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Apache by Landman, Tanya ( AUTHOR ) Jul-02-2007 Paperback
A young woman seeks to avenge her brother's death by becoming an Apache warrior — and learns a startling truth about her own identity.After watching helplessly as Mexican raiders brutally murder her little brother, fourteen-year-old Siki is filled with a desire for vengeance and chooses to turn away from a woman's path to become a warrior of her Apache tribe. Though some men, like envious Keste, wish to see Siki fail, she passes test after test, and her skills grow under the guidance of her tribe's greatest warrior, Golahka. But Keste begins to whisper about Siki's father's dishonorable death, and even as Siki earns her place among the warriors, she senses a dark secret in her past — one that will throw into doubt everything she knows. Taking readers on a sweeping and suspenseful journey through the nineteenth-century American Southwest, Tanya Landman draws on historical accounts to imagine the Black Mountain Apache as a tribe in a fight for survival against the devastating progress of nations.
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First published August 26, 2008
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About the author
Tanya Landman
85 books91 followersCarnegie Medal winning Tanya Landman is the author of more than thirty books for children and young adults.
Born and brought up in Kent, Tanya had no intention of becoming a writer until the idea for Waking Merlin popped into her head. "It came from nowhere. It was completely out of the blue."
Tanya now lives and works in Bideford and the nearby coastline was the inspiration for her Flotsam & Jetsam series.
Tanya's first books were "adventure stories with a sprinkling of magic and spoonful of humour." But then Tanya turned to crime, writing Mondays are Murder (winner of a Red House Book Award) - the first in a series of ten "Agatha-Christie-for-kids" featuring child sleuth Poppy Fields and her friend Graham. Her new highly illustrated books for younger children feature Sam Swann, an accident-prone boy sleuth and his faithful canine sidekick Watson.
Although she writes across a broad age range, Tanya is probably best known for her historical novels for young adults. Apache - set in 19th century America - was shortlisted for several UK awards including the Teenage Book Trust and the Carnegie Medal (where it was voted the Shadowing Groups favourite). The US edition won a Borders Original Voices prize and a Spur award from the Western Writers of America. The Goldsmith's Daughter - set in the Aztec empire during the Spanish invasion - was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction prize. Buffalo Soldier won the 2015 Carnegie Medal. Hell and High Water - a swashbuckling thriller set in 18th century Devon - was shortlisted for the 2016 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest book Beyond the Wall is set in Roman Britain. Passing for White comes out later this year.
Born and brought up in Kent, Tanya had no intention of becoming a writer until the idea for Waking Merlin popped into her head. "It came from nowhere. It was completely out of the blue."
Tanya now lives and works in Bideford and the nearby coastline was the inspiration for her Flotsam & Jetsam series.
Tanya's first books were "adventure stories with a sprinkling of magic and spoonful of humour." But then Tanya turned to crime, writing Mondays are Murder (winner of a Red House Book Award) - the first in a series of ten "Agatha-Christie-for-kids" featuring child sleuth Poppy Fields and her friend Graham. Her new highly illustrated books for younger children feature Sam Swann, an accident-prone boy sleuth and his faithful canine sidekick Watson.
Although she writes across a broad age range, Tanya is probably best known for her historical novels for young adults. Apache - set in 19th century America - was shortlisted for several UK awards including the Teenage Book Trust and the Carnegie Medal (where it was voted the Shadowing Groups favourite). The US edition won a Borders Original Voices prize and a Spur award from the Western Writers of America. The Goldsmith's Daughter - set in the Aztec empire during the Spanish invasion - was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction prize. Buffalo Soldier won the 2015 Carnegie Medal. Hell and High Water - a swashbuckling thriller set in 18th century Devon - was shortlisted for the 2016 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest book Beyond the Wall is set in Roman Britain. Passing for White comes out later this year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
November 24, 2022
Honestly, I really do NOT AT ALL CARE that Tanya Landman claims and admits in her author's note for I Am Apache (which was a Carnegie Medal nominee in 2008) how she has made no attempt to produce an accurate historical novel with regard to the Apache (as if this somehow should make everything alright and permanently silence possible criticisms). Because if Landman (and in 2008, mind you) is indeed writing historical fiction about Native American peoples (tribes), scenarios and themes and in particular since she is a so-called outsider (seeing that she is White Anglo Saxon Protestant and hails from Devon, England), well and in my opinion, it is (or at least should) be her total duty to write with historic accuracy and to also of course always refrain from making use of cultural and ethnic stereotypes. And (at least from where I am standing) with I Am Apache (and yes, even the book title bothers me to no end, since Tanya Landman is definitely not Apache by any stretch of the imagination and therefore a first person narrative really feels majorly uncomfortable) that there is nothing even remotely historically accurate and authentic to be textually encountered within Tanya Landman's story, that she seemingly is even proud of this piece of fact and that Landman equally uses a huge amount of stereotypical words to describe the Apache (that the Apache are warriors and only ever warriors, that they are continuously bloodthirsty, and with everything about the Apache as described and depicted in Landman's text centred and focused on hatred and vengeance), well, all of this makes me not at all enjoy I Am Apache.
For I am just not into stories that seem to wallow in and glorify violence anyway, but much more problematically, I also consider it extremely off-putting that Tanya Landman in I Am Apache at best obviously seems to think that the Apache (and likely ALL Native Americans) just tend to represent both inherent and constantly present savagery, bloodthirstiness and violence (and obviously nothing but this). Therefore yes indeed and horribly, since with I Am Apache (at least in my opinion) the same putridly terrible ethnic stereotypes of the past and ones that were actually often used to justify attacks against Native American tribes like the Apache are being used by Tanya Landman in and with her featured story, not to mention that the all Native American tribes are doomed attitude is not only tired and wrong but is also yet another silly stereotype used to consider Native Americans as at best being remnants and annoyingly frustrating interlopers, well, I both will not rate I am Apache with more than one star and to also consider I am Apache as a novel not to be at all recommended (and to also not be deserving of its Carnegie Medal nomination status, and to wonder why many reviews for I Am Apache have been so annoyingly positive).
For I am just not into stories that seem to wallow in and glorify violence anyway, but much more problematically, I also consider it extremely off-putting that Tanya Landman in I Am Apache at best obviously seems to think that the Apache (and likely ALL Native Americans) just tend to represent both inherent and constantly present savagery, bloodthirstiness and violence (and obviously nothing but this). Therefore yes indeed and horribly, since with I Am Apache (at least in my opinion) the same putridly terrible ethnic stereotypes of the past and ones that were actually often used to justify attacks against Native American tribes like the Apache are being used by Tanya Landman in and with her featured story, not to mention that the all Native American tribes are doomed attitude is not only tired and wrong but is also yet another silly stereotype used to consider Native Americans as at best being remnants and annoyingly frustrating interlopers, well, I both will not rate I am Apache with more than one star and to also consider I am Apache as a novel not to be at all recommended (and to also not be deserving of its Carnegie Medal nomination status, and to wonder why many reviews for I Am Apache have been so annoyingly positive).
November 15, 2012
Reviewed by LadyJay for TeensReadToo.com
At fourteen, Siki knows that she will walk a difficult path among her tribe. Having no talent for women's work, Siki has chosen to live and train as a warrior. Many of her fellow tribesmen view her as a disgrace; an outcast. Siki only wishes for one thing - revenge.
The senseless murders of her mother and younger brother have sparked a bitterness within Siki that cannot be extinguished. Every day the attackers live is another reminder of how her family was slaughtered. Siki's warrior spirit is strong and will not be bent. The pride she feels for her people is boundless. Her training is arduous, but necessary. What she learns as an Apache warrior may very well save her life and the lives of her people.
Her path is chosen; she does not look back.
Landman expresses in her author's note that she has not tried to create an accurate historical novel, but rather one that is based on true events. She wished to explore how one might have felt if put in Siki's situation. The author allows Siki to narrate her own story, thus producing an extremely strong piece of writing. Because of this, the reader becomes intimately involved with Siki and the events surrounding her.
Siki is filled with wisdom and courage and that will appeal to many young readers. Those who follow her on her journey will not be disappointed.
At fourteen, Siki knows that she will walk a difficult path among her tribe. Having no talent for women's work, Siki has chosen to live and train as a warrior. Many of her fellow tribesmen view her as a disgrace; an outcast. Siki only wishes for one thing - revenge.
The senseless murders of her mother and younger brother have sparked a bitterness within Siki that cannot be extinguished. Every day the attackers live is another reminder of how her family was slaughtered. Siki's warrior spirit is strong and will not be bent. The pride she feels for her people is boundless. Her training is arduous, but necessary. What she learns as an Apache warrior may very well save her life and the lives of her people.
Her path is chosen; she does not look back.
Landman expresses in her author's note that she has not tried to create an accurate historical novel, but rather one that is based on true events. She wished to explore how one might have felt if put in Siki's situation. The author allows Siki to narrate her own story, thus producing an extremely strong piece of writing. Because of this, the reader becomes intimately involved with Siki and the events surrounding her.
Siki is filled with wisdom and courage and that will appeal to many young readers. Those who follow her on her journey will not be disappointed.
June 27, 2009
I really wanted to like this book. In terms of writing style, it was very good. However, the authors statement in the back of the book leaves much to be desired:
"I've tried to be authentic as far as period detail goes, but at times I have had to stretch things in order to make the story work. If there are mistakes, I apologize."
Holding a bachelor's in history, I find this statement insulting. Authors should always be accurate. "Stretching" the facts to make the story work is not acceptable. Especially when writing about historically marginalized cultures.
For more information, please see the following:
http://www.oyate.org/index.php?option...
"I've tried to be authentic as far as period detail goes, but at times I have had to stretch things in order to make the story work. If there are mistakes, I apologize."
Holding a bachelor's in history, I find this statement insulting. Authors should always be accurate. "Stretching" the facts to make the story work is not acceptable. Especially when writing about historically marginalized cultures.
For more information, please see the following:
http://www.oyate.org/index.php?option...
March 25, 2018
I JUST FOUND MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK! God, this book is beyond words. I adored Tanya Landman's way of telling stories. I loved it so much.
Read
January 6, 2012I’m always puzzled when an author chooses to set a novel in the past, even lists books consulted, but then proclaims that the book is not intended to be “an accurate historical novel,” as Landman does here. The subtitle on the UK cover, “Girl Warrior,” suggests that Landman’s interest is more in the unconventional life of her protagonist-narrator than in historical detail. The narrator, no good at traditional women’s tasks, decides to become a warrior to avenge her little brother’s death at the hands of Mexicans. Though she says that the Apache way is to allow both boys and girls to choose their own path, she is the only female warrior we see, and the one boy who is comfortable with the women struggles to be a warrior anyway, so that the book as a whole upholds conventional gender roles. Shortlisted for the 2008 Carnegie Medal, Apache would appeal more to young adults than to children.
October 10, 2008
Didn't think I would like this so much, but it pulled me in, and I liked that the author consulted with a historian from an Apache tribe to get her historical facts right. Strong girl protagonist and a fast-moving tale.
October 5, 2019
A fantastic read. I gained knowledge of history I was unaware of. I thought Siki was a great main character. Her and her tribe struggled through war and tragedy. I did think that things came easily to her. Maybe if I was able to read more about her childhood to see her cunning intelligence then it would have been more balanced.
