Where the Lightning Goes

The Impossible Series #1

by Jackary Salem

After a powerful wizard tears Elle’s soul apart and steals her memories, she’s locked in a house to rot. Her only remaining memory is of falling from the sky, though even that raises more questions than it answers. Upon her escape, she falls into a world that’s equal parts vicious and beautiful. Magic is everywhere, everyone is out for themselves, and every truth is accompanied by a lie. Her lack of memories grows maddening and painful. She’s positive that the key to recovering her memories is in the sky-castle from her dreams, but getting there will require magic she doesn’t have. Traversing an enchanted painting, stealing a sword from a dragon’s den, and outwitting a demon are only the beginning. And this time, she’s got more than freedom and memories on the line.

Without magic, there is no survival.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2023

Reviews

[Diana✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es una historia ligera y fácil de leer. La construcción del mundo no es la más compleja dentro del género y me confundieron algunas inconsistencias dentro de la narrativa. Los personajes me parecieron interesantes, pero nada memorable y ninguno resaltó particularmente para mí. Tras el plot twist cerca del final me emocioné pensando que el final iba a ser algo sensacional, pero me dejó una sensación muy decepcionante.
De forma general, no me parece una mala historia, solo que me habría gustado tener un mejor trabajo en los personajes y un final más impactante.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Tabatha Shipley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Did Like:
+The jarring nature of the opening IS sort of the point. You are confused, right along with Elle, about how this world works. As much as that can feel frustrating, it is a GREAT TOOL to put you in the mindset of our main character.
+The Magic system seems pretty cool. As it builds up and you start to learn a little about how this elemental magic system functions, it’s pretty interesting.
+I love when tropes are played around with in interesting ways. Grumpy and sunshine in a found family dynamic is a trope crossover I didn’t even know I wanted. Then you add in the creative way this played with found family and this one goes down as a very creative use of trope twists.

Who Should Read This One:
-Readers, like me, who enjoy when tropes are played around with.
-Fantasy fans who like things a little darker.
-Magic fans who like when a magical world is explored through the eyes of a new user.

My Rating: 4 Stars
Well written book for fantasy fans.

For Full Review:
https://alltherightreads.com/2023/04/...

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an interesting read! Despite being an overabundance of gods and myth inspired books, especially in the YA genre, I don’t think I' had ever encountered something like Where The Lighting Goes before, certainly a peculiar and well crafted novel. The Magic system was well developed, nothing difficult to follow as it’s custom in YA fantasy and pretty interesting.

Defiitely recommend this A LOT to fantasy lovers and book clubs.

I don’t know if the author has a series/trilogy deal, but hopefully we’ll see what comes next for our heroine and the world of WTLG.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A god? That's too bad. If you're a god, there's no one for you to pray to."


I can only describe this book as a fantasy mystery where four chaotic individuals with varying personalities work together to get to the sky facing magical markets, dragons and demons along the way. Elle is the first person we meet, she was trapped in a house and doesn't remember anything before the House apart from falling from the sky. She escapes and enlists the help of Adair and Leslie who have their own troubling past. During their journey they find Honeycutt, a dwarf who is also travelling to the sky. Together they must defeat the demon and god in the sky while unraveling the growing mystery unfolding between them.

I REALLY LOVED this one!! I didn't expect to love it as much as I did to be honest! The premise sounded interesting, the cover was beautiful and I loved the title so I requested it from NetGalley! And OMG it was amazing!! I actually recommend not reading the synopsis right before you read the book because I dived into it after forgetting the synopsis and thought it was way better because it actually gives away a pretty big plot point!

Anyway I thought this book was so interesting! The magic, while being just elemental, was nothing like I've read before because we are with Elle as she is learning magic and it is described SO well. The world could've been fleshed out more because I honestly didn't know what the heck was happening there, but the plot and characters definitely caused me to overlook that, why I rated it 5 stars in fact.

The plot was AMAZING like I think it would be the perfect buddy read because you guess along with the characters and the things that you guess, aren't even close to what happens but everything makes so much sense!!? The mystery was PERFECT and the plot twists are also PERFECTION. I wasn't expecting that AT ALL but UGHHHHH it was just perfect!

