77 pages • 2 hours read
Rebecca RoanhorseTrail of Lightning
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
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
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 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+yearsBook Details
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Fantasy
Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Relationships: Family
Natural World: Environment
Religion / Spirituality