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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
medium-paced
DNFing this one. I was really interested in the idea of this book, and I love that it has Native American representation and mythology in it, however I just couldn’t get into. I’m not super big on first person narratives, and there was just something about the writing that made it feel super removed for the character even though it’s from her point of view.
I will say, I did like how there wasn’t a lot of bullshit in the beginning. The author got straight into the plot and it didn’t feel like there were any unnecessary parts of what I read. It seems like it would be an amazing book for me if it where just in third person.
I think if you like first person POV then you’ll probably like this book. I just couldn’t get into it.
I will say, I did like how there wasn’t a lot of bullshit in the beginning. The author got straight into the plot and it didn’t feel like there were any unnecessary parts of what I read. It seems like it would be an amazing book for me if it where just in third person.
I think if you like first person POV then you’ll probably like this book. I just couldn’t get into it.
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Trail of Lighting is an adventurous supernatural tale that will keep the reader entertained while also beautifully highlighting Navajo history and culture.
This is not my first book by Roanhorse, so going back further into her catalogue to watch her growth to the mastery of the Between Earth and Sky series was an interesting one. I do not feel as connected to Kai and Maggie as I do Rebecca’s other MCs, but I still appreciate watching these characters and supporting cast lean on each of other as they faced hard truths and future scary possibilities.
Overall, the world building was a breath of fresh air with it being rooted in Native American culture and history. A small glossary in the back would have been perfect to help readers be reminded of clan powers and terms. Full of blood pumping moments, Trail of Lightning is sure to grab the attention of anyone who loves action-packed supernatural mysteries.
This is not my first book by Roanhorse, so going back further into her catalogue to watch her growth to the mastery of the Between Earth and Sky series was an interesting one. I do not feel as connected to Kai and Maggie as I do Rebecca’s other MCs, but I still appreciate watching these characters and supporting cast lean on each of other as they faced hard truths and future scary possibilities.
Overall, the world building was a breath of fresh air with it being rooted in Native American culture and history. A small glossary in the back would have been perfect to help readers be reminded of clan powers and terms. Full of blood pumping moments, Trail of Lightning is sure to grab the attention of anyone who loves action-packed supernatural mysteries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood
Powerful and very original but SUPER EXCEPTIONALLY GORY new trilogy by a Native American (Ohkey Owingeh, formerly known as San Juan Pueblo) author. Some members of the Navajo Nation have criticized her for twisting their spiritual practices and practicing cultural appropriation so I suspect this series will not be long-running.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fantastic story and characters. I literally couldn't stop thinking about it and what might happen next. Maggie and Kai are a fun duo and I loved how their friendship developed. The world felt rich with an abundance of interesting characters and glimpses of the outside world and what happened during the Big Water. Cannot wait to start reading book 2
What a fun and action-packed read! I flew through this book (read it over the course of a day!) Loved the Navajo influences combined with post-apocalyptic badassery. This is a great debut novel from Roanhorse, and I can't wait for other books she writes. My only wish was that we got to have more flashbacks to young Maggie training under Neizghání. I felt that I couldn't get into the full characterization of their relationship Roanhorse put out because I didn't fee like I understood all the history that they had between them. Perhaps this is a moot comment though and comes up in later books.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Dystopian fantasy of a flooded earth with Navajo (Dine) folklore based monsters and heroine.
I received an e-ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Review and lots of fangirling can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
If you've been following my reading progress then you know why I am going to rant about this book. As a historian with a tiny obsession with mythology, the first thing that drew me to the book was not only the cover but also the summary. The gods and creatures of the Native American mythology have risen again after the apocalypse, which also took the form of a flood and the Navajo reservation became one of the thriving places to live.
If that is not a literal slap to some people, then I'm a flying mermaid!
Anyway! The next part was the cover; seeing Maggie on the top of the truck with Kai on the passenger seat was a delight; you can feel the power emanating from both of them and not because of the lightning behind them. Maggie is a monster slayer who tries to survive in the Dinetah after the disappearance of her mentor (maybe more?) guardian who also is an immortal Hercules type. When strange monsters begin creating havoc, she will partner with Kai, a man who loves color, has humor and is swoon-worthy (WE ARE TALKING AS HIGH AS RHYSAND SCALE!) in order to investigate the murders.
