Title: Lightning

Author: Michael Ray Ewing

Genre:  Thriller

 

Lightning by Michael Ray Ewing is an action-packed suspense thriller. Set within Arizona, this multi-character storyline will take readers on a journey through escalating tension, dangerous encounters, and a sense of mystery.

The descriptions contained within the book are clear and vivid, allowing readers to easily envision scenes put forward. Moments involving dead bodies, sulfuric scenes, and graphic aftermaths have enough details to deliver the horror the characters are witnessing while maintaining a strong sense of pacing and atmosphere. Although certain scenes are gory, these moments enhance the narrative rather than detract from it, adding to the overall suspense and momentum.

A minor downside to the book is that some aspects come across as dated, even though it’s set within the present day. In one chapter, the author mentions TikTok, but in another describes a character effortlessly removing a phone battery, which isn’t a common theme among modern devices. Although this doesn’t detract from the storyline, it may cause brief confusion for some readers imagining the characters’ day-to-day technology.

Although it is a multi-character book, the characters are well-developed, and the author has allowed readers to become familiar with them. Their motivations, connections, and individual storylines gradually align, like a jigsaw puzzle coming together. This multi-character approach allows the plot to be viewed from several angles, whether through a military perspective, Victoria’s experiences, Adam’s journey, or Mop’s presence. Readers may find themselves especially charmed with Mop, the incredibly intelligent dog who befriends Adam after his lightning strike.

Throughout the book, Ewing maintains a steady sense of intrigue and suspense by having a sense of mystery surrounding the beings which are attacking, killing, and possibly hunting. Readers may wonder what they are, why they are so powerful, and what they seek. This is left to the readers’ imagination for a large portion of the book, allowing readers to build their own image and understanding of what is going on as the story unfolds.

Lightning is an addictive read, with a storyline that is consistently intriguing and gripping. Its packed, multi-character plot connects well, where readers can easily follow along as new pieces of the story unfold. The setting is clearly developed and maintained, allowing readers to easily follow the characters and where they are placed at any given time. Readers may find this an easy-to-read book with a gripping storyline that will have some not wanting to put the book down until they have finished.

A clear strength of this book is the pacing. It’s seamless and doesn’t become overwhelming or slow. Each chapter sustains a classic tension expected from a thriller, delivering heart-pounding moments that keep readers fully engaged. The story has a realistic tone, making the events feel as though they could possibly occur in the real world, creating a sense of realism that will appeal to readers who appreciate thrillers with a believable edge to them.

For fans of this genre, Lightning checks many boxes: suspense, gore, action, and mystery.  It is sure to satisfy thriller enthusiasts with its layered character dynamics and heightened danger, offering both entertainment and atmosphere from beginning to end.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.