Now the characters. This was very much a characters driven story and it is lucky that the characters where also such a great part of the book! Elle was driven and resourceful and i absolutely LOVED her character! It was so great to read about! Leslie was good ans so was Adair, I loved the whole concept of soul magic and how he was his heart! They were both written so well with this concept. Honeycutt was also a great character and I loved how much she added to the team. Then Cypress! Omg what a demon he is literally so good and smart and wth!!! Anyway I loved every single POV and was never bored!

I highly recommend this book if you are in the mood for a fast-paced fantasy book with a unique soul and elemental magic, amazing characters, a very intricate plot and riveting mystery! With some added bonus of found family, interesting villains, deep characters with their own unique personality, SUCH GREAT plot twists and engaging writing that literally transports you into the story!


Thank you to Derealization Press and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my thoughts and all opinions are my own.

[∗ Elena ∗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was something else.

Here are my thoughts:
⁕ The pacing was different from what I've read before. It had a unique style that felt slow-paced at the same time as fast-paced (I know, I don't quite get it either).
++ I loved the descriptions of magic use and the magic system in general. The depiction of the elements and their characterisation was something else, and I was here for it! I never read something quite like this before, and I want more of it!
↯ I would have put the last chapter in the epilogue and the chapter before that as the end. Personally, I felt that this change would have led to a more satisfying and effective ending, coming full circle.
++ I loved that my suspicion about the big plot twist was confirmed, but that I had not enough to go on to see it coming for sure. That definitely kept the suspense alive, and allowed me to uncover the truth along with the characters. I finished the book within two days, for crying out loud!
+ I also liked one of the themes of the book—grief, and the depiction of grief. The lengths people are willing to go to overcome it added a depth to the story I didn't expect.
++ Also, I loved the banter between the characters, and how vastly different they were. It brought fun and relief in between moments where, for example, Elle was very stubborn and determined, and her conviction of how to best learn something alienated me a little. Additionally, I appreciated that the author took the effort to write out the accent of one of the characters, it just felt more authentic that way.
⁕ I liked the overall message at the end of the story. It felt a bit on the nose, but because we read from Elle's perspective and see how she thinks and feels… it was fine given that it's her big 'aha' moment.

Overall, would definitely recommend!

[౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a really good fantasy mystery book, I think this is the first time I’ve read a fantasy book with SO much mystery involved 👀
like every two pages there was sm twists and turns!! every time I think I’m figuring out something, everything changes but like in a good way!? 🫶
and elle was just such and amazing character. 💕

that plot twist and ending was just so omg 😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣.

[Anie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very fast-paced YA fantasy, with a touch of magic and mystery (I was a bit confused in the beginning until I found my way in the story.) It's simple writing, which is just a product of the genre and aimed demographic, so it makes sense. I did feel like it was more character-driven than world-driven which is sometimes something I struggle with in fantasy because I enjoy the world-building this genre is known for. I think because of this lacking element, it kept a good book from becoming a great book.

Overall, the ending was pretty awesome and rounded off the book as a whole for me.

Tropes:
Found family
Willful female protagonist
Interesting villain(s)

[Louisa Wihongi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elle has no memories. She also doesn’t have much of anything else. Locked in a room with only occasional company she is determined to escape even if the world below is ruined.

After a successful escape Elle goes on a quest to recover her memories and find out exactly what was going on in the sky castle.

Like in any traditional adventure story our hero meets worthy companions along the way each plagued by their own trials. As they work together to complete their quests they encounter magical markets, dangerous demons, and terrifying dragons.

I quite enjoyed this book. I felt the few f words included were a bit unnecessary and seemed a little jarring with the language of the time period of the book. For me, it jolted me back to the modern world and didn’t fit with the fantasy world that was built.

I thought the characters were excellently written. At first I felt that Elle had been written a little clumsily and it made me feel uncomfortable but it actually worked really well and highlighted that Elle had no idea who she was or what was really going on.