I was surprised by the twists and where her friendship with her mentor went. I appreciated the ending. It was open ended but done right.
I was surprised by the twists and where her friendship with her mentor went. I appreciated the ending. It was open ended but done right.
October 10, 2015
It is often sobering to recall that the lines on the maps marking what we now think of the USA are all fairly recent, and that only about 160 years ago large swathes of what we now call California and Arizona (and Texas) were part of the northern regions of Mexico. All this changed in the mid-1800s, with myth-making at the Alamo and redrawing of lines on maps to shift ‘ownership’ of these tracts of land to the still developing and settling into its new spaces USA as it made and claimed those spaces and places. As is the norm with any colonial state of the kind that is the USA, this making and claiming of place and space happened with no regard for the views, interests and experiences of those indigenous to those regions.
Tanya Landman’s engaging young adult novel about a young woman Apache warrior is set against this background, of the colonial tensions with Mexico, of the arrival of US Army and Anglo settlers, of the tendency for those Anglos to bring in Mexican labourers – but this is all background, appearing in the narrative when needed but not determining it. This is a story set in and against a world defined and managed, as much as possible, by Apache; by bands whose ancestors had occupied the place since time immemorial, whose complex and sophisticated family and marriage networks wove together descent lines into a single and diverse group, even when parents disapproved of those marriages.
It is also a story set against treachery, where Siki, the young woman at the centre of the story has been orphaned and left to care for her younger brother who is then some time later killed along with many others when their settlement is attacked by soldiers from a Mexican town that had invited them to settle for trade: Siki is one of the few to survive that raid. She vows revenge and trains as a warrior, where her skills earn support of powerful leaders and the enmity of ambitious young men who she seems to outshine. There are raids to avenge the initial killings, to rescue kidnapped women and children from gold mines, to resist the incursions of the US Army, to ‘recover’ recalcitrant (rogue) band members. There are also parties of warriors who travel out to hunt and to visit other bands for discussions and planning of ways to protect their life worlds.
Landman writes with great empathy for a world far removed from hers, but the 16 item bibliography tells me she has worked effectively to present not only a (fictionally) realist set of circumstances, but one also grounded in anthropological, historical and indigenous oral evidence. She has, it seems, been successful in constructing an accurate and realist fictional world: given the romanticisation, exoticisation and denigration of the life worlds of indigenous Americans in fiction this is a fine achievement.
Equally, and probably more importantly, in Siki she has built a fabulous character, who is disciplined, who struggles with accepting praise, not because she is a woman warrior but because she is a novice. She has integrity but struggles with the obligations she is under, misreads relationships, is never quite sure when to stay quiet until it is too late and makes her own way. Siki has to wrestle with the problem of being an orphan and having no close blood kin in the band, of the problem of her young women and men peers who gather (rather than hunt/work as warriors) being unsure of how to relate to her, of struggling with how to express her views to her young ‘sisters’ who are making foolish romantic decisions. Amid all of this Landman seems to avoid the trap of anachronism in part by inventing Apache bands that did not exist, Anglo and Mexican settlements that are fictitious and engaging with a ‘frontier’/invasion that is well-known and where the risks of critique and error in a politically sensitive area are great.
There is a bibliography – the book is fully enjoyable without it or without any previous knowledge. But please do take a look at the ‘note about the cover photo’. It is a photo I know as by Frank Albert Rinehart: this note tells me it is Hattie Tom (1886-1901), a Chiricahua Apache (of Geromimo’s people) and provides a brief sketch of her short life. All credit to Landman and the publishers for giving a name and story to what could otherwise have been another anonymous appropriation of an Apache woman in the interests of commerce.
On top of all this, it is a compelling story and even though we know the final outcome (for the Apache as a whole, and the rest of North America’s First Peoples) the first person narrative means we are drawn into Siki’s ways and outlooks, her uncertainties, trusts and doubts; in short, into her story. This comes with a highly recommended for young (and not so young) adult readers.
Tanya Landman’s engaging young adult novel about a young woman Apache warrior is set against this background, of the colonial tensions with Mexico, of the arrival of US Army and Anglo settlers, of the tendency for those Anglos to bring in Mexican labourers – but this is all background, appearing in the narrative when needed but not determining it. This is a story set in and against a world defined and managed, as much as possible, by Apache; by bands whose ancestors had occupied the place since time immemorial, whose complex and sophisticated family and marriage networks wove together descent lines into a single and diverse group, even when parents disapproved of those marriages.
It is also a story set against treachery, where Siki, the young woman at the centre of the story has been orphaned and left to care for her younger brother who is then some time later killed along with many others when their settlement is attacked by soldiers from a Mexican town that had invited them to settle for trade: Siki is one of the few to survive that raid. She vows revenge and trains as a warrior, where her skills earn support of powerful leaders and the enmity of ambitious young men who she seems to outshine. There are raids to avenge the initial killings, to rescue kidnapped women and children from gold mines, to resist the incursions of the US Army, to ‘recover’ recalcitrant (rogue) band members. There are also parties of warriors who travel out to hunt and to visit other bands for discussions and planning of ways to protect their life worlds.
Landman writes with great empathy for a world far removed from hers, but the 16 item bibliography tells me she has worked effectively to present not only a (fictionally) realist set of circumstances, but one also grounded in anthropological, historical and indigenous oral evidence. She has, it seems, been successful in constructing an accurate and realist fictional world: given the romanticisation, exoticisation and denigration of the life worlds of indigenous Americans in fiction this is a fine achievement.
Equally, and probably more importantly, in Siki she has built a fabulous character, who is disciplined, who struggles with accepting praise, not because she is a woman warrior but because she is a novice. She has integrity but struggles with the obligations she is under, misreads relationships, is never quite sure when to stay quiet until it is too late and makes her own way. Siki has to wrestle with the problem of being an orphan and having no close blood kin in the band, of the problem of her young women and men peers who gather (rather than hunt/work as warriors) being unsure of how to relate to her, of struggling with how to express her views to her young ‘sisters’ who are making foolish romantic decisions. Amid all of this Landman seems to avoid the trap of anachronism in part by inventing Apache bands that did not exist, Anglo and Mexican settlements that are fictitious and engaging with a ‘frontier’/invasion that is well-known and where the risks of critique and error in a politically sensitive area are great.
There is a bibliography – the book is fully enjoyable without it or without any previous knowledge. But please do take a look at the ‘note about the cover photo’. It is a photo I know as by Frank Albert Rinehart: this note tells me it is Hattie Tom (1886-1901), a Chiricahua Apache (of Geromimo’s people) and provides a brief sketch of her short life. All credit to Landman and the publishers for giving a name and story to what could otherwise have been another anonymous appropriation of an Apache woman in the interests of commerce.
On top of all this, it is a compelling story and even though we know the final outcome (for the Apache as a whole, and the rest of North America’s First Peoples) the first person narrative means we are drawn into Siki’s ways and outlooks, her uncertainties, trusts and doubts; in short, into her story. This comes with a highly recommended for young (and not so young) adult readers.
May 1, 2020
Read Before: Nope.
Initial Thoughts/Memories: I honestly didn’t want to read this book. It just didn’t interest me very much, and I don’t know how I even acquired this book.
This book is just… I don’t fully know how to feel about it. I'm surprised it has such high reviews. The language and tone of the narrator is very formal which makes the book hard to get into, but once you're used to it it's fine. The beginning conflict comes very quickly, before you even have time to care about the characters. So, you don’t really care about the initial conflict which is a turning point for the narrator/main character Siki.
There are a lot of things that just don’t work in this novel. First, there is no main conflict really. Well, I guess there is but it is so broad that it doesn’t feel like a main conflict. Instead of this book having one main story arch (or really any story arch at all) it feels like a series of waves. Up and down, up and down, up and down of conflicts and resolutions. Which makes this book kind of boring and repetitive. It has its interesting moments, but there isn’t a main story to cling to.
Also, this book (unsurprisingly) is pretty depressing. This is part of the reason I didn’t want to start it, because how can you make a book of this nature not depressing? But it’s not even that there are depressing moments, it’s that the author doesn’t allow the main character to have ANY happiness. Everything she loves in the beginning is ripped away and (spoiler alert) everything she grows to love throughout the novel also gets ripped away. She isn’t allowed to keep any shred of anything good. Additionally, once you get about 1/3 of the way through and realize the main conflict is about the invasion of the white people, you have no hope for any resemblance of a happy ending. So, this book has all the bad without any of the good. I mean who wants to read a book that is only sad. Yes, Native American history is sad but I’m sure there were still moments of joy, moments of love, moments of personal triumph because that’s how life is.
I will say that you do begin to connect with some of the characters. Of course, with a first person narration you’re bound to connect with the main character. Saki, the main character, has many qualities a reader can admire and connect to. Also, her story line of becoming a women warrior is interesting. But I think that’s the only big thing that works for this book.
So, would I recommend this book? Not really. Overall, most of the book is depressing because you always know something worse is coming. Am I going to keep it on my bookshelf? No I will not.
Initial Thoughts/Memories: I honestly didn’t want to read this book. It just didn’t interest me very much, and I don’t know how I even acquired this book.
This book is just… I don’t fully know how to feel about it. I'm surprised it has such high reviews. The language and tone of the narrator is very formal which makes the book hard to get into, but once you're used to it it's fine. The beginning conflict comes very quickly, before you even have time to care about the characters. So, you don’t really care about the initial conflict which is a turning point for the narrator/main character Siki.
There are a lot of things that just don’t work in this novel. First, there is no main conflict really. Well, I guess there is but it is so broad that it doesn’t feel like a main conflict. Instead of this book having one main story arch (or really any story arch at all) it feels like a series of waves. Up and down, up and down, up and down of conflicts and resolutions. Which makes this book kind of boring and repetitive. It has its interesting moments, but there isn’t a main story to cling to.
Also, this book (unsurprisingly) is pretty depressing. This is part of the reason I didn’t want to start it, because how can you make a book of this nature not depressing? But it’s not even that there are depressing moments, it’s that the author doesn’t allow the main character to have ANY happiness. Everything she loves in the beginning is ripped away and (spoiler alert) everything she grows to love throughout the novel also gets ripped away. She isn’t allowed to keep any shred of anything good. Additionally, once you get about 1/3 of the way through and realize the main conflict is about the invasion of the white people, you have no hope for any resemblance of a happy ending. So, this book has all the bad without any of the good. I mean who wants to read a book that is only sad. Yes, Native American history is sad but I’m sure there were still moments of joy, moments of love, moments of personal triumph because that’s how life is.
I will say that you do begin to connect with some of the characters. Of course, with a first person narration you’re bound to connect with the main character. Saki, the main character, has many qualities a reader can admire and connect to. Also, her story line of becoming a women warrior is interesting. But I think that’s the only big thing that works for this book.
So, would I recommend this book? Not really. Overall, most of the book is depressing because you always know something worse is coming. Am I going to keep it on my bookshelf? No I will not.
March 21, 2019
This book is so beautifully written. Nearly every sentence, every phrase, comes out of the page. There is not a dull moment throughout the entire novel. Siki's observations and ways of thinking are fascinating. They make what she is going through somehow more relatable. There are so many twists in the plot, which is at times heart wrenching. I also adored the many morals entwined into the story. There were feminist undertones in Siki's pursuit as a warrior and emphasis on the importance that the Apache placed on nature. It really highlights the tragedy of the invasion from the North and the destruction of Native American culture, which is something I knew little about before reading 'I Am Apache.' Informative, interesting, alive and so eloquent; I am so glad that I read 'I Am Apache' and thoroughly recommend it.
February 1, 2016
This book is about a young girl who wants to avenge his brother's death by becoming an Apache warrior and killing the Mexican who killed her brother.
I liked the faith that Siki had to become a warrior even though she was a woman. I also liked the way Siki did not become an American with her father but instead she stayed loyal to the Apache tribe. I learned that you should always follow your dream to be whatever you want to be no matter what gender or race.
This book is exciting, scary, and happy.
I liked the faith that Siki had to become a warrior even though she was a woman. I also liked the way Siki did not become an American with her father but instead she stayed loyal to the Apache tribe. I learned that you should always follow your dream to be whatever you want to be no matter what gender or race.
This book is exciting, scary, and happy.
Read
April 24, 2017I am Apache is by Tayna Landman. I am Apache is a compellingly story that take place in America. After Mexican raiders murder her four-year-old brother, teen-aged Siki turns from a traditional woman’s path to begin her training as a warrior of her Southwest Apache tribe. But the 19th century is progressing with a vengeance through the time-honored ways of her beloved people, with the white-eyed soldiers of the Americans encroaching.
November 14, 2008
Am enjoying this. It seems that there are diverse opinions about the authenticity of the lives of the Apache leading to strong views about the value of this story, but it is fiction!
September 16, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book, on one hand, it is well written and, overall, a good story, but on the other, even the author admits to stretching history/facts to fit her narrative and this does not sit well with me.
14-year-old Siki is filled with a desire for vengeance after watching helplessly as her brave little brother is brutally murdered by Mexican Raiders. Siki chooses to become a warrior and avenge her brother. But not everyone is happy with her choice, those envious of her success seek to thwart her, revealing dark secrets about her fathers past. As Siki earns her place among the warriors, these secrets throw into doubt everything she’s ever known.
This book was interesting, and it did draw me in, I liked the story arc of our main character and the imagery used but it also felt really lacking in some areas. This is a personal journey story where our main character goes through multiple conflicts and learns more about herself with each event. It is on the violent side, which from my understanding of the time period is accurate but may not be very enjoyable to younger readers. Something that annoyed me about the book was how the author pushes an impending doom sort of feeling onto the Apache people and their way of life; horrible things were done to Native Americans, and I will never understand the pain that that must cause them as a people, I just wish the author could have given a sort of hopeful ending instead of the “Apache people are doomed” ending. It also started to feel like the author was just piling on the sadness for no more reason than she could, especially towards the end, we lose a character we really did not need to and, had that character lived, Siki would have had a life to look forward to.
Our main characters weren’t cookie cutters per sae, which I definitely appreciated but I also felt them lacking in personality and individualisations. All the warriors came across as just that, warriors with only a few distinguishing features to identify them. There were a few standouts, but I never felt like I was able to get particularly close to them. All the women of the tribe almost sounded like the same person, which was disappointing. Siki comes across as the only with substance, but she often comes across as a bit condescending/indifferent to those around her.
The author also seemed to contradict herself, she states that the Apache do not really care if a woman follows a traditionally male path or if a man follows a traditionally female path, but she only shows one female warrior and only one man who is better at female tasks. Both Siki and the male character are either shamed by others or by their own internalised ideas of what men and women are meant to be. I found this very conflicting, and it also had me questioning the historical accuracy of her stance simply because I don’t feel like she backed it up enough.
Being an Australian, I have very little real knowledge of Native American history and culture, so when I picked up this book I hoped I would be able to get a reasonable idea of what it could have been like for a young Apache woman of the time. I knew the novel was fiction, with inspiration taken from real events but I was unaware of how the author had stretched her historical accuracy and, to be honest, I still don’t really know. The historical note at the end of the book admits to “stretching” but the author doesn’t explain in what ways she did so. She did list a number of sources, showing that she did a decent amount of research, which I appreciated, but why did she need to stretch if she had done so much research? When I did some google sleuthing I wasn’t able to find much but I did find the below reviews that go into why there are issues with the books historical accuracy and themes.
American Indians in Children’s Literature
Reading in Colour: I Am Apache
Something else that worries me was that I felt the author fell to stereotypes with certain aspects of the novel, especially when referring to the Mexican raiders. They are only ever portrayed as violent, brutal people who not only rape & pillage the Apache people but also the land on which the Apache live. I’m again unsure of whether this is historically accurate or not, I just feel like the author could have done more to show that they were people too and not just monsters if that makes sense.
I would say this book was enjoyable but had some issues. It’s aimed at younger readers, but I fear they might take what they read as fact. I wouldn’t not recommend it but, especially if you are letting your children read it, do some research of your own and learn about Native American history and cultures, I know I will be doing just that.
2.5 STARS
14-year-old Siki is filled with a desire for vengeance after watching helplessly as her brave little brother is brutally murdered by Mexican Raiders. Siki chooses to become a warrior and avenge her brother. But not everyone is happy with her choice, those envious of her success seek to thwart her, revealing dark secrets about her fathers past. As Siki earns her place among the warriors, these secrets throw into doubt everything she’s ever known.
