Warrior Girl Unearthed: one simple summer reveals many secrets and mysteries

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley is book two in the Firekeeper’s Daughter series. Perry Firekeeper-Birch is getting ready for her Summer of Slack but plans change when she gets into a fender bender. She is now stuck in a summer program with other outcasts and even her smarter twin sister, Pauline. Together they ace obstacle courses, listen to lectures and plan vigils for missing women in the community. One particular meeting at a local university, Perry learns about the “Warrior Girl,” an ancestor whose bones and knife are stored in the museum archives. She makes it her mission to return Warrior Girl to her tribe. She begins to research the NAGPRA, a federal law that allows tribes to request the return of ancestral remains and sacred items. Perry finds herself hitting wall after wall to bring the ancestors home. As she digs deeper, she learns there are more secrets and mysteries than she realized.

I loved Ms. Boulley’s first book, Firekeeper’s Daughter and when I learned she wrote a follow up story, I knew I had to read it. Taking place a few years after Firekeeper’s Daughter, Perry is now 17 and loving life. When she is faced with a summer program with other tribal youth, she can’t imagine any other torture. She soon finds a purpose and nothing is going to stop her. I loved Perry and her passion for righting a horrible wrong. She is fiercely loyal and caring but she doesn’t back down from a fight. The book is filled with heart wrenching reality and gut punching truth as the residents of Sugar Island battle to bring their ancestors home, to protect themselves and build a stronger community. Overall, I loved this book and I hope that Ms Boulley will continue to give us stories from Sugar Island. I highly recommend Warrior Girl Unearthed.

Warrior Girl Unearthed is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

My top 5 favorite books from 2022

The end of the year is here! I usually do a post recapping my year. Well, this year was filled with fun activities and events. But it was also a year filled with books. I decided to look back on the books of 2022. I read many books across multiple genres and had some that have stuck in my mind long after I closed the final chapter. Some books were good. Some were great and some not so great. I chose my top 5 favorites. It was hard to choose five but here they are, in no particular order.

1. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

This young adult novel is a story about a young woman torn between two worlds, two cultures and where she fits in. Daunis Fontaine is feisty and ready to fight for herself and those she loves. It is a book to be read slowly as the author presents complex issues with honesty and without blaming one side or the other. As I mentioned before, it is a young adult novel; however, all readers, young and old, will enjoy and benefit from reading this amazing story. I highly recommend Firekeeper’s Daughter. 

Firekeeper’s Daughter is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

2. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Katherine Center is always good for a great story. This romantic comedy is a laugh out loud funny, witty and snarky conversation between Hannah, the unconventional bodyguard, and Jack, her superstar client. It is a heartfelt story with emotions, struggles and laughter. I enjoyed Hannah and Jack as individuals with their relatable struggles as well as together as a couple. I closed the book with a sigh of happiness and contentment. The Bodyguard is the first book in a long time that made me laugh, cry and cheer. Highly recommended! 

The Bodyguard is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

3. A Limited Run by Karen McQuestion

Recreating a beloved tv show for two million dollars sounds easy peasy, right? There is more to the billionaire’s request than just to recreate this beloved show. This story was gripping and compelling from beginning to end with twists and turns that keeps you guessing about the true motives behind the request. It is filled with suspense and intrigue without being frightening. It is a book that is hard to pin down to a genre. A Limited Run is part psychological thriller, part spy like intrigue and part human interest kind of story. 

A Limited Run is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

4. Did Not Finish by Nicola Marsh

This romantic comedy has it all. It is funny, romantic and oh-so-steamy! I laughed. I grinned. I sighed the way only romance stories make one sigh. I could not put this book down! I enjoyed both Mia and Axel as they start as enemies and when a sudden snowstorm keeps them together, they can’t deny the sparks between them. I even enjoyed the silent but present Mr Darcy, a grumpy cat that will melt your heart. Did Not Finish is a great romantic comedy that will leave you wanting more! 

Did Not Finish is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

5. A Time-Travel Christmas by Karen McQuestion

A Time-Travel Christmas is a beautifully heartwarming novella filled with miracles and Christmas magic. It will give all the warm and fuzzy feelings for Christmas spirit and belief in the impossible. The time travel aspect wasn’t overly complicated, just a touch of Christmas magic. I loved all the characters with their strength, their feistiness and their cool head in the midst of a troubling situation. The little twist at the end adds to the miracle magic of the story. Fast-paced and engrossing, I turned the last page with a smile. 

A Time-Travel Christmas is available in paperback and eBook

There are many, many great books out there! These are just a few of my favorites from 2022. My reading list for 2023 is already full. Can you believe it? You’re probably thinking, “yes, yes I can!” I can’t wait to dive into the books on next year’s reading list and hoping to find more great reads to share with you. As always, thank you for taking the time to read my posts and learn about these wonderful reads this year. I hope you all have a great New Year’s and here's to great reads for 2023! 

Firekeeper's Daughter: a haunting story about being true to yourself when you are caught between two worlds

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angelina Boulley is a story of personal identity, communal identity and finding your place in a world that doesn’t quite fit you. As someone caught between two worlds, eighteen year old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in. Not in her hometown or on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start in college but when family tragedy strikes, she must alter her plans in order to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting the new charming recruit, Jamie, on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Soon she realizes that there is more to Jamie than he’s telling. When Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, she realizes that Jamie has been lying to her and she is thrusted into an FBI drug investigation. She reluctantly goes undercover, using her knowledge of chemistry and the Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source of the drugs. As Daunis searches for the truth, secrets and old scars are exposed leaving her to fight her own demons. She is fully tested and learns what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and protect her community even if it tears apart the only world she has ever known. 

Firekeeper’s Daughter first caught my attention with it’s beautiful cover. The story synopsis piqued my interest. After I received a copy of Firekeeper’s Daughter for Christmas, I started reading and I discovered that it was a book to be read slowly. It was not a book to breeze through. It is a powerful and beautiful story that is complex and deeply moving. It is a book that is honest about history and current struggles without really pointing fingers. Simply stating facts and issues. Ms. Boulley presents the issues facing the modern Ojibwe communities including alcohol and drugs but also identity. What does it mean to be a member of the community as well who do you allow to be members of the community? I loved the character Daunis. She is feisty and ready to fight for herself and those she loves. But she is also a deeply wounded girl on the verge of womanhood in a very adult and complicated world. I also enjoyed the glimpse into the Ojibwe culture and people. There were many great quotes that I wrote down and will remember long after I have finished. It is a book I would definitely read again. I highly recommend Firekeeper’s Daughter. 

Firekeeper’s Daughter is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook.