Beast

From a Tłı̨chǫ Dene author comes an eerie thriller placing readers in the Northwest Territories, 1986. Lawson Sauron's whole life has revolved around a treaty governing the peace between the Dogrib and Chipewyan tribes of Fort Simmer, Lawson honoring the Yabati motto of "Protect, accept, respect, and defend with honour." When his best friend, Cody Cranes, goes missing, Lawson believes he may be the only one who can help find Cody. Late one evening, Lawson witnesses some sort of malevolent spirit possessing Cody's brothers, and his fears are confirmed: a powerful, evil entity is being used to break the treaty. Elements of medicine, magic, and dark forces are interwoven throughout the work, as are tribal stories focused on community, identity, and responsibility. Lawson's struggle is familiar to many teens, with his piling responsibilities and outsider status as he tries to find his friend. The cast of characters offers a unique glimpse into some of the more intimate practices of various Indigenous cultures, and fun pop culture nods firmly cement this supernatural work in its 1980s setting. A rewarding read.

In his latest, Van Camp, a member of the Dogrib (Tłįchǫ) Dene Nation, weaves '80s pop culture references and supernatural elements into a page-turning thriller that follows a teen who confronts a terrifying threat to his community. Fort Simmer in Canada's Northwest Territories is home to many different Indigenous groups. Lawson Sauren, whose family is Dogrib, has Chipewyan neighbors, the Cranes family. Their "ancestors used to be warring tribes," but in the early 19th century, the two groups forged a peace treaty that still holds in 1986. As a Yabati, or protector, Lawson is charged with maintaining the peace treaty. But the town bully, Silver Cranes, keeps provoking and mocking him, trying to get him to lash out with violence. Due to Silver's silver-colored hair, people believe he's a reincarnated shaman or prophet with exceptional abilities. And in fact his brother Cody, who's gay, a target of Silver's homophobia, and friends with Lawson, says that Silver can read minds. When Silver resurrects a demon called the Dead One, Lawson--with help from his friend Isaiah Valentine, who's Cree, and crush, Shari Burns, who's Métis--must step up. Lawson is a realistic, awkward, strongly characterized teen hero dealing with growing pains. This engaging story focuses on the importance of relationships and how actions affect others, for example through the ripples created by Lawson's mother's death. Delicately balances a gripping storyline with well-rendered cultural elements and accessible writing. (QR code for playlist)(Supernatural thriller. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.