Firekeeper’s Daughter is the debut novel by Angeline Boulley that has set the YA community alight. It’s the story of Duanis, a young Ojibwe women whose life is turned upside down the night a loved one is killed right in front of her. Before the shock can even set in it is revealed to her that recent events in her community share one sinister connection and the FBI want her help to get to source of it. But law enforcement does not have a great track record of protecting Native Americans and soon Duanis is faced with an impossible dilemma. How can she protect her community without letting the investigation tear it apart?

Whilst published as a YA thriller it should be stated that Firekeeper’s Daughter is strictly 16+ and not suitable for younger teens. Something I would have been aware of if I’d actually read the description rather than skimming it. Even the prologue, which provides a glimpse of the aforementioned murder, didn’t help me connect the dots as part one is largely your typical YA fare. Like any good YA protagonist Duanis carries the burden of being “the other”. As a white passing Native American her privilege creates a barrier to connecting to her Ojibwe heritage whilst at the same time not fully protecting her from racial discrimination. Other YA staples come in the form of Lilly, her lively best friend, Grannie June, Lilly’s hilariously outspoken grandmother and Jamie, the handsome new hockey player whose path seems to be completely entwined with Duanis’. The first few chapters appear to be lay the groundwork of a “falling in love and finding yourself” arc until we reach the end of part one. The trigger mentioned in the prologue is pulled and I let out an audible gasp as the tone of story was completely transformed.

As a thriller Firekeeper’s Daughter is incredibly executed. Boulley uses Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘bomb theory’ to perfection with the prologue, creating an undercurrent of unease despite the light-hearted tone of part one. From part two we are fully aware of the suspense and Boulley uses this awareness to ramp up the tension of key scenes making for a pacy read. Additionally there’s the right balance of foreshadowing and misdirects to allow the grand reveal in the climax feel both earnt and surprising. As Duanis increasingly struggles to know who to trust I was fully expecting one of her confidantes to do a heel turn. Yet when this betrayal took place I was not prepared for the identity of the traitor and was left just as shocked as Duanis herself.

However the buzz Boulley’s debut has created is not solely due to its flawless thriller elements. Like Duanis, Boulley is a member of the Ojibwe community and she masterfully interweaves issues facing her community, both past and present, into the fabric of her novel. The systemic oppression of Native Americans is virtually non-existent in our media. And the tragedy of the Firekeeper’s Daughter is not in the events themselves but in the horrifying ease of such crimes when vulnerable communities are invisible to those whose job is to protect them. Though the plot keeps you hooked whilst reading, it’s the themes that stay with you long after the final sentence.

Isabella Star LaBlanc captivates the listener in her portrayal of Duanis. She matches every beat of Boulley’s writing and delivers the Anishinaabemowin language in an accessible fashion. In fact a perk of choosing the audiobook is experiencing the Native language and becoming familiar with correct pronunciations. LaBlanc beautifully translates Duanis love for her community and the strength it gives her in the audio. Which makes it so much more painful to experience the traumas that Duanis faces. When it comes to “Own Voices” stories the narration is so important to get right, to ensure the representation present in the print is also conveyed through the audio. LaBlanc rises to that challenge with ease,

With a Netflix adaptation already in the works Firekeeper’s Daughter is not going anywhere soon. As Boulley’s profile grows I hope awareness of the important issues she highlights in her writing grows too. So that the young women who see themselves in Duanis can finally be seen and heard.

(4.5/5 stars) Isabella Star LaBlanc is an absolutely fantastic narrator! Listening to the sample on NetGalley hooked me immediately and I requested it right away. LaBlanc conveys the drama and emotions in the text so well, and even managed to make me full on sob over the potatoes I was chopping for lunch. I didn't even have the onion excuse! It was also a great opportunity to hear how Anishinaabemowin is spoken, and I'd definitely like to read the text version to see how the spellings pair with what I heard. Interestingly, there were some bits in the audio that sounded like they'd been re-recorded and then edited in? It didn't really bother me though.

