77 pages 2 hours read

Rebecca Roanhorse

Trail of Lightning

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018

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Introduction

Teacher Introduction

Trail of Lightning

  • Genre: Fiction; post-apocalyptic fantasy; climate fiction (cli-fi); Indigenous Futurism
  • Originally Published: 2018
  • Reading Level/Interest: Lexile HL700L; grades 8-12; college/adult
  • Structure/Length: 38 chapters; approximately 287 pages; approximately 8 hours, 58 minutes on audio
  • Protagonist/Central Conflict: Maggie Hoskie, a 20-year-old Diné (Navajo) monster hunter, navigates a post-apocalyptic world teeming with mythological creatures. The central conflict involves Maggie’s quest to unveil the truth behind a series of brutal murders while dealing with her demons and complex relationships.
  • Potential Sensitivity Issues: Graphic violence; death; reference to past trauma and abuse; direct and indirect portrayals of colonization, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and police brutality; elements of horror; emotional distress. Please note: For traditional Diné students, discussing and sharing Coyote stories may be restricted to winter months.

Rebecca Roanhorse, Author

  • Bio: Born in 1971; American speculative fiction writer and lawyer; of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and African American descent; holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale, a master’s degree in theology from Union Theological Seminary, and a juris doctor degree from Stanford Law School; work often features Indigenous characters and mythology; known for her unique blend of fantasy and science fiction
  • Other Works: Storm of Locusts (2019); Black Sun (2020); Race to the Sun (2020)
  • Awards: Locus Award for Best First Novel (2019); Hugo Award Finalist (2019); Nebula Award Finalist (2019)

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By Rebecca Roanhorse

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Rebecca Roanhorse
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Rebecca Roanhorse
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