Maggie Hoskie is a kickass monster hunter and part time mercenary. She does the work many people can’t or simply won’t. The world as we know it has been wrecked by natural disasters, most of America is submerged after the Big Water. On this post apocalyptic continent, Dinétah, the Navajo Nation, remains strong and standing, surrounded and cut off by walls. Monsters are wreaking havoc on the world, and Maggie has taken it upon herself to fight them, with the help of her clan powers and training from one of Dinétahs greatest heroes, Naayééʼ Neizghání.
Her newest job sets the monster hunter on the trail of a young girl who was abducted by one of Dinétahs many creatures. When Maggie finds the monster, it is unlike any she has seen before, and she starts questioning their origin and decides to investigate the new species of evil, which leads her down a dangerous path.
“Trail of lightning” has everything I want in a fantasy book. Action, suspension, mystery, post apocalypse and a badass female protagonist. Navajo stories, history and legends are so well integrated into a fantasy setting, especially in worldbuilding and characters. The clan powers bein derived from clan names, the characterization of the animal people and the legend of Nayéé’ Neizghání were just a few of many details, that added a lot of individuality to the plot.
The book is well paced, keeping some reveals for the end but also still building suspension from the beginning as the reader uncvovers the mystery surrounding the new type of monsters alongside the main character.
The longer I read and the more was revealed about the backstories, the more invested I got in every single character. The difference in behaviour in regular “five fingered” people and the mystical and immortal figures was so palpable and well written.
I ordered the second book after the first 10 chapters. Don’t miss out fantasy fans!
Also as a little treat, the Saga Press Harcover is absolutely stunning to look at.
