Title: The Girl Who Commanded Lightning: Book 3
Author: Cliff Ratza
Publisher: Lightning Brain Press
ISBN: 978-1734144826
Pages: 600
Genre: Suspense Thrillers/Fantasy Action & Adventure
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
Genetics play a major role in the everyday lives of society. As John Maynard Smith once said, “Genetics is about how information is stored and transmitted between generations.” However this takes an even greater meaning in author Cliff Ratza’s book The Girl Who Commanded Lightning, the third book in a trilogy of books that explores the importance of genetics as a young woman changed by a twist of fate must navigate the complexity of her own genetics to stop threats both at home and abroad.
In this novel, the author picks the story up after the second book’s conclusion. Suffering from an attack by the crippling T-Virus, otherwise known as a Techno Plague, Electra awakens to a world where her unique abilities and her memories are lost, and she must find them again if she is to continue the work she had been doing. Meanwhile, threats from other nations and the vast universe of cyberspace threaten an already weakened United States after years of battling an outbreak of the virus, and Electra must find a way to stop it all while navigating her personal life and the complex mind and power hiding within herself.
This is a thrilling, addictive and action-packed read. The third book in an already thrilling series, the story does a great job of exploring a healthy mix of character development with world building. A book that delves deeply into science and action, the journey Electra goes on is engaging to the reader on every page. Exploring the world inside her own mind and seeing the various personas that control different aspects of Electra was interesting to see unfold as well, giving readers to fully engage with the character as a whole.
This is a novel for anyone who enjoys thrillers, suspense, action and adventure, sci-fi and epic sagas that blend all these genres into one. As a fan of all these genres, it was easy to jump into the story and get engaged with the tale of Electra and her journey. Seeing the protagonist not only explore her own power and uniqueness, but delve into the world of almost every profession imaginable to engage with those around her and expand her power greatly.
Exploring themes that revolve around power-drunk political leaders, cyberattacks, genetic evolution and the acceptance of those different from others, this book does an amazing job of amping up the action and exploring the evolution of not only Electra but the living lightning brain housed within her. Leaving enough room to further explore Electra’s journey in future installments, readers will love the lengthy novel as the story progresses and the action builds up exponentially. Those who love a healthy mix of semi-futuristic sci-fi action with action and adventure and a heavy dose of thriller will not want to miss The Girl Who Commanded Lightning by Cliff Ratza!