At first glance, the death of a teenage surfer in a small Maui town looks like a routine drowning.  A closer inspection by police captain Walter Alaka'i, however, reveals hints of a far more sinister cause of death.  Wanting an expert opinion, Walter calls in his niece, Kali Māhoe, who is both a detective and an anthropologist specializing in Hawaiian culture and tradition.  Kali is also alarmed by what she finds on the corpse, especially considering the spate of noperra-bō sightings that have been reported.  She doesn't really believe that a mythological malevolent spirit is wreaking havoc on her community, but there's no doubt that someone is up to no good.  Who killed the young wave rider?  Kali is determined to find out.

As strange things continue to occur in Hana, followed by another body washed ashore, the pressure mounts.  Can Kali figure out what is going on in her town before she becomes the next victim?

Half Ojibwe and half white, 18-year-old Daunis Fontaine is used to walking the line between her mixed identities and cultures.  As an unenrolled tribal member, she's not quite part of the Native world.  As a Native, she's not exactly immersed in the white world either.  It shouldn't matter, but it does, especially in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  That's why Daunis can't wait to escape to college in Ann Arbor, where she can start studying for her medical degree.  A family emergency has delayed her plans, but it won't be forever.  Soon, she'll be able to break free.  In the meantime, she'll continue volunteering at the rec center, working on her hockey game, and trying not to fall under the spell of the hot new guy on the rink.  

When Daunis witnesses a murder, it shakes up her careful plans.  Suddenly, she finds herself in the middle of an FBI investigation centering on a dangerous new drug.  Reluctantly agreeing to go undercover in order to help, she's thrust into a dangerous world that could put everything she's worked for and dreamed of at risk.  She's dedicated to helping her community, but at what cost?  People are dying around her; Daunis does not want to be next.  As shocking revelations come to light, she learns some startling truths about her family, her friends, and the clashing worlds that combine to make her who she is.  Will her life ever be the same again?

Firekeeper's Daughter, a debut novel by Angeline Boulley, has been receiving massive buzz ever since it came out in March.  And no wonder.  It tells a sweeping, multi-faceted story set against the backdrop of a unique, complex community.  With its intimate look at Ojibwe customs and mythology, it feels more layered, more expansive than other teen thrillers.  That being said, the mystery at its core is compelling, with enough twists to keep it interesting.  Yes, I saw some of the story swerves coming and yes, elements of the tale seem far-fetched, but neither detracts much from this absorbing page-turner.  The characters are colorful and well-drawn (with the exception of Jamie, who's pretty blah for a leading man).  Boulley's prose is skilled and assured.  The plotting is tight and taut.  All things considered, I quite enjoyed this buzzy #OwnVoices novel.  Pretty sure I'm not the only one who's waiting anxiously to see what Boulley does next!

(Readalikes:  Reminds me a little of the Wind River Reservation mystery series by Margaret Coel and Hearts of the Missing by Carol Potenza)

To the FTC, with love:  I bought a copy of Firekeeper's Daughter with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger.  Ha ha.

When it comes to purchasing books—or even choosing something to read off a library shelf—how much influence does a volume's packaging have on your decision?  Will beautiful cover art entice you to buy?  How about an intriguing title?  The TTT topic du jour, Top Ten Titles/Covers That Made Me Want to Read/Buy the Book, has me considering what attracts me to a book.  I couldn't think of any specific titles or covers that made me want to read a certain book STAT, but there are a number of tropes that I always find appealing (check out this TTT list I made about them in 2019).  If these themes are reflected on a book's cover, it pretty much guarantees I will at least give it a second glance.  

Before I dish about that, though, let me encourage you to join in the TTT fun.  All you have to do is click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for some quick instructions, create your own list, then spend some happy hours spreading love across the book blogosphere.  It's a good ole time, I promise!

Top Ten Cover Tropes That Will Always Catch My Eye 

1.  Spooky old houses.  I love me an ancient and mysterious old pile teeming with hidden passageways, dark secrets, and ghostly haunts!  

2.  Broody landscapes, especially when they involve a sinister forest or moody seascape.  Atmospheric reads are my favorite.

3.  Covered wagons and people in pioneer clothes.  My proud Mormon Trail and Oregon Trail pioneer ancestry seems to have predisposed me to love a good trek story. 

4.  Books.  Show me a fun book stack or a tantalizing peek into a library or bookstore and I'm pretty much sold.

5.  Something is not quite right.  A cover that shows something ordinary with just the tiniest bit awry is always intriguing to me.

6.  Quaint small towns.  Even though I live in a ginormous suburb, my heart will always pine for tiny hamlets bursting with beauty and quirky folks, like the place where I grew up.

7.  Historical fiction featuring people looking away from the camera.  Yes, I know this cover trend is a little annoying, but I still love it.

8.  Food, especially desserts!  Sometimes you just want to lick a tasty cover...No?  Just me?

9.  Transportation, especially trains, ocean liners, and planes.  These vehicles hint that there is an adventure-filled journey just ahead.

10.  Warm, glow-y Fall or winter scenes.  I live in the Phoenix area.  What can I say?  I'm starved for seasons!         

You've probably noticed by now that my blog is in the middle of a re-design.  The last time I did this was in 2013!  With my 15th blogoversary coming up fast, I figured it was time to spruce things up a bit.  I wanted to keep the warm, friendly vibe that Bloggin' 'bout Books has always had while giving it a more fun, modern feel.  Amanda over at Simply Stella Design Studio is doing a wonderful job.  I'm thrilled with how the blog looks so far.  We're still working on both the design and the content, so please hang in there while we get it all figured out.  Thanks for your patience and your loyalty!