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.

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.

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.

Adventurous / Gritty / Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful

- Trail of Lightning is Rebecca Roanhorse's debut novel and is set in a post-apocalyptic world shaped by Navajo mythology, with the story centering on a Diné heroine named Maggie Hoskie.
- The novel won the Locus Award for Best First Novel in 2019 and was also nominated for the Nebula Award, Hugo Award, and World Fantasy Award, making it highly acclaimed in the speculative fiction community.
- Rebecca Roanhorse is of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and African American descent, and she integrates her deep knowledge of indigenous cultures and speculative fiction to create a unique narrative in Trail of Lightning.

**Maggie Hoskie**  
A 20-year-old Dinétah (Navajo) monster hunter with supernatural clan powers, known for her serious and determined personality as she navigates a world filled with dangerous creatures.

**Kai**  
A young Dinétah man training to be a Medicine Man, recognized for his knowledge of monsters and diverse supernatural abilities, and who becomes a significant partner to Maggie.

**Neizghání**  
A Dinétah Holy Person and Maggie's former mentor, whose reputation as a hero among the Diné contrasts with his complex relationship with Maggie.

**Grandpa Tah**  
An elderly and well-liked monster expert who serves as a grandfather figure to both Maggie and Kai, fostering a strong sense of family and support.

**Ma’ii (Coyote)**  
A Diné trickster god with a complex relationship with Maggie, known for his manipulations and playful, yet cunning methods.

**Grace Goodacre**  
A tough bar owner who, despite initial reservations, provides a safe haven and guidance for Maggie and her allies.

**Longarm**  
A member of the Citizen’s Watch and Guard, known for his deep-seated grudge against Maggie and his frequent attempts to make trouble for her.

Rebecca Roanhorse

Novel

The Sixth World

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore Trail of Lightning reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Trail of Lightning | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Trail of Lightning and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Trail of Lightning Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Trail of Lightning Chapters 1-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-10

Trail of Lightning Chapters 7-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-17

Trail of Lightning Chapters 11-17 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 18-22

Trail of Lightning Chapters 18-22 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 23-27

Trail of Lightning Chapters 23-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-32

Trail of Lightning Chapters 28-32 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 33-38

Trail of Lightning Chapters 33-38 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Trail of Lightning Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Trail of Lightning Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Trail of Lightning Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Trail of Lightning Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Trail of Lightning Essay Topics

Introduction

Trail of Lightning Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Trail of Lightning Before Reading

During Reading

Trail of Lightning During Reading

After Reading

Trail of Lightning After Reading

Trail of Lightning

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Trail of Lightning?

Reading Age

Book Details