This book was interesting, and it did draw me in, I liked the story arc of our main character and the imagery used but it also felt really lacking in some areas. This is a personal journey story where our main character goes through multiple conflicts and learns more about herself with each event. It is on the violent side, which from my understanding of the time period is accurate but may not be very enjoyable to younger readers. Something that annoyed me about the book was how the author pushes an impending doom sort of feeling onto the Apache people and their way of life; horrible things were done to Native Americans, and I will never understand the pain that that must cause them as a people, I just wish the author could have given a sort of hopeful ending instead of the “Apache people are doomed” ending. It also started to feel like the author was just piling on the sadness for no more reason than she could, especially towards the end, we lose a character we really did not need to and, had that character lived, Siki would have had a life to look forward to.
Our main characters weren’t cookie cutters per sae, which I definitely appreciated but I also felt them lacking in personality and individualisations. All the warriors came across as just that, warriors with only a few distinguishing features to identify them. There were a few standouts, but I never felt like I was able to get particularly close to them. All the women of the tribe almost sounded like the same person, which was disappointing. Siki comes across as the only with substance, but she often comes across as a bit condescending/indifferent to those around her.
The author also seemed to contradict herself, she states that the Apache do not really care if a woman follows a traditionally male path or if a man follows a traditionally female path, but she only shows one female warrior and only one man who is better at female tasks. Both Siki and the male character are either shamed by others or by their own internalised ideas of what men and women are meant to be. I found this very conflicting, and it also had me questioning the historical accuracy of her stance simply because I don’t feel like she backed it up enough.
Being an Australian, I have very little real knowledge of Native American history and culture, so when I picked up this book I hoped I would be able to get a reasonable idea of what it could have been like for a young Apache woman of the time. I knew the novel was fiction, with inspiration taken from real events but I was unaware of how the author had stretched her historical accuracy and, to be honest, I still don’t really know. The historical note at the end of the book admits to “stretching” but the author doesn’t explain in what ways she did so. She did list a number of sources, showing that she did a decent amount of research, which I appreciated, but why did she need to stretch if she had done so much research? When I did some google sleuthing I wasn’t able to find much but I did find the below reviews that go into why there are issues with the books historical accuracy and themes.
American Indians in Children’s Literature
Reading in Colour: I Am Apache
Something else that worries me was that I felt the author fell to stereotypes with certain aspects of the novel, especially when referring to the Mexican raiders. They are only ever portrayed as violent, brutal people who not only rape & pillage the Apache people but also the land on which the Apache live. I’m again unsure of whether this is historically accurate or not, I just feel like the author could have done more to show that they were people too and not just monsters if that makes sense.
I would say this book was enjoyable but had some issues. It’s aimed at younger readers, but I fear they might take what they read as fact. I wouldn’t not recommend it but, especially if you are letting your children read it, do some research of your own and learn about Native American history and cultures, I know I will be doing just that.
2.5 STARS
February 1, 2013
In her author's note, Tanya Landman says: "I've made no attempt to produce an accurate historical novel." And, she says, the story she tells is "based on events" and "inspired" by an autobiography of Geronimo. I'm not down with that sort of thing, particularly when the overall presentation is so.... narrow.
I did some word counts of words used in the book. These are "at least" numbers. I may have missed occurrences of some of the words listed below:
butcher appears 4 times
slaughter appears 4 times
hacked appears 5 times
revenge appears 6 times
avenge appears 8 times
vengeance appears 10 times
ambush appears 13 times
slain/slay/slayed appears 20 times
war/warfare/warpath appears 28 times
blood/bloodied/bloodshed appears 44 times
These are powerful words of violence. The impetus for this entire story is given to the reader on the first page. This is a story of revenge. Revenge drives the protagonist. Her pursuit of revenge is unrelenting. The people she lives with? They're intent on revenge, too.
Rarely (relatively speaking) does Landman refer to men as men. She uses the word "warrior" to stand in for men. That word is used 233 times. In contrast, men/man/boy/boys is used 53 times.
Word counts aside, all this book does is affirm notions of Indians as blood-thirsty. Pass it up. And if you want to read more about it, there's more about it at American Indians in Children's Literature.
http://americanindiansinchildrenslite...
I did some word counts of words used in the book. These are "at least" numbers. I may have missed occurrences of some of the words listed below:
butcher appears 4 times
slaughter appears 4 times
hacked appears 5 times
revenge appears 6 times
avenge appears 8 times
vengeance appears 10 times
ambush appears 13 times
slain/slay/slayed appears 20 times
war/warfare/warpath appears 28 times
blood/bloodied/bloodshed appears 44 times
These are powerful words of violence. The impetus for this entire story is given to the reader on the first page. This is a story of revenge. Revenge drives the protagonist. Her pursuit of revenge is unrelenting. The people she lives with? They're intent on revenge, too.
Rarely (relatively speaking) does Landman refer to men as men. She uses the word "warrior" to stand in for men. That word is used 233 times. In contrast, men/man/boy/boys is used 53 times.
Word counts aside, all this book does is affirm notions of Indians as blood-thirsty. Pass it up. And if you want to read more about it, there's more about it at American Indians in Children's Literature.
http://americanindiansinchildrenslite...
August 2, 2015
When I finished Buffalo Soldier by Tanya Landman I wanted to read more by this author so I picked up the ebook for Apache immediately, to impatient to wait for the 3-4 days it would take for a hard copy of the book to arrive.
This book shares many similarities with Buffalo Soldier, a girl becomes a warrior, fights for freedom that will not come and like Buffalo Soldier the story also has little mysteries that surprised me.
Apache tells the story of Siki, a young girl of an Apache tribe who sees her world slowly crumbling as settlers move in and take over the lands of her tribe. Tanya Landman does not shy away from dark parts of history and does not try to dress things up with false or hide the sadness and desperation of the situation. The book made me really sad, but still I am glad I read it.
This book was published in 2008 and since than Landman's writing has grown a lot. Apache is a really good book, but Buffalo Soldier was better. I'm Apache the story sometimes seems a little jumpy, like Landman had some events she wanted to share (and the events were told beautifully) but didn't really know how to connect them. Also I wasn't as connected with Siki as I was with Charlotte/Charley.
