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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I liked it but it should've been 100% more interesting than it was.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Blood
Moderate: Genocide, Colonisation
An engaging story about a Navajo girl who hunts monsters. The world this takes place in is gritty and interesting but didn't always make sense. I feel like often, plot points didn't end up mattering; people's powers were awfully convenient; moral quandaries just kind of went away without resolution; some obvious questions weren't asked until the end, etc. But it was a fun read, for the most part I was interested in finding out what would happen next. The main character is quite engaging; she's tough, smart, and flawed. And she was NOT a teenager which I appreciated (not sure how old she is though, at one point I thought maybe 28 but maybe only 20, it wasn't really clear).
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I said I’d read more dystopian fiction. Bonus if it’s in a post-apocalyptic world. I was excited by Trail of Lightning because of its exploration of American indigeneity as a post-apocalyptic condition and even more so as it was written by my favourite author of the year so far, Rebecca Roanhorse.
Pros
Pros
- Exciting apocalyptic worldbuilding
- Navajo folklore
- Great main character
- Action filled with well-written fight scenes
Cons
- Wanted much more monsters, horror & monster action.
- Holes in the story that either left me a bit confused or felt flat
- Anti-climatic ending
Really great book and a solid start to a new series.
Positives:
++Wonderful worldbuilding
++Layered main character
++Loveable love interest
++Most of the writing flowed well
Negatives:
--Occasional jarring scene transition
--Lackluster antagonist
Positives:
++Wonderful worldbuilding
++Layered main character
++Loveable love interest
++Most of the writing flowed well
Negatives:
--Occasional jarring scene transition
--Lackluster antagonist
adventurous
inspiring
fast-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:
Yes
This is a riveting novel that, while at times a slow burn, builds relentlessly to a brutal, heartbreaking climax. Rebecca Roanhorse has created a captivating world built from Navajo culture and mythology, and this novel shines with a superb story and gorgeously rendered (and devastatingly real) characters. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a captivating, highly original post-apocalyptic science fiction/fantasy novel.
4.0 I generally dislike grim post-apoc stuff, but the author does include just enough specks of hope not to make it utterly depressing. The setting is fascinating, of course, and the only plot twist I saw coming was the one that was lamp-shaded for the reader. If not for the violence and general crap-sack world outside (and inside) of the Dinéthah, I'd rate that five stars, but can't really say I enjoyed it that much.
Reads very smoothly, even if the contents turn you off at first. Pity the series seems to be on hiatus.
Reads very smoothly, even if the contents turn you off at first. Pity the series seems to be on hiatus.