The people of Northern Winnipeg have experienced shocking levels of heartbreak and tragedy throughout their lives, and these women are no exception. A family tied together through their love and grief, they become one when tragedy strikes their family once again. 

When Stella, a young Indigenous mother, glances out of her window and sees an assault taking place on the Break - a desolate strip of land dividing the city with hydro towers - she immediately alerts the police to what is unfolding before her. She watches on as the victim gets up and runs away, forced into reliving her own trauma as the girl disappears into the night. 

A story woven of many narrators and timelines, the Break is an emotional tale of strong women and the brokenness found within Indigenous communities to this day. Giving a voice to a minority who have a history of being silenced, Katherena Vermette introduces the reader to Indigenous women who have experienced trauma in every aspect of their lives, while also giving a glimpse of the love and resilience still found within their family bonds. 

The Break is an exceptional and eye-opening read that allows readers access to the horrors Indigenous communities have faced at the hand of not only the government, but also the ignorance all around them. A beautiful portrayal of the strength of the human spirit, Vermette does not shy away from introducing the reader to the violent lives these women have led from such a young age. I found this read extremely compelling, and though there are difficult moments throughout, it speaks to the difficulty Indigenous people face simply because of their culture and skin colour. Raw, unflinching, and simply a must-read, The Break is a novel that is hard to step away from. I believe that no matter your age or beliefs, everyone should settle in and give this book a chance, as it will certainly change your perspective and give readers some much needed depth on a dark chapter in Canada's history.

Some suggestions I have for similar reads would be The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, and Dear Martin by Nic Stone.