Book Review: The Firekeeper's Daughter

The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine a YA version of Breaking Bad with a young, whip-smart Ojibwe protagonist, and you have a pretty solid grasp of Angeline Boulley's Firekeeper's Daughter. Boulley, who served as Director for the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Indian Education, has a profound understanding of tribal life and culture - and she vividly brings to life the experiences of her characters within the turn-of-the-century (twenty-first century, that is!) America. While I would have enjoyed a little more poetry in Boulley's prose, she has written an engaging page-turner with a well-crafted protagonist and deep examination of tribal life. Fans of crime, thrillers, and action-adventure, take note: Firekeeper's Daughter will burn bright in your heart.

In Boulley's novel, multiracial Daunis Fontaine straddles two identities, wrestling with the tribal heritage of her biological father and the wealthy world of her white mother. After witnessing a heartbreaking tragedy involving several of her friends, Daunis becomes a confidential informant for the FBI, going undercover for intel on a ring of meth dealers in her community. Of course, there's the requisite YA love story, which sometimes detracts from the independence of the protagonist and the tightly scripted components of this crime thriller; Boulley also incorporates several coming-of-age themes (including quest for identity, multiracial experiences, family tragedy, and communal trauma) into this eye-opening narrative, as well. It's a lot to tackle in one novel, and the exposition does require some patience before the action-packed narrative kicks into high gear. However, Firekeeper's Daughter rewards readers who pay close attention to the clues that Boulley leaves behind.

As someone with very limited knowledge of Ojibwe history and culture, I faced a steep learning curve as I devoured the pages of Boulley's novel. The book contains a multitude of "new" vocabulary words and slang terminology for a zhaaganaash (white) audience, but Boulley does an excellent job of providing background for laymen (like yours truly). I have a feeling that the publication of Firekeeper's Daughter must feel incredibly empowering for young (and old) Ojibwe readers who take the plunge into Boulley's world. For zhaaganaash readers, the book still rings true with tender authenticity and meticulous world-building.

For a first-time author, Angeline Boulley has created an intriguing, captivating novel. While Firekeeper's Daughter will undoubtedly find success with generations of readers, I secretly hope that the author turns her sights towards more "mature" fare in the years ahead. Those of us who are a little "longer in the tooth" would love to see how she addresses aging and midlife experiences - both inside and outside the world of tribal politics. I have a feeling that Boulley has some illuminating insights ahead of her, as she trails away from the fire of this debut novel.

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