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Lightning Strike #2
Lightning Strike: Book 2
A new Universe. A new Time.
Tina Pulivok is thrust into an unknown universe, a reality that exists hundreds of years ahead of her own time, the 1980s on Earth. Raised in a Maya village and before moving to an East L.A. barrio in California, she knows no one in this new universe--
Except Althor.
A starfighter pilot from the future, Althor ended up in the wrong universe when someone--he has no idea who--sabotaged his fighter with the intent of killing him. Instead, the faulty stardrive threw him into Tina's universe. Both Tina and Althor are empaths, even telepaths, traits that draws them together. They return to Author's universe in his sentient ship, where they face dangers known and unknown. From the vicious empire of the Trader slave lords to the ancient marvels of desert ruins holding the secrets of a long vanished past, they must survive an onslaught of danger. They face the future with only their courage and their love--but will it be enough to keep them alive?
Tina Pulivok is thrust into an unknown universe, a reality that exists hundreds of years ahead of her own time, the 1980s on Earth. Raised in a Maya village and before moving to an East L.A. barrio in California, she knows no one in this new universe--
Except Althor.
A starfighter pilot from the future, Althor ended up in the wrong universe when someone--he has no idea who--sabotaged his fighter with the intent of killing him. Instead, the faulty stardrive threw him into Tina's universe. Both Tina and Althor are empaths, even telepaths, traits that draws them together. They return to Author's universe in his sentient ship, where they face dangers known and unknown. From the vicious empire of the Trader slave lords to the ancient marvels of desert ruins holding the secrets of a long vanished past, they must survive an onslaught of danger. They face the future with only their courage and their love--but will it be enough to keep them alive?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2020
About the author
Catherine Asaro
98 books719 followersThe author of more than twenty-five books, Catherine Asaro is acclaimed for her Ruby Dynasty series, which combines adventure, science, romance and fast-paced action. Her novel The Quantum Rose won the Nebula® Award, as did her novella “The Spacetime Pool.” Among her many other distinctions, she is a multiple winner of the AnLab from Analog magazine and a three time recipient of the RT BOOKClub Award for “Best Science Fiction Novel.” Her most recent novel, Carnelians, came out in October, 2011. An anthology of her short fiction titled Aurora in Four Voices is available from ISFiC Press in hardcover, and her multiple award-winning novella “The City of Cries” is also available as an eBook for Kindle and Nook.
Catherine has two music CD’s out and she is currently working on her third. The first, Diamond Star, is the soundtrack for her novel of the same name, performed with the rock band, Point Valid. She appears as a vocalist at cons, clubs, and other venues in the US and abroad, including recently as the Guest of Honor at the Denmark and New Zealand National Science Fiction Conventions. She performs selections from her work in a multimedia project that mixes literature, dance, and music with Greg Adams as her accompanist. She is also a theoretical physicist with a PhD in Chemical Physics from Harvard, and a jazz and ballet dancer. Visit her at www.facebook.com/Catherine.Asaro
Catherine has two music CD’s out and she is currently working on her third. The first, Diamond Star, is the soundtrack for her novel of the same name, performed with the rock band, Point Valid. She appears as a vocalist at cons, clubs, and other venues in the US and abroad, including recently as the Guest of Honor at the Denmark and New Zealand National Science Fiction Conventions. She performs selections from her work in a multimedia project that mixes literature, dance, and music with Greg Adams as her accompanist. She is also a theoretical physicist with a PhD in Chemical Physics from Harvard, and a jazz and ballet dancer. Visit her at www.facebook.com/Catherine.Asaro
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 10, 2020
LIGHTNING STRIKE is a rewrite of author Asaro's early book CATCH THE LIGHTNING, divided into two books. This second half covers the return of Prince Althor from another timeline with his chosen mate. Tina is obviously afraid of this introduction to a strange universe and empire. Someone is a serious enemy of Althor, but makes the fatal mistake of underestimating Tina.
