I Think We've Been Here Before: Facing the End of the World, in Saskatchewan

I Think We've Been Here Before / Suzy Krause
Regina, SK: Radiant Press, c2024.
309 p.

It's the end of the world -- with advance notice. Scientists have discovered some kind of cosmological burst that will reach Earth in two months, just around Christmas time. They announce it to the world. So, prepare for the end. 

Marlen and Hilda Jorgensen receive this news differently. Marlen has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, so for him it's the end either way; his wife is struggling with their own reality, never mind the apocalypse. Their daughter is in Berlin, and it's not certain she'll be able to return home, what with transportation being knocked off-kilter by the panic and chaos. She has her own issues, meeting someone in Berlin who feels strangely familiar to here. Meanwhile, Hilda's sister is in complete denial, which makes it hard for her husband and teen son to cope, never being allowed to talk about it. 

This was a very unusual take on the end of the world. Set mostly in rural Saskatchewan (with side scenes in Berlin), it focuses deeply on the emotional state of its characters. There is a certain numbness which permeates the story; the world around these characters is quiet -- even in Berlin, we don't really see, hear from, or interact with other characters. It is like these particular characters are insulated somehow. 

But I found this thoughtful, with some intriguing elements that would be very discussable. There are funny bits, and touching bits, too. I loved the daughter's story, and found this an engaging read. I am originally from Saskatchewan so it is nice to see a story like this taking place, rooted in small town Saskatchewan. For me, this was fresh and interesting, even if I'm still not quite sure about that ending! Well worth searching this one out, in my opinion. 

 

Trail of Lightning

Trail of Lightning / Rebecca Roanhorse
NY: Saga Press, c2018.
287 p.

And now for something really different! This dark apocalyptic Indigenous fantasy novel is unique and fascinating. It's a fast read, with lots of horror, romance, and creativity on show. 

I don't usually read things considered horror, but this is horror lite -- there was only one part I had to skim because it was too gross for me. Maggie Hoskie is a monster hunter: she is therefore also an outcast. She lives in Dinétah, formerly the Navajo reservation; now that there has been catastrophic climate change and most of the coastal areas of the US have disappeared, Dinétah is its own country. It was saved from flooding by a wall put up in the old days, not from good intentions. But along with its new independence has come the return of monsters and gods of Navajo legend. 

Maggie tracks and kills monsters who prey on humans, often children. She was taught & mentored by a demigod, who is now her nemesis. Let's just say she has trust issues. 

In this beginning story in the Sixth World series, there is a lot of setup, a lot of explaining this world and who is who, and how Maggie fits into it all. All of this is not boring or an info-dump, however. Roanhorse is endlessly creative and uses horror and fantasy tropes, but turns them into something new with the addition of a strong female sensibility and her Indigenous setting. The premise for the series is clearly established and the interaction between a wide variety of characters is so well done. 

There's potential romance as Maggie meets a city boy who has returned home to Dinétah; there is also betrayal and violence as she comes into contact with her nemesis in the end. Throughout the book she must balance her powers with her need to connect with her very human associates. Including many other strong women.

This was a great read, original and fast-moving, and followed up with book two already, though I haven't got to that one yet. Definitely recommended for fans of speculative horror fiction.