Lauren
The Firekeeper’s Daughter was a book that was completely outside of my typical genres. While I still read some YA, I don’t really read mysteries and I’m not a big contemporary reader outside of romance. I also think it’s worth noting that while this is YA, I would say it is best suited to upper YA (15-16+). This story follows Daunis, a girl who finds herself longing for acceptance within her tribe (she is half indigenous). Despite her limitations within the her tribe, she is still close with her brother - a full member - her family, and her friends. She is strong willed and a little naïve at the start of the book. While the story’s synopsis seems to promise a romance, that is not truly the heart of this story. It’s really about grief, self identity, and family and community. While there were moments that were entirely unrealistic (I will avoid mentioning them, but involvement in the situation at all is high amongst the list), there were also moments that were painfully real particularly around the treatment of women and the justice systems in place today. I also really appreciated how tradition and Daunis’ culture were woven into the story. For people who are not part of indigenous culture in the Northern Americas, the author did a great job showing pieces of it without ever making it feel like it was being explained outright while also ensuring it made sense. I also liked how much time we got with our different characters. They all felt real because of the time we were given. And that ending was both healing and heartbreaking. Honestly beautiful work by the author and I intend to pick up the second book sometimes this year.
TWs: mentions of drugs and drug abuse, violence, sexual assault
The Firekeeper’s Daughter was a book that was completely outside of my typical genres. While I still read some YA, I don’t really read mysteries and I’m not a big contemporary reader outside of romance. I also think it’s worth noting that while this is YA, I would say it is best suited to upper YA (15-16+). This story follows Daunis, a girl who finds herself longing for acceptance within her tribe (she is half indigenous). Despite her limitations within the her tribe, she is still close with her brother - a full member - her family, and her friends. She is strong willed and a little naïve at the start of the book. While the story’s synopsis seems to promise a romance, that is not truly the heart of this story. It’s really about grief, self identity, and family and community. While there were moments that were entirely unrealistic (I will avoid mentioning them, but involvement in the situation at all is high amongst the list), there were also moments that were painfully real particularly around the treatment of women and the justice systems in place today. I also really appreciated how tradition and Daunis’ culture were woven into the story. For people who are not part of indigenous culture in the Northern Americas, the author did a great job showing pieces of it without ever making it feel like it was being explained outright while also ensuring it made sense. I also liked how much time we got with our different characters. They all felt real because of the time we were given. And that ending was both healing and heartbreaking. Honestly beautiful work by the author and I intend to pick up the second book sometimes this year.
TWs: mentions of drugs and drug abuse, violence, sexual assault