This book is really unlike anything I've read before and it defies boundaries of genre and audience age. It's marketed as YA but I think adults of any age could (and should) read it. Based on my experience with mystery-thrillers in the past, I was also (pleasantly) surprised by the level of detail around Daunis' (the MC) relationships: with her family, with her Ojibwe community, their culture and also many wider social issues that they face (especially Native women). In addition to the mystery and tension, this gave the novel a bit of a contemporary (or historical fiction? It's set in 2004) feel too.

The characters were amazing; complex, surprising and felt very real. My favourite character might have been Lily, Daunis' best friend! The antagonists took me completely by surprise and I was both so sad and so furious. Despite the scenarios around being a confidential informant and the romance slightly stretching the imagination, Daunis is such a well-written, realistic character and I enjoyed seeing her develop. I was also pleasantly surprised by the direction the romance went in, though for spoiler avoidance I won't say more.
Initially there seems to be a bit of a not-like-other-girls, somewhat slut-shamey side to Daunis' perspectives. She calls the girlfriends of hockey players "anglerfish", and I wasn't sure how this was that much better than "puck sluts", the derogatory term used by some of the hockey players themselves and one challenged ferociously by Daunis. She does develop a better understanding of her fellow women eventually, which was nice to see. Another thing I enjoyed was that women of all ages have strong and pivotal roles in Daunis' life and their society.

This book really runs the gamut of emotion: grief, fear, rage, hope, love and joy. There are a number of quite upsetting scenes, so I'd definitely suggest checking content warnings beforehand! Boulley has such a wonderful way with words and LaBlanc certainly makes sure you feel it.

This was the first Indigenous-authored book that I've read and I hope the start of many more! I'm glad this book seems to be getting buzz - I heard it's been optioned by the Obamas' production company too and I can see this translating very well to screen. And before I go, I have to shout-out the amazing cover design!

"Firekeeper's Daughter" is a stunning debut from Angeline Boulley which draws beautifully on her own heritage. The book provides a valuable insight into Native American beliefs, culture and traditions. Protagonist Daunis is a strong Anishinaabe kwe who finds herself assisting an investigation into meth production in her community. But who can she trust? It's a strong YA thriller and I'm delighted to hear that it's being optioned for Netflix. Boulley handles a variety of themes with skill and sensitivity, including the devastating effects of drug abuse and sexual assault. I love the cover design of the book and also the authentic language and setting. I listened to the audiobook which was narrated beautifully by Isabella Star LaBlanc.

Angeline Boulley sold this, her first novel, at the age of 54 and if that's not inspirational then I don't know what is! "Firekeeper's Daughter" is now a No1 New York Times bestseller and I hope it does equally well in the UK. An excellent read!

This stunning debut from Native American writer Angeline Boulley sees 18 year old Daunis, is an incredible YA thriller which features important issues faced by tribal communities.

After 18 year old Daunis witnesses an horrific crime, she must chose where her loyalties lie and what she can do to help her community. As an unenrolled mixed race member of the Ojibwe tribe, she is caught between two cultures and wants to honour her heritage while finding justice.

This beautiful book made me cry on multiple occasions. As a white woman in the UK, I had very little knowledge of modern Native American communities and I learned a great deal from reading this book. Daunis is a fantastic protagonist, with depth and intelligence that it is rare to see in YA novels. Her journey to embrace her cultural identity and discover where she fits in is extremely moving.

I absolutely loved this book. The narration by Native American actress Isabella Star LaBlanc was perfect and it felt like she actually was Daunis. I’ve seen that Netflix are making an adaptation which is will bring this important story to an even wider audience.

Very highly recommended for ages 15+ due to adult themes.

Billed as Indigenous Nancy Drew, but this is so much more. It’s absolutely freaking brilliant. It covers so much and engages you right from the start. I love how Boulley takes her time as you get to know Daunis (she’s snarky, fierce, independent, so intelligent but also fiercely loyal to her family and friends). And you learn about how she struggles to fit in and with her own identity; who gives it to you (herself, your family, your community). And also racism as indigenous people fit to live in their communities and the wider white majority populations. With the shocking murder that she witnesses, you follow her as she adjusts to cope with her grief.

