Barnes & NobleSheine Lende: A Prequel to Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

A precious book

[ 4.5/5 stars ] 1970s Texas - the Lipan Apache teen (Shane) works with her mother and their hunter ghost dogs tracking down missing persons even when their families can't afford to pay. When Shane's mother disappears on a rescue mission, Shane is on her own rescue mission, alongside her estranged grandparent. I haven't read a wholesome story for a while and SHEINE LENDE warmed my heart in all the ways. With detective vibes, the plot is filled with enticing adventures and some dose of danger - Badger seamlessly interweaves Apache tales and magical elements (such as fairy wings and realm), adding layers of singularity and flavor to the narrative. The author delivers a brave and smart main character wonderfully supported by well-crafted side characters, whose personal stories anchored by land and ancestors one easily cherishes. With fluid prose, Badger examines family, displacement, grief, trauma and death with much humanity, emotionally amplified by the incorporation of nature that has its own personality. Highly imaginative and affectionately written, this book reveals the stories we tell ourselves and the memories we need to keep us alive, in the way one is able to change the past/future. SHEINE LENDE is a precious world populated by precious characters. It's my first Badger and I need to read 'Elatsoe' as soon as possible. [ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Levine Querido . All thoughts are my own ]