The book thinks itself to be much better than it actually is. Whilst set in the future, the book itself presents nothing actually new and/or ground breaking other than the representation it bring to the indigenous cultures. The characters are generic, each delegated to one or two characteristics, the writing is bland and even cringe worthy at times, and the plot of a journey across the country brings nothing noteworthy. But the book isn't completely garbage, certain scenes illustrates a potential for good writing (the moose hunting scene is a good example of this), but it is triumphed by the whole lot of bleh. Maybe it would work better for an adult audience where the themes can be explored completely because the YA genre doesn't help it at all. Clunky romance writing, a shoved in love triangle subplot, and the "evil corrupt government" being relegated to the entirety of white society doesn't bring much to its outlook on race.

CONCLUSION: There is a potential in the novel, but the only way to achieve that potential would end up bringing so many changes that the novel doesn't resemble its current form anymore. Read it if you want, but there isn't any one I know that I would recommend it to.

SPOILER: the scene where the old woman (cannot remember her name) showcases some sort of super power was the biggest wtf of the novel. There were no hints towards a special power before that scene. The "memory of the ancestors" were used as motivation to act but their use for an actual super power completely diminished their value for myself.

Dystopian is not a genre I care for but a friend suggested this book because of my interest in dream psychology. But the dream theme was only a vehicle for the post-apocalyptic conditions for the Metis and “Indians” to be hunted for their bone marrow where, supposedly, dreams reside. (I gagged on that premise.) The plot was mostly a chase through the forests, hide-and-seek with emphasis on teamwork, while we came to know more about each character. As we learn their individual pasts, the historical human rights abuses and colonial racism inflicted on Canada’s Indigenous people is highlighted. Somewhere along the way the bone marrow dream theme gets lost. It was difficult for me to get pulled into this story but by the last half I was interested.

The style of this book isn't typical, but adds more interest and context into the general themes of the novel. As a Canadian young adult, it really puts into perspective the Indigenous oppression and how history can repeat itself under given circumstances.

I think the book is an eye-opener and has so many lessons in the frame narratives, such as the coming-to stories. It focuses on repeating history, family, coming of age, language, oppression, trauma and trauma through generations and taking pride in whom you are and of your ethnicity.

I think it's an important story for youth to read this novel as they are coming of age to consider that your success isn't solely defined by your goals, but also by those who helped you. The past generations have paved a road to make you the most successful you can be and it is your job to carry on that role and make sure that your culture, lessons and values carry onto future generations.

It is a wider perspective, but a great one to consider. I absolutely loved this book! One novel similar to Empire of Wild written by the same author!

The story took place when most people lost the ability to dream after the world-destructing nuclear war. The Indigenous people who had immunity were forced to have their marrows drained for a cure. This book emphasizes the bond people can have when they are the minority. However, the book ended with a successful rescue mission, which didn't conclude the war or bring justice to the world. The themes like "faith vs. reality" or "human vs. human" in the end stopped being as engaging as in the start of the book. Besides, in my opinion, too many characters are introduced, and most of them have similar characteristics and experiences. 3/5 stars
@Truffle_Waffle of the Hamilton Public Library's Teen Review Board

The Marrow Thieves is a well written novel, set in a dystopian future where indigenous peoples are forced into hiding to protect their lives. The antagonist of this novel is a corrupt government who sanctions the exploitation of indigenous peoples. While it's unlikely anyone will have to protect their bone marrow anytime soon, the book touches upon a lot of important issues that can be seen currently in our society today. It also teaches about some very vague fundamentals of indigenous tradition/culture. The novel is edge of the seat exciting, and impossible to put down. It also has an abundance of three dimensional characters that all come to life throughout the duration of the narrative. I loved the Marrow Thieves and recommend it to everyone interested in reading work done by indigenous authors. (Yay representation!) Rating: 5/5 stars
@Dream.Sequences of the Hamilton Public Library's Teen Review Board

As a perpetual mood reader: read when you’re in the mood for a quick paced YA novel that explores deep themes. While it *is* speculative fiction set in a dystopian time~the environment has been destroyed and indigenous folks are being rounded up~ it also feels very real; it’s a retelling of history and could easily be our future.

This seems like a young adult book and I thought I would read it to explore a different perspective but I found myself enjoying it, especially toward the end. The characters and plot are simple. The dystopian future plays like a symbolic representation of the current culture in North America.

Engaging characters, indigeneity in dystopia, and chosen/found family in a fast-paced YA novel? Yes! Hello! Sign me up!

Set in a near-future world ravaged by climate change, French is on the run with a small group of other Native people who have joined together for protection. A mysterious side effect of the destruction to the environment is that Native people are now the only ones with the ability to dream, and so they’re hunted and imprisoned in “schools” that attempt to harvest their bone marrow. [If you’re familiar at all with Native history in North America, the word ‘schools’ probably gave you a heads up about the history that Dimaline is evoking, and if you’re not familiar, the phrase “Native boarding schools” would be a good thing to start googling.]

As French bonds with the others in his group, they share stories of pain, loss, community, and hope. Dimaline’s writing is beautiful and the characters and the bonds between them felt real and fleshed out.

"The Marrow Thieves" explores the circular nature of history through dystopian re-imaginings of the same colonial institutions that systemically sought to dissolve Native American communities in North America. The premise is powerful, walking a fine line between lived realities and post-apocalyptic flair. I loved the innovative world-building, but found the novel overall a little too reliant on Young Adult genre tropes.

Set in the not-so-distance future, in a time when the planet has been devastated by the effects of global warming and natural disasters, and entire communities have been wiped out. Those who remain lost the ability to dream. The only exception are the indigenous people of North America who continue to carry dreams deep within their bones. The government employs ‘recruiters’ who abduct these individuals, in the hope of discovering the secrets found within their bone marrow. The story centres on an indigenous teenager named Frenchie, who is on the run from the recruiters, along with a group of other nomads. More than just another dystopian YA novel, this book explores a number of deeper themes, including climate change, environmental destruction, and the consequences of government policies.

A tale of hope-tinged desperation, beautifully told. A little horror-esque at times, but not without reason. Side characters are a little flat, but justifiably, considering it's such a compact book.