This was fascinating to learn about the culture, traditions and beliefs of the Ojibwe and other indigenous people, some of which extends from the horrific treatment of their tribespeople and ancestors.

I absolutely loved this - it had me gripped. LaBlanc does a brilliant job narrating this story, particularly with the emotion around Daunis’ story. And I’ve read that Boulley’s next novel is billed as Indigenous Lara Croft. Sign me up now because I’m sold!

TW: drug abuse, murder, sexual assault (but not in detail).

In this powerhouse debut by Native author Angeline Boulley, eighteen year old Daunis has grown up with a dual identity: on her father’s side, she has her Anishanaabe half-brother Levi, her Auntie and other relatives who ensure she is steeped in Ojibwe Sugar Island traditions; on her mother’s side, she has the wealthy, white Fontaine family in Sault Ste Marie, including her beloved uncle David who recently died. She belongs to both communities and neither community – she isn’t enrolled in the tribe because her father wasn’t named on her birth certificate; and she experiences the ‘bigotry bingo’ micro-aggressions in the White community due to her Ojibwe heritage. Ice hockey brings both parts of her identity together, and Daunis is a spectacularly talented player, as is her brother Levi and the gorgeous new hockey player Jamie who arrived with his science teacher uncle Ron. When an extremely dangerous form of meth is responsible once again for a tragedy that rips apart her world, Daunis knows she has to do something – and through the powerful first person narration we are taken on her journey of doubt, resilience, resistance, betrayal, forgiveness and love.

This is a young adult/crossover thriller with dark themes of murder, deception, racism (historical and present), corruption, drugs, injustice and rape – but it is so much more than a run-of-the-mill suspense novel. There is a rich tapestry of Ojibwe culture throughout the book, opening my eyes to traditions, philosophies and medicines; I found myself reflecting on the fact that despite having grown up in the Midwest, I knew almost nothing about Indigenous peoples. What a privilege to have a window opened and to learn from Boulley’s experiences, insights and knowledge.

I listened to The Firekeeper’s Daughter and I highly recommend experiencing the novel in this way. Isabella Star LeBlanc’s narration adds an extra layer to Daunis’s already powerful voice, adding in a vulnerability, rawness and anger that is hard to communicate on paper. Listening to the book also forced me to slow down so that I could truly appreciate Boulley’s writing and could savour the underlying thread exploring Ojibwe history and culture.

This is honestly my read of the year– it is intense and gripping, but also important and even transformative. I will be recommending it to Key Stage 4 & 5 students and to anyone else who will listen to me.

Wow! What a book. I couldn't stop when listening. Such beautiful Anishinaabe teachings and such a compelling story. Absolutely beautiful.

I absolutely adored this novel. It's such a powerful Own Voices story and I loved it. Boulley captures the imagination and describes Daunis and the Nish (I hope I spelt this properly, having listened and not read) tribes culture so vividly that the story really is brought to life. I found myself laughing, angry, sad, empathetic, heart-broken and happy all whilst listening along. I felt so connected and bonded to Daunis, angry for her, feeling her passion, rage and understanding; of finding yourself and history. Putting others first. It's a brilliant read.

Also, can we just take a moment or three to swoon over the cover? I love it.

The Firekeeper's Daughter definitely needs adding to all the Own Voices book recommendations lists!

Content warning for rape - none graphic.

Isabella Star LaBlanc narrates this beautifully. I really recommend the audio copy!

4.5 hockey pucks, which I'll hide in your bedroom.

Thanks to NetGalley, W.F. Howes Ltd and Angeline Boulley for an eAlc copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

This was a really beautiful Own Voices Young Adult thriller which deserves all the adoration it has been getting.

The story which could have merely become another of the teen thrillers recently released, yet it manages to really stand out not only as a thriller, but a YA novel unlike anything I have read. The story is gripping, compelling, and keeps you guessing throughout.

Angeline Boulley interweaves Native American tradition and history into the story, in a way in which both the plot and Native American culture are equally important. Boulley also explores what it means to be of mixed-heritage, and how this can leave a person feeling like an outsider in of their respective familial worlds.

There were a few aspects of the story that I wasn't a fan of in terms of some of the stories sub-plots, however I can't reveal what these are without revealing aspects of the story. What I can say is that despite me not liking these aspects it wasn't enough to make me dislike the book.

Overall, this is a beautifully crafted book, which tonally is mature, sleek and gripping. I'd highly recommend this, and I can't wait to read more of Boulley's work.

This. was. incredible.

I utterly adored this audiobook and I am definitely getting my hands on a physical copy as soon as I can. Typically, I listen to audiobook while working on commissions but I was just so sucked into this to the point that I would just stop drawing mid piece to listen and take in the whole story.

I had such high hopes as this is perfect for me. A thriller featuring OwnVoices, coming of age, secret informant to the Police, murder, drugs, corruption, first love. This should have been perfect for me!

And yet, I couldn't warm to it. I had to force myself at times to keep going.

There is nothing wrong with book. Nothing. The story is interesting, the writing is solid, the characters felt real, the culture, history and traditions of Ojibwe tribe and Anishinaabe indigenous people in North America made fascinating reading. This is a book that fans of Angie Thomas & Jason Reynolds will devour.

But this book's biggest issue is pacing. The pacing was so slow. I prefer thrillers with a bit of pace, but this was a struggle. I kept focusing myself to go back and not relisten to old podcasts episodes, music or not to start another audiobook (Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession keeps calling to me). I kept forcing myself to go back and every time, it took me a little bit longer to find my footing with the story.

I know am in the minority and I suspect that, if I read this again in a few month times, I will bliotz this (I blame the current news in the UK at the time of writing this finally getting to me and ruining my general reading at the moment) but this didn't work for me. But I will be pushing this into people's hands - it's one of those books.

I obviously cannot attest to the representation of the native and first nation communities described in this book but as a reader I really appreciate the incorporation of those cultures and traditions so openly and boldly in the pages. Why do we read if not to learn about those different from us, to experience lives that are not our own be they fantastical or true to life? I appreciate how little pandering these representations do to the reader, they guide us through the culture but don't explain every little detail, justify every aspect of the traditions. Instead the reader learns about the main characters heritage and culture through her actions, thoughts and feelings. I highly encourage readers to seek out reviews of Indigenous reviewers who can speak more to the representation. We also get pulled into Hocky land as the MC refers to it which is again representation I can't attest to but was interesting to see from an outside perspective.

I really enjoyed the main character, Daunis. She had a real down to earth feel about her, with a detailed depth to her personality. She had a quiet self-confidence while also displaying those little insecurities we all had at age 18. Wanting to be an adult but also not wanting to make such big decisions. Knowing herself but also questioning who she wants to become, where her loyalties lie and who they make her as a person. It is that complexity that adds so much to this story. There is just so much attention to detail, from Daunis retellings of tribal stories, her connection to her community, her interest in Science, the love she has for her family and the grief she is going through they just build a truly wonderfully layered story.

The plot itself can get a little cliché but in the same way all YA thrillers are and what makes them fun to read. Teens finding themselves in impossible situations trying to save friends, family, loved ones from hurt. It feels almost like reading one of those dark and entertaining cop drama series with all the well timed twists turns and reveals. It has a very nicely crafted version of the fake dating trope which adds a little lightness to the story. speaking of which, it isn't afraid to get dark which for me makes it a more gripping read. It explores some really dark topics, including addiction, grief, violence against women, without shying away from them. This is a fantastic debut that really draws you in and keeps you hooked. I really really enjoyed this book. I will be treating myself to a physical copy.

My thoughts on the Audio version of this book are a bit torn. While the Narrator is fantastic and really adds life to the story. It is obvious that they possibly struggled with recording during the pandemic. The recording is extremely echoy when reading at standard speed. I usually speed audiobooks up to my natural reading speed (1.5-1.8 depending on narrator) and this did remove some of this artefact. It seems to be that there wasn't access to a fully baffled booth for recording and that has seeped into the recording that might be annoying for some listeners.

This book was a beautifully written and engaging tale of a girl who feels both outsider her native culture and her white family.

I normally try and race through thrillers but this was a book I wanted to savour and take my time with it.

I was completely won over by our main character and her story. I felt like I learnt and appreciated so much about her culture without it feeling like an info dump or that it was dumbed down.

This feels like a ground-breaking novel. I hope that it gains the attention it deserves because it really deserves it.

Highly recommend this for ya-thriller fans , fans of hard hitting dramas.

I will definitely be on the look out for more from this author. One to watch.

Fire-keeper’s daughter follows a biracial Native American teenager girl who ends up investigating a string of drug-related deaths in her community.
Daunis Fontaine is the product of a teen pregnancy in a scandalous relationship between a tribal member on the Ojibwe reservation and a wealthy white woman.
Her dream was to play hockey and study medicine, but her plan has gone off after her uncle death for what seems meth overdose and her grandmother stroke. Daunis is convinced that every tragedy comes in threes and so she is preparing herself to witness what it will be, but she could never have thought that she would have to witness to a shocking murder-suicide which will lead her to work as informant for the FBI.

Angeline Boulley’s work is a full immersion in the indigenous culture with the language and tradition always at the forefront. In this ambitious contemporary YA novel, the author tackles, as well, heavy subject matter like racism, sexual violence, violence against women, addiction and grief.
What I found super interesting, as I’ve never read anything based on indigenous culture (I know shame on me!), it’s the prodigious use of and explanation of indigenous words and concepts, the teaching of the good way of life by the seven grandfathers through love, humility, respect, honesty, bravery, wisdom and truth, which all become by the war pillars in Daunis investigation.

What can I say, this is a fascinating, thrilling and suspenseful read, with a strong female character and with lots of educational elements, can a book get any better?

This was such a strong and powerful story that I absolutely loved reading about. As a fan of corruption storylines, I was really happy to get the chance to listen to the narration for this. It's masterfully done and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

I haven't read many Native American stories but I'm always curious and want to consume more media with that representation because of how important it is. I really enjoyed the audiobook and would gladly read more from the author.

It is hard to put into words my love for this book, and I cannot recommend the audiobook enough! Isabella Star LaBlanc gives such richness to the story, gave life to Traditional words and terms in a way that I feel I would have missed reading the book on my own for the first time. For 58 chapters I had my heart in my throat! Firekeepers Daughter was a rollercoaster of a journey. All about love, family, tradition, secrets and drugs. Daunis Fontaine is struggling to balance her life as a Fontaine and a Firekeeper. Desperate to belong to the Ojibwe reservation that her father was a member, she has learnt the medicines, traditions and languages, but she is still unable to break through, all because of her birth certificate. Adventures with Lily and Grandma June made me laugh out loud, all the Tribal Elders added humour, knowledge and light to an incredibly heavy story.

When the first tragedy struck my heart broke and I was more affected than I have been with a literary character in a long time. Daunis' journey through her mourning resonated with me as someone who has lost their father. There were times I yelled at Daunis for making bad decisions and times when I wanted to hug her tight. The twists and turns were unexpected. Angeline Boulley created a beautiful story that I encourage everyone to pick up.

I absolutely could not put this book down; I flew through the entire thing in a day and I have SO MANY feelings. Do not be surprised when you see this on my ‘favourites of 2021’ list!

We follow Daunis, whom we meet as she’s struggling to come to terms with the recent death of her uncle, and her grandmother’s subsequent stroke. Daunis is definitely a new favourite character: her character is so well-developed and I loved being inside her head! She’s so intelligent and has so many dreams, but she also loves her family and community, and takes her responsibilities towards them so seriously.

