In 'Trail of Lightning' by Rebecca Roanhorse, readers are transported to a post-apocalyptic world where the Navajo reservation, now known as Dinétah, has been reborn after a climate apocalypse. The story follows Maggie Hoskie, a Dinétah monster hunter trained by an immortal being. As she navigates a world filled with gods, heroes, and monsters, Maggie faces personal struggles and battles against supernatural threats. The book is a unique blend of urban fantasy and Native American mythology, with a focus on strong character development and a plot filled with unexpected twists and betrayals.
The writing style in 'Trail of Lightning' is fast-paced and engaging, with deep emotions and complex characters that resonate with readers. The book delves into themes of survival, identity, and the impact of trauma, all set against a backdrop of a richly imagined world where magic, monsters, and ancient legends come to life. Rebecca Roanhorse's storytelling weaves together elements of fantasy, mythology, and post-apocalyptic landscapes to create a gripping tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book includes some violence, themes of trauma, and elements of horror due to the presence of monsters and past abusive relationships.
Has Romance?
There is romance in the story, primarily between Maggie and Kai, providing emotional depth to the narrative.
From The Publisher:
One of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time
2019 LOCUS AWARD WINNER, BEST FIRST NOVEL
2019 HUGO AWARD FINALIST, BEST NOVEL
Nebula Award Finalist for Best Novel
One of Bustle's Top 20 "landmark sci-fi and fantasy novels" of the decade
"Someone please cancel Supernatural already and give us at least five seasons of this badass Indigenous monster-hunter and her silver-tongued sidekick." -The New York Times
"An excitingly novel tale." -Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse and Midnight Crossroads series
"Fun, terrifying, hilarious, and brilliant." -Daniel José Older, New York Times bestselling author of Shadowshaper and Star Wars: Last Shot
"A powerful and fiercely personal journey through a compelling postapocalyptic landscape." -Kate Elliott, New York Times bestselling author of Court of Fives and Black Wolves
While most of the world has drowned beneath the sudden rising waters of a climate apocalypse, Dinétah (formerly the Navajo reservation) has been reborn. The gods and heroes of legend walk the land, but so do monsters-and it is up to one young woman to unravel the mysteries of the past before they destroy the future.
Maggie Hoskie is a Dinétah monster hunter, a supernaturally gifted killer. When a small town needs help finding a missing girl, Maggie is their last best hope. But what Maggie uncovers about the monster is much more terrifying than anything she could imagine.
Maggie reluctantly enlists the aid of Kai Arviso, an unconventional medicine man, and together they travel the rez, unraveling clues from ancient legends, trading favors with tricksters, and battling dark witchcraft in a patchwork world of deteriorating technology.
As Maggie discovers the truth behind the killings, she will have to confront her past if she wants to survive.
Welcome to the Sixth World.
Ratings (17)
Incredible (5) | |
Loved It (7) | |
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (1) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (43):
Read It (19) | |
Want To Read (20) | |
Not Interested (4) |
3 comment(s)
2.5*
****3.5*****
This was the book which I took up in a sci-fi reading spree.
Maggie Hoskie is a MonsterHunter in a post apocalypic world especially around Navajo reservation. The world around her drowned in the "Big Water" incident and people started to live with whatever was left. But this "Big Water" awakened the Gods of the land and also clan powers in some. Maggie was mentored by the fabled Monster Hunter and left behind without any explanation.
On her own, Maggie is forced to hunt a monster that has kidnapped a girl. She confronts a monster who looks like a normal human but is not and only way to kill it is to severe its head from the body.But when similar monster problems occur at a different places, Maggie is called to look into it. On her way, Maggie gets tied up with Kai, a very talented medicine man. And her journey as a Monster Hunter begins which ends with confronting her mentor.
There is lot of magic,Gods,Monsters and the most important thing is that it’s all based on Navajo folklore/legend.It was a fun read. I felt the plot was a bit weak, no depth in characters, a overall superficial story.
Not a bad one, but not an extraordinary read too.
Happy Reading!!!
Compelling and raw, emotional and edgy. Love it.
What can you read after
Trail of Lightning?
About the Author:
Rebecca Roanhorse is the New York Times bestselling author of Trail of Lightning, Storm of Locusts, Black Sun, and Star Wars: Resistance Reborn. She has won the Nebula, Hugo, and Locus Awards for her fiction, and was the recipient of the 2018 Astounding (formerly Campbell) Award for Best New Writer. The next book in her Between Earth and Sky series, Fevered Star, is out in March 2022. She lives in New Mexico with her family.
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