akimhof's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
manivong_momma's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, it was one of the best books I've read this year. I was invested the whole time and wanted to hear the the end.
I really liked the audio version of this book.
There are some really tough subjects in this book so beware of the trigger warnings.
I really liked the audio version of this book.
There are some really tough subjects in this book so beware of the trigger warnings.
rowanselene's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
sarful's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
The culture so beautifully displayed in this book, it was pretty glorious in how it was told. You get tons about this tribal nation, it’s history, legends, stories, the language mixed in with some of the negative that happen to many nations. And this aspect of the book is well worth the read.
The main character straddles the line of her white and native lineage, wanting to be full native but always seen as an outsider. She wants fulfill the dreams of her family, her friend, and ultimately she needs to find her own path. After the murder of her best friend she gets recruited by the FBI to go undercover and find the people cooking and distributing the local meth that has been causing a lot of death and pain in the area. The morality of lying and sneaking is a huge thing for the MC, and her path was nuanced, which is appreciated.
However, it took too long to get the story going. And it all ended up slightly too predictable. Also, the book was too long. The triller aspect wasn’t nearly as great as the cultural aspect, to me.
Worth reading overall.
The culture so beautifully displayed in this book, it was pretty glorious in how it was told. You get tons about this tribal nation, it’s history, legends, stories, the language mixed in with some of the negative that happen to many nations. And this aspect of the book is well worth the read.
The main character straddles the line of her white and native lineage, wanting to be full native but always seen as an outsider. She wants fulfill the dreams of her family, her friend, and ultimately she needs to find her own path. After the murder of her best friend she gets recruited by the FBI to go undercover and find the people cooking and distributing the local meth that has been causing a lot of death and pain in the area. The morality of lying and sneaking is a huge thing for the MC, and her path was nuanced, which is appreciated.
However, it took too long to get the story going. And it all ended up slightly too predictable. Also, the book was too long. The triller aspect wasn’t nearly as great as the cultural aspect, to me.
Worth reading overall.
dana_naylor's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
3.0
ALL the trigger warnings for this one!
Book is written well. The amount of trauma that gets packed into this book is overwhelming though. The book begins with the main character’s grandmother in a care unit after a stroke, her uncle recently dead. When we are only a third into the book,
The book was written well enough that I was interested in hearing the story, so I DID finish it.
However, I’m getting rid of my copy since I will never have an interest in rereading it.
I am interested tentatively in her second book, but I’ll need to read a summary of it before I’d consider picking it up.
Book is written well. The amount of trauma that gets packed into this book is overwhelming though. The book begins with the main character’s grandmother in a care unit after a stroke, her uncle recently dead. When we are only a third into the book,
Spoiler
her best friend is murdered in front of her. That was when I had to put down the book for a while. I read the ending because if Daunis’s aunt betrayed her by selling drugs, I didn’t want to keep reading. Nope…the aunt was supportive. It’s her brother who’d betray her …. and she’ll be raped later in the book. The book is written in first person, so there is no distancing.The book was written well enough that I was interested in hearing the story, so I DID finish it.
However, I’m getting rid of my copy since I will never have an interest in rereading it.
I am interested tentatively in her second book, but I’ll need to read a summary of it before I’d consider picking it up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Violence, Rape, Gun violence, Murder, and Addiction
cosmicgranola's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
Wow. What a beautiful and heartbreaking book. I’m glad I read it.
katiejensen00's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
josefinessen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Spännande, fängslande och berörande. Kanske den första boken jag läser centrerad kring en ursprungsamerikan, mycket fint att få ta del av. Om vikten av att få höra till och att ha trygga personer runt sig, om att man inte alltid kan lita på de man har närmast, om att hedra de som gått före och deras kunskap. Om familj, lögner, gemenskap, droger, hemligheter, hockey, förälskelse, svek, vänskap, maktspel, traditioner och tvivel. Det är mycket i ett det här, ibland kanske lite väl mycket på en gång, men oavsett var detta en riktigt bra läsupplevelse som jag verkligen rekommenderar!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Sexism, Murder, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Rape, and Car accident
readswithrosie's review against another edition
5.0
What. A. Book.
I am hesitant to give a synopsis of this story, as part of its magic for me were the surprises that awaited as I sped through this stunning book. Instead, I’ll just give my thoughts-
This book beautifully explores the intersection of culture, family roots, and gender, and is full of rich knowledge about the Ojibwe tribe and its traditions. Daunis is a truly great protagonist- she’s brave, caring, and is rooted in her beliefs and family system. All of the above- combined with the mystery/thriller elements- makes it way too easy to be sucked in, and I found it hard to do literally anything but read this book until I turned the very last page.
Perfect when paired with dark chocolate covered almond butter cups, some Parmesan cheese bites (quite the pairing, eh?), and an entire evening alone to devour this book. 5 ⭐️
I am hesitant to give a synopsis of this story, as part of its magic for me were the surprises that awaited as I sped through this stunning book. Instead, I’ll just give my thoughts-
This book beautifully explores the intersection of culture, family roots, and gender, and is full of rich knowledge about the Ojibwe tribe and its traditions. Daunis is a truly great protagonist- she’s brave, caring, and is rooted in her beliefs and family system. All of the above- combined with the mystery/thriller elements- makes it way too easy to be sucked in, and I found it hard to do literally anything but read this book until I turned the very last page.
Perfect when paired with dark chocolate covered almond butter cups, some Parmesan cheese bites (quite the pairing, eh?), and an entire evening alone to devour this book. 5 ⭐️
fleetylou's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Gun violence, and Rape
Minor: Alcoholism