The Blueberry Daughter : A Spiritual Native American Fable

by G. Edward Martin

The Blueberry Daughter is a fictional Ojibwe legend from the novel The Mighty Esox.
This legend details the story of two twin sisters with special abilities and the different paths they take in life-- one using her abilities for good and the other using her gifts for personal gain and evil. As the two sisters grow older and their paths diverge, the story comes to a dramatic heading with love, loss, difficult choices, pain, and hope, all leading to the entire village packing their lives and walking north in search of a new home.

mythology, Ojibwe mythology, literary fiction, novelette, allegory.
Parent The Mighty Esox.
Word 22,000

Genres: Indigenous

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2023

About the author

Hello! My name is G. Edward Martin.

I am a six-time award-winning USA indie author and illustrator based out of Nashville, TN. I write in the genre of Philosophical Fiction, which I often describe as using the art of storytelling to explore difficult questions related to morality, reality, and our pursuit of meaning.

Beneath this umbrella, I have written stories in a variety of genres including literary fiction, religious fiction, historical fiction, comedy, contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, supernatural mystery, allegory, dystopian satire, short stories, and Native American Fiction.

I have written and published three full-size books (two novels and one short story collection), six novellas/novelettes, and one dozen short stories. Additionally, I have much, much more on the way.

My most popular titles include:

• Truth and Evil: A Religious Historical Fiction Novelette Set During World War II

• The Blueberry Daughter: A Fictional Ojibwe Legend

• The Mighty Esox: A Supernatural Mystery Novel

• 13 Acorns: Modern Short Stories for Thoughtful Adults

• The Nobody Who Fought a Dragon: A Dark Comedy Novelette

• The False Treeing Hound: A Feel-Good Short Story

• The Flower from the Garbage: A Philosophical & Literary Fiction Novel

As a philosopher, I regard your time as sacred; thus, as an author, my commitment is to give the very best of myself to every story. When you read one of my stories, I want you to connect with the stories, look at life your life in new ways, learn new things, laugh, reconnect, and see yourself deeply in every character.

My hope and belief is that every story of mine will arrive in your life with serendipitous timing and synchronistic relevance to your unique life in the unique season in which you stumbled upon them. In other words, I have faith that you will find my stories, or they will find you, exactly when they are supposed to.

Although there is an endless amount of skill an author can cultivate in the art of writing, at the foundation of my dream, I am wholeheartedly committed to only ever writing stories that are worth being told. My mission is that every reader who chooses one of my stories always closes the last page feeling hopeful, slightly wiser or more thoughtful, and looking at life with rejuvenated eyesight.

I want to see people thrive and fall back in love with this miraculous existence that we are so blessed to be a part of, and writing is my life’s calling for how I can do my part to contribute to this end.

Additionally, I love to connect with every reader, and I would be delighted to hear from you. My email address is EdwardMartinBooks@gmail. com. If you would like to learn more about all my stories or new books coming soon, check out my website: EdwardMartinBooks. com

Additionally, I am pledging 10% of all my book royalties to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Someday, I will expand this list to help support other amazing organizations, but for now the St. Jude's team is doing incredible work and I cannot think of a worthier cause.

Thank you for being a reader!

G. Edward Martin

Reviews

[Ash ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read for me! ~
I absolutely love mythology and folk tales with a passion! I also LOVE the art within the book, it was so pretty and it made me so happy seeing those within each chapter.

This tale was about two sisters which show both good and evil. Mina (good) uses her powers to help those in her tribe. She puts others in front of her which I related to personally. Her sister on the other hand, Ananish (bad) used her beauty in selfish and harmful ways to get what she wanted. Once the love interest, Nimbogi, got introduced and we see how Ananish reacts once she finds out he loves Mina… this is where I started getting even more invested into the story!

I think it’s always so fascinating how two siblings could be brought up in the same household and still end up differently personality wise.
[I could go on and on about this topic lmao!]

