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The Thunderbolt Effect
What if one storm changed everything… and it was never just a storm?
When an unexpected thunderstorm hits without warning, it leaves behind more than destruction — it leaves questions no one can answer.
In the aftermath, strange events begin to unfold. People change. Reality feels… unstable. And something unseen seems to be watching from within the chaos.
As fear spreads and truth becomes harder to separate from illusion, one thing becomes clear: this was never an ordinary storm.
When an unexpected thunderstorm hits without warning, it leaves behind more than destruction — it leaves questions no one can answer.
In the aftermath, strange events begin to unfold. People change. Reality feels… unstable. And something unseen seems to be watching from within the chaos.
As fear spreads and truth becomes harder to separate from illusion, one thing becomes clear: this was never an ordinary storm.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
About the author
Kristina Gallo
33 books137 followersI am a Croatian multi genre indie author.
Adrenaline stories, mysteries and thrillers are my favorite.
If you are a fan of series, I recommend my mystery drama book The Seller of Sins.
Since 2024 I am collaborating with Red Cape Publishing.
My horor thriller " A dream about White Rabbit" got an audio version.
Adrenaline stories, mysteries and thrillers are my favorite.
If you are a fan of series, I recommend my mystery drama book The Seller of Sins.
Since 2024 I am collaborating with Red Cape Publishing.
My horor thriller " A dream about White Rabbit" got an audio version.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 19, 2026
My Rating: 4.8/5
The short paranormal thriller "The Thunderbolt Effect" by Kristina Gallo is the perfect read for relaxing during these summer days. I have read about a dozen books by Kristina so far, and I consider her to be an excellent writer. With this book, she has pushed the boundaries of her writing, and I think this is the best book of hers I have read. If you like short paranormal thrillers mixed with fantasy and tarot, you'll definitely like this one, and you'll easily be able to read it in one afternoon.
Now, a little about the story:
The story follows Susan, who is frustrated with her job, unhappy with where her life is headed, and hoping her aunt’s tarot reading might offer some direction. Her boss, who oppresses her, constantly frustrates her by taking credit for all her hard work and blocking her path to advancement in the company. But on her way back from her aunt’s, she is struck by lightning and ends up in the hospital. That turning point will change her attitude and thoughts, taking her life in a completely different direction, especially when some not-so-nice things from her family’s past begin to unravel. Susan must find herself in these difficult times and understand what life has in store for her. Only when faced with these challenges will she understand which path to take.
I would recommend this book to fans of short paranormal thrillers and stories about tarot.
The short paranormal thriller "The Thunderbolt Effect" by Kristina Gallo is the perfect read for relaxing during these summer days. I have read about a dozen books by Kristina so far, and I consider her to be an excellent writer. With this book, she has pushed the boundaries of her writing, and I think this is the best book of hers I have read. If you like short paranormal thrillers mixed with fantasy and tarot, you'll definitely like this one, and you'll easily be able to read it in one afternoon.
Now, a little about the story:
The story follows Susan, who is frustrated with her job, unhappy with where her life is headed, and hoping her aunt’s tarot reading might offer some direction. Her boss, who oppresses her, constantly frustrates her by taking credit for all her hard work and blocking her path to advancement in the company. But on her way back from her aunt’s, she is struck by lightning and ends up in the hospital. That turning point will change her attitude and thoughts, taking her life in a completely different direction, especially when some not-so-nice things from her family’s past begin to unravel. Susan must find herself in these difficult times and understand what life has in store for her. Only when faced with these challenges will she understand which path to take.
I would recommend this book to fans of short paranormal thrillers and stories about tarot.
February 3, 2026
If you haven’t met Kristina Gallo and read one of her suspenseful books yet, The Thunderbolt Effect is a good story to begin with. This mysterious and dark fantasy, spiced with a murder and intriguing investigation, will appeal especially to fans of the paranormal and personality change. I liked a lot the strong accentuation of the bullying at work, which is happening so much everywhere that we are accepting it as something normal and expected. Except, it is NOT normal. Far from it.
I have received an ARC from the author at no cost and with no obligations toward the author. This is my honest review.
I have received an ARC from the author at no cost and with no obligations toward the author. This is my honest review.
April 28, 2026
The Thunderbolt Effect
By: Kristina Gallo
Publisher: Red Cape Publishing
Published Date: November 28, 2025
ASIN: B0G1N6JJR1
Page Count: 103
Triggers: Car accident, lightning strike, personality change, workplace bullying, murder, paranormal elements
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A tarot reading, a bad mood, a thunderstorm, and one very unfortunate lightning strike. So basically, Susan went looking for life advice and the universe said, “Bet.”
The Thunderbolt Effect is a short, fast-paced paranormal thriller with tarot, mystery, dark fantasy, and a personality shift that makes things go from “my life feels stuck” to “well, this took a turn.” Susan is frustrated with her job, unhappy with where her life is headed, and hoping her aunt’s tarot reading might offer some direction. Instead, she gets a storm, an accident, and consequences nobody put in the brochure.
Here’s What Slapped:
This was a quick read with a fun supernatural hook. The tarot angle gives the story an eerie little shove, and the lightning strike adds that “what fresh nonsense is this?” energy I do enjoy. The story moves fast, which works well for the novella length. No dragging, no endless wandering, just strange events stacking up while everyone tries to pretend things are fine.
They are not fine. Obviously.
