TRAIL OF LIGHTNING is the first book in the Sixth
World series. The world has drowned after a climate
apocalypse and the Navajo reservation, now Dinétah has been
reborn. It's a new world where gods and heroes walk the
land. But, it's also a world filled with monsters. Maggie
Hoskie is a Dinétah monsters hunter. She survived an attack
by monsters when she was young and was trained by Neizghání
the Monsterslayer of legend, the son of two holy people.
However, now Neizghání has left her and she has to fight on
her own. A new job has her hunting a monster that has
abducted a small girl. This monster is something entirely
new to her and she will discover this is just the start of a
nightmare.
As a fan of dystopia novels was I curious to see how the
first book in a new series would turn out. I'm glad to say
that I was impressed, both by the world building and the
story. Not to mention the characters. Maggie Hoskie is the
kind of female warrior with supernatural powers that I love
to read about; strong, but with a past that has hurt her
deeply. She has a hard time letting people get close,
although the few she allows she is a true friend of. And
then there is Neizghání. I was immensely curious about this
legendary Monsterslayer who saved Maggie's life and for some
reason left her to fend for herself. Adding to the mix is
the medicine man Kai Arviso who comes to Maggie's aid when
she tries to find out more about the monster she killed.
There are also several other interesting characters in the
book, human, and non-human that will cross Maggie's path.
One particular figure is the Coyote, who is just as
legendary as Neizghání.
TRAIL OF LIGHTNING left me wanting more. I'm intrigued by
the Dinétah world, and also by the world outside Dinétah,
outside the Wall. Rebecca Roanhorse has created a fabulous
new series, with characters that I have come to love and I'm
looking forward to reading the next book.
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.
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.