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Fireweed
"Unflinching and quietly devastating."—The Seattle Times
"[A] spiky and unnerving thriller."—The Brooklyn Rail
"Haddad’s debut novel shows off her mastery of prose and physical description, infusing each page with believable realism."—Associated Press
In the mowed-down industrial north of Prince George, Canada, “white trash” housewife Jenny Hayes shares a fence with the only First Nations woman in the neighborhood, Rachelle, and her two little girls. Jenny desperately wants a child and can’t understand why Rachelle, with her trash-pocked and overgrown yard, should have what Jenny wants most in the world. But Jenny tries to suppress her judgment as she has with her mother Fi, a cougar who chain smokes cigarettes instead of changing the full diapers of her boyfriend’s kids, and Missy, her best friend with Juicy Couture pulled tight over her baby bump and an unfurnished McMansion. Instead, she volunteers to babysit Rachelle’s girls— brushing hair, folding laundry, and ignoring the stilettos tucked under the bed in Rachelle’s disheveled home.
But when two young women—the strawberry blonde, blue-eyed Beth Tremblay and Jenny’s own neighbor, Rachelle—disappear along Highway 16, only Beth’s face and name are plastered on billboards and broadcasted over the air. Rachelle’s daughters are carted off by the state, and Jenny takes it upon herself to investigate. After all, Jenny thinks, who else is looking for her pariah of a neighbor? Jenny stutters through police encounters, asks the people living on the Rez all the wrong questions and ultimately faces—alongside the reader—the complicated motive behind her “investigation.”
With great awareness and care, Lauren Haddad’s portrait of Jenny brilliantly exposes first our impulse to seek the myths—as opposed to the realities—of race, class, and gender oppression in rural communities, and the consequences when our concern for others is clouded by self-preoccupation. Gripping, unflinching, and rebellious, Fireweed begs the just how good are our good intentions?
"[A] spiky and unnerving thriller."—The Brooklyn Rail
"Haddad’s debut novel shows off her mastery of prose and physical description, infusing each page with believable realism."—Associated Press
In the mowed-down industrial north of Prince George, Canada, “white trash” housewife Jenny Hayes shares a fence with the only First Nations woman in the neighborhood, Rachelle, and her two little girls. Jenny desperately wants a child and can’t understand why Rachelle, with her trash-pocked and overgrown yard, should have what Jenny wants most in the world. But Jenny tries to suppress her judgment as she has with her mother Fi, a cougar who chain smokes cigarettes instead of changing the full diapers of her boyfriend’s kids, and Missy, her best friend with Juicy Couture pulled tight over her baby bump and an unfurnished McMansion. Instead, she volunteers to babysit Rachelle’s girls— brushing hair, folding laundry, and ignoring the stilettos tucked under the bed in Rachelle’s disheveled home.
But when two young women—the strawberry blonde, blue-eyed Beth Tremblay and Jenny’s own neighbor, Rachelle—disappear along Highway 16, only Beth’s face and name are plastered on billboards and broadcasted over the air. Rachelle’s daughters are carted off by the state, and Jenny takes it upon herself to investigate. After all, Jenny thinks, who else is looking for her pariah of a neighbor? Jenny stutters through police encounters, asks the people living on the Rez all the wrong questions and ultimately faces—alongside the reader—the complicated motive behind her “investigation.”
With great awareness and care, Lauren Haddad’s portrait of Jenny brilliantly exposes first our impulse to seek the myths—as opposed to the realities—of race, class, and gender oppression in rural communities, and the consequences when our concern for others is clouded by self-preoccupation. Gripping, unflinching, and rebellious, Fireweed begs the just how good are our good intentions?
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2025
31 people are currently reading
588 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Haddad
4 books7 followersLauren Haddad is a writer, herbalist and mother who was born in metro Detroit. She currently lives in a small village in Switzerland with her family. Her writing on Prince George has appeared in Medicine Tree, and her first novel, Fireweed, was born out of years of relationship to that place, owing itself to the people there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 30, 2025
Missing and Murdered
The ongoing disappearance and murder of Indigenous women and girls in Canada and the United States, often described as a genocide, has persisted for decades. These cases frequently receive little to no attention or investigation. In “Fireweed” Lauren Hadden is looking to shine a light on this atrocity.
Living in Prince George, Canada, Jenny Hayes, who identifies as "white trash," harbors disdain for most everyone, including her demanding mother, privileged social circle, and even her husband. She does develop a strong curiosity about her neighbor Rachelle, an Indigenous widow with two young children whose late husband was white. Despite Jenny's crude, stereotype-laden perspective, shaped by her family and social circle's prejudiced views of Indigenous people as “uncivilized” and “savages,” Rachelle becomes a subject of intense fascination for her, observed from her backyard. Jenny is an incredibly nosy neighbor, constantly snooping, peeking, and keeping tabs on everything Rachelle does.
A twenty-four-year-old blonde, blue-eyed white girl, Beth Tremblay has disappeared, and it is the lead story on every station. Her picture is posted everywhere, there are bumper stickers, there is a reward out, and the whole community is galvanized. This just did not happen to girls like her.
One day Rachelle disappears– she fails to pick up her girls from the day care center. Jenny is the only one who seems to take notice. She investigates, tries to make the Mounties take this seriously, but the report is not even written up. A friend suggests Rachelle is just a casualty suffered by the prostitutes who work highway 16, the so-called “Highway of Tears.”
Our “White Savior,” Jenny may seem to be good-intentioned, but she just wears us out. She is loaded up with prejudices, she is borderline obsessive with Rachelle, and she makes a series of baffling decisions that leaves you scratching your head. There is a puzzling passage where she second-guesses her ancestry as an explanation for her connection with Rachelle, “...as if other hands were at the wheel.” Her husband, no prize human being, makes a comment to her that she should not ever forgive– and she lets that pass. Ultimately, the narrative lacks compelling characters to connect with.
It seems crucial that such a significant story be narrated by Native voices. We never see Rachelle, we see a caricature through Jenny’s eyes. There are inherent limitations to the perspective of a naive white woman who makes the story about herself.
The National Week of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls runs each year from May 5 to May 9.
Thank you to Astra Publishing House, NetGalley, and Edelweiss Plus for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The ongoing disappearance and murder of Indigenous women and girls in Canada and the United States, often described as a genocide, has persisted for decades. These cases frequently receive little to no attention or investigation. In “Fireweed” Lauren Hadden is looking to shine a light on this atrocity.
Living in Prince George, Canada, Jenny Hayes, who identifies as "white trash," harbors disdain for most everyone, including her demanding mother, privileged social circle, and even her husband. She does develop a strong curiosity about her neighbor Rachelle, an Indigenous widow with two young children whose late husband was white. Despite Jenny's crude, stereotype-laden perspective, shaped by her family and social circle's prejudiced views of Indigenous people as “uncivilized” and “savages,” Rachelle becomes a subject of intense fascination for her, observed from her backyard. Jenny is an incredibly nosy neighbor, constantly snooping, peeking, and keeping tabs on everything Rachelle does.
A twenty-four-year-old blonde, blue-eyed white girl, Beth Tremblay has disappeared, and it is the lead story on every station. Her picture is posted everywhere, there are bumper stickers, there is a reward out, and the whole community is galvanized. This just did not happen to girls like her.
One day Rachelle disappears– she fails to pick up her girls from the day care center. Jenny is the only one who seems to take notice. She investigates, tries to make the Mounties take this seriously, but the report is not even written up. A friend suggests Rachelle is just a casualty suffered by the prostitutes who work highway 16, the so-called “Highway of Tears.”
Our “White Savior,” Jenny may seem to be good-intentioned, but she just wears us out. She is loaded up with prejudices, she is borderline obsessive with Rachelle, and she makes a series of baffling decisions that leaves you scratching your head. There is a puzzling passage where she second-guesses her ancestry as an explanation for her connection with Rachelle, “...as if other hands were at the wheel.” Her husband, no prize human being, makes a comment to her that she should not ever forgive– and she lets that pass. Ultimately, the narrative lacks compelling characters to connect with.
It seems crucial that such a significant story be narrated by Native voices. We never see Rachelle, we see a caricature through Jenny’s eyes. There are inherent limitations to the perspective of a naive white woman who makes the story about herself.
The National Week of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls runs each year from May 5 to May 9.