I think there was only one time I voluntarily laid this book down. I finished it at after 1 AM. If you haven't tried the Skolian Empire series, you are missing something.
This is sort of the third time I've read this. I read CATCH THE LIGHTNING once and listened to it once.
I think there was only one time I voluntarily laid this book down. I finished it at after 1 AM. If you haven't tried the Skolian Empire series, you are missing something.
This is sort of the third time I've read this. I read CATCH THE LIGHTNING once and listened to it once.
February 22, 2021
The rewrite of this book is so much better than the original.
December 11, 2020
Amazing story.
I couldn’t put it down and I read it till early morning ! Awesome book!
I want a sequel please !
I couldn’t put it down and I read it till early morning ! Awesome book!
I want a sequel please !
May 15, 2021
An expanded version of the second half of Catch the Lightning. Furthest along chronologically in the Skolian universe. Althor's ship is sabotaged, he ends up on 1987 Earth in a different universe. He meets Tina who has empathic abilities like himself. They have some adventures, when it comes time to leave Earth Althor asks Tina to go with him. Enter book II. They stop at an allied space station for repairs and to get married. The group that sabotaged his Jag are still out there. They don't get away quick enough. Now they have to escape and prevent a war.
I have loved all of the Skolian novels. I read Catch the Lightning in 2013. I still bought Lightning Strike book I, enjoyed it even though I had remembered the gist of it. For book II I knew they went back to Althor's universe and time but no spoilers. Fast, fun read. Tina has left her universe behind and still manages to be crucial, perhaps not with physical prowess, but definitely with her ideas and influence. Fantastic characters, action, romance. Five stars.
I have loved all of the Skolian novels. I read Catch the Lightning in 2013. I still bought Lightning Strike book I, enjoyed it even though I had remembered the gist of it. For book II I knew they went back to Althor's universe and time but no spoilers. Fast, fun read. Tina has left her universe behind and still manages to be crucial, perhaps not with physical prowess, but definitely with her ideas and influence. Fantastic characters, action, romance. Five stars.
August 26, 2023
After just having finished a complete read (with some re-reads) of the Skolian saga in chronological order, I find this so far final story distinctly unsatisfying. There are multiple details that don’t jive with the background from previous stories.
Althor describes himself and is described as the least important member of the Ruby Dynasty, and it seems much stranger than self-devaluation. After all, he is the only surviving (out of Kyle Space) heir to the Ruby Pharoah. That alone would place his importance ahead of various aunts, uncles, and cousins who are lower ranked heirs to the pharoahship and the keys. Waroids appear here as kind of generic mercenaries that include Skolians, Allieds, and Traders where previously they were the war droids of the Traders alone. Iquar’s giant cylindrical ship in this story sounds eerily like some typical Skolian ships in prior stories.
But the thing that most disconcerted me was that the hard-won peace treaty between the Skolians and Eube from about 40 years prior to this story was hardly mentioned. They briefly note some trade taking place, but how in hell could kidnapping and enslaving members of the Ruby Dynasty have even been considered? That certainly would put them back at war and Jaibriol undoubtedly would have destroyed Iquar for doing so. Instead, throughout the book the two empires seemed more at war than at peace, with no explanation whatsoever of how the treaty had failed. Skolia even seemed at odds with the Allied folks when previously they had seemed to reach at least detente if not a full alliance.
In reading this story, I felt as if I was either reading an alternate timeline altogether or if I had missed a bunch of stories. While I love the universe created by Asaro, this most recent story was less enjoyable than most.
Althor describes himself and is described as the least important member of the Ruby Dynasty, and it seems much stranger than self-devaluation. After all, he is the only surviving (out of Kyle Space) heir to the Ruby Pharoah. That alone would place his importance ahead of various aunts, uncles, and cousins who are lower ranked heirs to the pharoahship and the keys. Waroids appear here as kind of generic mercenaries that include Skolians, Allieds, and Traders where previously they were the war droids of the Traders alone. Iquar’s giant cylindrical ship in this story sounds eerily like some typical Skolian ships in prior stories.
But the thing that most disconcerted me was that the hard-won peace treaty between the Skolians and Eube from about 40 years prior to this story was hardly mentioned. They briefly note some trade taking place, but how in hell could kidnapping and enslaving members of the Ruby Dynasty have even been considered? That certainly would put them back at war and Jaibriol undoubtedly would have destroyed Iquar for doing so. Instead, throughout the book the two empires seemed more at war than at peace, with no explanation whatsoever of how the treaty had failed. Skolia even seemed at odds with the Allied folks when previously they had seemed to reach at least detente if not a full alliance.
In reading this story, I felt as if I was either reading an alternate timeline altogether or if I had missed a bunch of stories. While I love the universe created by Asaro, this most recent story was less enjoyable than most.
June 11, 2020
Althor and Tina find that life in his universe is as problematic as life in hers.
Returning to the Skolian Empire, the couple are captured by fifth columnists on the night of their wedding and sold into slavery. Together, they must escape and return to their rightful place before the galaxy descends into outright war.
'Lightning Strike: Book II' is fast paced and thrilling, with pleasant hints of a wider narrative universe beyond the scope of the story. Asaro has written a novel which works well on its own while still drawing us further into her works to experience a bold landscape of a parallel universe.
Returning to the Skolian Empire, the couple are captured by fifth columnists on the night of their wedding and sold into slavery. Together, they must escape and return to their rightful place before the galaxy descends into outright war.
'Lightning Strike: Book II' is fast paced and thrilling, with pleasant hints of a wider narrative universe beyond the scope of the story. Asaro has written a novel which works well on its own while still drawing us further into her works to experience a bold landscape of a parallel universe.
September 8, 2026
Science Fiction at its best!
Great story and done so well that you don’t need to read the first book in the Lighting Strike series to understand the story line. Excellent characters and story. I enjoyed the interaction of the characters. The way that culture and science are explained within the story and interactions of the characters is creative and entertaining. A must read!
Great story and done so well that you don’t need to read the first book in the Lighting Strike series to understand the story line. Excellent characters and story. I enjoyed the interaction of the characters. The way that culture and science are explained within the story and interactions of the characters is creative and entertaining. A must read!
September 7, 2021
Overall a good story. However, considering what I paid for this book (parts 1 and 2), I think the author could have spent some time proofreading - far too many typos.
October 10, 2021
A great follow up to the first book.
This was a great continuation of the story. I hope that she writes more stories in this universe. Looking forward to more books from her.
This was a great continuation of the story. I hope that she writes more stories in this universe. Looking forward to more books from her.
June 27, 2024
Beautiful Fantasy
Astro has crafted another great story. Her imaginative story is fantastic and the characters are almost realistic.
This was a very interesting read.
Astro has crafted another great story. Her imaginative story is fantastic and the characters are almost realistic.
This was a very interesting read.
February 25, 2024
interesting premise.
Lots of interesting twists and turns as well as unique characters and fantastic worlds and environments. Lots of extra words and missing words. Needs more proofreading and then a new release.
Lots of interesting twists and turns as well as unique characters and fantastic worlds and environments. Lots of extra words and missing words. Needs more proofreading and then a new release.
August 17, 2023
Another great Asaro Science Fiction novel! The story telling and narrative are some of her best ever.
August 27, 2023
as always an incredible book
Once again Catherine Asaro creates an amazing world and character is who undergo extreme trials and come out on top with courage and grace.
Once again Catherine Asaro creates an amazing world and character is who undergo extreme trials and come out on top with courage and grace.
January 28, 2024
Part two of Tina and Althor's story. I think I only really remembered one plot point from the original Catch the Lighting, so this all felt new. Cool to see Major Bhajaan show up at the end.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews