Trail of Lightning

by Rebecca Roanhorse
Trail of Lightning cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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  • ID: 7861
  • Added: 2025-12-17
  • Updated: 2025-12-18
  • ISBN: 9781529346671
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2019-11-28
  • Reviews: 3

Trail of Lightning is a critically acclaimed novel that has won the 2019 Locus Award for Best First Novel and was a finalist for both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. Set in a world where climate change has drowned most of the globe, the Dinétah region (formerly the Navajo reservation) has been reborn, with gods, heroes, and monsters walking the land. Maggie Hoskie, a Dinétah monster hunter, is called upon to find a missing girl, uncovering a terrifying truth that forces her to confront her past. Alongside Kai Arviso, an unconventional medicine man, they navigate a patchwork world of deteriorating technology, trading favors with tricksters, and battling dark witchcraft. The novel is praised for its exciting and novel tale, blending fun, terror, and brilliance, while crafting a powerful and personal journey through a compelling post-apocalyptic landscape. /n/n The story is rich with indigenous culture and mythology, offering a unique perspective on a post-apocalyptic world. Maggie's journey is not just about survival but also about self-discovery and confronting her past. The novel's blend of action, mystery, and cultural depth makes it a standout in the genre, appealing to fans of both fantasy and post-apocalyptic fiction. The dynamic between Maggie and Kai adds a layer of complexity and humor, making their partnership a highlight of the story.

Reviews
Elitist Book Reviews · Jane Funk · 2019-08-23
excellent 5.00

The book is praised for its strong character voice and taut narrative, making it a compelling debut with engaging characters and a fascinating near-future setting.

Jane Funk highlights the strong character voice and taut narrative of Trail of Lightning, making it a compelling debut. The book features engaging characters and a fascinating near-future setting. The reviewer appreciates the unique world-building and the rich cultural elements that add depth to the story. The narrative is tight and keeps the reader hooked, making it a standout in the genre. The reviewer also notes that the pacing is excellent, balancing action and character development well.

Quick quotes

    With a strong character voice and a taut narrative, TRAIL OF LIGHTNING is a strong debut with engaging characters and a fascinating near-future setting.

    The narrative is tight and keeps the reader hooked, making it a standout in the genre.

    The pacing is excellent, balancing action and character development well.

SFF Book Review · 2019-03-01
good 3.00

The book is described as overhyped but enjoyable, with a fun and entertaining read despite lacking groundbreaking elements.

The reviewer at SFF Book Review finds Trail of Lightning to be overhyped but still a lot of fun. They appreciate the setting and characters but find nothing particularly new or groundbreaking in the story. Despite this, the book is described as an enjoyable and entertaining read. The reviewer notes that the characters are well-developed and the setting is intriguing, making it a fun adventure. However, they feel that the hype surrounding the book might have set expectations too high.

Quick quotes

    Apart from the setting and the characters, I found nothing in this book to be new or groundbreaking.

    But reading it was actually a lot of fun.

    The characters are well-developed and the setting is intriguing, making it a fun adventure.

Books, Bones, Buffy · Tammy · 2018-07-16
great 4.50

The book is celebrated for its delectable characters and unique world-building based on Native American culture and mythology, making it an exciting debut.

Tammy from Books, Bones, Buffy praises Trail of Lightning for its delectable characters and unique world-building. The book is based on Native American culture and mythology, which adds a rich layer of depth to the story. The reviewer finds the characters to be well-developed and the world-building to be both unique and immersive. The story is described as an exciting debut that readers should not miss. The reviewer also appreciates the blend of action and cultural elements, making it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    Full of delectable characters and unique world-building based on Native American culture and mythology, this is an exciting debut you absolutely must read.

    The characters are well-developed and the world-building is both unique and immersive.

    The blend of action and cultural elements makes it a standout in the genre.

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