Thank you to Astra Publishing House, NetGalley, and Edelweiss Plus for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2024
Jenny is a housewife who always wanted to be a mom, living next door to an aboriginal widow with two young children. Her days are endlessly monotonous, and through the window, she watches the neighbour she has so many prejudices against living a simple and enjoyable life.
She takes it upon herself to try to befriend her, and when she disappears out of thin air, she springs into action. Her disappearance mirrors the one of a local caucasion woman who goes missing, yet Jenny finds no mirror of empathy and desperation to find her new friend Rachelle.
She decides to take matters into her own hands, in a clumsy, ignorant, and misguided attempt to do something, while in reality doing nothing at all.
*******
I'm someone who lives in British Columbia and has heard all about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The Highway of Tears is horrifying, especially knowing those men who stole so many lives still haven't been caught, and our police chose and still choose to turn a blind eye. I was more than intrigued to read this book and see what the author would make of it. However, I was wary of someone not from this area, and not visibly Indigenous taking this on.
I had issues with some of the stereotypes and wording as they seemed more "American" than Canadian terms and ideals and had me scratching my head at the thought that anyone would think them. For example, thinking Indigenous people wouldn't know how to garden (this comes up a few times) and being shocked that they would have even a slight interest as they are "hunters or gatherers." The idea that Indigenous people wouldn't know how to grow crops is such an unrealistic stereotype, even from people born in the 50's and 60's, as the Indigenous people on and off reservations have always grown food, and we've always had that history taught in schools. We all know that the first people's were the cultivators of this land, so this was a very odd take, especially one to occur multiple times, and completely baffled me that the author would think to include a stereotype that was so unrealistic as such a touching point.
I didn't mind the slow build-up of understanding the female lead, her influences and life, her friends, and her getting to know her neighbour, despite her being a frustrating character. Unfortunately, I often felt confused and turned around during the scenes, events, and people, as the author seemed to ramble on and not really explain there had been a change. She'd go from talking about someone in a grocery store, to being in the house, to how the look of a yard had changed, but no actual context or travel between, or behind, the rambling thoughts. She also introduced characters (a sister, I think? Maybe an aunt?) without explaining the relationship, just giving the name and then describing them and their actions out of the blue, for no discernable reason. I had to constantly flip back to wonder how I got to where I was, or who they were referencing, and not finding anything, which made getting into the book confusing and disjointed. Its like the author imagined scenes changing and shifting, but never describes them, just gave narration to the leads' thoughts. Within the first 20% of the book I had to reread passages so often to try to parse out where on earth a transition occurred, that I ended up needing to put the book down and read something else that night, just so I wouldn't burn out on the novel.
As the book progressed, I couldn't help but to be more and more baffled over why the author thought this was an appropriate book to write. The MMIWG is a travesty that still continues to this day. Centering a white woman's voice and perspective about how useless and misguided her leads attempts are isn't a surprise to Indigenous peoples whatsoever. This just reads as a book that centers white women ahead of a serious, systemic issue that has nothing to do with them and does so for personal profit. The actual injustices and history of the Highway of Tears is barely even touched on in order to favour the lead, and it baffled me that that would even be a choice to make. I also can't help but to notice that the release date is scheduled a week before the National Day of Recognition for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and assume this is another way to prioritize white voices to prosper off of Indigenous tragedy. It left me feeling an off taste in my mouth, knowing that the author was this out of touch with the people affected by the Highway of Tears to think her novel was appropriate or necessary. We don't need a novel that talks about how white women try and fail and to deep dive into that. We need MORE education on the injustices and racist systems surrounding Indigenous peoples and how to force reparations to be made to them, and bring their families home, not white-centered books like this that explore white failure and feelings.
In writing this book, the author is doing what her character is doing. Blindly centering herself in an issue that is greater than her, and making her own faults the main identity, over actually supporting the cause and bringing education and understanding to light. In attempting to create a critique of a woman that does no true harm but no true good, the author herself has taken that role by writing this book.
With all being said, I found this book to be distasteful and would not recommend it.
********
Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
She takes it upon herself to try to befriend her, and when she disappears out of thin air, she springs into action. Her disappearance mirrors the one of a local caucasion woman who goes missing, yet Jenny finds no mirror of empathy and desperation to find her new friend Rachelle.
She decides to take matters into her own hands, in a clumsy, ignorant, and misguided attempt to do something, while in reality doing nothing at all.
*******
I'm someone who lives in British Columbia and has heard all about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The Highway of Tears is horrifying, especially knowing those men who stole so many lives still haven't been caught, and our police chose and still choose to turn a blind eye. I was more than intrigued to read this book and see what the author would make of it. However, I was wary of someone not from this area, and not visibly Indigenous taking this on.
I had issues with some of the stereotypes and wording as they seemed more "American" than Canadian terms and ideals and had me scratching my head at the thought that anyone would think them. For example, thinking Indigenous people wouldn't know how to garden (this comes up a few times) and being shocked that they would have even a slight interest as they are "hunters or gatherers." The idea that Indigenous people wouldn't know how to grow crops is such an unrealistic stereotype, even from people born in the 50's and 60's, as the Indigenous people on and off reservations have always grown food, and we've always had that history taught in schools. We all know that the first people's were the cultivators of this land, so this was a very odd take, especially one to occur multiple times, and completely baffled me that the author would think to include a stereotype that was so unrealistic as such a touching point.
I didn't mind the slow build-up of understanding the female lead, her influences and life, her friends, and her getting to know her neighbour, despite her being a frustrating character. Unfortunately, I often felt confused and turned around during the scenes, events, and people, as the author seemed to ramble on and not really explain there had been a change. She'd go from talking about someone in a grocery store, to being in the house, to how the look of a yard had changed, but no actual context or travel between, or behind, the rambling thoughts. She also introduced characters (a sister, I think? Maybe an aunt?) without explaining the relationship, just giving the name and then describing them and their actions out of the blue, for no discernable reason. I had to constantly flip back to wonder how I got to where I was, or who they were referencing, and not finding anything, which made getting into the book confusing and disjointed. Its like the author imagined scenes changing and shifting, but never describes them, just gave narration to the leads' thoughts. Within the first 20% of the book I had to reread passages so often to try to parse out where on earth a transition occurred, that I ended up needing to put the book down and read something else that night, just so I wouldn't burn out on the novel.
As the book progressed, I couldn't help but to be more and more baffled over why the author thought this was an appropriate book to write. The MMIWG is a travesty that still continues to this day. Centering a white woman's voice and perspective about how useless and misguided her leads attempts are isn't a surprise to Indigenous peoples whatsoever. This just reads as a book that centers white women ahead of a serious, systemic issue that has nothing to do with them and does so for personal profit. The actual injustices and history of the Highway of Tears is barely even touched on in order to favour the lead, and it baffled me that that would even be a choice to make. I also can't help but to notice that the release date is scheduled a week before the National Day of Recognition for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and assume this is another way to prioritize white voices to prosper off of Indigenous tragedy. It left me feeling an off taste in my mouth, knowing that the author was this out of touch with the people affected by the Highway of Tears to think her novel was appropriate or necessary. We don't need a novel that talks about how white women try and fail and to deep dive into that. We need MORE education on the injustices and racist systems surrounding Indigenous peoples and how to force reparations to be made to them, and bring their families home, not white-centered books like this that explore white failure and feelings.
In writing this book, the author is doing what her character is doing. Blindly centering herself in an issue that is greater than her, and making her own faults the main identity, over actually supporting the cause and bringing education and understanding to light. In attempting to create a critique of a woman that does no true harm but no true good, the author herself has taken that role by writing this book.
With all being said, I found this book to be distasteful and would not recommend it.
********
Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2025
In Prince George, BC, Canada, young housewife Jenny Hayes shares a fence with the only First Nations woman in the neighbourhood, Rachelle, and her two little girls. When Rachelle disappears shortly after a young white woman named Beth Tremblay does, only Beth’s face and name are plastered on billboards and given air time. Jenny takes it upon herself to investigate in a most haphazard way. She stumbles through police encounters, asks people living on the Rez all the wrong questions and ultimately faces the complicated motive behind her “investigation”.
There are a number of interesting and unusual characters in this book and in the beginning I liked Jenny even though she came across as rather naive. She does a lot of driving around the Prince George area trying to locate her neighbour Rachelle and then looking for Rachelle's sister Rhoda. It's amazing that she didn't get hurt or killed. By the time I was 3/4 of the way into the book I was quickly losing interest in the story and getting a little bored with Jenny's rambling thoughts as I tried to figure out what the book was actually about. My limited experience is that indigenous people are quite proprietary about certain terms and are offended when they're used by non-native persons and Jenny's guilty of tossing those terms around. Also, Rachelle and Rhoda seem highly unlikely names of native women but maybe I'm wrong. I have to agree with the many reviewers who commented that the author doesn't seem an appropriate person to try and tell this story.
