Storm of Locusts - Book Review

 

Storm of Locusts (The Sixth World #2)

by Rebecca Roanhorse

What is it about:

Kai and Caleb Goodacre have been kidnapped just as rumors of a cult sweeping across the reservation leads Maggie and Hastiin to investigate an outpost, and what they find there will challenge everything they've come to know in this action-packed sequel to Trail of Lightning.

It's been four weeks since the bloody showdown at Black Mesa, and Maggie Hoskie, Diné monster hunter, is trying to make the best of things. Only her latest bounty hunt has gone sideways, she's lost her only friend, Kai Arviso, and she's somehow found herself responsible for a girl with a strange clan power.

Then the Goodacre twins show up at Maggie's door with the news that Kai and the youngest Goodacre, Caleb, have fallen in with a mysterious cult, led by a figure out of Navajo legend called the White Locust. The Goodacres are convinced that Kai's a true believer, but Maggie suspects there's more to Kai's new faith than meets the eye. She vows to track down the White Locust, then rescue Kai and make things right between them.

Her search leads her beyond the Walls of Dinétah and straight into the horrors of the Big Water world outside. With the aid of a motley collection of allies, Maggie must battle body harvesters, newborn casino gods, and, ultimately, the White Locust himself. But the cult leader is nothing like she suspected, and Kai might not need rescuing after all. When the full scope of the White Locust's plans are revealed, Maggie's burgeoning trust in her friends and herself will be pushed to the breaking point, and not everyone will survive.

What did I think of it:

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but the points of critique I had for that book made that I didn't immediately picked up the next book. One of the Facebook groups I'm in had a reading event this month celebrating Native American stories though, so I thought that'd be the perfect opportunity to finally read Storm of Locusts.

And this book is so good!

Where the first book took away some of my enjoyment by not giving me enough backstory for a big part of the story, this book didn't suffer from that problem. I was immediately hooked and worrying for Kai, Maggie, and the people who join her on her rescue mission.

As in the first book the world building is excellent and I loved encountering new locations and characters. I easily fell back in this post-apocalyptic world and enjoyed this book even more than the first. 

The story felt more solid and I felt more connected with Maggie and her feelings than the first book. The ending is satisfying, but there are hints of more trouble coming Maggie's way. It's a shame that it seems this series probably won't be continued unless Roanhorse decides to self publish though.

I'll keep hoping for a next book while  picking up the next book in her Between Earth and Sky Series soon.

Why should you read it:

It's amazing Post-Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy