The Master Lightning Bolt

War on the Gods #3

by A.P. Mobley

“For too long you've wasted your potential. Moping about. Feeling sorry for yourself. It's time you channel your feelings into something worthwhile.”

After years of struggling to choose between duty to his gods and loyalty to his friends, Karter, Son of Zeus finally has the decision made for him.

Not only have the gods killed everyone he loves most, but his father has also received visions that Karter is meant to execute Diana, Daughter of Apollo. Apparently, when he does so, the war on the gods will end in Zeus's favor, and, as a reward, Karter will be made into an immortal among the rest.

For a while, this seems like the perfect solution to Karter's problems. After all, what he wants most is to forget his agonizing past and move toward a brighter future. But as he spends more time on Olympus, he begins to realize pain may not be so easily buried...

Karter will have to face the choices he's made—and the gods who pushed him to make them. Otherwise, he'll lose himself to the darkness forever.

Unknown Binding

Published December 27, 2022

About the author

A. P. Mobley is the Halloween-loving, rock-music-obsessed author of dark fantasy inspired by mythology. She doesn’t only write about her favorite myths, folktales, and fairy tales in her books, though; she discusses them on her podcast, Myths (& Folktales & Fairy tales), as well as on her blog and newsletter. She grew up in Wyoming and Nebraska and currently lives in South Dakota, and when she’s not up to her elbows in research for her next project, she can be found consuming dangerous amounts of coffee, reading speculative fiction, or rewatching The Good Place.

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Reviews

[JK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m delighted this one is now ready to consume, and also to be reunited with my old friends in our war on the gods. I’m equally as delighted to discover that although this series was intended as a trilogy, there’s just too much to fit in, and Mobley has chosen to write a fourth book to bring us to our conclusion. Less is more has no relevance here; I want it all.

I last left Zoey and Andy in possession of two of the divine items which will help them defeat the gods. Here, we focus on the final and most dangerous item of the three - the master lightning bolt, which must be wrestled from the hands of Zeus. Ouch.

Mobley gives us much of the same brilliance as we quest for this final item. We see battles, destruction, we feel a sense of hopelessness at the grim task ahead. In places it feels almost impossible, but peppered amongst the despair we have bold determination, the power of community, and a host of differing motivations to complete the task.

Each of our characters are clear in their reasoning; whether that’s stemmed from past experiences, the loss of loved ones, or a simple hatred for the actions of the gods, we see each of them up close and achieve perfect understanding of our mission. We explore their relationships, see how they interact, and it all feels deliciously voyeuristic.

The finale was everything I expected - total carnage dusted over with hints of victory and heartbreak. No spoilers, but I am devastated and bereft and immediately stood up to water my almost dead and definitely dehydrated peace lily. I realise this sounds like a strange reaction, but all will become clear when your heart breaks in a similar way.

I do think this is a series best read back to back, as I did struggle to remember what had happened previously. Mobley deals with this well, and slots in subtle reminders throughout to jog our memory, but as a forgetful person I look forward to the day I can revisit these and inhale them all in one go.

A wonderful installment in the series, and I am so excited to find out what happens in The Threads of Fate.

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Book Review

⚡️Her memory of the message flooding back like water gushing through a ruptured dam, before they disrupt the balance of the universe, sending all of us spiraling into chaos

This begins with revisiting the past and transporting back to present. Eighteen years ago before the Storm and presently, Summer Year 500 AS. Calliope got transported into web of darkness and Zeus sent her into chaos while she is trying to carve her path out of it.

Due to Karter’s decision and sudden turn of things/ events , everyone is suffering and the everyone is facing the consequences of them. The daughter of Apollo and the grandchildren-of-Hephaestus are in huge danger. Zeus has executed his plan. Gods are coming in full power while the chosen two are in dilemma, getting themselves out of sea monsters and trying to solve the mystery of Anteros. As in the previous books they acquired the helm of darkness and the Poseidon’s Trident. Will Zeus plan save him from the dreadful prophecy?

Will they find their way out of the island? Will Karter change his mind? Will he fulfil his duty towards his father or will he prove his loyalty towards his friends? Will the chosen two able to acquire the master lightening bolt? Will the humanity go in vain? Will Calliope able to find her way out of chaos and darkness? Will the war separate Persephone and Apollo?

[Pierre Fortier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book.

Greek mythology is some of the first fiction I ever read - close to sixty years ago. I knew this book was part of a series when I read it, but did not bother to read the preceding stories first. One mark of a truly good storyteller is the ability to tell the stories in a series as a series of standalone stories. I was curious.

This was well written. Not a lot of extra verbiage to catch the reader up to what happened in the past. A sentence here and there did the trick. I really enjoyed this one, and will certainly now read the preceding stories. They will almost certainly be very good themselves.

I received a free ARC copy of this book and am under no obligation to review it.

[Lauren Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

I RECIEVED AN ARC COPY FOR REVIEW

As the conclusion to the story gets closer, the sadder and happier I become - it's so unfair all round. I took my time with this book purely for that reason; I don't want any of this to end.

Once again, the writing drew me in and the story hit all the right notes in all the right places. I loved Andy and Zoey - like always - and their interactions. Maybe even more-so in this book than previously? Probably because of their tied story and how they've grown along the journey.

The way the Greek mythology is handled is also so delightful. A.P weaves the tales into her dystopian version so neatly you can believe this would really happen to us now.

I look forward to the next, and final, book with all my heart.

[Marie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mission to steal Zeus' lightning bolt is the most dangerous one yet, because Andy & Zoey also have to rescue Diana, who is supposed to be executed by Karter in order for him to earn his place with the gods. Even with all their help, it seems like a lost cause before they even enter Olympus.

I am really excited to see now the final battle goes down and what happens to humanity after it's over. And I'm more than ready to fully understand what is happening to Zoey & Andy, and what this "convergence" thing is.

[Kessa Turnbull · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I still love the unlabeled perspectives, I'm getting sick of our protagonists. Bout bleeding time that Karter chose the right side. I hope the chosen 2 didn't just screw the world over with their own identities. I think this series may be too dark for me. Sooooo many deaths.

[Alexia]

2021 is so far 😩 how will I make it?

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Master Lightning Bolt is the third book in the War on the Gods series. Andy and Zoey need to steal Zeus' lightning bolt, the last item needed to start a war against the Greek gods and save humanity. They also have to save one of their friends before she is executed. On top of all that craziness, strange things are starting to happen to Andy and Zoey.

This is one series that you do have to read in order. The characters grow in each book, but throughout the series as well. A.P. Mobley does a good job broadly covering past events from the previous books, so it will refresh your memory if you spread out the series, but it won't be too much repeating material if you binge the series. She also does a fantastic job bringing the gods, creatures, and monsters from Greek mythology to life.

I recommend the War on the Gods series and its companion novels to people who like YA novels based on mythology.

Thank you to A.P. Mobley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.