Thank you to Astra Publishing House, via Netgalley, for approving my request to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: April 29, 2025
There are a number of interesting and unusual characters in this book and in the beginning I liked Jenny even though she came across as rather naive. She does a lot of driving around the Prince George area trying to locate her neighbour Rachelle and then looking for Rachelle's sister Rhoda. It's amazing that she didn't get hurt or killed. By the time I was 3/4 of the way into the book I was quickly losing interest in the story and getting a little bored with Jenny's rambling thoughts as I tried to figure out what the book was actually about. My limited experience is that indigenous people are quite proprietary about certain terms and are offended when they're used by non-native persons and Jenny's guilty of tossing those terms around. Also, Rachelle and Rhoda seem highly unlikely names of native women but maybe I'm wrong. I have to agree with the many reviewers who commented that the author doesn't seem an appropriate person to try and tell this story.
Thank you to Astra Publishing House, via Netgalley, for approving my request to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: April 29, 2025
May 17, 2025
Jenny, a young white woman in Prince George, B.C., forms an unlikely friendship with her neighbour, Rochelle, who is Indigenous and the mother of two young children. I say unlikely, because the white people in Jenny’s social circle do not, as a rule, hang out with their Indigenous neighbours. But when Rochelle goes missing, Jenny must push back against systemic racism within the RCMP to try and get them to pursue Rochelle’s case. She learns, for the first time, that all missing women are not treated equally.
I have SUPER mixed feelings about this book! I absolutely loved the writing style. It was intimate and conversational while still providing so much rich detail. There was a really strong sense of place here. I feel like I got to know the setting and many of the characters really well.
That said, I’m not sure this was the right story for this writer, who does not, based on her bio, seem to be Indigenous. I applaud her for not trying to write from an Indigenous perspective, and I think there’s definitely a place for stories about white women overcoming their own prejudices, but missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls continue to be a major issue in Canada, and I’m not sure a story where a white woman experiences character growth through her neighbour’s disappearance is the right framing at this current time.
There was also some clumsy handling of Indigenous identity in general. The main character repeatedly refers to people with one white parent and one First Nations parent as “Métis,” and this is never corrected, which leads me to wonder if the author knows the definition of this term. (For the record, Métis people are a distinct group of people descended from intermarriage between French settlers and First Nations people. They have their own culture, history, and traditions. Being ethnically half-white and half-First Nations does not necessarily mean you are Métis).
I would eagerly read a different book by this writer, because I adore her writing style and think she’s very talented. But this specific book misses the mark.
I have SUPER mixed feelings about this book! I absolutely loved the writing style. It was intimate and conversational while still providing so much rich detail. There was a really strong sense of place here. I feel like I got to know the setting and many of the characters really well.
That said, I’m not sure this was the right story for this writer, who does not, based on her bio, seem to be Indigenous. I applaud her for not trying to write from an Indigenous perspective, and I think there’s definitely a place for stories about white women overcoming their own prejudices, but missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls continue to be a major issue in Canada, and I’m not sure a story where a white woman experiences character growth through her neighbour’s disappearance is the right framing at this current time.
There was also some clumsy handling of Indigenous identity in general. The main character repeatedly refers to people with one white parent and one First Nations parent as “Métis,” and this is never corrected, which leads me to wonder if the author knows the definition of this term. (For the record, Métis people are a distinct group of people descended from intermarriage between French settlers and First Nations people. They have their own culture, history, and traditions. Being ethnically half-white and half-First Nations does not necessarily mean you are Métis).
I would eagerly read a different book by this writer, because I adore her writing style and think she’s very talented. But this specific book misses the mark.
October 8, 2024
I requested an ARC of Fireweed hoping it would be a voice for the Indigenous community mixed with suspense, but unfortunately, it didn’t hit the mark. Before starting, I read a post from the publisher saying that the author, with great awareness, exposes the damage caused when we prioritize our own value system over others—but after finishing the book, I’m not quite sure that is what got delivered.
I get what the author was trying to do, but something didn’t click. The story felt like it was a character study about someone dwelling on past failures and trying to make up for them, instead of focusing on the larger systemic issues. I can't say we need books told from the perspective of someone removed from the real problem.
The audience for this book is a bit of a puzzle too. It's marketed as a read for fans of Tana French, but I didn’t see how a thriller fan would enjoy it. On the other hand, even someone looking for a thought-provoking take on social issues might find it frustrating, especially since the main character is so painfully uninformed that it’s hard to engage with.
Reflecting on the book, it gave me “white savior” vibes. It also leaned into some very distant and naive stereotypes, like suggesting Indigenous people wouldn’t know how to garden. Instead of diving deep into the real, systemic problems impacting Indigenous communities, the story spends too much time on the struggles of the lead, a white woman. What we need are more books focused on the injustices these communities face, along with real steps for making change, not ones centered on white guilt.
The timing of the book’s release, set for April 29, 2025, feels off to me too. It’s just a week before the National Day of Recognition for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and it comes across as an attempt to capitalize on that important topic. I cannot wholeheartedly say that this book will contribute to the topic at hand.
On top of all that, the writing was hard to follow. It felt disjointed, more like a stream of consciousness or a rough draft than a finished novel. While I do appreciate books that aim to raise awareness about the crimes against Indigenous women and the failures of law enforcement, Fireweed just didn’t come together the way it needed to. I trust that the author had pure intentions, but perhaps got a bit lost along the way.
Thanks to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for the ARC.
I get what the author was trying to do, but something didn’t click. The story felt like it was a character study about someone dwelling on past failures and trying to make up for them, instead of focusing on the larger systemic issues. I can't say we need books told from the perspective of someone removed from the real problem.
The audience for this book is a bit of a puzzle too. It's marketed as a read for fans of Tana French, but I didn’t see how a thriller fan would enjoy it. On the other hand, even someone looking for a thought-provoking take on social issues might find it frustrating, especially since the main character is so painfully uninformed that it’s hard to engage with.
Reflecting on the book, it gave me “white savior” vibes. It also leaned into some very distant and naive stereotypes, like suggesting Indigenous people wouldn’t know how to garden. Instead of diving deep into the real, systemic problems impacting Indigenous communities, the story spends too much time on the struggles of the lead, a white woman. What we need are more books focused on the injustices these communities face, along with real steps for making change, not ones centered on white guilt.
The timing of the book’s release, set for April 29, 2025, feels off to me too. It’s just a week before the National Day of Recognition for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and it comes across as an attempt to capitalize on that important topic. I cannot wholeheartedly say that this book will contribute to the topic at hand.
On top of all that, the writing was hard to follow. It felt disjointed, more like a stream of consciousness or a rough draft than a finished novel. While I do appreciate books that aim to raise awareness about the crimes against Indigenous women and the failures of law enforcement, Fireweed just didn’t come together the way it needed to. I trust that the author had pure intentions, but perhaps got a bit lost along the way.
Thanks to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for the ARC.
April 18, 2025
*edit April 2025* Since I’ve now confirmed something that I’d only speculated about at the time I originally posted this review, I want to add that this was nooot the right book for a non-Native author to write. I would have loved to read this book had an actual Native person written it.
It’s embarrassing that Astra, who I typically really respect, chose to publish this, and it’s reprehensible that it’s getting published so close to MMIW Awareness Day when it’s not a thoughtful or respectful representation of Indigenous folks.
—————————————————————————————
DNF at 17%
I went into this book, based on its description, anticipating a Lynchian take on exploring and amplifying the stories of missing and murdered Indigenous women. What I found instead was a white narrator who was not only incredibly caught up in the minutia of her own life, but also was incredibly racist.
There were multiple instances of use of the “s——“ slur in reference to the solitary Native American character who speaks within the first quarter of the book, along with consistent reinforcement of negative stereotypes, like Indigenous people not being civilized enough to garden.
I would like to believe that the purpose of this was to try to challenge white readers who may hold unconscious bias or racist attitudes toward Indigenous folks to recognize the problems with these types of beliefs, but this likely good intention, for me, landed with a cringe-inducing thud.
