Strangers

Cole Harper returns to Wounded Sky First Nation after being away for a decade following a traumatic childhood incident. He arrives to find his Indigenous community facing a mysterious illness that has put many people in the hospital. As Cole navigates his homecoming, he grapples with visions and encounters that blur the line between reality and the supernatural. His childhood friends Ashley and Eva help him piece together the connections between past events and the current crisis affecting their community. Strange occurrences escalate as Cole investigates both the illness and his own supernatural experiences. He must confront the truth about what happened in his past while trying to protect his community in the present. The novel explores themes of Indigenous identity, community bonds, and the intersection of modern life with traditional beliefs. Through Cole's story, the narrative examines how trauma and healing span both personal and collective experiences.

Readers highlight the book's authentic portrayal of Indigenous youth experience and mental health struggles. Many note Robertson's skill at blending supernatural elements with contemporary teenage life. The atmospheric Manitoba setting and strong character development earned frequent mentions in reviews. Liked: - Natural dialogue between teen characters - Representation of anxiety and depression - Incorporation of Cree mythology - Cole's relationship with his grandfather - Pacing builds tension effectively Disliked: - Some found the start slow - A few readers wanted more supernatural elements - Occasional confusion about timeline jumps - Ending felt rushed to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Storygraph: 4.2/5 (300+ ratings) "The mental health rep hit close to home" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect blend of contemporary and supernatural" - Amazon review "Dialogue feels real, not forced like some YA" - BookTok comment

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📚 David A. Robertson is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and has written over 25 books across multiple genres, including children's books, graphic novels, and memoir. 🏆 "Strangers" is part of the "Reckoner" series, which won the Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction and was named a CBC Best Book for Young Readers. 🌟 The book blends Indigenous mythology with contemporary urban fantasy, incorporating elements of traditional Cree stories into a modern supernatural thriller. 🏫 The story takes place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a city with one of the largest urban Indigenous populations in Canada. 🎨 Robertson often collaborates with Indigenous artists for his book covers and illustrations, helping to promote authentic Indigenous representation in literature.