Commentary

The first scenes of Lightning were written in late 2017 and early 2018, but I didn’t really start drafting it until May of 2022. It expanded into a duology in fairly short order, and I finished the first draft of book one in early November of 2023. Now I’m drafting book two (Thunder), and after that first draft is done I’ll take a break to shore up the worldbuilding before coming back to edit the duology in full!

Why specify that it’s New Adult (NA)?

There will be no sexual content on-page in this duology, so there’s no need to worry there. I am not using NA to refer to “steamy,” nor will I ever. However, the characters are a bit older (in their upper teens and early 20s), they’re in some mature situations, and there is PG-13 language used (at least at this stage). For more on how I’ve approached the language in this duology, refer to this post.

Synopsis

What would you do to feel whole?

The scientific mega-corporation Grantech is developing a line of super-soldiers—known to the public as GenDevs—in an attempt to “perfect” the human race. But their work doesn’t always go as planned.

Nyla is left wrestling with chronic pain and fickle abilities after her alterations failed to integrate properly, her body and family both broken by the company’s meddling.

Erika is sentenced to “elimination” from the program, having apparently never manifested powers at all, unless she breaks out of custody first.

Alaric uses his powers at Grantech’s behest to bring more kids into the GenDev program, exchanging years of debt for years of guilt.

When their fragile stability is challenged, these GenDevs must face the decision between freedom and the familiar. If they make it outside of Grantech’s walls, will it be enough to shake the corporation’s grip or is lingering manipulation inevitable?