I can’t speak on the accuracy of the Ojibwe representation (though ownvoices reviews suggest it’s done well) but I certainly learned a lot, and I will say that I loved the community dynamic! The cast of side characters is absolutely huge, which served to really flesh out the community and present so many different kinds of people and families and ways of being Ojibwe – which is really the kind of representation I want all marginalised groups to have! There were a couple of characters whom I got mixed up on occasion, but for the most part every character is so vibrant and unique, especially all the Elders (I don’t want to spoil anything, but several of the scenes which made me cry the hardest were ones involving the Elders!), and also Daunis’ Aunt Teddie, who takes no shit from anyone and whom I adored.

The book deals with so many different issues that Indigenous communities face – most notably addiction, and violence at state, community, and interpersonal levels – as well as themes like grief and identity: underpinning Daunis’ entire arc is the thread of her wrestling with her place between her white and Ojibwe heritages. It’s absolutely heartbreaking, and painful to read at times (the content warnings are extensive so please be safe!), but every issue is dealt with sensitively and in way that gives each of them the appropriate space and consideration.

I don’t want to say much about the plot or the rest of the characters, to avoid spoiling the mystery – though I will say that I didn’t see the reveals coming at all! (Guessing the plots of books isn’t something I’m particularly good at in general, but I do think this will be a satisfying one if that’s the aspect you’re looking for!). As a final point, I will say that the audiobook is wonderful – there’s a lot of Ojibwe language scattered through the book, so it was great to be able to hear it! (The downside is that I now can’t spell any of it… but that’s why I’ve also ordered a physical copy!)

Overall, I absolutely adored this book. I cannot wait for it to be a breakout star, and I’m so excited for whatever Angeline Boulley writes next!

This book contains content warnings for: gun violence; suicide; drug abuse & mentions of overdose; racism & cultural insensitivity; rape; grief & bereavement; loved one in hospital; references to domestic abuse; references to residential schools.

Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Let me start by saying that I loved this book. I was completely enthralled. Boulley was able to take her cultural knowledge and experience and share it with her readers, in an authentic way. I really felt that I not only read an amazing new debut but that I also learnt something valuable from it. I took away an understanding of Ojibwe communities that I didn’t have before. Although we’re given an insight into the culture and traditions that we readers may not know much about, we’re also shown how relatable this community is, with their love of their friends and family, or even their love of hockey. It is a truly wonderful book to immerse yourself in.

I went in blind so to speak and I really wasn’t sure what to expect, I kind of imagined it would be more magic-based, but it’s actually a YA crime thriller! So, nothing like what I was expecting, not that that is a bad thing. Daunis, the protagonist was a wonderful character to follow, her story entwines with her past, present and future and she was determined to work out what was unravelling around her.

This book tackles some pretty heavy topics such as murder, rape and substance abuse. So bear that in mind for potential triggers.

Firekeeper’s Daughter is an own voice YA thriller by debut author Angeline Boulley. It follows the story of Daunis, a biracial member of the local tribe who lives with her mom after her Uncles death. Soon, a series of murders takes place in her community that turns her life upside down. Now she needs to set a plan to stop the murders that are taking place in her community. She agrees to become a member of a Federal Investigation to find answers that are surrounding her Uncles death and the truth behind the deaths within the community.

The story started well, and soon, you will get hooked to the story. It mainly deals with culture, identity, drug addiction, and women's protection. At times the story felt too heavy or flat, and there was unnecessary romance right in the middle of the story.

I loved the characters, and the author depicted Daunis' voice, which was strong and powerful. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. Thank you, NetGalley and W.F.Howes for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

Preview/sneak peek and ARC provided kindly by Netgalley!! Thank you!!

4 stars

This was really good! Very different to my usual reads, as I don’t usually reach for contemporary focused books (or urban fantasy etc). But this was really good! I’ve never read a book surrounding indigenous Canadians, so I was so happy to be approved for this ARC :)

My only gripe is that I really dislike text-speech in books, I just don’t like it. But that’s such a small issue, and it’s a personal thing.

I recommend giving this a go!!