That doesn't take anything away from this book, I would recommend reading it, it's probably just better to read this one before reading Landman's newer books. I'm excited to see what she will write next, and scared at the same time because her next book will probably make me sad again.
September 12, 2010
Exciting adventure story of vengeance and revenge, pride, honor and courage among the Apache after women and children are attacked by Mexicans, set toward the end of the 1800s. Written by a Brit, includes a bibliography but does not claim to be historically accurate.
Although shortlisted for the 2008 UK's Carnegie Medal, Native American book bloggers have written scathing reviews, calling it atrocious, problematic, sloppily researched, Euro-feminist, and outrageous, suggesting Joseph Bruchac's Geronimo instead.
YA/independent reader 2008 Borders Original Voices Award "An engaging, well researched book that any young adult--or any adult for that matter--will find compelling, thanks to its unorthodox storyline and passionate, vengeful protagonist."
Although shortlisted for the 2008 UK's Carnegie Medal, Native American book bloggers have written scathing reviews, calling it atrocious, problematic, sloppily researched, Euro-feminist, and outrageous, suggesting Joseph Bruchac's Geronimo instead.
YA/independent reader 2008 Borders Original Voices Award "An engaging, well researched book that any young adult--or any adult for that matter--will find compelling, thanks to its unorthodox storyline and passionate, vengeful protagonist."
October 14, 2010
'I Am Apache' is one of the few young adult stories that I've read about Native Americans.
In her quest to avenge her brother, female protagonist Siki made some revelating discoveries about herself and her heritage. The author keeps the plot rolling as we accompany Siki through the trials she had to face and the battles she fought alongside to warriors of the tribes.
The ending was not unexpected, and the integration of romance was welcoming, albeit being a bit short.
Overall, I really like this book. It is not the best book I've read, but something made me keep reading until the end. For anyone who may have even a basic understanding and knowledge of the White settlement in America in the 1800s, the ending is predictable. Siki's courage quieten the sense of despair I felt when I think of the Native Americans who suffered the cruelty and hypocrisy of the settlers.
In her quest to avenge her brother, female protagonist Siki made some revelating discoveries about herself and her heritage. The author keeps the plot rolling as we accompany Siki through the trials she had to face and the battles she fought alongside to warriors of the tribes.
The ending was not unexpected, and the integration of romance was welcoming, albeit being a bit short.
Overall, I really like this book. It is not the best book I've read, but something made me keep reading until the end. For anyone who may have even a basic understanding and knowledge of the White settlement in America in the 1800s, the ending is predictable. Siki's courage quieten the sense of despair I felt when I think of the Native Americans who suffered the cruelty and hypocrisy of the settlers.
December 5, 2015
This is a story of battles, and space filling stuff between the battles. I just about gave up around page 200 because it was nothing but fighting and more fighting. There were a couple of interesting twists in the last 40 pages, but really. Not so interesting that I'm glad I finished it. Should have quit. Killing people to steal their livestock, killing people in revenge for past insults, killing for cowardice, killing.... Attaining a high status in the tribe for more killing. Sickening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2016
Definitely missed something here, because I found this book soooo boring. And depressing. But mainly boring. And the ending made me go: WTF? Fair enough that a novel about First Nations peoples is pretty much doomed not to have a happy ending, but I found it super frustrating and unsatisfying... not to mention creepy (and you'll know the bit I'm talking about.)
April 11, 2022
DNF! " it's so bad, I want to give it a ZERO... But that's not possible, so I give you a one" This book was so boring! Literally nothing happened i had a quarter of the book left and i called it quits the book was just terrible DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME.
March 24, 2017
very good book. slow at the beginning but then it just got sadder and sadder at the ending. is there other books that go with this book
June 30, 2025
Captivating
January 30, 2015
Different. Historical. Intriguing characters. Loved the writing too.
October 12, 2024
3.5 stars
I really didn't see the twists coming!
I really didn't see the twists coming!
January 27, 2019
Siki, a fourteen year old Apache girl, witnesses the murder (by decapitation) of her four year old brother during a Mexican raid. Set on avenging his death, she sets out to become an Apache warrior. Siki vows to use her brother's spear to kill his murderer. The tribe notes how unusual it is to allow women to train to be braves, but it is later decided to let her try. She will need to complete four missions to be eligible for warrior council. The fourth mission puts her between a rock and a hard place, as she is forced to choose between honoring wishes of the Chief or the loyalty of a true friend.
Geared toward a YA audience, I Am Apache is a solidly entertaining introduction into YA Historical Fiction. Author Tanya Landman writes in clear, straightforward prose while also developing a strong sense of Siki's environment. We learn of beliefs, customs and maybe just a touch of Native American feminism, as Siki breaks through traditionally male ranks. It's fun to be in on Siki's thought process, not to mention her intelligence and dedication to training, as she outwits cocky warriors during her missions. I also loved the student - teacher banter between Siki and Golhaka (reminded me a bit of Mulan and Li Shang).
For such a short story, Landman successfully takes her readers through the gamut of emotions:
* Humor : Scenes discussing a love of coffee
* Strength: Siki's skills with hunting, Golhaka commenting, "I would not want her for an enemy."
* Tension: The darkness that surrounds the rivalry between Siki and star warrior Keste
* Romance: Siki's good friend Dahtet (female) hiding deeper feelings for her
* Sadness: Learning that survivors of raids were not allowed to bury their dead but instead expected to just walk away, never look back.
A strong read all around! It's actually inspired by the true story of Lozen, a female warrior who rode beside Geronimo as one of the last truly free Apache. Her mother had been killed in a raid similar to that of Siki, her brother just ten months old. Lozen's father was killed when an Apache party attempted a retaliation ambush on the Mexicans.
