From a bold and brilliant new indigenous voice in contemporary literature, a kinetic, imaginative and sensuous novel inspired by traditional Canadian Métis legend—hailed by Margaret Atwood on Instagram as “a rip-roaring read! . . . Deftly written, gripping and informative.”
“Empire of Wild is doing everything I love in a contemporary novel and more. It is tough, funny, beautiful, honest and propulsive—all the while telling a story that needs to be told by a person who needs to be telling it. . . . Cherie Dimaline is a voice that feels both inevitable and necessary.”—Tommy Orange, New York Times bestselling author of There There
Joan has been searching for her missing husband, Victor, for nearly a year—ever since that terrible night he mysteriously vanished. While her Métis family has lived in their tightly knit rural community for generations, no one keeps the old ways . . . until they have to. That moment has arrived for Joan.
One morning, grieving and severely hung over, Joan hears the unmistakable voice of Victor. When she sees him, it’s the same face, the same eyes, the same hands. But he doesn’t seem to recognize Joan at all. He insists his name is Eugene Wolff and that he is a reverend spreading the word of Jesus and building a flock.
Yet Joan suspects there is something dark and terrifying within this charismatic preacher who professes to be a man of God . . . something old and very dangerous. She turns to Ajean, an elderly foul-mouthed card shark still steeped in the traditions of their people and knowledgeable about their ancient enemies. With Ajean’s know-how and the help of her Johnny Cash–loving twelve-year-old nephew, Zeus, Joan must find a way to uncover the truth and remind Reverend Wolff who he really is . . . if he really is. 
Her life, and those of everyone she loves, depends upon it.