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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Viewing a different world
Maggie Hoskie is a complex and conflicted woman, forced to live with feeling both alone and needed and feared. In the course of this, her first adventure, she faces wily gods, uncertain companions, lost (or maybe not) love (or maybe not) ... and monsters . Standard enough SF/fantasy fare, but Roanhorse's post-apocalyptic world and the story's setting firmly within Dine culture is an absolute joy to experience.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but once again I'm left wishing that I had a rich cultural background to draw on. Roanhorse is a dandy writer, tells a ripping good story, and I'm looking forward to my next meeting with Maggie Hoskie, Monsterslayer.
Maggie Hoskie is a complex and conflicted woman, forced to live with feeling both alone and needed and feared. In the course of this, her first adventure, she faces wily gods, uncertain companions, lost (or maybe not) love (or maybe not) ... and monsters . Standard enough SF/fantasy fare, but Roanhorse's post-apocalyptic world and the story's setting firmly within Dine culture is an absolute joy to experience.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but once again I'm left wishing that I had a rich cultural background to draw on. Roanhorse is a dandy writer, tells a ripping good story, and I'm looking forward to my next meeting with Maggie Hoskie, Monsterslayer.
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse follows protagonist Maggie Hoskie as she lives and battles in the “sixth world.” The Sixth World is the age that has come after climate change and the big floods that have taken most of the land. Maggie, or Mags, as she is called, is a survivor. “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—and best—hope. But what Maggie uncovers about the monster is much larger and more terrifying than anything she could imagine.” She was the victim of great violence as a teenager, thus shuttling her on a path of fighting monsters.
Because of the flooding, referred to as “big water” several changes have occurred on the lands. Large walls have enveloped the southwest. These walls, 50 feet tall, were magically created to protect the Navajo Nation of Dinétah. They keep the floods and the people at bay. Also, some individuals have “clan powers” or powers that represent the clan they are from. In Mag’s case, it is the power of fighting, and she has the skills of the warrior inside her. This allows her to eke out a small existence as a bounty hunter and monster killer in exchange for small amounts of tradeable goods or money.
“Everything you’ve done, your past, it’s all just a story you tell yourself. Some of it is true, but some of it is lies.”
― Rebecca Roanhorse, Trail of Lightning
Like many other main protagonists with incredible gifts, Mags is wracked by guilt. She has a difficult time defining what she is. Is she a monster, or is she a person who has done awful things to survive. This is the underlining theme of the story. Are we defined by what we do, or can we rise above our pasts? The story is made even more enjoyable by some well written supporting characters. Firstly, Grandpa Tah. He is an old medicine man that has helped and saved Mags in the past when no one else would. He sees her as an adopted daughter and treats her like family. Then there is Tah’s grandson, Kai. Kai starts as a charismatic character, but further develops and changes as we learn more about him and his motivations.
“We were safe. Safe from the outside world, at least. But sometimes the worst monsters are the ones within.”
― Rebecca Roanhorse, Trail of Lightning
First, let me say, “I loved this book.” I loved this book hard, from start to finish. I have a soft spot for character-driven stories like this, and Roanhorse did a great job of balancing character arcs and development with action. The characters developed deep and complicated relationships with each other that allow the reader to latch on and become engrossed in the story. Additionally, the fact that it is written with rich Native American stories and culture is rare in fantasy, and I am so glad that this book exists.
“Sometimes, the ones we call our heroes are the greatest monsters of all.”
― Rebecca Roanhorse, Trail of Lightning
This book had some detractors, some small problems that I encountered that took me out of the story a few times. The pacing is good and generally even. However, when the pacing dips, it dips hard—some of the character interactions were a little confusing, especially at the end. I would have liked the relationship between Kai and Mags to progress a bit slower, especially with how reticent Mags was in trusting anyone. But that might be a personal preference.
I loved this book. I cannot wait to read the next one. Roanhorse is creating such a rich world in “the sixth world” series that I cannot wait to see what else happens to these characters.
I recommend.
Because of the flooding, referred to as “big water” several changes have occurred on the lands. Large walls have enveloped the southwest. These walls, 50 feet tall, were magically created to protect the Navajo Nation of Dinétah. They keep the floods and the people at bay. Also, some individuals have “clan powers” or powers that represent the clan they are from. In Mag’s case, it is the power of fighting, and she has the skills of the warrior inside her. This allows her to eke out a small existence as a bounty hunter and monster killer in exchange for small amounts of tradeable goods or money.
