Cherie Dimaline's Hunting by Stars weaves another compelling narrative with well-developed characters and a strong emotional core. Reviewers praise its blend of dystopian elements with indigenous storytelling, yet note occasional pacing issues. Overall, it's lauded for its evocative writing and thought-provoking themes.

Readers who enjoyed The Hunger Games or The Road will be captivated by Cherie Dimaline's Hunting by Stars. This book is ideal for those who appreciate dystopian narratives, Indigenous storytelling, and themes of survival, resistance, and identity. Perfect for fans of speculative fiction with rich cultural layers.

In Cherie Dimaline's 2021 novel Hunting by Stars, the second installment of the Marrow Thieves series, 17-year-old French is kidnapped by government agents in a post-apocalyptic world where Indigenous people are hunted for their dream-enabling bone marrow. As French's family, including his girlfriend Rose, fights to reunite and survive, they confront systemic oppression and perilous journeys, highlighting a dystopian critique of colonial violence against Indigenous communities. This book includes depictions of imprisonment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, violence, torture, racism, murder, and attempted infanticide.

Mysterious / Dark / Emotional / Contemplative / Challenging

- Hunting by Stars is a companion novel to Cherie Dimaline's The Marrow Thieves, which won the Governor General's Award for English-language children's literature.
- The book is set in a dystopian future where Indigenous peoples are hunted for their ability to dream, a theme that critiques historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous communities.
- Cherie Dimaline, a member of the Georgian Bay Métis Community in Canada, is known for her distinct voice that blends speculative fiction with Indigenous storytelling traditions.

**FRANCIS “FRENCH” DUSOME**  
A 17-year-old Métis boy and the protagonist who navigates difficult and morally ambiguous choices. He is resourceful and determined, using his quick decision-making skills to survive challenging situations.

**ROSE MORRISEAU**  
A 16-year-old girl known for her beauty, curly hair, and fighting skills. She is driven by her instincts to search for loved ones, connecting deeply with cultural traditions and her Indigenous heritage.

**MITCH DUSOME**  
French’s older brother who symbolizes the effects of alienation and colonization. He joins the government bureaucracy and has a steadfast belief in a colonialist perspective.

**MIIGWANS**  
An elder and parent-figure who provides wisdom and guidance to French and Rose’s found family. He is committed to preserving traditions and demonstrates great patience and sacrifice.

**WAB AND CHI BOY**  
A couple in their late teens dealing with past trauma while facing new challenges. Wab is pregnant, and both she and Chi Boy demonstrate resilience.

**TREE AND ZHEEGWON**  
Identical 13-year-old twins who have endured physical trauma but remain playful and optimistic. They are seen as younger siblings within their group.

**THE CHIEF**  
An antagonist who is an Indigenous man exploiting his heritage for personal gain and power, using others’ dreams and stories for sinister purposes.

**AGENT MELLIN**  
A strict senior agent at the residential school where French is held, known for her business-like yet cruel demeanor. She oversees the painful and deadly process of marrow extraction.

**THE MOMS**  
A group of US-based vigilante women who embody the harmful complicity of cultural narratives and act against Indigenous communities. They are known for their cruel actions despite a façade of honorability.

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