I have two main complaints about this book that I want to get out of the way before I highlight what I liked:

Now…with all that being said, I do think this is a meaningful exploration into the legacy of violence. Historical fiction being used in this way is powerful, and I’ve found it to be a new favorite genre of mine. It creates characters for us to witness history through a personal lens, and this book shows us both the act and the generational impact our government’s forced relocation and exploitation of Native American lands has caused. When victors write history, we miss the ugly truth they try to hide, and Newell writes a grim reminder that history will continue to haunt us if we never reckon with it. 

While the writing was not my favorite, the story and perspective it shares is compelling. I found myself Googling the story of Monahsetah and Custer, of which there are a few comments regarding them in the book. It was chilling to learn about this side of history I’d never been taught. Not only that, but how a white woman (his wife at that!) tried to alleviate the grotesque nature of Custer's crime. What also struck me was seeing the date of Monahseta’s death - it was the year my grandparents were born. 

History is never as far behind us as we’d like to think. While All I See Is Violence is far from a perfect book, I’d say it accomplished what it set out to do (despite the overwhelming need for an editor, omg!).