It was quite painful to read, and when the lead character received one opportunity to correct her casually racist behavior, checked herself on it, and then went right back to the same behavior, I decided to put it down. I’m sure there is a story arc somewhere about her challenging her beliefs, but through the way this narrative is set up, I am leery of white saviorism being a big part of Jenny’s story. A review flagged with a spoiler warning also reinforced my apprehension and made me not want to finish this book.
The author’s writing is capable of being quite beautiful, but it felt a bit dissonant when the narrator, who refers to herself as “trailer trash,” occasionally waxes poetic with a vocabulary that seems more befitting of her well-educated author than her own voice.
I was really looking forward to this, but ultimately it was so much heavier handed than what I was hoping for. Stories about missing and murdered Indigenous women deserve to be told, but I think this story would have been more effectively told by an Indigenous author or at the very least with more care to exclude racist language.
Thank you very much to Astra House and Lauren Haddad for the e-arc.
It’s embarrassing that Astra, who I typically really respect, chose to publish this, and it’s reprehensible that it’s getting published so close to MMIW Awareness Day when it’s not a thoughtful or respectful representation of Indigenous folks.
—————————————————————————————
DNF at 17%
I went into this book, based on its description, anticipating a Lynchian take on exploring and amplifying the stories of missing and murdered Indigenous women. What I found instead was a white narrator who was not only incredibly caught up in the minutia of her own life, but also was incredibly racist.
There were multiple instances of use of the “s——“ slur in reference to the solitary Native American character who speaks within the first quarter of the book, along with consistent reinforcement of negative stereotypes, like Indigenous people not being civilized enough to garden.
I would like to believe that the purpose of this was to try to challenge white readers who may hold unconscious bias or racist attitudes toward Indigenous folks to recognize the problems with these types of beliefs, but this likely good intention, for me, landed with a cringe-inducing thud.
It was quite painful to read, and when the lead character received one opportunity to correct her casually racist behavior, checked herself on it, and then went right back to the same behavior, I decided to put it down. I’m sure there is a story arc somewhere about her challenging her beliefs, but through the way this narrative is set up, I am leery of white saviorism being a big part of Jenny’s story. A review flagged with a spoiler warning also reinforced my apprehension and made me not want to finish this book.
The author’s writing is capable of being quite beautiful, but it felt a bit dissonant when the narrator, who refers to herself as “trailer trash,” occasionally waxes poetic with a vocabulary that seems more befitting of her well-educated author than her own voice.
I was really looking forward to this, but ultimately it was so much heavier handed than what I was hoping for. Stories about missing and murdered Indigenous women deserve to be told, but I think this story would have been more effectively told by an Indigenous author or at the very least with more care to exclude racist language.
Thank you very much to Astra House and Lauren Haddad for the e-arc.
April 12, 2025
deleting this review bc I was way too nice and the further away I get from actually reading this book the worse it lives in my memory
March 24, 2025
This book—while being a mystery—is an exploration into the marginalization of women. Specifically, the women of First Nations people who daily experience the “Us vs. Them” mentality of living within and near the white people who have the power. The Indigenous specific racism drives the discrimination, racist misogyny, and violence that First Nations women experience. Assumed to be alcohol and drug dependent prostitutes, they are diminished to a status where its acceptable to perpetrate social, judicial, and physical abuse.
Jenny—by her own words--is white trash. Lonely and alone, she is desperate for a child of her own. She lives with her mostly absent husband, works part-time, and babysits the neglected children of her mom’s latest boyfriend. She’d like to approach her neighbor of five years, Rochelle, to set up a play date for the children she babysits, and Rochelle’s daughters. However, Jenny is a product of her racist upbringing, and Rochelle is a First Nations woman. By the time Jenny is ready to approach Rochelle, the young mother has disappeared; left behind are her daughters. Knowing Rochelle would never abandon her children, she reports her missing to the police who promptly ignore her. At the same time, a white girl goes missing which garners widespread reporting and searches. The hypocrisy does not go unnoticed.
This is a mystery with a social conscience. It is filled with obtuse characters spewing racial rhetoric. It should be an eye opener to one’s own beliefs. However, the lack of Indigenous, main characters is a problem for me; it is their story after all. Many First Nations women have gone missing and/or murdered along the Highway of Tears (a name given to a stretch of highway that goes through the book’s setting), and it is this that our author chose to be the center her (Jenny’s) story. I see why Rochelle would go missing, but I wish there was more development of her as a person beyond being a plot device. She—and her community—deserve more. This would also give more weight to the lengths Jenny goes to to find her. It would also go far in humanizing Rochelle.
Why is the book called Fireweed? Fireweed is a flowering perennial native to the northern hemisphere that grows well in areas that have been devastated by fire. Due to its underground root growth, one plant can cover a large area of land. The plant is an apt metaphor for First Nation’s women: they thrive in even the worst situations, are often thought to be invasive, and their value—like the roots—is unseen.
I would like to thank Astra House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Jenny—by her own words--is white trash. Lonely and alone, she is desperate for a child of her own. She lives with her mostly absent husband, works part-time, and babysits the neglected children of her mom’s latest boyfriend. She’d like to approach her neighbor of five years, Rochelle, to set up a play date for the children she babysits, and Rochelle’s daughters. However, Jenny is a product of her racist upbringing, and Rochelle is a First Nations woman. By the time Jenny is ready to approach Rochelle, the young mother has disappeared; left behind are her daughters. Knowing Rochelle would never abandon her children, she reports her missing to the police who promptly ignore her. At the same time, a white girl goes missing which garners widespread reporting and searches. The hypocrisy does not go unnoticed.
This is a mystery with a social conscience. It is filled with obtuse characters spewing racial rhetoric. It should be an eye opener to one’s own beliefs. However, the lack of Indigenous, main characters is a problem for me; it is their story after all. Many First Nations women have gone missing and/or murdered along the Highway of Tears (a name given to a stretch of highway that goes through the book’s setting), and it is this that our author chose to be the center her (Jenny’s) story. I see why Rochelle would go missing, but I wish there was more development of her as a person beyond being a plot device. She—and her community—deserve more. This would also give more weight to the lengths Jenny goes to to find her. It would also go far in humanizing Rochelle.
Why is the book called Fireweed? Fireweed is a flowering perennial native to the northern hemisphere that grows well in areas that have been devastated by fire. Due to its underground root growth, one plant can cover a large area of land. The plant is an apt metaphor for First Nation’s women: they thrive in even the worst situations, are often thought to be invasive, and their value—like the roots—is unseen.
I would like to thank Astra House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Currently reading
April 15, 2025I have a lot of reading to do this week. 3 Books and Like to Really Absorb a Story.
This is a debut by Lauren Hadded. Two women go missing, but only one is considered worthy of getting media coverage. Interested in Reading This One for Sure. Usually, this is my kind of book, but will see. A Blind Read and Hope an Excellent One.
This is a debut by Lauren Hadded. Two women go missing, but only one is considered worthy of getting media coverage. Interested in Reading This One for Sure. Usually, this is my kind of book, but will see. A Blind Read and Hope an Excellent One.
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August 26, 2024About 25% into this my spidey DNF senses were tingling, by 32% I was barely holding on. Thankfully, a review marked 'spoiler' had appeared since I'd checked last... After learning how the book ends, I just couldn't put myself through reading any further. I try my hardest to avoid doing this with NetGalley approvals, but this one I couldn't justify.
Perhaps a dodged bullet, I won't be giving this a star rating as I don't feel like 32% in is far enough to make it a fair judgement.
{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Lauren Haddad, and publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!}
Perhaps a dodged bullet, I won't be giving this a star rating as I don't feel like 32% in is far enough to make it a fair judgement.
{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Lauren Haddad, and publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!}
June 27, 2025
I’ll begin with a sports analogy: This is a replacement-level book. If I had forgotten a book when traveling and had to pick one at random from a shop at the airport, this is about how good I’d expect it to be. It earns a few extra points for ambition and loses a few for execution.
It’s hard to meaningfully discuss this book without revealing some details of the plot. I’ll try not to reveal everything, but be forewarned. On the other hand, the book’s own publicity spoils some of the content, so I’ll try not to do any worse than that.
It’s hard to meaningfully discuss this book without revealing some details of the plot. I’ll try not to reveal everything, but be forewarned. On the other hand, the book’s own publicity spoils some of the content, so I’ll try not to do any worse than that.
