YA BOOK REVIEW | FIRE KEEPER’S DAUGHTER BY ANGELINE BOULLEY

STRONG WOMEN, SERIOUS SOCIAL ISSUES, A ROMANCE YOU WANT TO HAPPEN SOOO BADLY, AND A RICH CULTURAL BACKDROP FOR A MODERN NATIVE EXPERIENCE

From the Cover

Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown or the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team.

Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a new lethal drug.

Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go under cover, drawing on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source. But the search for the truth is more complicated than Daunis imagined, exposing secrets and old scars. At the same time, she grows concerned with an investigation that seems more focused on punishing the offenders than protecting the victims.

Now as deceptions and deaths keep growing, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she’ll go for her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.

Bookish Thoughts…

There is so much about this book that I love — where to start?

THE COVER! Let’s talk about this cover. Have you ever seen a more beautiful, enticing, perfect cover illustration? This book practically leapt off the shelf at the bookstore and into my greedy little paws.

I bought this book in October because I was looking for a novel written by a Native American author to read during the month of November. Female author — bonus. I struggle with how to reconcile Thanksgiving. I love the traditions of my family, the food, and the time I spend with loved ones. On the other hand, the holiday is loaded with pain, lies, and injustice surrounding Native American culture. I live in Massachusetts, birthplace of all things Pilgrim. I could easily drive to Plymouth plantation, Sturbridge village, or any number of historic spots that spout the white version of history. The discrepancies of the Thanksgiving story feel so intense here.

I thought something small I could do would be to purchase this book and write a review to support a Native American author. It’s not much, but it’s a start.

Well, I’m doing what I set out to do, but I also have to say I’m sure I got way more out of this rich story than my book review will do for Ms. Boulley. That said, a huge THANK YOU to her for sharing this work and this world with us.

Deeper Dive

Here are three specifics I loved about Fire Keeper’s Daughter.

1. Learning about the culture of the Ojibwe tribe. There is so much to unpack here. Ms. Boulley infused this entire novel with gorgeous details and fascinating facts. She was so adept at weaving the Ojibwe culture into the story that it never felt like I was being told what it was like to live in this community but shown through conversation and Daunis’ inner dialogue. Just some examples: the reverence and respect for the elders of the community, the use of medicinal plants and the recipes passed down through generations, the inner workings of the tribal council (what it means to be recognized as part of the tribe vs. simply living within the community), the special customs surrounding the women of the tribe including the “blanket ceremony” (female members enact justice for a woman who has been harmed by a male member of the community through basically, a beat down).
2. Daunis’ whole vibe. I loved the main character’s inner strength. Sometimes while reading, I imagined her with a cape flying out behind her. She is a true heroine. Daunis is half white, half Ojibwe. She doesn’t feel fully accepted by either side of her family. Physically, she is taller, more athletic, and paler than any of her friends or relatives. I love that she acknowledges yet embraces her physicality. She doesn’t shy away from competition with the male members of her hockey team— she meets them and those challenges head on. However, the thing I love most about Daunis is that even when (or maybe especially when) she is confused, overwhelmed, or downright wrong about a situation she relies on her instincts, gifts, and smarts to solve her problems. She methodically uncovers the truth about the death of her beloved uncle, piece by piece, scientifically and systematically. She trusts her gut, never yielding to the advice of her cop ex-boyfriend, her charismatic brother, the guy she is falling for, or even the FBI.
3. The Lurrrrvvvv Story. Okay, I know. The cultural lessons, the mystery, the heroine … that should all be enough, and you know what? It would be. BUT…. the love story in this book is so good. I love a love story and I’m thrilled with this one. Jaime is such a touching, tender, authentic character. I was rooting for Daunis and Jaime through the entire story. I won’t spoil the ending for anyone but just know that it is as thoughtfully written as the rest of the story. Daunis is absolutely the star of this novel, but Jaime is a secondary character who can’t help but steal the show— just a little.

Favorite Quote from Fire Keeper’s Daughter

“My whole life I’ve wanted to be like my aunt. The way a person dreams about being a ballerina, but not of broken toes and years of practice. I wanted to be a strong and wise Nish kwe, never considering how that abundance of sight would be earned.”

“Wisdom is not bestowed. In its raw state, it is the heartbreak of knowing things you wish you didn’t.”

Oh, man that last line. It’s SO beautifully written. I’m clapping!

Recommendations

You will love this book if you love: being submerged in other cultures in particular Native American culture, are a hockey fan, love a contemporary mystery, and identify with and root for strong female main characters.

Enjoy the Fire Keeper’s Daughter! And if you read it and love it- leave a review. Maybe my one little review doesn’t make a dent in the support underrepresented voices deserve, but if we collectively do it- it just might!

May your fires be warm and bright,

Mariah