Lozen was eventually captured by the US military, dying of TB while in confinement in 1889.
Geared toward a YA audience, I Am Apache is a solidly entertaining introduction into YA Historical Fiction. Author Tanya Landman writes in clear, straightforward prose while also developing a strong sense of Siki's environment. We learn of beliefs, customs and maybe just a touch of Native American feminism, as Siki breaks through traditionally male ranks. It's fun to be in on Siki's thought process, not to mention her intelligence and dedication to training, as she outwits cocky warriors during her missions. I also loved the student - teacher banter between Siki and Golhaka (reminded me a bit of Mulan and Li Shang).
For such a short story, Landman successfully takes her readers through the gamut of emotions:
* Humor : Scenes discussing a love of coffee
* Strength: Siki's skills with hunting, Golhaka commenting, "I would not want her for an enemy."
* Tension: The darkness that surrounds the rivalry between Siki and star warrior Keste
* Romance: Siki's good friend Dahtet (female) hiding deeper feelings for her
* Sadness: Learning that survivors of raids were not allowed to bury their dead but instead expected to just walk away, never look back.
A strong read all around! It's actually inspired by the true story of Lozen, a female warrior who rode beside Geronimo as one of the last truly free Apache. Her mother had been killed in a raid similar to that of Siki, her brother just ten months old. Lozen's father was killed when an Apache party attempted a retaliation ambush on the Mexicans.
Lozen was eventually captured by the US military, dying of TB while in confinement in 1889.
June 20, 2018
I felt like I learned a lot of history and way things were done in Native American tribes. (I know most of it wasn’t based on facts but some events were passed on real events) Sometimes you forget how brutal and unfair history was to them. How two completely different way of lives collided. One was peaceful and all loving to the earth around them. While the other just wanted everything. It a real shame what happened.
It was nice to see the character develop, you saw most of her journey from a young age into the warrior she became. Even being a woman she had to fight against some people who did not deem it right, but it was more to do with her father than with her gender. No one could argue that she had the right to fight.
The ‘supernatural’ side of things was very well done and wasn’t over complicated. It felt right to the story and felt like it added a nice tone to the story as a whole. Also the history behind the cover picture I felt was a nice touch.
It was nice to see the character develop, you saw most of her journey from a young age into the warrior she became. Even being a woman she had to fight against some people who did not deem it right, but it was more to do with her father than with her gender. No one could argue that she had the right to fight.
The ‘supernatural’ side of things was very well done and wasn’t over complicated. It felt right to the story and felt like it added a nice tone to the story as a whole. Also the history behind the cover picture I felt was a nice touch.
May 9, 2023
I know the author said that she had to stretch historical accuracy but I really enjoyed the book and I think it gives a good POV of the what the Native Americans may have felt.
I always find stories like this tough to finish because you know how it ends and seeing the rise of the “Americans” just infuriates me.
I’ve saw people say this book makes Siki and the Apache look like “blood thirsty savages” and I could not disagree more. I read this and saw a beautiful culture with respect for the earth and others, who reacted to the disgusting behaviour of people who entered & stole their land and treated them like dirt.
I definitely will look at some more Native American stories but in the future I will read them if they’re written by a Native American. It’s only fair to let the true people of that land tell their stories.
I always find stories like this tough to finish because you know how it ends and seeing the rise of the “Americans” just infuriates me.
I’ve saw people say this book makes Siki and the Apache look like “blood thirsty savages” and I could not disagree more. I read this and saw a beautiful culture with respect for the earth and others, who reacted to the disgusting behaviour of people who entered & stole their land and treated them like dirt.
I definitely will look at some more Native American stories but in the future I will read them if they’re written by a Native American. It’s only fair to let the true people of that land tell their stories.
December 28, 2022
Vengeance can turn a family to enemy in a blink of an eye. Even blood cant stop them.
Following Siki, a girl who were chosen for warrior’s path after witnessing her brother murdered in front of her. Trying to avenge her brother’s death, her path filled with mistrust, betrayal and the shocking truth of her own family.
Though this is a fictional story, but the Apache-Mexico war is real. The conflicts, the intruders who invades other’s space with nothing but distrust and enmity though the one who lives there longer welcomed them as brothers.
A good read. Loyalty, honour, treacherous traitor in between a tight knit group is real. This is why trust is one of the important part of man’s live that can change their future. For better or worst.
Following Siki, a girl who were chosen for warrior’s path after witnessing her brother murdered in front of her. Trying to avenge her brother’s death, her path filled with mistrust, betrayal and the shocking truth of her own family.
Though this is a fictional story, but the Apache-Mexico war is real. The conflicts, the intruders who invades other’s space with nothing but distrust and enmity though the one who lives there longer welcomed them as brothers.
A good read. Loyalty, honour, treacherous traitor in between a tight knit group is real. This is why trust is one of the important part of man’s live that can change their future. For better or worst.
May 8, 2025
I now know what my next research project will be. I absolutely recommend this book.
For one, it has astonishing assessments of life as a native and their eveneteble thoughts they might have had of "the withe eye.".
I, for one, developed an extreme sense of empathy for the Apache and a strong dislike for the general American population of that time.
Lastly, it is an informative art of literature that points out the truth of American tradition and lights out the injustis the USA is built on and pride themselves for.
For one, it has astonishing assessments of life as a native and their eveneteble thoughts they might have had of "the withe eye.".
I, for one, developed an extreme sense of empathy for the Apache and a strong dislike for the general American population of that time.
Lastly, it is an informative art of literature that points out the truth of American tradition and lights out the injustis the USA is built on and pride themselves for.
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