September 16, 2024
In "Fireweed," a white housewife named Jenny investigates the disappearance of her Indigenous neighbor Rachelle, who goes missing along with another woman. Despite her initial judgment, Jenny becomes involved in the case and questions societal perceptions of marginalized communities. The novel explores themes of privilege, bias, and the impact of our actions on others.
This book has evoked a multitude of emotions within me. I understand that it may not resonate with everyone, but it has certainly left a lasting impact on me.
Not long ago, I watched a film called Wind River, which shed light on the alarming number of Indigenous people who go missing or are found dead without anyone taking notice. This was a real eye-opener for me, and it made me appreciate the importance of stories like the one told in this book.
The characters in this book are incredibly well-developed and likable, making the story feel very realistic. The vivid descriptions of the environment further enhanced the plot, making it feel like a story that could easily happen in real life. While some parts may seem slow, they are necessary to tie the entire book together.
Overall, this book is a gripping page-turner that will leave you feeling pensive and emotional at times. It reads like a true story, drawing you in with its authenticity.
I highly recommend this book and encourage you to form your own opinion. It may be worth doing some research to understand the gravity of the issues addressed in the book. The struggles faced by the characters, such as Jenny's attempts to report Rachelle missing and being met with indifference, are sadly reflective of real-life scenarios. This book is truly remarkable and deserves to be read.
Thank you, Astra Publishing House for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book has evoked a multitude of emotions within me. I understand that it may not resonate with everyone, but it has certainly left a lasting impact on me.
Not long ago, I watched a film called Wind River, which shed light on the alarming number of Indigenous people who go missing or are found dead without anyone taking notice. This was a real eye-opener for me, and it made me appreciate the importance of stories like the one told in this book.
The characters in this book are incredibly well-developed and likable, making the story feel very realistic. The vivid descriptions of the environment further enhanced the plot, making it feel like a story that could easily happen in real life. While some parts may seem slow, they are necessary to tie the entire book together.
Overall, this book is a gripping page-turner that will leave you feeling pensive and emotional at times. It reads like a true story, drawing you in with its authenticity.
I highly recommend this book and encourage you to form your own opinion. It may be worth doing some research to understand the gravity of the issues addressed in the book. The struggles faced by the characters, such as Jenny's attempts to report Rachelle missing and being met with indifference, are sadly reflective of real-life scenarios. This book is truly remarkable and deserves to be read.
Thank you, Astra Publishing House for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 10, 2024
Thank you to Netgallery and Astra Publishing House for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This story follows Jenny Hayes as she navigates life as a housewife, infertility, and the disappearance of her First Nations neighbor, Rachelle.
If you want to read a story about a protagonist with a White Savior complex, this book is for you. I had very high expectations for this book, namely that justice would be done to highlight the MMIW movement. This book significantly missed the mark. I was disappointed that this story focused very little on the Indigenous experience and instead was just another white protagonist's perspective. Jenny is a white, bored housewife who believes she is going to solve Rachelle's case and takes it upon herself to investigate, all the while imposing herself in another missing girls' search and Indigenous community.
The lack of alternative perspective and lack of story development led to several problematic stereotypes:
- Calling an Indigenous character "the man with the braid" instead of giving him a name for most of the book.
-Jenny's assumption that "the man with the braid" was abusive based solely on his looks. This reinforces the stereotype of Indigenous men engaging in DV.
- Using racist terms like "sq--," which were unnecessary and harmful.
-"Indian time" was mentioned and depicted several times.
-MMIW go missing because they like to "party."
-MMIW go missing because they are engaging in sex work.
-Indigenous people can't garden/plant.
-Indigenous people littering the streets of the big city because of their substance misuse.
I read that the author owed this book to the people of Prince George. Unfortunately, this book is a complete disservice to Indigenous people, as there were no positive attributes of Indigenous people or culture highlighted within this work.
I will not recommend this book to others due to the harmful narrative. I would especially caution Indigenous readers (like myself) from picking this book up.
This story follows Jenny Hayes as she navigates life as a housewife, infertility, and the disappearance of her First Nations neighbor, Rachelle.
If you want to read a story about a protagonist with a White Savior complex, this book is for you. I had very high expectations for this book, namely that justice would be done to highlight the MMIW movement. This book significantly missed the mark. I was disappointed that this story focused very little on the Indigenous experience and instead was just another white protagonist's perspective. Jenny is a white, bored housewife who believes she is going to solve Rachelle's case and takes it upon herself to investigate, all the while imposing herself in another missing girls' search and Indigenous community.
The lack of alternative perspective and lack of story development led to several problematic stereotypes:
- Calling an Indigenous character "the man with the braid" instead of giving him a name for most of the book.
-Jenny's assumption that "the man with the braid" was abusive based solely on his looks. This reinforces the stereotype of Indigenous men engaging in DV.
- Using racist terms like "sq--," which were unnecessary and harmful.
-"Indian time" was mentioned and depicted several times.
-MMIW go missing because they like to "party."
-MMIW go missing because they are engaging in sex work.
-Indigenous people can't garden/plant.
-Indigenous people littering the streets of the big city because of their substance misuse.
I read that the author owed this book to the people of Prince George. Unfortunately, this book is a complete disservice to Indigenous people, as there were no positive attributes of Indigenous people or culture highlighted within this work.
I will not recommend this book to others due to the harmful narrative. I would especially caution Indigenous readers (like myself) from picking this book up.
January 31, 2025
Oop first book of the year was a doozy. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC for a review. This could have been a well written, well researched, sad, thrilling story documenting the horrific history of missing and murdered indigenous women on the Highway of Tears but instead this book was distasteful and self centred. Reading quotes like, "a lot of them spoke like that as if they weren't from here." "she wasn't like the others, Rachelle was subtle, refined," and the idea of residential schools being a good thing was extremely aggravating. Especially with the publication date so close to MMIW day.
I understand that main character is meant to be an ignorant white woman: a product of her racist environment - is an explanation for the disrespect of indigenous people in this book but I think it's more of an excuse for poor writing from a non indigenous or Canadian writer. This can also explain why the descriptions were overly Canadian. Repeatedly mentioning specific details like Canadian tire, timmies, pretro-can. What's meant to assist in the realism of the story, actually does the opposite and pulls me out of it. Fireweed was way too repetitive. I probably could have just read the books description and moved on because it told me everything I needed to know.
The only "good thing" about the book is that it drives home First Nations erasure. A white woman goes missing and everyone loses their minds, but a coloured person does and its swept under the rug.
I understand that main character is meant to be an ignorant white woman: a product of her racist environment - is an explanation for the disrespect of indigenous people in this book but I think it's more of an excuse for poor writing from a non indigenous or Canadian writer. This can also explain why the descriptions were overly Canadian. Repeatedly mentioning specific details like Canadian tire, timmies, pretro-can. What's meant to assist in the realism of the story, actually does the opposite and pulls me out of it. Fireweed was way too repetitive. I probably could have just read the books description and moved on because it told me everything I needed to know.
The only "good thing" about the book is that it drives home First Nations erasure. A white woman goes missing and everyone loses their minds, but a coloured person does and its swept under the rug.
September 22, 2024
Fireweed serves as a poignant reflection on the pressing issue of missing women, particularly highlighting the often-ignored experiences of women of color in the context of white feminism. The narrative delves into the intricate challenges of striving for what is right, even when confronted by systemic obstacles and personal doubts.
The initial half of the book is crafted like a slow-burn thriller, enveloping readers in a gripping atmosphere filled with suspense. I was completely captivated by this approach! However, as the story transitions in the latter half, it shifts into a more introspective character study. While I appreciated the detailed exploration of the protagonist’s inner life, I couldn’t help but notice that the initial focus on the disappearance of an Indigenous woman started to recede into the background.
The conclusion, marked by its somber tone, left me feeling a bit unsettled, but perhaps that was the intended effect. All in all, Fireweed is a thought-provoking read that struck a chord with me. I’m definitely interested in discovering more works from this author!
The initial half of the book is crafted like a slow-burn thriller, enveloping readers in a gripping atmosphere filled with suspense. I was completely captivated by this approach! However, as the story transitions in the latter half, it shifts into a more introspective character study. While I appreciated the detailed exploration of the protagonist’s inner life, I couldn’t help but notice that the initial focus on the disappearance of an Indigenous woman started to recede into the background.
The conclusion, marked by its somber tone, left me feeling a bit unsettled, but perhaps that was the intended effect. All in all, Fireweed is a thought-provoking read that struck a chord with me. I’m definitely interested in discovering more works from this author!
March 25, 2025
As an indigenous woman, I’m tired of reading stories of white guilt about indigenous struggles. The MMIW epidemic is something that has affected my community greatly. I don’t think Haddad’s voice was necessary on the matter.
I find the “racist person becomes “non racist” after meeting a POC”, narrative of white saviordom played out and trite. I don’t need to sit through the annoying stream of consciousness of a woman throwing slurs at indigenous people.
Whilst I don’t think Haddad wrote Jenny to be a likable character, I’m unsure what her motives were for writing this book. Even if this book is meant to highlight how white people overshadow indigenous struggles, Haddad is guilty of doing the same by writing this book. Perhaps I’m not the intended audience for this book, but those who need that sort of message should be reading a book by an indigenous author instead.
Subject matter aside, the characters were all incredibly one-dimensional and it was a pain to get through this book.
While it is HIGHLY important to talk about MMIW, this ain’t it.
I received an ARC of this from Netgalley & Astra House.
I find the “racist person becomes “non racist” after meeting a POC”, narrative of white saviordom played out and trite. I don’t need to sit through the annoying stream of consciousness of a woman throwing slurs at indigenous people.
Whilst I don’t think Haddad wrote Jenny to be a likable character, I’m unsure what her motives were for writing this book. Even if this book is meant to highlight how white people overshadow indigenous struggles, Haddad is guilty of doing the same by writing this book. Perhaps I’m not the intended audience for this book, but those who need that sort of message should be reading a book by an indigenous author instead.
Subject matter aside, the characters were all incredibly one-dimensional and it was a pain to get through this book.
While it is HIGHLY important to talk about MMIW, this ain’t it.
I received an ARC of this from Netgalley & Astra House.
September 25, 2024
This is a good, but tough read.
It’s really hard to be in the head of our MC at times – even when she starts to be a bit of a better person, I struggled to like her. I also felt that she read much older than she was supposed to be.
The story itself is a good, if painful, one.
It’s very much about how disposable women are – and how much more disposable non-white women are. I’ll warn you, the racism is pervasive and very, very real.
I’m glad I read this one, though it made me very sad.
• ARC via Publisher
It’s really hard to be in the head of our MC at times – even when she starts to be a bit of a better person, I struggled to like her. I also felt that she read much older than she was supposed to be.
The story itself is a good, if painful, one.
It’s very much about how disposable women are – and how much more disposable non-white women are. I’ll warn you, the racism is pervasive and very, very real.
I’m glad I read this one, though it made me very sad.
• ARC via Publisher
November 6, 2024
DNF!
Thank you to NetGalley for this e-arc, but it was Not Good.
I’m echoing other reviews I’ve read when I say this, but I don’t know why the author thought it was appropriate to write this book about a white woman centering herself in an indigenous woman’s story. It was so painful to read about the fumbled attempts Jenny (mc) made to find her missing indigenous neighbor, all the while trying to hide her search from her racist friends and family. Pathetic.
The writing itself was bad too. This was almost unreadable. Sorry. 😬
Thank you to NetGalley for this e-arc, but it was Not Good.
I’m echoing other reviews I’ve read when I say this, but I don’t know why the author thought it was appropriate to write this book about a white woman centering herself in an indigenous woman’s story. It was so painful to read about the fumbled attempts Jenny (mc) made to find her missing indigenous neighbor, all the while trying to hide her search from her racist friends and family. Pathetic.
The writing itself was bad too. This was almost unreadable. Sorry. 😬
April 11, 2025
I don’t know what would possess an Iraqi woman to write an MMIW story, but this book should have never been published. Surely, she has stories about her own people.
The absolute audacity.
The absolute audacity.
February 27, 2025
DNF @ 60%
I hate to not finish a book, and usually when I DNF I won’t leave a review, but this one feels worthy of discussing. The book started strong for me, an ignorant white woman living in a racist town that has a clear disdain for the local indigenous population befriends her native neighbor before she goes missing. It was uncomfortable, but in a way that felt like it was calling out the blatant hypocrisy and racism of this colonizing community. But after about 30% it turned into a character study on an unlikable white woman surrounded by her racist and slurring friends who constantly belittle and dehumanize everyone in the indigenous community. I was hoping to see some character arc, or lean into the indigenous community and give them a voice after being voiceless for so long, but it wasn’t heading in that direction and instead was delving deeper into the backwards white perspective. I see what the author was trying to do?? I think?? But it took a turn for the worse and left me incredibly disappointed. I can’t help but wonder why this story even needed to be told? Why do we need a character study on uneducated and ignorant privileged white woman while the indigenous community once again takes the back seat the to loud and uneducated white voices..?
I hate to not finish a book, and usually when I DNF I won’t leave a review, but this one feels worthy of discussing. The book started strong for me, an ignorant white woman living in a racist town that has a clear disdain for the local indigenous population befriends her native neighbor before she goes missing. It was uncomfortable, but in a way that felt like it was calling out the blatant hypocrisy and racism of this colonizing community. But after about 30% it turned into a character study on an unlikable white woman surrounded by her racist and slurring friends who constantly belittle and dehumanize everyone in the indigenous community. I was hoping to see some character arc, or lean into the indigenous community and give them a voice after being voiceless for so long, but it wasn’t heading in that direction and instead was delving deeper into the backwards white perspective. I see what the author was trying to do?? I think?? But it took a turn for the worse and left me incredibly disappointed. I can’t help but wonder why this story even needed to be told? Why do we need a character study on uneducated and ignorant privileged white woman while the indigenous community once again takes the back seat the to loud and uneducated white voices..?
August 28, 2024
This thrilling read takes place in Prince George, Canada, where Jenny Hayes, a housewife, shares a fence with Rachelle, the only First Nations woman in the neighborhood. Despite their differences, Jenny volunteers to babysit Rachelle's girls to suppress her judgment of their living conditions. Only Beth's case receives attention when two women, Beth Tremblay and Rachelle, disappear. Jenny takes it upon herself to investigate Rachelle's disappearance, questioning the police and the Métis people on the Rez. The novel challenges the mythologization of marginalized communities and the consequences of privileging one value system over another.
Sadly, I struggled to get into this read. I don't know if it was because the formatting threw me off or what. The description was very promising, but this read fell short for me. I did like how this read touched on a topic that is so important. People get prioritized based on their skin tones all the time. Jenny did what she knew was right and advocated for Rachelle.
Sadly, I struggled to get into this read. I don't know if it was because the formatting threw me off or what. The description was very promising, but this read fell short for me. I did like how this read touched on a topic that is so important. People get prioritized based on their skin tones all the time. Jenny did what she knew was right and advocated for Rachelle.
April 7, 2025
DNF @ 48%
This novel offers an intimate character study of a woman grappling with her own assumptions and prejudices, set against a backdrop that captures the quiet routines and tensions of suburban life. While the portrayal of the main character is somewhat complex, I found the book’s broader framing—particularly its engagement with the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls—to be extremely troubling. The story centers a white woman’s perspective and emotional journey while only lightly touching on the systemic violence and indifference that define the real-life context it draws from. The narrative also leans heavily on the lead’s personal transformation, which bordered on overshadowing the far more urgent realities facing Indigenous communities. While the novel may aim to critique passive complicity, it often lingers too long on the feelings of those adjacent to injustice rather than those most affected by it. In that sense, I remain unsure of what the book hoped to contribute to this conversation, and I’m really trying to be DNF more books if they lose me, so sadly, I gotta throw in the towel.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review
This novel offers an intimate character study of a woman grappling with her own assumptions and prejudices, set against a backdrop that captures the quiet routines and tensions of suburban life. While the portrayal of the main character is somewhat complex, I found the book’s broader framing—particularly its engagement with the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls—to be extremely troubling. The story centers a white woman’s perspective and emotional journey while only lightly touching on the systemic violence and indifference that define the real-life context it draws from. The narrative also leans heavily on the lead’s personal transformation, which bordered on overshadowing the far more urgent realities facing Indigenous communities. While the novel may aim to critique passive complicity, it often lingers too long on the feelings of those adjacent to injustice rather than those most affected by it. In that sense, I remain unsure of what the book hoped to contribute to this conversation, and I’m really trying to be DNF more books if they lose me, so sadly, I gotta throw in the towel.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review
October 10, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
This is a whirlwind of a story taking place in Canada, where the industry is mining and paper production from trees. Life here can be uneasy. A young couple living here and struggling to make ends meet (she works in retail, he works in the mines) is suddenly confronted with an unimaginable event: Their neighbor, a single mom who is First Nations, has gone missing. Her children have been left behind. But is she really missing? And, do the neighbors or police even seem concerned? The descriptions of the rugged landscape (including fireweed plants), the reports of other missing persons, and the possibility of an unreliable narrator set up a story that feels ready to combust with tension and suspense. I kept returning to this eerie place and wondering what would happen next! 3.5 stars
This is a whirlwind of a story taking place in Canada, where the industry is mining and paper production from trees. Life here can be uneasy. A young couple living here and struggling to make ends meet (she works in retail, he works in the mines) is suddenly confronted with an unimaginable event: Their neighbor, a single mom who is First Nations, has gone missing. Her children have been left behind. But is she really missing? And, do the neighbors or police even seem concerned? The descriptions of the rugged landscape (including fireweed plants), the reports of other missing persons, and the possibility of an unreliable narrator set up a story that feels ready to combust with tension and suspense. I kept returning to this eerie place and wondering what would happen next! 3.5 stars
October 26, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this!
I won’t say I struggled to finish this, I was invested in seeing the end so that kept me pulled in. That said, I definitely have some feelings about this book and not all of them are positive.
First: what a depressing scene the author sets of PG, I’m sure it’s accurate for the late 90s/early 2000s. Very good world building and the little details help flesh the settings out. I didn’t dislike Jenny so much as I pitied her; I couldn’t stand everyone else in her life. Her mom sucks, her husband sucks, her friends suck. I feel like she was a pretty well-built character, and I did like her more by the end. She did learn something I guess by the end and ended up a little less ignorant than her friends? But the end was a little unsatisfying.
I feel like this is being advertised as a book about missing and murdered indigenous women, and throughout the story we did see Jenny learn and come to some more understanding about the native people that live around her. However, this should not be marketed as a book about missing and murdered and indigenous women, as Rachelle was basically just a side quest in this. We got zero resolution of that issue. This really isn’t a thriller and I hope it isn’t being marketed as such. This is very white lady centered and even though Jenny did meet some indigenous folks toward the end I don’t even know what the purpose of introducing those characters was since there was no further interaction or impact i really saw.
Some parts of this felt like tedious stream of consciousness writing, normally I don’t skim over stuff like that, but there were definitely some paragraphs I kind of had to skim. A few places I didn’t really know what was being talked about? Easy enough to pick back up, but still annoying.
Overall, it was not a bad read, but it was not really a great read. I wouldn’t really say that it accomplished drawing attention to missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada. I am sure there are books that are better representative of this horrifying issue.
I won’t say I struggled to finish this, I was invested in seeing the end so that kept me pulled in. That said, I definitely have some feelings about this book and not all of them are positive.
First: what a depressing scene the author sets of PG, I’m sure it’s accurate for the late 90s/early 2000s. Very good world building and the little details help flesh the settings out. I didn’t dislike Jenny so much as I pitied her; I couldn’t stand everyone else in her life. Her mom sucks, her husband sucks, her friends suck. I feel like she was a pretty well-built character, and I did like her more by the end. She did learn something I guess by the end and ended up a little less ignorant than her friends? But the end was a little unsatisfying.
I feel like this is being advertised as a book about missing and murdered indigenous women, and throughout the story we did see Jenny learn and come to some more understanding about the native people that live around her. However, this should not be marketed as a book about missing and murdered and indigenous women, as Rachelle was basically just a side quest in this. We got zero resolution of that issue. This really isn’t a thriller and I hope it isn’t being marketed as such. This is very white lady centered and even though Jenny did meet some indigenous folks toward the end I don’t even know what the purpose of introducing those characters was since there was no further interaction or impact i really saw.
Some parts of this felt like tedious stream of consciousness writing, normally I don’t skim over stuff like that, but there were definitely some paragraphs I kind of had to skim. A few places I didn’t really know what was being talked about? Easy enough to pick back up, but still annoying.
Overall, it was not a bad read, but it was not really a great read. I wouldn’t really say that it accomplished drawing attention to missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada. I am sure there are books that are better representative of this horrifying issue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
This book has gotten bad reviews for being a white woman writing about missing and murdered indigenous women. I’m here to weigh in and say yes, that is what it is. However- I thought it was actually a fairly nuanced look at some of the ways in which white people perceive and understand their indigenous neighbors. Sometimes I think we have to watch someone fumble at something and do it poorly, and that in itself can be a way to learn. Of note: this might be the most beautiful book cover I’ve ever laid eyes on.
April 14, 2025
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the Arc of Fireweed in exchange for an honest review!
I'm very torn on my rating for this book. I think fireweed is well written and the atmosphere is executed very well: the book is monotone and oppressive, just like the main character's life. I was on edge a lot of the time and actually had to put the book down on certain scenes because I couldn't deal with them. So writing-wise, this is between 4 and 5 stars for me.
However. I am a white, European woman with basic knowledge on first nations people and their struggles in Canada, and I can't help but feel like I am exactly the target audience for this book. That started bothering me towards the end. The main character is a white woman. The people she surrounds herself with are white. The indigenous people - the disappeared women she comes into contact with - are part of /her/ story. This book is mostly about her learning the truth behind her own prejudices against native people. The stories of the highway of tears are mostly a way to make that happen. Her character arc gets a (slightly unsatisfactory) end. Other's do not.
I personally didn't know a lot about the highway of tears. This book has made me want to learn more about it. I also connected with the books message about women's issues, sexism and sexual violence in general. That's good, but it's also something that i can appreciate because of my whiteness. I'm privileged to not know these stories and experiences firsthand. I realised more and more how frustrating this book must be to read as a woman of colour. It kind of felt like a 'care about people of colour 101' course. Wait, the police cares less when a woman of colour goes missing, really?! That realisation may be groundbreaking to the main character, but it shouldn't be to readers at this point.
I don't think it's impossible to tell this story from a white person's point of view, and like I said - this book might speak to other white people and help them challenge their own stereotypes, ignorance and prejudices. But the characters of colour need more agency. At the end of the day, it is mostly their pain and experiences that are the heart of this story, and yet the only person who's character arc is fulfilled is the white main character.
I'm very torn on my rating for this book. I think fireweed is well written and the atmosphere is executed very well: the book is monotone and oppressive, just like the main character's life. I was on edge a lot of the time and actually had to put the book down on certain scenes because I couldn't deal with them. So writing-wise, this is between 4 and 5 stars for me.
However. I am a white, European woman with basic knowledge on first nations people and their struggles in Canada, and I can't help but feel like I am exactly the target audience for this book. That started bothering me towards the end. The main character is a white woman. The people she surrounds herself with are white. The indigenous people - the disappeared women she comes into contact with - are part of /her/ story. This book is mostly about her learning the truth behind her own prejudices against native people. The stories of the highway of tears are mostly a way to make that happen. Her character arc gets a (slightly unsatisfactory) end. Other's do not.
I personally didn't know a lot about the highway of tears. This book has made me want to learn more about it. I also connected with the books message about women's issues, sexism and sexual violence in general. That's good, but it's also something that i can appreciate because of my whiteness. I'm privileged to not know these stories and experiences firsthand. I realised more and more how frustrating this book must be to read as a woman of colour. It kind of felt like a 'care about people of colour 101' course. Wait, the police cares less when a woman of colour goes missing, really?! That realisation may be groundbreaking to the main character, but it shouldn't be to readers at this point.
I don't think it's impossible to tell this story from a white person's point of view, and like I said - this book might speak to other white people and help them challenge their own stereotypes, ignorance and prejudices. But the characters of colour need more agency. At the end of the day, it is mostly their pain and experiences that are the heart of this story, and yet the only person who's character arc is fulfilled is the white main character.
October 7, 2024
I didn’t hate it enough to rate it 1 star… but that’s about all I can say
January 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Lauren Haddad, and Astra Publishing House for the ARC!
3.5 rounded up!
Not going to lie, I can't wait for this one to cause a stir when it's published. Based on the reviews so far, it seems like a lot of people have a problem with this book. Some things I agree with, others I think need a little more exploration and discussion.
For one, Jenny's character is SUPPOSED to be ignorant. She does all the wrong things that we, using our own knowledge of the issue-brought to our attention on social media, would not do. At the same time, no one is listening to her and she also experiences some of the violence that is wrought around the area. Jenny's actions aren't always right, but they make sense for her character- despite any character growth we may have seen. It's disappointing for sure, especially for her missing neighbor Rachelle, but again- to me it made sense. There seems to be certain gendered expectations that Jenny can't help but continue to adhere to- especially since it's the norm in a place that she's spent her entire life in. She becomes a sympathetic character in her naivety, but that doesn't mean we have to support her thoughts and actions as the reader.
People also have issue of Jenny's story taking precedence over Rachelle, but isn't that also the point? Once again, like the missing white girl who get's all the news coverage at the same time as Rachelle's disappearance, stories of missing indigenous women are pushed to the backburner. The inaction is intentional. For most of the book, Jenny seems to be Rachelle's only hope and that's a bad thing. Jenny's story being at the forefront shows this. Does every book that talks about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement need to so blatantly discuss the larger systemic issues that we're already aware of at this point? The issue is ALSO people like Jenny and her community! I would have a problem if the publisher marketed this book with Jenny (and the author) being a voice for the indigenous community but I don't think it's doing that. I think there are (and should be more) books out there for that.
I think this book is nuanced in a certain way that may not work for everyone and that's perfectly fine! I will say I think the end wrapped up too quickly, almost as if the author didn't know where she wanted to end things. I think a little more exposition could've really driven the point home, and that's where some may be also taking issue. I think moving forward, this book should be very carefully marketed and recommended. I have to say, I would not recommend it within any context of the MMIWG movement. Maybe as an ARC reviewer I'll have some sway, but I'm not sure about the publishers decision to publish this one so close to the National Awareness Day for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Again, super curious to see more discussion on this one once it is published- the discourse should be interesting!
3.5 rounded up!
Not going to lie, I can't wait for this one to cause a stir when it's published. Based on the reviews so far, it seems like a lot of people have a problem with this book. Some things I agree with, others I think need a little more exploration and discussion.
For one, Jenny's character is SUPPOSED to be ignorant. She does all the wrong things that we, using our own knowledge of the issue-brought to our attention on social media, would not do. At the same time, no one is listening to her and she also experiences some of the violence that is wrought around the area. Jenny's actions aren't always right, but they make sense for her character- despite any character growth we may have seen. It's disappointing for sure, especially for her missing neighbor Rachelle, but again- to me it made sense. There seems to be certain gendered expectations that Jenny can't help but continue to adhere to- especially since it's the norm in a place that she's spent her entire life in. She becomes a sympathetic character in her naivety, but that doesn't mean we have to support her thoughts and actions as the reader.
People also have issue of Jenny's story taking precedence over Rachelle, but isn't that also the point? Once again, like the missing white girl who get's all the news coverage at the same time as Rachelle's disappearance, stories of missing indigenous women are pushed to the backburner. The inaction is intentional. For most of the book, Jenny seems to be Rachelle's only hope and that's a bad thing. Jenny's story being at the forefront shows this. Does every book that talks about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement need to so blatantly discuss the larger systemic issues that we're already aware of at this point? The issue is ALSO people like Jenny and her community! I would have a problem if the publisher marketed this book with Jenny (and the author) being a voice for the indigenous community but I don't think it's doing that. I think there are (and should be more) books out there for that.
I think this book is nuanced in a certain way that may not work for everyone and that's perfectly fine! I will say I think the end wrapped up too quickly, almost as if the author didn't know where she wanted to end things. I think a little more exposition could've really driven the point home, and that's where some may be also taking issue. I think moving forward, this book should be very carefully marketed and recommended. I have to say, I would not recommend it within any context of the MMIWG movement. Maybe as an ARC reviewer I'll have some sway, but I'm not sure about the publishers decision to publish this one so close to the National Awareness Day for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Again, super curious to see more discussion on this one once it is published- the discourse should be interesting!
Read
December 28, 2024Thank you to Net Galley for the digital ARC!
Content warnings: anti-indigenius racism, sexism, sexual assault, abusive relationship dynamics.
This book has so many different threads coming together. Told from the perspective of a white Canadian housewife who suspects her indigenous neighbor to have been abducted, the author uses this unreliable narrator to put forward a lot of ideas that may make readers uncomfortable, namely spouting racist troupes and being self-involved to the point of parody. Her experiences (and centering of both herself and a missing white girl) illustrate larger themes of the dismissal of the movement to find and acknowledge missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW), but it is painful to read.
At times it rings false only because she also brings a lot of nuance to her narration -- noting uncomfortable, abusive dynamics and patterns, making intelligent observations on class and sexism to herself, and having a lot of worldly knowledge for someone who often is so ignorant. The contradictions are a bit jarring--it feels like the best parts of her could just be the author's notes from somewhere else, relevant to the story but not the character.
A few layers that drive this point home with metaphor-- the author is a herbalist and often uses the language of plants and nature in her narrative. The title of the book is Fireweed, a native Canadian red plant depicted as a weed or something to be uprooted, discarded, that grows in her neighbor's yard and appears several times throughout the book. The narrator later admires its beauty and learns it can be made into a healing salve. She reflects on a teaching that what defines a weed is often just perspective, but doesn't quite make the connection to a lasting mindset shift.
Relatedly, the white narrator's name is Jenny -- providing a parallel allusion to creeping jenny, an invasive plant native to Europe.
I think this book can spark a lot of conversations about the racist treatment of indigenous women and how their lives are devalued, but it's an artifact-- a text that makes its point both indirectly and with force. The author knows what she's doing in centering a white person's perspective (a sort of meta commentary on the ubiquity of a white gaze and the harm it does) but it's not exactly a pleasant read.
Based on a lot of the other reviews here, it sounds like a lot of people did not respond to this format or the main character. I too felt the dissonance, but recognize it's in service of exposing a painful truth. Perhaps it will inspire people to educate themselves on MMIW and then deliberately seek out indigenous perspectives.
Content warnings: anti-indigenius racism, sexism, sexual assault, abusive relationship dynamics.
This book has so many different threads coming together. Told from the perspective of a white Canadian housewife who suspects her indigenous neighbor to have been abducted, the author uses this unreliable narrator to put forward a lot of ideas that may make readers uncomfortable, namely spouting racist troupes and being self-involved to the point of parody. Her experiences (and centering of both herself and a missing white girl) illustrate larger themes of the dismissal of the movement to find and acknowledge missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW), but it is painful to read.
At times it rings false only because she also brings a lot of nuance to her narration -- noting uncomfortable, abusive dynamics and patterns, making intelligent observations on class and sexism to herself, and having a lot of worldly knowledge for someone who often is so ignorant. The contradictions are a bit jarring--it feels like the best parts of her could just be the author's notes from somewhere else, relevant to the story but not the character.
A few layers that drive this point home with metaphor-- the author is a herbalist and often uses the language of plants and nature in her narrative. The title of the book is Fireweed, a native Canadian red plant depicted as a weed or something to be uprooted, discarded, that grows in her neighbor's yard and appears several times throughout the book. The narrator later admires its beauty and learns it can be made into a healing salve. She reflects on a teaching that what defines a weed is often just perspective, but doesn't quite make the connection to a lasting mindset shift.
Relatedly, the white narrator's name is Jenny -- providing a parallel allusion to creeping jenny, an invasive plant native to Europe.
I think this book can spark a lot of conversations about the racist treatment of indigenous women and how their lives are devalued, but it's an artifact-- a text that makes its point both indirectly and with force. The author knows what she's doing in centering a white person's perspective (a sort of meta commentary on the ubiquity of a white gaze and the harm it does) but it's not exactly a pleasant read.
Based on a lot of the other reviews here, it sounds like a lot of people did not respond to this format or the main character. I too felt the dissonance, but recognize it's in service of exposing a painful truth. Perhaps it will inspire people to educate themselves on MMIW and then deliberately seek out indigenous perspectives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2025
Jenny is a rather racist, spottily educated, rather directionless young woman who is nonetheless miles ahead of her party-loving mother and her mother's much younger boyfriend. This of course means Jenny gets to do a lot of free babysitting for her mom's boyfriend's kids, in part to offset the lousy parenting their father and Jenny's mom seem capable. Which, of course, is so unfair, and even worse is that the neighbor also has kids, two young girls, and what Jenny really wants is to have a baby with her husband Sam. This dilemma of childlessness and her routine of work and dealing with her mom's drama, so far, are all she really does, til her neighbor vanishes. All of a sudden Jenny is drawn into a problem outside herself, a perplexing one, because while Jenny is casually racist, her friends and family are heavily racist and don't see why anyone should care if some Native women go missing every so often.
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