I loved the epic fight at the end. That was awesome. The ending was good and I’m excited to see the adventure that Elle has to go on with the demon to fulfill her end of the bargain. (That was a genius twist by the way, so sneaky!)

Overall I really enjoyed reading the book. It was clear and well written, with a strong plot, and good characters. I would say this book is suitable for 9-12 readers too, aside from the occasional swear word. I’d give it a solid 3.5⭐️

I received copy of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own.

[Annemieke / A Dance with Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Derealization Press and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.

I was drawn to Where the Lightning Goes by that incredible cover. But unfortunately the book itself could not quite live up to it.

I am going to start by saying that I think that the synopsis already gives away more than it should. We don't discover the soul splitting in the book until at least the halfway point. You can't give that kind of thing away in your synopsis. It takes away the effect that you want with following Elle who has no memories of who she is.

The idea of magic, sky-castles and soul splitting seems quite magical and amazing but I never got any of that feeling from this world even if for Elle a lot of it is new. The plot of finding who Elle is and the other parts of her souls are, relatively easily figured out since she stumbled upon them basically. I wanted more from that search. It could have been used for further world building and for Elle to get to know this part of herself. This younger self, before that she joins with her other halves. In fact, I think I would have preffered that she not find her other halves in this installment already.

But the author has very different plans for Elle clearly. I'm just not sure I want to be apart of them.

[nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Bravery does nae mean ye are nae afraid. It means ye act in spite of the fear. And maybe being a heart means ye feel more fear, but it means ye can feel the need to fight back more, too.

OH
MY
GOD
I don't remember how long it has been since a book made me feel. This was an amazingly constructed book. The plot, the characters, the writing. I love that in each chapter you can understand who's talking without looking at the names, it shows each character's voice. You can tell how much the author enjoyed writing this boo and spending time with the characters through the writing, which is always a plus. I do think though that the woldbuilding could have been more "there" with more explanations but it's really not something that changes anything in the journey of reading WTLG. The plot twist left me SHOOK and honestly I can't wait to see what will happen in the next books and if we're going to see Adair, Leslie and Honeycutt as individuals again

received a copy through booksirens

[Rachel Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this is quite an Alice in Wonderland / Through the Looking Glass-themed book. But it has an edge of magic that is darker and more intentional than most other books I've read that make me think of Carroll's classic. The main character is a strong young lady who is very important, though she has no clue about this. The author doesn't make her all-knowing or even a very likable person, which I appreciated. The settings are rich with a very dark-fantasy almost Guillermo del Toro vibe to them and the adjoining characters. The interplay between the main character and supporting characters is believable and doesn't diminish throughout the book.

When I review books, I do my best not to allow spoilers to infiltrate, hence the limitations on characters' names, etc. Once you begin reading this book... go in a few chapters and get hooked. You'll understand why I couldn't even name them. It's worth the time to read -you will not be disappointed.

[Albanis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5 ⭐
This is an entertaining and fast-paced story with interesting elemental and soul magic. The final plot twist was very good and the two main characters, Elle and Adair were very likeable from the beginning.
It's a fun read to be distracted for a while.

[Pragya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is clean, crisp and there is clear progression of the story in a smooth way. It is a young adult fantasy novel that goes on a magical adventure in a unique presentation full of mysterious unravelling, where one mystery ended and another began until a dramatic plot twist is introduced making us hungry for more. Can't wait to see more of these adventures. Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackery Salem weaves a tale of finding yourself even in the darkest of life's moments. Elle doesn't remember anything before she fell from the sky, but her tenacity and determination lead her on a quest to recover her memories and leads to so much more.

At the start of the book you feel just as lost as Elle, but as the story builds and pieces are put together, the action and emotions of the characters weaves a beautiful story and the ending is action packed.

Thank you to Net Galley for the early access, as well as the author and publisher.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where the Lightening Goes by Jackary Salem is not categorized as a mystery, but it sure felt like it should be for most of the book. I was really pretty far into things before I felt like I have any sort of clue what was going on. And while the measured, deliberate approach to learning information in appreciated, here it just felt like it was being withheld without any real hints until very far along. Ultimately, I still don’t really feel like I understood everything that was going on even after finishing. In a series (which I see on Goodreads that this is numbered #1 as if there are to be more) where there is an overarching story, it makes sense to be left with questions so that a reader is enticed to read the subsequent book(s). Unfortunately, I felt like this was more of a case of the information not being thought through by the author versus withheld to make sure I read more.