The scenery of the apocalyptic US is described not only through Maggie's eyes but also Kai's. We see what has happened to the world, how some events are tied to the rising of the gods and if you are a mythology nerd, you'll discover that all the mythologies carry common elements.
Take the Coyote for example; if you read the book, and I am begging you to do so, you'll see similarities to a Norse god we all know mostly through Marvel.
And Neil Gaiman of course.
But the book doesn't stand only for its great plot, the cliffhanger of an ending and Maggie's power; it's a testament to the need of having more books, not only written by indigenous authors but also having plots and stories inspired by them. I know only two other books, which have the elements of the story of the Native American people;
The Messenger by Pamela DuMond
Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
Rebecca delivers a stellar book with Maggie as a realistic heroine who not only deals with mental wounds but also manages to be brave, intelligent and brilliant! And in a side note, I can only count one similar character who is as amazing as Maggie; Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews.
The ending downright killed me. I really can't wait for the next book!
If you've been following my reading progress then you know why I am going to rant about this book. As a historian with a tiny obsession with mythology, the first thing that drew me to the book was not only the cover but also the summary. The gods and creatures of the Native American mythology have risen again after the apocalypse, which also took the form of a flood and the Navajo reservation became one of the thriving places to live.
If that is not a literal slap to some people, then I'm a flying mermaid!
Anyway! The next part was the cover; seeing Maggie on the top of the truck with Kai on the passenger seat was a delight; you can feel the power emanating from both of them and not because of the lightning behind them. Maggie is a monster slayer who tries to survive in the Dinetah after the disappearance of her mentor (maybe more?) guardian who also is an immortal Hercules type. When strange monsters begin creating havoc, she will partner with Kai, a man who loves color, has humor and is swoon-worthy (WE ARE TALKING AS HIGH AS RHYSAND SCALE!) in order to investigate the murders.
The scenery of the apocalyptic US is described not only through Maggie's eyes but also Kai's. We see what has happened to the world, how some events are tied to the rising of the gods and if you are a mythology nerd, you'll discover that all the mythologies carry common elements.
Take the Coyote for example; if you read the book, and I am begging you to do so, you'll see similarities to a Norse god we all know mostly through Marvel.
And Neil Gaiman of course.
But the book doesn't stand only for its great plot, the cliffhanger of an ending and Maggie's power; it's a testament to the need of having more books, not only written by indigenous authors but also having plots and stories inspired by them. I know only two other books, which have the elements of the story of the Native American people;
The Messenger by Pamela DuMond
Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
Rebecca delivers a stellar book with Maggie as a realistic heroine who not only deals with mental wounds but also manages to be brave, intelligent and brilliant! And in a side note, I can only count one similar character who is as amazing as Maggie; Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews.
The ending downright killed me. I really can't wait for the next book!
Overall major props for representation in this book. I find myself wondering if I’d recommend this to my nephew who has little to no knowledge of Diné culture. I found the world building and Navajo concepts to be either too complex or too brief. I struggled to have a good mental picture of the world and how it worked by the end. However, the world building and characters definitely were something that pushed me through the story (arguably more than the plot). The Coyote character especially was a lovely way to tie a Diné element in a way that felt “in-world” in this context. He was a charming character and I enjoyed the way he pushed the story forward.
I struggled to figure out what I would’ve taken away from this book as a teen. It’s quite gruesome. Even though the conflict seems focused on Maggie’s relation with violence, it definitely makes no secret that she loves it and the writing glorifies it. As a teen I think I would’ve walked away feeling that violence is beautiful and powerful and (when used in the right way) can be a way of shaping ones identity. I probably would have go full on Mad Max teen rage after reading this book. Women might be able to relate to the deeper moral of creating your own path, no matter what others say you are or should be. However, I might steer my nephew clear of this one.
That being said, I look forward to reading the next one and reading more about the world Roanhorse has set up in these books.
I struggled to figure out what I would’ve taken away from this book as a teen. It’s quite gruesome. Even though the conflict seems focused on Maggie’s relation with violence, it definitely makes no secret that she loves it and the writing glorifies it. As a teen I think I would’ve walked away feeling that violence is beautiful and powerful and (when used in the right way) can be a way of shaping ones identity. I probably would have go full on Mad Max teen rage after reading this book. Women might be able to relate to the deeper moral of creating your own path, no matter what others say you are or should be. However, I might steer my nephew clear of this one.
That being said, I look forward to reading the next one and reading more about the world Roanhorse has set up in these books.