Review: Trail of Lightning

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Somewhere throughout reading this book, I came across the idea that this was the author's first novel. I double-checked to make sure I was right, as one should always do, and I was. As I usually am. There were just too many first author mistakes made that showcased such an aspect. Tendencies that more experienced authors would hopefully grow out of. A key example, several chapters end on a strong almost cliffhanger sort of note. The kind you would see on Star Trek right before they cut to commercial. The problem is that this was almost always followed by a short chapter to finish the conversation the characters were having right before the chapter break rudely interrupted them. Writing tip: Don't do that.

I could give several more examples of first-timer mistakes, but I don't want to sound like a writing professor. No one wants that. I'll refocus on the quality of the novel, which is best summed up as average at its best. The prose is decent, serviceable. Perhaps what it does best is world-building. Giving you just enough to maintain interest, but doesn't vomit out the entire history in the first third of the book. However, that maintenance to the pacing might be because there is plenty of room in later books due to this being a series. Because everything has to be a series these days.

This might also be due to this being a first novel, but there's a vagueness to the book. I don't mean in the prose. If anything the dialogue and descriptions is too precise. I mean in terms of the thread of the plot. Not in so much what is happening but rather in why is it happening. The main character, Maggie, is mostly led by the nose from plot point to plot point with things happening to her rather than because of her. The vehicle is moving, but Maggie isn't the one behind the wheel. There's only one part of the book, about 2/3rds of the way in, where she takes control. But then the book promptly hands her ass back to her and she returns to the passenger seat where she remains for the rest of the story.

Despite its problems, it's a decent book. Especially for a first novel. I did start to get bored by the end, mostly because another problem is it doesn't do a good job raising the stakes, but I was able to finish it without feeling I was wasting my time. There's a cultural element to it that I found refreshing, but I also can't comment if it's good or bad in its portrayal. This is mostly because I'm not qualified to do so and it would be foolish of me to pretend otherwise. That being said, you might enjoy this book if its issues don't stand out as much with you. It's a good light read, to say the least.

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