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Barbara P. (Mountain Center, CA)
Two Sisters and So Much More
This book will linger with me for a long time. The issues that this books touches are timely and heartbreaking. Anna struggles with who she is, where she is from and who she will become - while trying to understand who others want her to be. Then she is thrown into an alarming and frightening situation in an environment where she should have been safe. The situations in this book mirror life so closely that it is an addictive read at the same time that it makes us uncomfortable and aware of dangers and attitudes in the world we live in. The author's notes read like a continuation of the story and a call for advocacy. I will recommend this book for book clubs and all women.
Karen S. (Allston, MA)
Two Sisters and All of Their People
I liked this book even more than I expected. The ambitious mix of folklore, telling new stories, and coming of age when you don't fit in, actually worked quite well. Medina created a compelling setting and characters that I cared about, especially the two teenage sisters. Their conflicts and love were very believable. The time shifts in the story could have been annoying, but they were not. The real story of a missing girl from the Blackfeet reservation provides somber context for this modern story, a context that is probably not well known.
I was pleased to see that Medina has written several books and story collections, and I may give one a look, though I do not generally like horror stories. Sisters of the Lost Nation has some elements of a horror story, but is too serious and real to be labelled as such, at least in my opinion.
Hinterland Woman
It might happen
This novel presented a storyline that touches on a true and present danger here in my state and many others across our country. The book tells a story of behind the scenes life on a fictional reservation and casino and what evils could lurk in the dark of night behind closed doors. The story of an indigenous girl that goes missing and a sister determined to find her. The story line kept me interested in finding out what really happened and why. I recommend this book.
Pamela W. (Piney Flats, TN)
Topical
In the last couple of years, we've been made more aware of missing Native women. This novel brings that issue to life. Other themes revolve around racial prejudice, gender identity, and acceptance of Native peoples in their own environment.
Initially, I struggled with the style and mysticism, but as I continued reading, I was drawn in by the life/trials/mystery of the protagonist's life and rushed to the resolution.
I would recommend it to friends with the caution re: novice writer. Not Louise Penny, but I was engaged.
Donna Mc
Native American coming of age and a mystery
Sisters of the Lost Nation is a good read. Anna is a high school senior who is bullied by her classmates, and even her sister, because she doesn’t fit in. She’s fascinated by Tribal stories and traditions and appalled at the cost that modernity in the guise of a casino is imposing on the reservation. And women are disappearing. She is convinced that the disappearances are connected and also related to Tribal myths, and she begins to dig.
The story is ambitious with many peripheral issues. Tribal history and traditions as well as Anna’s response to the awful bullying seem to be overwhelmed by other issues. Ultimately however they are all connected. This could have been a much longer book and still hold the reader’s attention. Thoughtful and thought provoking, Sisters will encourage interest in Tribal life in America.
Margaret A. (Cornelius, NC)
Sisters of the Lost Nation
This is a coming of age/coming into ones own and much more. The main characters are two Native American teenage sisters and their family living on the reservation. They attend a local school and work in the luxury hotel of a recently built Casino on the reservation.
The story touches on how life on the reservation has changed with money coming in from the casino and how the older sister believes the legends and stories of her people are fading away At the same time the story addresses a hugely important and timely subject of the plight of so many missing and murdered indigenous women
I saw at one point that the story was considered a horror story. I felt it was more a story of the presence of indigenous legends fresh in the mind of the main character and how it shaped her perceptions
This book covers a lot of subjects, some that remain in your thoughts long after the story ends. The only complaint for me was the time frame in each chapter. It is not chronological and was at times difficult to follow That may have more to do with the fact that I had an ebook and not a paperback more than the story itself.
Lynne B. (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
Sisters of the Lost Nation
The characters of Amanda Horn and her sister Grace honor the memories of all the lost Native women over history. This is a coming-of-age story of a teen Native woman living on a fictional reservation in Louisiana. As with many reservations, there is a contrast between the life in town versus the reservation and the financial dependence on the casino to provide jobs and income for the native people. Also brought up within the story is the conflict in jurisdiction legally for law enforcement. Anna is conflicted in becoming the spokesperson for the Native culture and the passing on of the "stories" and feeling that she is unworthy as a downtrodden and demeaned Native woman as reinforced by her treatment from the townspeople and especially her off the reservation White classmates. She embodies being one of the Two Spirits, described as being neither male or female and honored for their ability to take on and carry out the traditional roles of their tribes. This is all explained in the Author's Note at the end of the book and explains a lot of the theme of the story. This book is an excellent addition to the literature collection of those who choose to gain more understanding of the history of mistreatment of Native Americans in this country. I caution that the story moves back and forth in time throughout the first half of the book so it is important to keep track of the day reminders at the head of each chapter. Though confusing at first you will find that sticking with the story will be rewarding,
Jennie R. (Highland, CA)
Good read, but unsatisfying….
My first gripe about this book is that I couldn't figure out why Anna attended a school where she seemed to be one of very few Native American students. I don't believe this was explained. She suffered cruel treatment at the hands of her fellow students, even her own sister. Her parents were so wrapped up in their own unhappiness, they seldom paid much attention to their three children. When Anna's younger sister, Grace, goes missing (the most recent of a number of missing girls) Anna is doggedly determined to find out what happened to her. She suspects her manager at the casino is involved somehow and investigates on her own. Reservation law enforcement's power is limited and local law enforcement doesn't seem to want to put much effort into tribal problems.
Overall, I liked the book. I wondered as I read, how much research the author had done on the topic of Native American and First Nation women who go missing…much of it sounded likely.. I wasn't happy with the ending, finding it too easy an answer.