I also liked the darker edge under the surface. The workplace frustration, personality changes, family history, and mystery elements give the story more bite than expected. It has that “small book, big mess” feeling, which is always appreciated.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Because it is short, I would have loved a little more depth in a few places. Some moments moved quickly, and I wanted to sit in the weirdness longer. Let me marinate in the thunderbolt chaos, thank you.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Short paranormal thrillers, tarot, dark fantasy, strange personality shifts, fast reads, messy family threads, and stories where one little trip for guidance turns into a full supernatural problem.
Sum Up:
The Thunderbolt Effect is a quick, eerie, and entertaining read with tarot cards, storm drama, and enough weirdness to keep the pages turning. Kristina Gallo delivers a fun paranormal mystery that proves sometimes asking the universe for change is a terrible idea, because the universe has no chill.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
By: Kristina Gallo
Publisher: Red Cape Publishing
Published Date: November 28, 2025
ASIN: B0G1N6JJR1
Page Count: 103
Triggers: Car accident, lightning strike, personality change, workplace bullying, murder, paranormal elements
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A tarot reading, a bad mood, a thunderstorm, and one very unfortunate lightning strike. So basically, Susan went looking for life advice and the universe said, “Bet.”
The Thunderbolt Effect is a short, fast-paced paranormal thriller with tarot, mystery, dark fantasy, and a personality shift that makes things go from “my life feels stuck” to “well, this took a turn.” Susan is frustrated with her job, unhappy with where her life is headed, and hoping her aunt’s tarot reading might offer some direction. Instead, she gets a storm, an accident, and consequences nobody put in the brochure.
Here’s What Slapped:
This was a quick read with a fun supernatural hook. The tarot angle gives the story an eerie little shove, and the lightning strike adds that “what fresh nonsense is this?” energy I do enjoy. The story moves fast, which works well for the novella length. No dragging, no endless wandering, just strange events stacking up while everyone tries to pretend things are fine.
They are not fine. Obviously.
I also liked the darker edge under the surface. The workplace frustration, personality changes, family history, and mystery elements give the story more bite than expected. It has that “small book, big mess” feeling, which is always appreciated.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Because it is short, I would have loved a little more depth in a few places. Some moments moved quickly, and I wanted to sit in the weirdness longer. Let me marinate in the thunderbolt chaos, thank you.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Short paranormal thrillers, tarot, dark fantasy, strange personality shifts, fast reads, messy family threads, and stories where one little trip for guidance turns into a full supernatural problem.
Sum Up:
The Thunderbolt Effect is a quick, eerie, and entertaining read with tarot cards, storm drama, and enough weirdness to keep the pages turning. Kristina Gallo delivers a fun paranormal mystery that proves sometimes asking the universe for change is a terrible idea, because the universe has no chill.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
December 6, 2025
An Intricate Web of Suspense
‘The Thunderbolt Effect,’ Author Kristina Gallo’s dark fantasy horror, is an intricate web tightly woven by interrelated characters affected by the brief affair and subsequent traffic fatality of Alice Smith, Susan Grant’s mother.
These interrelated characters, along with those passing through the novel, have unlikable traits. This in itself is refreshing. The protagonist, Susan Grant, is no exception. Yet, she had me rooting for her when the “thunderbolt effect” manifested: forty-five years old; at a stalemate in her career, working for a much younger boss who disrespects her.
Puzzle, the tarot master’s cat, has nothing on the author’s prowess for connecting the puzzle pieces of this story from beginning to end via character background and disturbing plot developments.
A must-read!
‘The Thunderbolt Effect,’ Author Kristina Gallo’s dark fantasy horror, is an intricate web tightly woven by interrelated characters affected by the brief affair and subsequent traffic fatality of Alice Smith, Susan Grant’s mother.
These interrelated characters, along with those passing through the novel, have unlikable traits. This in itself is refreshing. The protagonist, Susan Grant, is no exception. Yet, she had me rooting for her when the “thunderbolt effect” manifested: forty-five years old; at a stalemate in her career, working for a much younger boss who disrespects her.
Puzzle, the tarot master’s cat, has nothing on the author’s prowess for connecting the puzzle pieces of this story from beginning to end via character background and disturbing plot developments.
A must-read!
January 16, 2026
Some turn to tarot cards for guidance—but what happens when the reading refuses to be ignored? Dorothy Brown possesses a rare gift, one that people trust with their most intimate questions about fate and the future. Yet in this haunting tale of the Tarot, one reading sets off a chain of events far beyond anyone’s control. After a woman is struck by lightning, her life spirals into a series of strange and unsettling occurrences, blurring the line between destiny and danger. Rich with suspense and supernatural intrigue, this story is impossible to put down. Ms. Gallow masterfully keeps readers captivated, turning each page with mounting tension and mystery.
December 31, 2025
great short read
This isn’t the first book by Kristina Gallo that I have read, and this feels a little different. Yet, it's a great short read well well-written and flows. Her unique storytelling has woven a great story, dark at times but mixed with tarot and Susan’s amazing sense of self with an ending which follows the story. Well done.
This isn’t the first book by Kristina Gallo that I have read, and this feels a little different. Yet, it's a great short read well well-written and flows. Her unique storytelling has woven a great story, dark at times but mixed with tarot and Susan’s amazing sense of self with an ending which follows the story. Well done.
December 8, 2025
Sparks fly for Susan after a visit to her aunt for a tarot reading, as she hoped for more out of her job and life. She gets more than she expected following a lightning strike. The thunderbolt effect changed everything! This was a fun fast paced read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews