This is a novela about young children forced to take part in war. This was a captivating short story that I highly recommend. We follow Kalyah who loses her whole family. She about to be killed by a young man who she recognizes but is lucky to get away.

This was a beautifully written short piece that shows all the emotion there is to war. Kalyah loses everything and everyone. She almost loses her life when she is held captive by a young soldier. For a short story, there is nothing but emotion. I highly recommend for those who are in the mood for a little bit of sadness in their day.

Lightning in the Desert is a unique tale that explores the lives of young teenagers caught in the chaos of war. Through the intertwined narratives of Kalyah and the young soldier, the author masterfully explores themes of fate, courage, and the harsh realities of conflict. What struck me most about this book is its ability to evoke a range of emotions - from heart-wrenching moments of loss to uplifting instances of resilience and hope. Lightning in the Desert is a great read that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

Children and teenagers forced into war. This short story highlights the moral issues of child soldiers, the brutality of war and the likelihood of survival in such conditions. I never took to short stories, until I read this book!

Writing Style 4/5
I enjoyed Jan Ferrigan's writing style. It was fast paced and flowed well in a way which provided a sense of urgency. It definitely made me want to continue reading and I found myself doing so at an increasingly rapid pace. My only complaint would be the lack of detail throughout this book, though you have to remember this is a short story so there has to be sacrifices made in order to keep it as such. I would describe the style as simple but effective in that it may lack some detail but it makes up for it with well flowing urgency.

Plot 4/5
There are a number of themes running throughout the story including the morality of child soldiers, the brutality of war and the likelihood of survival. The plot brings out the themes well with Kalyah, the main character, facing a number of challenges based on these themes. It is not a complex plot so there isn't a long list of interconnecting variables, themes and characters but it is simple and doesn't need to be any more than that to make it an enjoyable read and to bring out the themes discussed.

Characters 4/5
The author had a way of making me become emotionally attached to the characters from an early stage. Particularly with Kalyah and the young soldier. This meant whilst the characters lacked depth and background, it was still possible to feel for them. Some readers of this book may struggle with the lack of character backgrounds but ultimately it has to be brought to mind that this is a short story so there is limited possibility to provide such background.

Grip Factor 5/5
I found this book surprisingly gripping. I found the urgent flowing writing style with the strong themes and depth of emotion for the characters combined well to make for an enticing read. There was no irrelevant detail in this book which I often find annoying in other books as it disrupts the flow and reduces the grip on the reader. As a result, it was never boring and almost always griping.

Overall 4/5
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the themes of morality, war and survival, but also for those who just want an enjoyable story but are short for time.

Brace yourselves, folks, because Lightning in the Desert is about to zap you with an electrifying story that you won't soon forget! Picture this: young teenagers thrown into the chaos of war, facing life-or-death decisions, and grappling with the concept of luck. Sounds intense, right? Well, hold onto your hats because this book takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions from start to finish! Kalyah and the young soldier are not your typical star-crossed lovers; they're fighters, survivors, and heroes in their own right. And let me tell you, their journey will keep you on the edge of your seat. So, why should you read Lightning in the Desert? Because it's a pulse-pounding adventure that packs a powerful punch and leaves you craving for more!

Quite poetic and told in a dreamlike but vivid recollection.

Highlights the senselessness of war, especially the taking of lives of non-combatants in a civil conflict. The aftermath of soldiers over-running farms and communities taking innocent lives and brutalising the victims brought recent news footage to mind.

Yet this is the story of youth; how some survive to beat the odds. When circumstances point to you being killed with the rest of your family, that somehow you might escape.

I enjoyed the writing style and was caught up in the prose and language used. The lack of water and spilled emotions leaving the young girl ‘dry’.

I also found the links to the young soldier having met the girl before. Yet now being a loyal soldier, he will inevitably rape and kill his prisoner.
The promise of future lives ahead, plans for jobs, love and happiness is addressed here. How the hope of the youth can quickly be twisted into something far less desirable and survival becomes one’s only goal.
The perspective of history, it is more often the children and young who suffer the most and whose blood is spilled in warfare. This short story beautifully brings that reality to our minds, confronting the horrors and giving much to consider and evaluate for ourselves.

I loved the thought the writing gave me in regard to why young Kalyah might take hope from her initial survival. The aspect that in their death, other members of her family had died in the hope that she wouldn’t be killed, safe in her hiding place.

I also found the ideas around being lucky more than once and if lightening does strike the same place twice were brilliantly covered here. There is no debate but sometimes we speak and articulate without knowledge or experience.