In the heart of Lumbee land, a Deaf teenage girl survives a devastating fire that claims her father's life and burns everything she knows. Left in silence and solitude she begins a raw journey through forests, rivers, and sacred place driven by grief, memory, and the whisper of justice. As she follows the signs left behind by the man responsible a cowboy who Brought destruction to her land she uncovers pieces of his past and her own spiritual purpose. Along the way, she bonds with a wounded wolf she names Luski, forming a sacred trust that mirrors her own healing. With each step, she draws closer to the truth not just about the fire, but about who she is. Guided by ancestral dreams, petroglyphs carved in stone, and the rhythm of the earth, she learns that her silence is not weakness, but power. Luski's Silent Girl is a poignant, emotionally rich novel of survival, Indigenous identity, and the unbreakable bond between land, spirit, and self. "Luski's Silent Girl burns with memory, grief, and quiet fire." - Early Reader Review "Unforgettable. This. novel doesn't just tell a story it leaves an imprint." - Indigenous Storyteller Circle "A powerful tale of a Deaf girl's bond with the land, her wolf, and the ancestors who guide her. Absolutely gripping." - Beta Reviewer BookLife, Publisher Weekly (August 1, 2025) Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10 Originality: 9 out of 10 Prose: 9 out of 10 Character/Execution: 10 out of 10 Overall: 9.00 out of 10 Assessment: Plot/Idea: Sampson delivers a powerful tale of mourning, injustice, greed, and resilience, unfolding through the eyes of young Tala, a Deaf Lumbee girl whose house is burned down, killing her father in the process, by a cowboy named Jedediah. As Tala vows revenge on Jedediah, and ventures into the unknown to track him down, she is joined by a lone wolf, Luski, who serves as her protector, guardian, and guide. Prose: Tala's journey is a winding, tortuous one, and Sampson's prose reflects that. It's sinuous, at times more detached and observant, while at others a startling portrayal of Tala's inner emotions. Originality: Themes of restorative justice, intense grief, and cultural heritage buoy this narrative, and Tala is a character who readers will never forget. On a broad scale, she embodies the heartbreaking loss of a nation and a culture, while on a more intimate scope, her pain and suffering are palpably wrought: a young girl, left without her family or land, seeking healing and restoration. Character/Execution: Much of the story's detail takes place in Tala's thoughts, and Sampson reveals those in a way that feels natural and intuitive. Tala is more mature than her years, capable of incredible forgiveness and wisdom, and her interactions with Jedediah near the novel's close pulse with keen insight. Sondra Sampson is a Deaf and Lumbee author based in North Carolina. Her writing blends spiritual experiences, Indigenous storytelling, and emotional truth. She is the founder of Silent Feather Press and was recently featured on the front page of The Robesonian newspaper and Native News Online for her work as a Native and Deaf author.Sondra is a proud mother of five and grandmother of five. She writes with a deep passion for stories that connect the spiritual and physical worlds, exploring themes of healing, ancestry, and faith. Learn more at www.sondrasampsonbooks.net.