Hunting by Stars

I was so excited to read Cherie Dimaline's new book - Hunting by Stars. It continues the story that began in her 2017 multi award winning novel, The Marrow Thieves.

In the not so distant future, a plague and natural disasters have decimated the world - and erased the ability to dream. Without dreams people go mad. Until...the government discovers that Indigenous people are still dreaming. And now they are being hunted for their bone marrow, as the government believes that's where the dreams are stored.

Seventeen year old French and his family have been on the run for years, hiding in the forests, determined to build their community, keep their language - and stay out of the hands of the Recruiters. But a single slip finds French in a show more cement walled unlit room - and he knows where he is...

There is a large cast of characters, with some being lost and some being found along the way. I've become quite invested in everyone's story over the two books. We come to know the stories of many characters through their own words. I love the sense of community, the continuity, the loves, the losses, the hopes and yes, dreams. And what family is.

Dimaline's world building is believable, well described and easily imagined as I read.

I started Hunting by Stars on September 30th, which seemed very fitting as the day was the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There are many levels to Hunting by Stars. It's a fabulous, suspense filled page turner that you won't be able to put down. But it's also a narrative on the horrific treatment of Indigenous people - fact, not fiction. Residential schools, horrific living conditions with no clean water, missing women on the Highway of Tears, racism and so much, much more.

Gut wrenchingly good - absolutely a five star read! Dimaline is a consummate storyteller. You'll want to read The Marrow Thieves first. I don't think this story is done - I'll be watching for the third book! show less

Unputdownable! Satisfying to see the characters develop from the first book. Cherie Dimaline’s writing is awesome and beautiful, and she managed to describe really well and convincingly how the characters deal with completely horrible moral dilemmas. Also neatly setting things up for a third book in the series. And I really appreciated the new nonbinary character.

The thing I enjoy most about this series is the hope that permeates everything. No matter the despair, the family find hope for each other. There is a moment in this book when one of the most beautiful things occurs and it is during one of the worst times of their lives, and somehow Cherie Dimaline writes characters who can contain both. I highly recommend this series.

This may be one of the only sequels I enjoy more than the first of a series. It certainly helps having the background of the first Marrow Thieves, but the story is great on its own as well. The plot is not too far fetched, and I loved the many nods to current events of the past two years.

So good. I didn’t want to put it down. Harrowing at times.