Once we started to get hints and foreshadowing, I felt like I was getting hit over the head with them. Subtlety was certainly not he approach employed by the author. I don’t want to spoil, so it is hard to explain much, but characters and who they actually are in relation to one another (except our bad guys) starts to fall into place and was super easy to guess once the author actually does drop a hint or two.


Confusing in many ways, and throughout many parts, the book had a number of high points. There was imagery, like the descriptions of the impossible market, that were wonderfully crafted. The banter between characters was funny, sad, thrilling and enjoyable. The character development was really one of the best parts of this. And while there was clearly plot, to get us from the start where Elle falls from the sky to the end, I fell that the story has concluded without leaving me with the ability to explain the world that was built.

It also did have a decent ending. While (as explained already) I am still left with a number of questions – maybe I didn’t read it carefully enough (then agin maybe I read it too carefully as I will note there is a statement “Perun was always a god, yes…” and then again, there is a section later discussing how Perun became a god as a child and I hate inconsistencies like that so when I notice them, I tend to read the rest less carefully) but I still don’t have a great handle on the system of magic and why we have demons and magic without any real philosophical or theological road map to provide guidance on the story. The end tied up a lot, addressed the major issues and motivations of each character, and left me satisfied with the way the story ended. I didn’t feel cheated, and the questions I had weren’t about what happened to characters, and I liked that.

Elle, Honeycutt, Adair, Leslie make a pretty awesome troupe once they come together. It is interesting to see how the author sees the personification of certain traits or elements of a person, like a heart, and how they are expressed. The biggest promise for any sort of sequel, to me, is in the idea of a prequel or the backstory for Elle. Overall, if you are looking for a story about a magical adventure, in a decidedly unique presentation, this is not a bad read. I think on balance, it would get 3.5 stars.

[Cassandre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can honestly say I’ve never read anything like this before, for better or for worse. For a YA book, it was a little complicated to get through. I’m not sure I would have if I were in my teens, but I powered through it because I owed a review—and ultimately, I’m glad I did. I’m not sure I’d seek out the sequel, but if it fell into my lap, I’d definitely take a read, for sure.

What didn’t work for me

The world-building: It was super cool that the reader is just as confused as Elle in the beginning and that you learn about the world around her as she does, but I feel like despite getting bits and pieces of information along the journey, we never really get a full picture of the world at large. All of a sudden, there’s a dragon, for instance, and it’s sort of understood that magic is everywhere, but not everyone has it (who? And how do they figure it out?) and that some places accept it and others don’t. I just really couldn’t draw you a map or even explain what kind of world this is. And I’m still not fully sure I understand the god/demon part of it all.

Elle: I won’t say that the character as a whole didn’t work for me, but there were some inconsistencies that I couldn’t get past. When we’re introduced to Elle, she knows very little about her surroundings, to the point that when she’s introduced to Adair, she has a hard time understanding basic nouns and concepts. Fast-forward a day or two in the story, and all of that has fallen to the wayside. Though she’s still naive, she seems to understand everything perfectly clear from that point forward and it just didn’t sit well with me.

The fight scenes: It could just be that I’m not a fight scene kind of person, but they went into detail that brought me out of the plot instead of in. That could also just be that Salem is a debut author—I have confidence that it will get better as she progresses through the series.

What I liked

The ending: I don’t want to give anything away, so I will leave it vague but I didn’t see the ending coming at all. Some people said that it seemed obvious to them, and maybe I was just looking for something else originally, but I didn’t piece it together until Adair did. It’s something unlike anything I’ve ever read and I give some serious kudos to that! Plus, it means anything further in the series will also be completely different from the first book, which is really interesting.

Honeycutt: Gotta love a badass, bearded female dwarf! Once she gets introduced into the fold and into the found family of the group, it really picks up. She juxtaposes Adair well and gives Elle a female influence that she needs. I loved her.

