whatthekatdraggedin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual assault, Rape, Racial slurs, Murder, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, Death, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Alcohol and Addiction
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Sometimes when I read a book I have a super unpopular opinion on, I have to wonder if either I or everyone else got a bugged copy of some kind (or if I'm just that much of a hater). Because no matter how hard I try, I just really, genuinely cannot understand the average/majority rating of this book?
The writing ranges from dry to pointedly (in other words, unnaturally) quotable, and the dialogue is somehow even more stilted and unrealistically grammatically flawless than the narration. A few spoken lines toward the end literally go on uninterrupted and with no stuttering or backtracking for 100+ words; virtually no one, let alone who's suffered recent repeated physical trauma, is that eloquent. Information is revealed in stilted blocks and repeated ten times over. I don't think any teenager -- or person at all -- in the history of cell phones has ever texted like the teenagers in this book are written as doing.
In terms of substance, there's a lot left to be desired as well. All of the individual narrative threads -- or at least most of them -- would make interesting stories, but here they're all kind of crammed into one unbalanced mess. Is the central plot supposed to be Daunis's complex relationship with her family members and community? Her desire to pursue a career in medicine/science and unite traditional and more modern "scientific" practices? Her recovering from and learning about the factors leading up to her best friend's sudden, tragic death? Her role as an undercover informant in an FBI investigation involving meth and her community (as much suspension of disbelief as that requires)? Her and Jamie's relationship? A general critical overview of the treatment of Indigenous women in American and Canadian society? It's never really decided, and so we jump awkwardly from one to the other without more natural transitions or better multitasking, leading to really overall odd pacing.
The general emotional pacing never quite hits either. A significant medical detail about the protagonist is made explicit for the first time 70% in and never serves any real relevance (and is outright contradicted or ignored at other times). Major traumatic events like the murder of Daunis's best friend and are brushed off like minor hindrances -- there's no "right" way to react to trauma, but it feels so strange for the plot to just trudge on with no in-depth reflection, as though these things (particularly the latter) have been carelessly thrown in just to add to Daunis's hardships.
The characters -- including, perhaps especially Daunis -- lack depth, whittled down to one trait (not even one that is shown, but told... multiple times). The supporting cast especially kind of blends together as a result of that weird pacing and unrealistic, stilted dialogue. I couldn't get a real sense of any of their motivations, so the culprit reveal and relationships all feel more than lackluster. In that regard, the romance is particularly egregious, even putting aside the core issues with.
Overall, quite disappointing execution of multiple interesting premises, and I remain bewildered by the overwhelmingly positive response. Perhaps it was a great book for many others, but nothing about it ended up clicking or sitting well with me.
(Also, urine, even your own, is not actually sterile! Please do not use it as a substitute for hydrogen peroxide. I know this is set in 2004 -- as little as there is to solidly ground it there -- and a lot of people believe that myth even today, but it just feels... irresponsible to include in a book like this, especially framed as an objective valuable fact.)
The writing ranges from dry to pointedly (in other words, unnaturally) quotable, and the dialogue is somehow even more stilted and unrealistically grammatically flawless than the narration. A few spoken lines toward the end literally go on uninterrupted and with no stuttering or backtracking for 100+ words; virtually no one, let alone who's suffered recent repeated physical trauma, is that eloquent. Information is revealed in stilted blocks and repeated ten times over. I don't think any teenager -- or person at all -- in the history of cell phones has ever texted like the teenagers in this book are written as doing.
In terms of substance, there's a lot left to be desired as well. All of the individual narrative threads -- or at least most of them -- would make interesting stories, but here they're all kind of crammed into one unbalanced mess. Is the central plot supposed to be Daunis's complex relationship with her family members and community? Her desire to pursue a career in medicine/science and unite traditional and more modern "scientific" practices? Her recovering from and learning about the factors leading up to her best friend's sudden, tragic death? Her role as an undercover informant in an FBI investigation involving meth and her community (as much suspension of disbelief as that requires)? Her and Jamie's relationship? A general critical overview of the treatment of Indigenous women in American and Canadian society? It's never really decided, and so we jump awkwardly from one to the other without more natural transitions or better multitasking, leading to really overall odd pacing.
The general emotional pacing never quite hits either. A significant medical detail about the protagonist is made explicit for the first time 70% in and never serves any real relevance (and is outright contradicted or ignored at other times). Major traumatic events like the murder of Daunis's best friend and
Spoiler
her being raped by a friend's fatherThe characters -- including, perhaps especially Daunis -- lack depth, whittled down to one trait (not even one that is shown, but told... multiple times). The supporting cast especially kind of blends together as a result of that weird pacing and unrealistic, stilted dialogue. I couldn't get a real sense of any of their motivations, so the culprit reveal and relationships all feel more than lackluster. In that regard, the romance is particularly egregious, even putting aside the core issues with
Spoiler
a relationship between a 22-year-old government agent (as much questionable as that is in and of itself) and an 18-year-old college student he's directly supervising in an investigationOverall, quite disappointing execution of multiple interesting premises, and I remain bewildered by the overwhelmingly positive response. Perhaps it was a great book for many others, but nothing about it ended up clicking or sitting well with me.
(Also, urine, even your own, is not actually sterile! Please do not use it as a substitute for hydrogen peroxide. I know this is set in 2004 -- as little as there is to solidly ground it there -- and a lot of people believe that myth even today, but it just feels... irresponsible to include in a book like this, especially framed as an objective valuable fact.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Sexism, Violence, Addiction, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Grief, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Cultural appropriation, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Car accident, and Child abuse
skylover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was a rollercoaster from start to finish. The beginning and ending ended well, the middle for me fell flat as I felt it took too long to get to the point at times. Daunis was so smart for her age, I felt she was written older than the age group the book was targeted for, and the topics covered definitely felt mature for a YA book. I enjoyed learning about the tribe culture and language, and seeing all the MI references. Especially enjoyed that The brother sucks, as do most of the men in this book tbh, but I loved the respect for elders and support from family between the women. i'm interested to see this be adapted into a TV show/movie, but feel like this book dragged on for a good bit.
Spoiler
Daunis did not end up with Jamie. That she stood up for herself and what she needed, and got the support from her loved ones for what happened to her.Spoiler
i also don't know how to feel about the sexual assault and how it was addressed - I understand Daunis was processing it on her own terms, but the point of that happening felt irrelevant to the plot besides to be a shock. that lilly has been to "blanket parties" and kept it a secret from Daunis was also sad and mentioned too little too late i felt. And the romance between Jamie and Daunis felt wrong on so many levels, between the age difference, the career / power gaps, and the general maturity. Jamie seemed to be the younger one in spirit of the two even though he was older.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence
captaincocanutty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I enjoyed this read, it is a pretty engaging book, with characters who are fleshed out and actively drive the plot.
Pros: I felt engaged with the main characters and the setting, the plot felt real and urgent, and giving the main character issues beyond the main plot made her feel more grounded and like an actual person. The writing and relationships demonstrate how people who aren't with us anymore, either in this world or the next still affect who we are in the present, how we think and the decisions we make.
Cons: There is almost too much going on, I think a few subplots could've been removed for the sake of keeping track of everyone. A few times a character would be reintroduced and I would have to rack my brain to remember why they were relevant. The push/pull between Daunis and Jamie felt kind of repetitive and I would've skimmed it down for the sake of cohesion. I also was able to guess almost half of the people involved in the meth operation in the first half of the book, which I don't like being able to do.
In the end, I would recommend this to someone who enjoys mystery/thriller type of books.
Pros: I felt engaged with the main characters and the setting, the plot felt real and urgent, and giving the main character issues beyond the main plot made her feel more grounded and like an actual person. The writing and relationships demonstrate how people who aren't with us anymore, either in this world or the next still affect who we are in the present, how we think and the decisions we make.
Cons: There is almost too much going on, I think a few subplots could've been removed for the sake of keeping track of everyone. A few times a character would be reintroduced and I would have to rack my brain to remember why they were relevant. The push/pull between Daunis and Jamie felt kind of repetitive and I would've skimmed it down for the sake of cohesion. I also was able to guess almost half of the people involved in the meth operation in the first half of the book, which I don't like being able to do.
In the end, I would recommend this to someone who enjoys mystery/thriller type of books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Murder, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Drug use, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Violence, Death, Suicide, Addiction, Racism, Car accident, and Gun violence
charliebriggs96's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Alcohol, Car accident, Racial slurs, Rape, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Drug use, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
chidseaotters's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Racism, and Death of parent
gellyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Drug use, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
redefiningrachel's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Addiction, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Drug use, Grief, Murder, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Car accident, Colonisation, Blood, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Medical content
Minor: Vomit and Domestic abuse
hottieb333's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
taylorpg's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The Firekeeper’s Daughter is a beautiful story, exemplifying the importance of Indigenous authors and stories in the world of literature and publishing. This book has perfectly balanced the difficulty of shedding light on important issues while simultaneously writing a story that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats for its entirety.
Our main character Daunis Fontaine is an Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) looking forward to starting school at the local community college with her best friend, when one day everything changes. After the deaths of multiple people in her life, Daunis is contracted by the FBI as a secret informant to help stop the meth problem reeking havoc on her community, however, along the way she will uncover secrets she never wanted to learn and face the harsh reality about the people she holds dear in her community.
Our main character Daunis Fontaine is an Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) looking forward to starting school at the local community college with her best friend, when one day everything changes. After the deaths of multiple people in her life, Daunis is contracted by the FBI as a secret informant to help stop the meth problem reeking havoc on her community, however, along the way she will uncover secrets she never wanted to learn and face the harsh reality about the people she holds dear in her community.
Angeline Boulley has seamlessly incorporated issues indigenous communities face everyday such as violence against women, complicated tribal and U.S. government relations, generational trauma, etc., while ultimately highlighting and focusing on Daunis’ core values of community, language, indigenous heritage, etc. Boulley frames these issues in such a way that they are not the focus of the story but merely factors that affect the character’s lives. The Firekeeper’s Daughter is a book where you can truly see the authors passion and commitment on every page, in every word. I highly recommend the audiobook production with narrator Isabella Star Leblanc. The story was beautifully told and the narration helped me better understand the Ojibwe words that I could not pronounce. Leblanc helped bring the story to life in ways that I personally could never do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug abuse and Racism