Firekeeper: A Novel

by Katłıà

Nyla has an affinity to fire. A neglected teen in a small northern town—trying to escape a mother battling her own terrors—she is kicked out and struggles through life on the streets. Desperate for love, Nyla accidentally sets fire to her ex’s building and is then incarcerated for arson. Through community-led diversion, Nyla finds herself on a reserve as their firekeeper. But when climate change–induced wildfires threaten her new home, she knows intimately how to fight back.

The fourth book from acclaimed writer Katłıà brings a Northern Indigenous perspective to the destructive effects of ongoing colonialism. Displaying Katłıà’s enthralling storytelling style, Firekeeper is a coming-of-age tale that addresses intergenerational trauma by reclaiming culture, belonging and identity.

Join Nyla on her healing journey through the fire to sacred waters.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Indigenous

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2024

Reviews

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not easy reading, and it's not going to fill you with much warmth for humanity...until, at the end, it still manages to do so. But such stories need to be told, and this one is told particularly well.

[Jim Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent indigenous novel by Katlià. It highlights the importance of discovering one's culture and ancestral ways, connecting to the land to promote healing.

[Aizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for class… very impactful, but i will say i am confused by the ending

[Ariela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firekeeper by Katłįą has so many layers. It’s the story of a girl who is in need of healing, and her journey towards that. Even though this is a work of fiction, it is the story of so many. It reminds me of the book I read a while back, Realizing A Good Life. In that book, the author interviewed many men, most of whom were Indigenous, and these men would tell their stories of their lives. How their lives fell apart due to bad decisions and bad influences in their lives. That’s what happens to Nyla in this story. How her life came to be a certain way, and how she deals with what life throws at her.

It’s almost like a story of survival, at least that’s a part of it. It’s Nyla’s survival story. There’s so much of this book that I think is important, and like I said with Realizing a Good Life, these stories are so heartbreaking. I do recommend that others read stories like this, as a learning experience so that they don’t go down that path.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that it’s a long, dark road that sucks you in and makes it hard to get back out. A world where there’s no one to trust and nothing to fall back on.

Firekeeper is a journey through so many things, but the most important thing is the ending and the lessons learned from it. Healing of the mind, body, and soul.
I recommend this book to those who are on a healing journey of their own, and perhaps this book can serve as a reminder or some motivation to never give up hope 🤍

[Ziggi Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a full experience! We followed Nyla from innocence, through the fires and trials of a troubled upbringing. We witnessed the world fail her, and her fail those around her, and a fight to not be consumed both by the hopelessness of her situation, and the literal fires that seem to somehow follow and entrance her. And then we got to see something truly special when she happens into a position to be able to help, and learn how her experience has brought her to a unique wisdom, and the Rez community/tribe she has found herself living among (not specified if it is her actual tribe, or just a neighboring one), become a surrogate family that show her that she can heal and be loved and become an appreciated member of the community. Her past does not define her, and her obsession with fire has led her to a unique fearlessness around the unpredictable and dangerous wildfires that seem to be an ever-increasing issue as the climate gets hotter with each passing year.

This was not an easy book. Katłįą makes you feel the experiences of abuse, and r@pe on some level, as if you were there in the room, dissociating right along with Nyla. The second half has so much light and wisdom and healing medicine though, that I believe it to be worth the journey and the tears along the way. This will be a an author to follow for me, hands down!

[Enid Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this is just so deeply traumatic… It was almost too much for me to bear as a reader.

I almost bailed… butI continued - mostly because it’s a small book - only 170+ pages in total.

The second half - where we get to the healing - was worth sticking with this.

Beautifully written.

My first time with this author - I will have to go back and read their earlier titles when I have time.

[Ne_Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

An indigenous coming of age story that outlines the powers of culture and community to heal.

Nyla's journey to healing can be a hard read at times but the book is never judgemental, treating Nyla with both respect and care as she eventually comes to a place of peace.

As harsh as it was at times, I really enjoyed this novel.

And that's that.

[Myranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely compelling read and for me, Katłıà's best work to date. As a character, Nyla was complex and her voice felt so real and clear through this stunning and powerful story of a healing journey. There's so much compassion in this story. I encourage people to read this.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing deserves a higher rating for sure, but this story will relentlessly beat you up emotionally.
I wanted to just rip through it, but there was no way i could absorb that much trauma in one gulp. At less than 200 pages, it took me a week to get through it.

TW for everything? Pretty much.

[Tim Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure where to begin. This will sit with me for a while.

I think this is worth a reread for sure. I had a hard time putting this down.

The writing style wasn't my favourite, but the story was engrossing.

It offers some insight into a culture I'm not familiar with, but we should be.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, haunting story full of trauma and healing.

[Scott Neigh]

A coming of age story set in the Northwest Territories. Trauma and healing. Intense and difficult, especially the earlier parts of the book. Good.

[Lesley Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally something readable.

[Amandacita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out quite strong but got lost and felt rushed towards the end. It would be more successful as a series of short stories

[Osobina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sad read but I’m glad I got to experience it

[Ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5!

The ending really got me I’m surprised I didn’t see it coming at all