3.5 STARS

[Molly Adaza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trudged through most of the book to get to a great ending. 3.5 stars

Summary:
If you want found family, a unique magic system interaction, a headstrong female protagonist, and a clever demon all wrapped into clean fantasy with good writing, read this.

I wavered at a 2.5-3 rating for the first 75% of the book where it felt like every other YA fiction book of a young girl with unlimited power and quest to find herself while being mentored by a grumpy dude. Then the last 25% hit and I couldn't put it down. The twist at the end was such a unique take and kept me up late reading. However, it was too little too late to bring the rating above a 3.5

Highlights:
Cypruss was my favorite part of the book, hands down, and it's his actions at the end of this one that would make me pick up book 2 just to see what he does next. I loved the magic system. How Elle eventually interacts with it was adorable and a new take on magic having a will of its own.

Plot:
It begins as a pretty typical YA book with a female protagonist. The party is spoon-fed information by a demon to push them through the story, which felt really forced. And even then, they hardly dwelled on any information given. They remained ignorant for the sake of progressing the story, with the compulsion on them not to seek answers feeling like a weak attempt to fix this plot hole.

Characters:
The characters were over-exaggerations of certain stereotypes (and yes I know this makes sense with the ending but I still didn't think it was done well enough). Adair has glimpses of good moments and great character arc, but the rest fell flat for me.

Writing:
The writing is solid. No gorgeous prose I was gushing over, and at times it felt oversimplified for the sake of explanation though that could be due to being truly YA (very clean, no romance, fighting isn't graphic, protagonist is 16 but acts more like 14). It does get a bit flowery during fight scenes which took me out of the action (a big pet peeve of mine).

I liked it. If the sequel popped up on my Netgalley needing ARC readers, I probably would request it, but otherwise I'm okay with this being the end of Elle's story for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Derealization Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Morgan Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Thank you so much to Smith Publicity for sending me this ARC to review. I love the cover of this book. As well as the description gives the vibes of almost a quest story. It states several things Elle has to overcome. Then the fact that we are following a magicless character in a world full of magic lends a certain appeal.

This book is centered around Elle as the main character. However, it is interesting that several other POV's will come into play. With the exception of Adair you will not see from these perspectives until Elle has officially met them. It was an interesting point that I don't see often. Elle is a young girl (teenage but no definite age given) that has lived the past nine years trapped in a cold grey house being punished. She has no memory of why she is there or her life before. But Elle has a stubborn will that she will have more from life. The other perspectives you see throughout the book are also stubbornly set. Well except for Leslie who is just emotional. They each bring different traits to the group to lift the others to be better.

Elle finds her way out of the house prison within the first chapter. When she finds herself in the outside world she is confused about everything but determined to master magic. Yes, that’s right, even though she was described as magicless she does have a power and sets out to master it. From her first task to each of the following Elle gains control and allies. There is also an interesting flow to time here. There are a few time skips, but only slightly as it will state weeks of travel or a few days. Then there would be a conversation or two and more time has ended up passing. With that, it was really odd that the end sequence was pushed forward as it was. I do understand Elle felt impatience as the journey had already been that long. However not to try to take a day to figure but instead go rushing headlong into a possible trap.

While the end of the story was somewhat sweet it was a bitter kind. I had wanted more from Elle and the story by the end. There were sprinklings and details that seemed too coincidental that blended into how the story wrapped up. It was an interesting twist that I haven't seen used before. This is supposed to be a first book I believe but I'm not sure where the story will continue.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you say TOP READ OF THE YEAR?!

OK, not THE top of the list, but definitely in it! And you're telling me this one was a debut novel? I'm scared to see what else the author can come up with, and excited, too!

Elle is a girl with no memories, save for one: her falling from the sky. Locked in the House, she longs for freedom. But is she willing to pay the price in order to find it and her lost memories?

I'm DYING to write everything that made me jump and squeal and finish this story in record time because I just couldn't put it down to SLEEP! But in this case, I feel like you all should read it and find out for yourselves just how amazing true talent and hard work looks like. Take a very careful look, cause this is it! Anyone who dares even think that debut authors can't cut it instantly, needs only to read this materpiece of a book to understand what touching even the slightest bit of brilliance feels like.