“Everything you’ve done, your past, it’s all just a story you tell yourself. Some of it is true, but some of it is lies.”
― Rebecca Roanhorse, Trail of Lightning
Like many other main protagonists with incredible gifts, Mags is wracked by guilt. She has a difficult time defining what she is. Is she a monster, or is she a person who has done awful things to survive. This is the underlining theme of the story. Are we defined by what we do, or can we rise above our pasts? The story is made even more enjoyable by some well written supporting characters. Firstly, Grandpa Tah. He is an old medicine man that has helped and saved Mags in the past when no one else would. He sees her as an adopted daughter and treats her like family. Then there is Tah’s grandson, Kai. Kai starts as a charismatic character, but further develops and changes as we learn more about him and his motivations.
“We were safe. Safe from the outside world, at least. But sometimes the worst monsters are the ones within.”
― Rebecca Roanhorse, Trail of Lightning
First, let me say, “I loved this book.” I loved this book hard, from start to finish. I have a soft spot for character-driven stories like this, and Roanhorse did a great job of balancing character arcs and development with action. The characters developed deep and complicated relationships with each other that allow the reader to latch on and become engrossed in the story. Additionally, the fact that it is written with rich Native American stories and culture is rare in fantasy, and I am so glad that this book exists.
“Sometimes, the ones we call our heroes are the greatest monsters of all.”
― Rebecca Roanhorse, Trail of Lightning
This book had some detractors, some small problems that I encountered that took me out of the story a few times. The pacing is good and generally even. However, when the pacing dips, it dips hard—some of the character interactions were a little confusing, especially at the end. I would have liked the relationship between Kai and Mags to progress a bit slower, especially with how reticent Mags was in trusting anyone. But that might be a personal preference.
I loved this book. I cannot wait to read the next one. Roanhorse is creating such a rich world in “the sixth world” series that I cannot wait to see what else happens to these characters.
I recommend.
I really, really liked this book a great deal. It comes from a different fantasy tradition than I am used to and it seemed very true to the mythology of the Navajo. It makes me curious to read more books in the series and the learn more about Navajo folklore.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting combination of post-apocalyptic fantasy, magic, and Navajo lore and tradition. Nice world building, and a good conclusion while leaving plenty of opportunity to continue with the next in the series. Monster killer Maggie has her own demons to deal with, which (to some extent) she does by the end of the novel. It has a Wild West feel to it, though set in an urban fantasy post-apocalypse world after massive floods have claimed much of the world.
The Navajo nation is now walled off from much of the rest of the world by a magical turquoise wall. They steel face some of the same problems as before - drought, greedy business barons, and so forth - not to mention more magical monsters, but Maggie does her best to limit the danger of the latter, while largely ignoring the former. And her best is fairly formidable.
One element I didn't care for much was the "god" who taught her the skills that keep her and other alive now, and who seems at first to be a good guy, in the end turns out to be a bad guy, or at least unsympathetic.
Looking forward to the next one.
The Navajo nation is now walled off from much of the rest of the world by a magical turquoise wall. They steel face some of the same problems as before - drought, greedy business barons, and so forth - not to mention more magical monsters, but Maggie does her best to limit the danger of the latter, while largely ignoring the former. And her best is fairly formidable.
One element I didn't care for much was the "god" who taught her the skills that keep her and other alive now, and who seems at first to be a good guy, in the end turns out to be a bad guy, or at least unsympathetic.
Looking forward to the next one.
I liked it. Snappy dialogue, satisfying ending. Foresaw some, but not all, of the plot and charcter twists.
Pretty solid story! I am definitely into the world and powers and I like Maggie. It’s a disjointed writing style though and it didn’t really work for me in general. It has huge potential and seriously this just feels like the first in what will probably be a much better series as she gets in the groove.
Loved this! I came into it with zero expectations and was completely surprised by how good the story, the world, and the characters were. I've already got the second book in my queue and hope there will be at least a couple more after that!
I will definitely add more of Rebecca Roanhorse's books to my TBR list!
I will definitely add more of Rebecca Roanhorse's books to my TBR list!
Love the concept and I fell for Kai immediately.
Because I listened to the audiobook, it was difficult to distinguish what was a flashback and what was happening "present day". I'll definitely get a physical copy of the next book.
Because I listened to the audiobook, it was difficult to distinguish what was a flashback and what was happening "present day". I'll definitely get a physical copy of the next book.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s not a bad book but it’s not great either.