Review: The Firekeeper’s Daughter

Title: Firekeeper’s Daughter

Author: Angeline Boulley

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Publication Date: March 16, 2021

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Summary

As a biracial, unenrolled member of the tribe, Daunis has never felt like she really fits in anywhere. Not in her hometown and not on the Ojibwe reservation. After a family tragedy, she’s put her dreams on hold to stay home and take care of her mother.

Jamie, a new arrival, has been a bright spot in her life. But when Duanis witnesses a tragic murder, she gets thrown into a criminal investigation. Daunis agrees to go undercover to help, but secretly pursues her own interests. However, the deeper into the investigation she gets, the more danger seems to follow her. She also learns information that changes her perception of those closest to her. There’s dangers in her community that she never could have imagined.

Review: Firekeeper’s Daughter

Thanks to Libro.fm for an advanced audiobook copy of this book! I just learned about their advanced audiobook program for librarians, and it’s fantastic. Not that I need to keep adding audiobooks to my list, but it means I get to listen to gems like this!

This is set in Michigan, way up north. It’s also own voices! Boulley is an enrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe. You can also tell when you’re reading this book because everything about that culture felt authentic. I also learned a lot that I hadn’t known before, which is why we read books by people from other cultures! My favorite thing about listening to the audiobook was hearing some of the Ojibwe language being spoken.

Outside of the culture, this is also an edge of your seat thriller. While there were parts of the mystery I predicted, that didn’t make the story any less engaging. I found myself wanting to drive places just so I could finish the story. Plus, all of the characters are so complex, building this little community that you come to care for throughout the book. Boulley’s writing is so engaging, and this is just her debut! I can’t wait to see what else she does.

4.5/5 stars