Strangelands

Strangelands follows Nina, an Apache teenager who investigates mysterious occurrences in her small Texas town. After the disappearance of her companion deer, Nina sets out to uncover the truth behind recent strange events and missing animals. Nina navigates both the physical world and the spirit realm as she seeks answers, drawing on her cultural knowledge and family connections. Her quest leads her through unseen paths between worlds while confronting forces that threaten both her community and the natural balance. The story intertwines Apache cosmology with contemporary life in rural Texas, exploring themes of belonging and connection to place. Through Nina's journey, the novel examines the boundaries between seen and unseen worlds, and the enduring bonds between humans, animals, and the land they share.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Darcie Little Badger's overall work: Readers connect strongly with Little Badger's character development and authentic integration of Apache culture into supernatural storylines. Reviews highlight the accessibility of complex themes and the fresh perspective on paranormal elements. What readers liked: - Natural integration of Indigenous culture without feeling educational - Character relationships, especially family dynamics - Unique blend of modern teen life with traditional elements - LGBTQ+ representation that feels organic - Engaging writing style for both teen and adult readers What readers disliked: - Some found pacing slow in middle sections - Plot resolutions sometimes felt rushed - Occasional confusion about supernatural rules/systems Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Elatsoe: 4.0/5 (15,000+ ratings) - A Snake Falls to Earth: 4.2/5 (8,000+ ratings) Amazon: - Elatsoe: 4.5/5 - A Snake Falls to Earth: 4.6/5 Multiple reviewers note the books work well as both standalone stories and discussion starters about Indigenous perspectives in contemporary settings.

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🌟 Darcie Little Badger is a member of the Lipan Apache Tribe and brings authentic Indigenous representation to her young adult fiction writing 🌟 Strangelands weaves together elements of both science fiction and Apache mythology, creating a unique blend of traditional storytelling and futuristic narrative 🌟 The author holds a PhD in oceanography from Texas A&M University, which influences her incorporation of scientific elements into her storytelling 🌟 The book explores themes of environmental conservation and climate change while maintaining strong ties to Indigenous ways of knowing and living 🌟 Strangelands follows the success of Little Badger's debut novel "Elatsoe," which was named one of Time Magazine's Best 100 Fantasy Books of All Time