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dearreader_booktok's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
mairynscho26's review against another edition
5.0
So good. So raw. So real. There might have been a few dramatic tactics to help the storyline but the reality is that many native communities experience what happened in this book. Living near a reservation and having a large native population at school makes this book all the more real to me.
readingthepaperbacks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
It was interesting but at the same time I just wanted it to be over. It was quite long.
mariab27's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a quick and provocative read. I appreciated the depth with which Boulley painted Daunis, the main character. Through the eyes of Daunis, the reader is able to explore themes of grief, trauma, healing, love, and what it means to be in right relation with one's community. The only personal qualm that I had with the novel was that although it explored the nuanced relationship between law enforcement and tribal communities, law enforcement as an institution was portrayed as inherently good.
mglarson29's review against another edition
4.5
I really enjoyed this and I loved the character work so much. The additions of Anishinaabe culture were excellent and I learned a lot. I also very much love & appreciate anything set in the Midwest.
The major downside for me was the rape scene towards the end of the book. I understand that rape and sexual assault happen of course, and to Indigenous women at higher rates. I think this is something that needs to be discussed and addressed in literature. Mainly, I felt like it was an unnecessary extra trauma for Daunis to go through in this narrative considering everything that had already happened to her. I don’t think the narrative would’ve suffered from excluding that scene as it didn’t do much overall for the plot. And it certainly wouldn’t have weakened the book’s themes to exclude it.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great debut. Damn.
The mixture of science, teen drama, suspense, romance and marginalized voice made it just a really, really good fall read.
I loved the voice of the main character, and I loved how it had a Veronica Mars noir vibe to it but in early 2000's and, on reservation grounds. I think it could work as a film or a made for TV film.
What made it even better is being from MI and familiar with the locations and places referenced in the story. It felt like I was back in time to when I was a teen (I'd be around her age) and at the places she was mentioning. I had read another book previously by an author from MI and found it awful in its fictionalization of MI locations. But this author gave it 100% accuracy and I gotta applaud her.
Anyway. The ending took me for a ride and a surprise.
The mixture of science, teen drama, suspense, romance and marginalized voice made it just a really, really good fall read.
I loved the voice of the main character, and I loved how it had a Veronica Mars noir vibe to it but in early 2000's and, on reservation grounds. I think it could work as a film or a made for TV film.
What made it even better is being from MI and familiar with the locations and places referenced in the story. It felt like I was back in time to when I was a teen (I'd be around her age) and at the places she was mentioning. I had read another book previously by an author from MI and found it awful in its fictionalization of MI locations. But this author gave it 100% accuracy and I gotta applaud her.
Anyway. The ending took me for a ride and a surprise.
Spoiler
I really, really, thought she would end up with her man. But, she chose her career over romance. Good for her. She left that door open if if they would hook up in the future.librarianlockwell's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
meagan_young's review against another edition
5.0
From the author’s note “There’s an important distinction between writing about trauma and writing a tragedy. I sought to write about identity, loss, and injustice … and also of love, joy, connection, friendship, hope, laughter, and the beauty and strength in my Ojibwe community.”
This book was amazing. Although dark and painful, it was beautiful and powerful. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I was captured by the characters, investigation, and storytelling and I really loved it. So worth the read!
This book was amazing. Although dark and painful, it was beautiful and powerful. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I was captured by the characters, investigation, and storytelling and I really loved it. So worth the read!