of the many so important lessons in this book.

As above stated. It may not be everyones thing. I mean, nothing really is, and if slow stories are not your beer, than you will find something else. But know that this is a thing of beauty in my eyes, and maybe you will give it a try.

Sincerely,
Someone who actually doesn't like thrillers and crimes ( )
  Hexenwelt | Sep 6, 2023 |
4.75 stars, but I'm rounding up to a 5 as this is a debut of an Own Voices author.

I enjoyed this immensely. I read primarily as an audiobook, but also picked up the ebook from Libby for the last quarter of the book. I highly recommend the audiobook, as the narrator, Isabella Star LaBlanc is (1) an incredible narrator and (2) is a Native American reader and reads the Ojibwe phrases used beautifully, as well as the "yooper" accent of those coming from the Upper Peninsula area in Michigan. I normally max out my audio speed at 1.5, but I was easily able to up the speed to 2x and had no problem listening and retaining the information, which drastically cut down on listening time as well.

I marathoned Firekeeper's Daughter. I generally only listen to audiobooks at work, but I found myself wanting to continue listening on my drive home, as well as at home. I ended up finishing the book over Friday night and into early Saturday morning. I loved the side characters, all of the older characters who form that foundational base of the Ojibwe community. The description of traditions, some as simple as an offering and prayer before going for a run, or crossing the water we consistent and beautiful each time. It truly felt like being granted personal access to this community.

The only reason why I can't give a full 5 stars is the MC. At times, Daunis could be grating, using "Secret Squirrel" to describe her undercover activities was funny the first time, but quickly became annoying and was in stark contrast to how serious the situation was. At times, the story does require some level of disbelief, and that was also a little difficult for me to get past, but the story is a YA thriller, and is overall so well done I am forgiving of that.

The author is set to have a new book coming out later this year--Warrior Girl Unearthed--that appears to be from the same community but different MCs, much later in time. I am highly anticipating this new title and will pick up as soon as I can after release. ( )
  acligon | Aug 27, 2023 |
Firekeeper's Daughter follows Daunis, a young Native woman who has just graduated high school, as she interacts with her community, which is dealing with a major problem with meth. Throughout the story, Daunis goes from being scared and unconfident in herself to being a strong woman who knows both her identity and her place within her community.

We see a lot if imagery in how Native American tribes are often treated both by the federal government, but also non-Native people. We also see a lot of symbolism with identity and learning one's place in the world. I thought it was super interesting to learn more about this culture, and I agree with what Jamie says when he tells Daunis he likes the way she sees the world. There is a lot to be said in this book about communal identities and the importance of caring for the community you are a part of, because no one else will. ( )
  Griffin_Reads | Aug 24, 2023 |
Fascinating and well-written thriller set in 2004, about a young woman straddling two cultures, her white ancestry and her Ojibwe Native American heritage. She suffers great personal losses and shows amazing strength of will and physical strength as she navigates the grieving process while working undercover with the FBI, trying to figure out who is involved in a drug ring in her town, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Daunis is an impressive character--she plays hockey, is studying to go to medical school but also knows Native plants and medicines, and has a close bond with her family members and best friend. She's smart and self-assured. But she also finds herself falling for the mysterious new player on her brother's hockey team, against her best intentions. And she'll find herself falling afoul of some equally tough characters. I loved learning all of the Ojibwe cultural traditions in this story, and listening to it on audio let me hear the correct pronunciations of the Ashinaabe language, which is extensive throughout. Top notch book. A few f-bombs, and some mature situations that I think would be best for grades 9 and up. ( )
  GoldieBug | Aug 15, 2023 |
Daunis is 18 and on the fence in so many aspects of her life: her mother is from a rich, white family and her father was Ojibwe; she’s between high school and the start of college; her ice hockey career is over, but her friends and her brother are still very much a part of that world; she’s still gun-shy from a bad break-up and yet she feels something happening between her and the new guy on the hockey team… Amongst all this, she is also dealing with the grief of her uncle’s suspicious death and the toll that meth is having on her community and peers. When she’s pulled into an investigation into who exactly is supplying meth in the area, all these areas of her life come crashing together, and she needs to find the strength to stay true to her own special identity while also fighting for her family, her culture, and her friends.

A little slow to start (for me), but once it got going, this one was a barnburner. I loved it. Boulley’s love for her hometown and her Ojibwe culture shines through so clearly, and that, along with her ability to write a plot with some excellent turns, make this a gorgeous read. ( )
  electrascaife | Aug 10, 2023 |
4.5/5 stars!!!

I have been wanting to read this book for so long but it kept getting pushed and FINALLY, I DID IT!!! Thanks to @storytel.

Daunis Fontaine is an intelligent, bi-racial teen belonging to the Ojibwe community but is not enrolled in her tribe due to a decision made by her grandparents to not list her father on her birth certificate. While completely out of her control, this haunts her as she struggles to fit in on both sides.

The book follows her journey as she applies to be a part of her tribe while navigating challenges that life throws at her while also trying to uproot a drug ring troubling her native community. As an outsider, the author's writing beautifully educated and introduced me to the Ojibwe community. This is representation at its finest.

A thriller that keeps you on your toes at the turn of every page, Firekeeper's daughter is a MUST READ. My favorite part of the book was how the author set things up for readers to be sure that we definitely know who the master mind behind the drug ring is, but are met with a twist. Very unpredictable and PERFECT.

The character development is top tier. In short, read this book for the writing, for the representation, for educating yourself on the Ojibwe community, for a fast-paced, unpredictable thriller that is an absolute treat. ( )
  AnrMarri | Aug 1, 2023 |
Where do I even begin? My eyes are still brimming with tears, equal parts joy and sadness. Angeline Boulley has woven amidst each page, every emotion imaginable. From the raw devastation of loss, to the butterflies of love, to the cold harsh reality of betrayal and governance. She immerses you in the human stories of the Indigenous community. Bringing reverence to culture, traditions, and religious practices, while raising awareness for very real issues, such as MMIW, drug abuse, colonial boarding schools, displacement, and the perpetual injustices brought by colonization. She does all of this through the eyes of incredibly brave and loving Daunis, the protagonist I searched for in books growing up. The girl who in the face of so much trauma, embraced herself, her community, and didn’t wait around for a man to save her. She fought hard to save it all herself. This beautiful novel will change you and hopefully the publishing world. These are the voices I want to hear, admire, and love. I cannot recommend this book enough! ( )
  Pen_neh | Jul 16, 2023 |
Daunis, who's part Ojibwe, defers attending the University of Michigan to care for her mother and reluctantly becomes involved in the investigation of a series of drug-related deaths. She is trying to find where she fits. There are threads of romance.
  Carmen109 | Jul 14, 2023 |
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