Challenge Corner discussion

While most of the world has drowned beneath the sudden rising waters of a climate apocalypse, Dinétah (formerly the Navajo reservation) has been reborn. The gods and heroes of legend walk the land, but so do monsters.

Maggie Hoskie is a Dinétah monster hunter, a supernaturally gifted killer. When a small town needs help finding a missing girl, Maggie is their last—and best—hope. But what Maggie uncovers about the monster is much larger and more terrifying than anything she could imagine.

Maggie reluctantly enlists the aid of Kai Arviso, an unconventional medicine man, and together they travel to the rez to unravel clues from ancient legends, trade favors with tricksters, and battle dark witchcraft in a patchwork world of deteriorating technology.

As Maggie discovers the truth behind the disappearances, she will have to confront her past—if she wants to survive.

Welcome to the Sixth World.

To Ch 5, or 36-pgs: Strong start. I mistakenly thought this was YA, but it's def not. I'm like Maggie and anxious for the other character, Kai, to be introduced. (view spoiler)[She just brought the monster's head to Grandpa Tah's house, and Tah has determined that this monster was created by a witch. It sounds like the nephew staying with him is going to turn out to be Kai and that he's going to go on this dangerous mission with Maggie to find the witch, which also may be tied to Maggie's past. (hide spoiler)] I'm excited to get further in this one!

To Ch 10, or pg 79: It looks like Maggie and Kai (view spoiler)[are going to be a strong team. Interesting this entire town has been decimated. The lightening too-- was it Maggie's old partner? We just learned what happened the night he left. Very interested in this so far! (hide spoiler)]

To Ch 14, or pg 104: Well, (view spoiler)[Coyote is certainly an interesting addition to our cast. I like when he's in storyteller mode. (hide spoiler)]

To Ch 16, or pg 122: (view spoiler)[Maggie is being a very good girl. I find Kai irresistible. I also would have saved half of that jug of whiskey 😄 (hide spoiler)]

Wow, you're a really fast reader! I just started, got up through chapter 3. It's a great start, introducing both the main character and the monster/fighting system. I think I'm going to like this one a lot

End of Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[I'm not really feeling the writing on this one. Every single line is like "she did this. she did this too. Kai is pretty." The banter feels kinda Marvel movie-ish, like the characters are quipping because the script dictates in and not cause they actually have enough chemistry to bicker. I am intrigued by the dead town, though. I'm hoping for more cool monster fights soon. (hide spoiler)]

Saige wrote: "Wow, you're a really fast reader! I just started, got up through chapter 3. It's a great start, introducing both the main character and the monster/fighting system. I think I'm going to like this o..."

Sometimes I'm fast -- my issue is I read like 4 - 6 books at time, so it often takes me longer to get through them...LOL
I suppose there are worse issues to have!

Saige wrote: "End of Chapter 13: [spoilers removed]"

Oh yeah, I definitely get the Marvel movie comment! I can totally see that. I'm sort of picturing these characters like that too.

To Ch 22: Ohhh, mannn. So much has happened. I really hope (view spoiler)[Tah wasn't actually killed in that fire. He was such a good man. Also, oh my goodness, Maggie killing Longarm. Though he definitely deserved it, I wonder what prompted him going after Kai so hard? Also, I like Grace. Interested to find out more about her and her fam. She seems to like Maggie. (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 22: (view spoiler)[I agree with you about Tah! Though I'll admit I don't have a ton of hope. I'm warming up the romance between Kai and Maggie - the stories they've shared are definitely bringing them closer. It does feel rushed though. This whole story has taken place over like 3 days! (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 29: (view spoiler)[This book increasingly feels like it's setting up a sequel rather than going through an actual plot. We've been introduced to like 3 different quests but they haven't really gone on any of them? Also, all the "twists" have been super obvious. Any minute now they're gonna reveal Kai's mind control powers and I'm not gonna be surprised at all (hide spoiler)]

See, I knew you fly past me. LOL -- I've been concentrating on a couple other books the last two days. I'll try to get back into this one tonight!

Lol yeah, I can really only do one book at a time! I wish I could bounce between them like you do but my brain really can't focus that way

Finished: (view spoiler)[I'm glad Tah is alright! Also totally called it on Kai's powers. I think the Ma'ii twist was interesting, if predictable, but overall this ending felt kinda rushed and unnecessary. I walk away not really caring about the characters, so I don't plan to read the next book. I hope you end up liking it more than me! (hide spoiler)]

Saige wrote: "Lol yeah, I can really only do one book at a time! I wish I could bounce between them like you do but my brain really can't focus that way"

I hear ya! I'm so excited to see you thoughts! I need to catch up!!! You've motivated me to focus on this for the weekend!!

To Ch 25: (view spoiler)[Why would Neizghani be creating these monster? To challenge Maggie in some sort of way? I'm so curious... also, Kai's powers are incredible. Definitely a good guy to have around! (hide spoiler)]

To Ch 33: WTF!? Soooo, (view spoiler)[was this whole thing just a farce by Ma'ii? Was there never a witch to hunt? Why would he set Maggie up like this, and is she really going to die!? (hide spoiler)]

Done! I think this was a solid start to a series. I have the 2nd-book, and I think I'm going to read it next month. I think there were supposed to be like 4 or 5 books in the series though, and only 2 were ever published, so that's sort of sad. I loved how (view spoiler)[Coyote was the master manipulator from the very start, even setting up the circumstances that allowed Maggie to become what she is. (hide spoiler)]

I'm surprised to hear that about the series! I wonder what would cause her to change so radically

Saige wrote: "I'm surprised to hear that about the series! I wonder what would cause her to change so radically"

I'm not sure. I heard she got busy with other projects, and just sort of put it no the back-burner, but it doesn't seem like she'll return to it at this point.

megs_bookrack wrote: "Saige wrote: "I'm surprised to hear that about the series! I wonder what would cause her to change so radically"

I'm not sure. I heard she got busy with other projects, and just sort of put it no ..."

Dang! I hope you don't love book 2 too much then, cause it's always a bummer when I get really into a series but the author discontinues it

Saige wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Saige wrote: "I'm surprised to hear that about the series! I wonder what would cause her to change so radically"

I'm not sure. I heard she got busy with other projects, and j..."

I know, right!? LOL -- it sounds very different to the first book, so I'm interested to see how that plays out