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Trail of Lightening
Trail of Lightening
Rebecca Roanhorse | 2019 | Dystopia, Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Maggie Hoskie is a Native American in an apocalyptic world where monsters are real, and only magical strength can kill them. Most of the world is underwater, but one of the safe places is the Navajo Reservation, otherwise known as Dinétah. And magic has returned. Not just magic though, but also the gods and heroes.

It would seem that Maggie is something of a reluctant hero, and doesn’t take any nonsense form anyone. She likes to be alone, seeking out company when she wants it - not the other way round. I liked her, and I’ll be interested to see how her character develops further in subsequent books.

I liked the world-building, the peripheral characters, but to be honest, I would have loved a bit more background, both in how the world flooded and the gods. But then again, it was a good way of hooking me, because I WILL be reading the next in the series!
  
I was highly intrigued by this book when I first read about it as I have a minor obsession with everything and anything to do with the American Civil War. Admittedly, this is pre-war and gives an insight into the efforts of missionary do-gooders in trying to relocate the African American population back to their 'native' home.

I was expecting a more fictional style of writing, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it is written in more of a recount style of the lives of the main family, namely Leighton Wilson. The detail and attention paid to the research shone through in every page and was highly informative to read. However, at times this book did have a tendency to drag, and I suspect it is due to the overwhelming attention to small detail. Fabulous if you're using the book as a research project, not so if you're reading out of curiosity into this era of history. In addition, it also occasionally lacked the fine balance between informative on the religious aspect of the missions and preaching through the pages. As a not so religious person, this did become annoying at times, but I could understand why Clarke had this tone in the book.

Overall, an enjoyable, if not very long, book that was incredibly informative and rather enjoyable. The addition of the photographs and personal snippets from letters added a very personal and enjoyable aspect to the tale of the Wilson's.
  
Hostiles (2017)
Hostiles (2017)
2017 | Western
Bring westerns back!
I love Christian Bale and I love westerns, so it is no surprise I found this an immensely entertaining film.

It is hard to believe humanity even survived the relentless, bleak, hostile and morose period in American history when native Americans were hunted down, slaughtered and removed from their land. They became equally brutal in retaliation and defending their property.


When Bale (Capt. Joseph J. Blocker) is ordered to transport a dying Indian Chief and former adversary and his family back to Montana based on his dying wish, Bale reluctantly agrees.


Their journey would be marked with heartache, sacrifice and brutality. Bale and his men come under attack and have to band together to survive.


I have seen few westerns which showcase the brutality of the Old West better than this film. Your heart goes out to the men and women left to survive with very little left in their lives to look forward to. Somehow, they manage to carry on and should be inspiring to the rest of us to do the same.

  
Tiger's Voyage
Tiger's Voyage
Colleen Houck | 2011 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
The dragons (0 more)
Lots of which one should I choose let's look at things logically, while ignoring everything I learn. (0 more)
This book starts about a month
after the second book ends. It really plays up the love triangle thing but still has the adventure parts too. Unfortunatly, Kelsey is distracted by who to choose and why that she gets distracted easily. Kudos to her though because she doesn't "check out" when Ren doesn't remember her and her heart is broken (unlike the girl who has to choose between the sparkly vampire and the not werewolf because- he is Native American and the European rules of werewolf don't apply and he really could have shapechanged into a bear or cougar....)
I think the dragon's are fun characters and the gold dragon reminds me of Frank Burns but that might be because I was watching a MASH marathon while reading this.
I also enjoy the diving instructor. I know people whose accent will disappear or get thicker to tease, confuse, or disarm someone.
  
The Land You Never Leave
The Land You Never Leave
Angus Watson | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fantastic
The second book in Watson's West of West trilogy continues following the Hardworkers (a small tribe of Nordic descendants) and the former Calnian Owsla (a Native American warrior team), who have now joined forces. Their aim is to simply head West to try and save the world, as told by a dream. The book sees them approaching Badland country and expecting trouble. The Calnian army are gathered to track them down and attack them, the empress being controlled by her mysterious new healer, and following her own dream which told her the Hardworkers would destroy the world.
As in the first book, the humorous dialogue keeps this book rolling along really well. The interactions and relations between characters is superb and believable. The world is familiar enough to us, but with some unusual creatures and customs thrown in. The Badlanders are a truly psychotic tribe.
The pacing of the book is top notch with plenty of action and excitement spread throughout, and told from numerous different points of view.
A wonderful read with excellent characters.