Suspense story with time travel elements that resolves into a pure time travel story. Major plus - the word obdurate never appears in this book.

This is a very character-driven story, and I have read this is a specialty of the author. To date, I've only read the Odd Thomas books, which have solid characters and are enjoyable to read. The main character (and some 30 years of her life!) is fully 3D here, and the other characters are pretty good also.

For the first two-thirds, the plot involves a time-traveling guardian angel. Why is he time traveling, what is special about this would-be Sarah Connor? Not explained, and a little frustrating. No spoilers, but later the answer is given, though it is also not the strongest one. The time travel aspect, weak at first, becomes much more satisfying however. This book is one of several time travel books I am reading in 2021, for a reading challenge. This novel fit the bill nicely.

I plan to return to Odd Thomas, to finish off the series. I've seen enough to want to try another non-series book of his in the future. 4 stars out of 5 for Lightning.