A story dies when no one tells it. Our stories have never been written down. Not like this. Part of me is scared. Have I told too much? Have I left too many tracks? What will you do with my story now that it has been written? I hope you will let it live.”

As a white woman living in Europe, with very little knowledge about the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, I kept reminding myself that I was reading a memoir, not a novel — and yet it reads with all the emotional pull and richness of one. Seremos jaguares is powerful, eye-opening, and deeply moving, sharing the life and resistance of a Waorani leader whose journey inspired in me a profound respect and love for her people and their culture.

The way Nemonte describes the Waorani way of life — their connection to the forest, the wisdom of their elders, and the spiritual depth of their culture — made me feel both awe and responsibility. Finishing the book, I immediately went online to learn more: exploring the Ceibo Alliance and Amazon Frontlines, and watching documentaries about the Waorani, Ai Kofan, Siekopai, and Siona peoples.

The Amazon might seem like a world very far away, but it is not. We are all connected, we all share the same home — Mother Earth — and we should care for it and defend it. This memoir reminded me how deeply intertwined our lives are with the survival of the forest and its peoples.

A small word of advice: the book includes intense moments, including trauma and violence, so if you’re sensitive to that, be prepared.

We Will Be Jaguars is a breathtaking, unforgettable read that will stay with me for a long time — not just as a story of resistance, but as a reminder of our shared duty to protect our planet and each other.