A review by babyjay
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

Beautiful and heartbreaking read. The themes in the book are painfully realistic even if the action is a bit fantastic. Deep cultural roots are abundant and come from a place of love, respect, and education—this book is firmly set in a traditional (and modern) Native American community but is accessible and digestible to readers outside of the culture. The main character is strong and true and her experiences are a window into the joy and pain and community her story is set in. 

The only points that we’re disappointing to me was the love interest.
Daunis is 18 and the undercover agent she falls in love with is 22–in and of itself a bit icky. He may be written through the lens of a very young adult, but he is supposed to be an undercover agent who’s had serious trauma, it’s a forced juxtaposition that doesn’t sit right with me. Either he’s experienced enough to not be interested in essentially a high schooler or he’s not and that thread of the story falls apart. Also, an applicant has to be 23 to apply to the FBI so his story is as flat as his character development. I couldn’t have gone without that angle entirely, Daunis can hold the story all on her own. <\spoiler>
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