I kid you not, Elle and her journey keep you interested till the very end, and no matter how many times you THINK you know what's going on, or what is coming, you always come up short. You want the main characters to have a happy ending, because you're rooting for them all the way, those flawed, wonderful people. And you can't really escape the story's fast pace - which, let me tell you, keeps deceiving you into believing you're moving slow, but it's quite the opposite. Every single detail has a purpose, moving the tale forward. Even the most insignificant thing described or shown serves something, the dull moments a facade for danger lurking deliciously right around the corner, sometimes right behind the characters, others way ahead of them, toying with them for the sake of boredom and amusement, the most dangerous motives of all.

My only advice to everyone picking up this gem of a story is to pay real close attention to the first few chapters - because the details you'll find there will make the ending even more shiver-inducing.

Love it, and can't recommend it enough!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com

[Siobhan MW · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Like the whole point of being alive was to either run into the sun or clear the way for someone else to do the same."

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was wavering between four and four ½ stars, but that plot twist and ending really solidified it for me. Four ½ stars it is!

The worldbuilding and magic system: 4.5/5
I would’ve liked to see more context of the wider world (what is the world called? What are the different countries and leaders?) but I understand that maybe it wasn't relevant. Seeing as this is a series, I’d certainly like to see more of Elle’s adventures around this world later on. But the real star of this story was the magic system. It was clearly very well thought out. The imagery and descriptions were fantastic, and the way the author handled the magic was quite unique.

The characters: 4/5
I understand why Adair and Leslie were the way they were, but that didn’t help my feelings of irritation towards them. However, it wasn’t so much that I couldn’t look past it. Elle was a great main character, and her character development was enjoyable to read. My favourite characters were probably Cypress (even with his limited time in the story lol) and Honeycutt. Overall, the characters were all interesting and had their own sort of mystery that kept me attached.

The plot: 4/5
This story has so many things I love - demons, and curses, and gods, and even dragons! Did I mention that I read this in two days? It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I stayed up way too late reading till the end. It was perfectly fast-paced, other than maybe the beginning which did seem to throw the reader a little too quickly into the action.
I knew there was going to be a major plot twist from the beginning, but boy was my guess wrong. The plot twist at the end was great, and it added such an interesting twist to the story. Everything adds up so much better once you’ve read to the end. I will say that it did open some unanswered questions, but I’m assuming they will be answered in the next installment. Overall, this was an unique and interesting read, and it was particularly commendable for being a debut book.

[J. Else · Rating 4 out of 5]

This feels like an intriguing start to a new series. It’s a fantasy adventure turned quest as our main character, Elle, falls from the sky into the world after being trapped in a demon-haunted house in the clouds. She has no memory of who she is, only that she’s looking for someone to train her in magic so she can defend herself.

The story starts out well with the mystery of how Elle was trapped and what the world has in store for her. However, because she has no memories, she also doesn’t have knowledge of the things around her. The story could have used more world building which Elle, as one of our main narrators, could not provide. I would say that is the only real drawback. If the author continues in this world, I think there’s lots of opportunity for growth. A sublime example of worldbuilding that’s comparable to this fantasy storyline is the book “Nettle and Bone” by T. Kingfisher. The magic markets are full of intrigue, the social structure is laid out as the characters journey, the landscape and cultures are discovered along with the reader. This book came close but didn’t quite deliver on all those aspects to really set a strong fantasy basis. It truth, what I wanted is more of this interesting world.

One piece of worldbuilding/magic rule that was done quite well was how Elle related to the different elements in magic. Each element, like air or earth, had a different personality that she interacted with to use that specific magic. It was quite a fascinating plot device and also helped Elle grow as a character while learning the different magics. Elle is a bit hard to get behind at first. At times, she could be thoughtlessly aggressive. Once the cast of travelers comes together, the story feels more vivid with the contrasting personalities and different strength each character brings. The author also threads a lot of secrets throughout the plot that will keep readers turning the pages to learn more.

