77 pages 2 hours read

Rebecca Roanhorse

Trail of Lightning

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse, Maggie Hoskie, a young Dinétah woman with supernatural abilities, hunts monsters in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world while grappling with her past and complex relationships. She partners with Kai, a medicine man in training, to uncover the origins of new threats as they confront ancient gods and personal demons. The book contains themes of trauma, grief, and violence.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse offers a fresh take on urban fantasy, blending Navajo mythology with a post-apocalyptic setting. Praise highlights its strong world-building and memorable protagonist, Maggie Hoskie. Some critics note occasional pacing issues and a reliance on genre tropes. Overall, it is an engaging and culturally rich debut.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Trail of Lightning?

Readers who enjoy visceral fantasy with strong female leads and indigenous mythology will love Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse. Fans of N.K. Jemisin's The Fifth Season and Neil Gaiman's American Gods will appreciate its gritty post-apocalyptic setting and rich cultural tapestry.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Fantasy

Themes

Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Relationships: Family

Natural World: Environment

Topics

Religion / Spirituality