ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
There seems to be more here, as though we have come in in the second act of a four act play. This doesn't make this a bad story. Life is sort of like that. We don't always know what's came before, and what happened after. It feels as though we don't know, and might never know everything that has happened in this community. How did the Uncle die? Was ther foul play? Why does the police dislike the native people?
The story involves two brothers who are accused of burning down the local gas station/store even though they didn't do it, and there is no evidence they did. The boy who did do it figures it will all work out, and that it doens't matter because it is just Indians, after all.
Well written, very raw story written by a First Nations writer, so we are seeing things from the other side, and perhaps that is why others have said that some things seemed odd.
As others have mentioned, the ending seemed to be weak, but it may be just that we didn't understand what it meant, and that perhaps there is another, second book to come? Or, as I said above, it is probably closer to what life is like.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
The story involves two brothers who are accused of burning down the local gas station/store even though they didn't do it, and there is no evidence they did. The boy who did do it figures it will all work out, and that it doens't matter because it is just Indians, after all.
Well written, very raw story written by a First Nations writer, so we are seeing things from the other side, and perhaps that is why others have said that some things seemed odd.
As others have mentioned, the ending seemed to be weak, but it may be just that we didn't understand what it meant, and that perhaps there is another, second book to come? Or, as I said above, it is probably closer to what life is like.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
tinasbooknook's review against another edition
3.0
Neat concept touching on important subject matter, but felt rushed and didn't go deep enough, end seemed to be missing important bits
slaughtermelons's review against another edition
2.0
This one was a bit disappointing. The resolution happened so quickly and so.. vaguely. The sheriff is suspicious of his son basically through the entire investigation of the fire, but is still trying HARD to blame the native boys for everything. He finally gets actual proof that it's his son, and I kind of thought he was still going to try to cover it up. But he just takes him to a meeting with the natives and then all of the racism and manipulation is suddenly resolved in one page of illustrations (no dialogue). It's like the author wanted to have them talk it out and learn from their experiences, but didn't know how that would actually happen, so they copped out by showing this little ceremony and some scenes of the white boy cleaning up his mess. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Unfortunately it just didn't do it for me.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
Short, pointed story about racism, native culture, and both sorrows and forgiveness. Pretty packed for a slim volume, and tells the story well.
paigieodo's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Although on the nose at times, Fire Starters is a nuanced and thoughtful narrative that unflinchingly calls out the barely-concealed racism of Canadian settler society and the anti-indigenous abuses that happen in policing and in schools. Illustrated beautifully with rich colour and detail, this short graphic novel takes a loving look at race, identity, and life on reserves for the native youths who don't get to explore and be kids the way white kids do without facing prejudice and violence as a result.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
elizabethlk's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
Fire Starters has an interesting story, which feels tragically believable. It addresses racism, white privilege, etc. Despite its heavy topic, it has a relatively happy ending. It's worth the read. I liked the art (and for those who have seen my previous reviews of work by Scott B. Henderson, yes I liked it better with colour), which I thought suited the story.
I will happily read anything else from Jen Storm if she puts out anything else. I definitely plan to continue reading books from HighWater Press and from the Debwe series.
Fire Starters has an interesting story, which feels tragically believable. It addresses racism, white privilege, etc. Despite its heavy topic, it has a relatively happy ending. It's worth the read. I liked the art (and for those who have seen my previous reviews of work by Scott B. Henderson, yes I liked it better with colour), which I thought suited the story.
I will happily read anything else from Jen Storm if she puts out anything else. I definitely plan to continue reading books from HighWater Press and from the Debwe series.
robinks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A short comic that addresses “passing” as white and systemic racism.