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Trail of Lightning

Sixth World series book

By Rebecca Roanhorse

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About the author

Rebecca Roanhorse Born - 1971 Arkansas

Ohkay Owingen Pueblo and African American

Found it difficult to live in two worlds so turned to reading science fiction for escape.

Received Campbell award in 2018 for Best New Writer

Previous recipient of Hugo and Nebula awards for her short story “Welcome to you authentic Indian experience.

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Summary

Trial of Lightning is set sometime in the future. Is an "fantasy apocalyptic adventure" set in Dinétah, formerly the Navajo reservation in the Southwestern United States after the world altering event called Big Water. Told in first person point of view of Maggie Hoskie, the stories narrator.

The event Big Water is due to Climate change that has left much of North America underwater, killing millions. Causing poverty and the Energy Wars. Getting the basic things we know today like coffee or sugar is impossible. Causes awe and a little distrust in the person that acquired the coveted commodity.

Plenty of vibrant Navajo characters which was important to Roanhorse

Land as a character in this story is imbued with magic that provides safety for its inhabitants

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- main character Maggie Hoskie Chinibaa’

- Kai is Maggie’s partner

- Naaye’e’ Neizgh’ni is Maggie’s mentor

- Tah is Kai’s grandfather

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Fantasy, science fiction, action adventure

  • Tradition
    • Dinetah territory The Wall
      • Magical powers of the four directions
        • White Shell east
        • Turquoise the south
        • Yellow Abalone the west
        • Jet Black the north
    • Stories of old
      • Ancient gods walk the earth
        • Coyote - the trickster
        • Bobcat - who plays with the game.
    • Corn pollen has magic

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  • Artifacts
    • Fire Drill
      • Power of the immortals
    • Rings
      • Used to bind an immortal
    • Lightning blade
      • Used to kill monsters
  • Lightning
    • Signals the arrival or departure of an immortal.
  • Clan powers
      • Maggie Fast and is skilled with killing. Her name translates to living arrow
      • Kai Healer and something

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Some idea’s

  1. What is cultural appropriation writing assignment.
  2. Looking up current issues for Native Americans today:
    1. Food
    2. police brutality
    3. Abuse
    4. kidnap/ missing person
    5. Agriculture
    6. Housing
    7. Education
  3. Let’s talk about the title

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WARNING!! Appropriate age group required

There is violence, kidnapping, violence against women and children, police brutality, corruption

Criticized for twisting Navajo teachings and spirituality, Roanhorse responded with what she allowed and what she left out for cultural appropriation, “I think a lot of Native characters that we see are stuck in the past. So it was important for me to do that, to show Native American readers and non-Native American readers that we're alive and we're thriving in our cultures", she said in 2018.