By Rebecca Roanhorse
Fantasy
June 2018
Saga Press
ISBN: 978-1534413504
In a post-apocalyptic American West, in which most of the landscape and civilization have disappeared after the Big Water and the Energy Wars, a young woman comes of age and into her powers as a monsterslayer.
Maggie is Diné, Navajo. She is alone and determined to remain that way. Those she loves have either been horrifically killed or left her. Her mentor deserting her weighs her down. Neighání is an immortal hero. But even he appeared disturbed at Maggie’s ability, and led her to believe she is as much a monster as those she hunts.
After months of being holed up alone in a single wide, she is called to try to rescue a young girl from a monster, who snatched her from home and ran up a mountain. The people who are desperate enough to seek her help are afraid of her. Maggie does little to dispel that fear, even during bargaining for payment if she prevails. Like everything else in Maggie’s life, she is successful but at a great cost. And her prevailing is likely to be misunderstood.
Back home, Coyote awaits her and sets her off on a quest. She goes to Tah, an elder Diné who once saved her life, for advice. He sends her off with his grandson, Kai, who is studying to be a Medicine Man, whether Maggie wants him or not.
The twists and turns in the relationships that take place are as exciting as the action in the adventure of the quest. There are other characters introduced to be intrigued by and to care about. And there are repercussions that await in the second book in the series.
The world-building in this, Roanhorse’s debut novel, is excellent. One reason for the strength of the world-building is the foundation of the Dinétah. The word usually means the homeland of the Diné, but it also can refer to being among the people. The concept, this being among, imbues every page.
The world-building also serves as the setting for compelling, complex characters with more to be discovered about them. Storm of Locusts is the second book, to be published in April. (Just don’t read the preview information; it contains spoilers.)
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