This was such a fun and easy read! I recommend it to those who are also fans of mythology and folklore tales. x

*Biggest thank you to G. Edward Martin for sending me this fun e book!! I loved every second of it, from beginning to end!*

[🐷Shay loves books🐷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

G Edward Martin is such an amazing writer and an incredible story teller. I absolutely love the way he writes his stories, he puts so much wisdom and knowledge into everything he writes. This story follows 2 Native American sisters with powers, Who follow different paths in life, one is devoted to her tribe and protecting her people, and the other chooses to be selfish and uses her powers for herself.
Ananish is jealous of her sister,because her love interest is interested in her sister Mina and she doesn’t like this at all. This story gives you so much to think and ponder on while reading!
I love this tale of folklore and although it’s a fictional story, it feels so real, because we can relate to it so much.
I cant wait to read more of his books and short stories!

[Lynn Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful story! Not only did the author set the scenes up so wonderfully, that you feel like you're watching a movie, but he also took it a step further by bringing to life the spiritual aspect that is interwoven within this story. This story touches on the ideas of gifts that we all bring to the world and how there can be consequences if we use those gifts for selfish means. Truly a captivating story from beginning to end.

[Demi Snell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Native American Folklore short story that follows two sisters Mina and Ananish and their story of good and evil. Both sisters came into the tribe with their own unique gifts. Ananish came into the tribe with a beauty that was unlike any other and she selfishly moved through life using her gifts in self serving ways; manipulating everyone to get her way. Mina on the other hand used her gifts to protect her people, and keep a balance which was what she fundamentally believed. Both sisters were faced with trials and tribulations, a real yin and yang story that ultimately created a balance within the tribe. Ananish saw her sister as a nuisance since the day she was born, and her hatred for her only grew as they grew. Ananish was overcome by that hatred and jealousy when Nimbogi the boy she loved, loved Mina and not her. Nimbogi was the only person that could not be swayed by Ananish and her gift, so Ananish gave into that hatred and went forward with her plan that created a drastic shift in the tribe. Once Ananish set her plan in motion Mina did everything in her power to set things back to normal and guided herself, her people and Nimbogi to make the right choices despite the path Ananish set them on.

This was a story of envy, love, hate, loss, betrayals and balance. Through this story Ananish, Mina and Nimbogi achieved immortality in two dramatically different ways. It was a very powerful story and I highly recommend it. Although the ending was not what I was expecting, it was perfectly imperfect in its own way and very impactful to the overall story which I loved. The story was beautifully written, and I really enjoyed the authors story telling and artwork within the story. Thank you to G. Edward Martin for an ecopy of this in exchange for an honest review.

[Alinar Den · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating fable.

This story is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It gathers wisdom and values and shines light at them. It talks about love and loss, faith and sacrifice, loyalty and betrayal, revenge and forgiveness.
At the end of this journey, you might feel so much... it might be hard to process.
Truly enlightening.

[Lena Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read by a truly remarkable talented author. I loved it. This is my first read by @G.EdwardMartin and it definitely won't not be my last. You have a fan for life and can't wait for my next read by you.

Being part #indigenous Apache the tale hits home. Most #tales or #fables have a deeper meaning and this one sure does. As does in a #parable.

it's about two sisters one good and one bad and what happens because of their choices. How those choices effect those around them. Because every choice has repercussions. Learn what they are. It was truly a moving tale that touched my heart ❤️. I don't want to give anything away, but this is a must read, be sure to add it to your #tbr. The artwork is just stunning.

#indigenous #native #American #5☆☆☆☆☆ #read #books #booklover #bookreview #mustreadbook #family #recommendation #artwork #booktoker #bookstagramer #reviewer #like #comment #share

[Kristen Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story for all to hear

This book made you think you were sitting around the campfire with the others as the chief told the story of the sisters Mina and Ananish.

In the tribe two sisters were born, first Ananish, so beautiful that she got everything she wanted by just asking. Then Mina, also beautiful but she unlike Ananish had the kindest of hearts and wanted nothing except to help everyone in the tribe.
Ananish struck by jealousy wanted nothing more than to hurt her sister since she was born. Only for this want to escalate when the one boy she wants doesn't want her back, but wants Mina. How far will Ananish go to get everything she wants?

