‘Firekeeper’s Daughter’ by Angeline Boulley is a novel about staying true to one’s values even in the midst of tragedy. It explores topics such as cultural identity, family, romantic feelings, death, and drugs. The story follows Daunis Fontaine, a young woman who is half Ojibwe and half white. While navigating the complicated feelings of her heritage, pursing college, and taking care of her mother, she finds herself assisting in a criminal investigation alongside undercover agent Jamie, after witnessing deaths related to drug use. Using her knowledge of herbs and chemistry, she proves to be vital in solving the mystery of the fatalities. As the investigation pursues, Daunis’s and Jamie’s relationship becomes more complex and entangled. 

I really enjoyed this story and its many meanings and messages. The story highlights the struggles that Native communities in real life face, like drug use and the ongoing fight for cultural conservation. From Daunis, readers can learn a lot about Ojibwe customs, traditions, and language. ‘Firekeeper’s Daughter’ is not only entertaining, but authentic in its storytelling. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading complexities and culturally relevant topics. I think that individuals can learn valuable things from worldviews and experiences that differ from one’s own, even in novel form. I happily give this book 5 stars.