From the Bookshelf of Undead & UnRead Book Club - Frisco Public Library…

Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World, #1)

Rebecca Roanhorse

Start date: April 15, 2020

Finish date: May 12, 2020

Discussion: 2020 Meetings

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What Members Thought

Jan 14, 2019 Annie Slasher (Booked & Loaded) rated it it was amazing

This is an original review from Booked & Loaded

I picked up Trail of Lightning on a whim while trying to find something new to use my Audible credits on. This is easily the most pleased with a random purchase since...well...EVER. Trail of Lightning is not only a well-written story, but the characters are dynamic and each page seemed to bring an unexpected turn.

Trail of Lightning follows Maggie Hoskie on a very interesting journey both physically and mentally. As a supernatural monster hunter, sh This is an original review from Booked & Loaded

I picked up Trail of Lightning on a whim while trying to find something new to use my Audible credits on. This is easily the most pleased with a random purchase since...well...EVER. Trail of Lightning is not only a well-written story, but the characters are dynamic and each page seemed to bring an unexpected turn.

Trail of Lightning follows Maggie Hoskie on a very interesting journey both physically and mentally. As a supernatural monster hunter, she must fight her inner struggles as well as figure out who real monsters are. Listening to this story reminded me of home, which I know sounds weird but let me explain. I grew up on 95% Alaskan Native folk stories as a child. They all brought a scary threat of what not to do and the pretty clear-cut consequences of what not listening to your parents/elders/nature get you..normally dead or maybe your family killed. Hey, it's Alaska and I was a weird child. Trail of Lightning had the same undertone set in an apocalyptic future, caused by rising waters and severe drought. I couldn't help but feel the same type of meaning in Roanhorse's writing.

Every aspect of Trail of Lightning is worthy of praise. I would like to wrap this author up in love and praise for providing such beautiful and creative quality work. It seems like adult dystopian or apocalyptic reads are a rare find with most publishers leaning toward YA in these genres. Roanhorse built a world that held me captive from beginning to end.

The world is grim and this isn't a rainbows-flying-out-of-unicorn-butts type of book, but it still wasn't overwhelming negative. In my opinion, this was one of the best debut novels by an author that I have read in a very long time. Possibly ever.

If you enjoy a great apocalypse, dystopian or urban fantasy read...READ THIS NOW.

Audio thoughts: Narration takes place by Tanis Parenteau. Parenteau did a pretty decent job. The narration felt smooth and never pulled me out of the story. I always felt like a little something was missing to make it great. A solid 4 rating for narration. ...more

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May 13, 2020 Amanda Kratz rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2020-undead-and-unread-book-club

Actual rating is more like a 2.75 but I won’t round it up. This is 2 star novel plan and simple and while it is better than other 2 star book I have read it’s just too frustrating to rate higher.

Read for the Frisco Undead and Unread book club.

So the tag line that was used to pitch this was: “Indigenous Mad Max: Road Fury”. I’m not sure it delivered. The world building was so spotty and so incomplete. I know very very little of Native American lore (even less when I know there are so many version Actual rating is more like a 2.75 but I won’t round it up. This is 2 star novel plan and simple and while it is better than other 2 star book I have read it’s just too frustrating to rate higher.

Read for the Frisco Undead and Unread book club.

So the tag line that was used to pitch this was: “Indigenous Mad Max: Road Fury”. I’m not sure it delivered. The world building was so spotty and so incomplete. I know very very little of Native American lore (even less when I know there are so many versions of it) I felt like I was constantly digging to try to piece together what happened A to the world and B to the character specifically. Then I was trying to understand all the mythology of the world. Many huge key points are not explained. I think the author forgot that perhaps many readers are not familiar with Native American lore and things weren’t explained, it felt like assumptions were made.

I hated the main character she is such a B*tch! She has this massive chip on her shoulder and she just punished people around her nonstop. I didn’t feel any sympathy for her. In fact I felt so bad for Kai having to put up with her the entire novel.

The plot...*takes a deep breath*. So we have a plot we need to find more of these monsters and the witches that created them and stop them. The best analogy I can give is in a video game you have your main story line quest it is what advances the game. Then you have side content and quests and while it is interesting it doesn’t really get you anywhere. This book was ALL side quests. The characters kept getting bogged down in all the weird side stuff that just happened to them. At one point they are asked to use these rings to go catch the wind it will help them with their main quest. Mid way through the book they are told again hey you need to go do this. Guess what? By the end of the book it is never done. There is this weird bit about a fire starter and while it sort of ties in (you think for a bit) - it’s just this dangling bit of detail that doesn’t belong by the end and I can’t understand why it was included. When it’s all said and done the story kinda wraps up and becomes like an origin story like from an comic book? Which brings me to the end...

The end... I don’t even know where to begin. It is sloppy and confusing it is rushed and comes out of no where. Nothing is tied up random doors are closed and others are reopened and things are left just hanging and unresolved. I was so frustrated by the end I don’t wish to continue on with this series and this book was a Hugo nomination and a Nebula winner!

What is going on with Hugos seriously? I struggle with all of them. Yes this was a fresh new perspective and a mythology that is rarely written about but gosh are we that desperate for a new perspective that we throw accolades at it just for being different? ...more

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Aug 19, 2018 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites

I started reading this book but then discovered there was an audiobook coming out. I waited for the audiobook and I definitely recommend the audiobook. I highly enjoyed this story of a monster slayer. Maggie kicks ass!! If you are looking for a good post apocalyptic/urban fantasy then I definitely recommend Trail of Lightning. It was a good start to a series I am sure is going to become a favorite.

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