As you read this you get sucked into such a tale of good and evil. You see how the things you want can darken the soul and ruin who you are.

[Dede loves books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful tale of Native Lineage. Not my favorite genre, but it's a well told story.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blueberry Daughter is a story of love that transcends death and the physical world.

This novella follows a modern day character who gets invited to a Native American gathering. There, he hears a story of an ancient legend that helped to shape the Ojibwe tribe. The legend follows the lives of two sisters, Ananish and Mina. Ananish is the first born. She is beautiful, but uses her captivating power over men to manipulate them into doing what she wants. She is greed personified. Mina is the younger sister. She is selfless, and a young shamaness. She uses her vision of the spiritual world to guide their tribe and keep them safe.

Nimbogi is a young warrior. He has eyes only for Mina, and he is one of the few people who can see Ananish for who she really is. Because he is the only one she cannot manipulate, he is who she wants to claim for her own. When her attempts repeatedly fail, Ananish devises a plan to remove Mina from the picture entirely. What she doesn’t count on is that Mina is so connected to the spirit world that she can guide their clan even from the afterlife.

I really enjoyed this novella. I loved seeing the two siblings be almost two sides of the same coin, raised in the same way yet entirely different. I also appreciated Nimbogi being steadfast in his attraction to Mina. Even though Ananish is undeniably beautiful, he does not give in to her advances because he knows her heart. Throughout the novella, there is truly stunning artwork at the start of each chapter. It correlates with the story and really added some depth. It was a bit slower at times, but well worth the read.

[Cailun Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short Native American fable that is powerful and beyond moving. The story follows two sisters, while both gifted, are opposite sides of a coin. The greatest contrast in this world, lightness and darkness. There is love, betrayal and sacrifice. It has many beautiful passages full of wisdom. It talks about the corruption we allow into our souls when we make decisions based on our thirst for power, greed and selfish desires. How they can eat away at us like poison. The imagery in this tale is absolutely breathtaking, complimented by the authors artwork I could see everything so vividly. This book offers wonderful reflection. What is serving us, our souls, and what is not. Difficult decisions, acts that affect not just the moment but your forever after. This novella took me completely by surprise in the best way. My only negative criticism, which is truly a compliment, is that I didn’t want the story to end.

[BookNookWhispers by Bevy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author gifted me his favorite writing and I feel very honored. Thank you, G. Edward Martin.
The short story follows the story of two sisters in a Native American tribe, both beautiful, both gifted, yet totally different. It reminded me a bit of a mix of the Cain and Abel story from the Bible and the German fairy tale Frau Holle (Mother Hulda?).
It‘s well written and engaging. There is a definite moral to take away. The message is loud and clear and very important.
I enjoyed the Native American angle.
In the end, it was a bit to esoteric for my taste. Still, I‘m glad this story found me.

[Yesenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blueberry Daughter transcends mere book status; it acts as a gateway to the profound realms of human emotions and moral dilemmas. Tracing the protagonist's odyssey to a Native American gathering and delving into the complexities of sibling bonds, this novella spins a enthralling yarn. The vivid contrast between selflessness and greed is unabashedly portrayed, prompting introspection in readers. The eternal clash of good and evil echoes through the story, leaving an indelible mark. Brace yourself for a literary voyage that will linger in your thoughts well past the final chapter's end, crafted to evoke deep emotions and challenge conventional perspectives.

[Mayra · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟 I absolutely loved this short Fictional Tribe story.
The story takes us back to where tribes succeeded through spiritual guidance. Two equally beautiful sisters Mina (Shamman of the tribe) and Ananish (Manipulator) confront themselves for the power of good and evil.
While Mina takes great responsibility for the tribe as a seer, Ananish uses her beauty and abilities to manipulate and get what she wants.
This story is one of love, compassion, and forgiveness. I 💯 recommend this book.
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy as a part of his ARC Team.

[Pennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful story. I found it sad when it confronts the loss of a loved one. But the story teaches you so much. I found the 9 gifts to be 9 lessons to live by. With those lessons, you can learn how to handle the bad things or losses that come with life. I was a little confused at the beginning with the visitors at the reservation. And I wished it would have given us more on that in the end. Because the man’s attraction to the woman in the tribe, what happened? Other than that, the story aka legend was beautiful!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great short story to read. It focuses on two sisters who both possess unique gifts along with portraying good and evil. I appreciated the art with the story as it gave us a vision of the people it was portraying. There was also a spiritual aspect to this story and lessons to be learned. It showcased family struggles, spiritualism, good vs. evil, love, friendship and so much more. A lot packed into this short story, but worth the read.

[MJ Lenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly moving experience. This Native American parable isn't just visually stunning; it resonates with the timeless power of authentic oral tradition.
This is more than just a beautiful Native American parable; it's a meticulously crafted experience that honors the very soul of traditional spoken storytelling. The narrative unfolds with the integrity and reverence due to the rich oral histories of Native American tribes, offering a glimpse into their profound wisdom and cultural heritage.

[Jillian Mismas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always refreshing to see different life perspectives from other cultures because it proves that we are not so different after all. I love mythology and old legends and lore, and this story definitely satiated that love. Sometimes people write stories, and other times, the story finds the author. Here, you can tell that story found the author because he was a great mouthpiece for a tale so complex and fragile.

Absolutely loved this novella and I will be reading it again.

[Meg Bozarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story! Read it in one sitting! This is a great read! First off the illustrations in the book were beautiful. The story is easy to follow and it it beautifully written. The way it is written I felt like I was around a campfire being told this story directly. It’s a beautiful story and worth the read!

[Jessica LC Weller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully Written

A beautifully written and believable Native American Folklore tale. The author has a way of storytelling that transports the reader directly into the setting of the village and story. I felt as if I was inside the village, living as the characters lived. Lessons to be learned are abundant, and G. Edward Martin delivers with expert yet humble ability.

[Alfred Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Spectacular! Must Read!

As someone who has spent plenty of time in classrooms Reading classic allegories Folklore and tales This story deserves to be up there with the greats. Not only does it mimic the style those stories were told in it representsed in a positive way. I would have a hard time discerning this as Fiction. A must read.

[Maria Magicoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing short of Amazing!

I highly recommend this novella! I wanted to read it because of the cover. So vibrant and inviting. Little did I know there were more beautiful drawings inside. The story kept me intrigued and I was not expecting the twist and ending. So beautifully written! Thank you for this story! I enjoyed it immensely!

[tammy Givens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Native American fable

5⭐ Absolutely beautifully written Native American fable of two sisters. One who embraces kindness, love, compassion and healing and one who embraces jealousy, envy, pride, and self obsession. How forgiveness and sacrifice can lead an entire nation to their promised land. Everyone has choices in life and what we choose reveals our character.

[Anne Berluna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the very well written story. I thought it was so beautiful and well detailed throughout the whole read. I admired "mina" and what she ended up wanting towards the end, it takes a very strong character to do so. Great overall.

[iesha Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was so good. i was hesitant at first because it isnt something i would normally pick for myself, but i am so glad i did. it was so beautifully written. i loved everything about it. Mina has my heart and i was amazed by her strength at the end. highly recommend

[Autumn Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, fictional Native American Folklore novella about the origin story of Chief Makwa’s people. This is only 85 pages but a lot happens and it was a good read. Definitely recommend if you’re interested!

[Talitha Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stories reads like a tribal legend, from which can be derived life lessons that allow those who take them to heart to thrive in the purposes for which they were granted life by their Creator. I would highly recommend it, though it drifts too far into spiritism for my liking.

[Anna Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an immersive novella that makes you feel like you are a child sitting around a campfire waiting for the next part of the story to unfold. The book is also filled with beautiful illustrations by the author.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Native American Fable has brought up nostalgic memories from my childhood which are fond memories.
The author did a great job describing the difference between good/evil and the outcome of either choice.

[gregg austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

well Written Masterpiece

Can’t wait to read this again for the 3rd time. a must have on any readers bookshelf. Hats off to the author.

[Anna Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good.

This isn't what I'm used to reading but I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed this. I definitely would recommend.