There are elements of myth, fables, found family, heartbreaking loss, and believing in yourself within the pages of this story. This is a very good start, and I’d welcome more of these characters and their adventures.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Bekah Klemke · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝘗𝘭𝘰𝘵 - The plot of Where the Lightning Goes is very fast-paced. We immediately jump into the action with Elle plotting her escape from the House, and from there is a story full of magic, demons, enchantments, dragons, and mysteries. Jackary Salem did a great job at incorporating plot points that added up to a fantastic conclusion at the end of the story.
𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 - I really enjoyed getting to know the characters of Adair, Leslie, and Honeycutt. They were all so different but worked together so well. Elle, the main character, was where I struggled a bit. 10 years ago, she fell from the sky with no memories, and then spent the entire time after that in a windowless room with little to no interaction with others. When she finally escapes, many of her actions seem contradictory to me. There are times when she is very immature. She doesn't know what basic words mean and has an almost childlike fascination with the world. This is what I would expect from someone with her experiences. But other times, she is very wise or suddenly has great control of her magic. To me, these two sides to Elle didn't quite match up.
𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥-𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 - The magic of this world was interesting. It has your basic elemental magic with some additional abilities mixed in, including the idea of soul magic. There were several times the magic didn't quite make sense to me, but ultimately these inconsistencies didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. I would have loved to learn more about the politics of the world they traveled through, and if there's a second book we might just get that!
𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦 - The writing of this book was pretty simple. It reads as a YA book, so it didn't get to into the complexities of a high fantasy novel. At times the writing was almost too simple for my taste, but that could have been due to the way Elle was being portrayed.
𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘖𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 - This was a solid fantasy book. There were parts that worked for me and parts that didn't, but the main plot and the ending were great, imo.

[M. K. French · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wizard broke Elle’s soul into pieces and stole her memories. Her last memory was of falling from the sky, which made no sense. After escaping the house she was locked into, the outside world seemed vicious and beautiful. Magic was everywhere, everyone was selfish, and even those telling the truth lied. Elle believed recovering her memories was possible with the sky-castle from her dreams, but getting there required magic she didn’t have. Getting an enchanted painting, stealing a sword from a dragon’s den, and outwitting a demon was the beginning of her journey, and she didn't know where it would end.

This is the first volume in a new series and is very fast-paced. With Elle's missing memories, just about everything is a mystery. This definitely serves as a hook to draw us in from the start. The House was empty, and she had a single friend willing to help her escape. Then she met Adair, a master wizard who was callous and cruel, who had magically cut out his heart and placed it inside a painting, where it named itself Leslie. The wizard's full name had been Leslie Adair, Leslie wanted to help Elle while Adair wanted to remain alone. The trio eventually joins up to find the castle in the air from Elle's dreams, and the dwarf adventurer Honeycutt needs her magic soul-rending sword to defeat the magician calling himself a God within the castle.

The journey to gain allies and find the castle is a fun and twisting one. There are some clues along the way as to what really happened, but it all clicks into place in the final quarter of the novel. Elle learned magic the hard way and tried to figure out how the Demon manipulated them throughout the journey. We still don't know exactly why by the end, though demons bartering in souls for power and boredom seems to be as good an answer as any. The soul splitting and memories tied to it was new to me and kept me reading for more. It's an interesting concept, and a great start to a series exploring the world, the magic available, and what happens next.

[Book Minded Mag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so this book started off a little confusing and a teensy bit slow, but whoa baby did it pick up quickly!

It starts with main character Elle being trapped in a house in the sky. She's locked in a room with no furniture and is infrequently visited by her only friend. Elle finally escapes from the House and literally falls from the sky. Once she lands, her quest to regain her memories begins. And let me tell you, what a quest it is. Elle meets three people who help her: Adair, an emotionless magician; Leslie, an emotional crybaby; and Honeycutt, a dwarf with the bravery and fighting skills that would put Gimli to shame. Everything that happens to help Elle regain her memories leads to a revelation that changes everything. I kind of saw it coming but not right away, thank goodness. I would have been ticked if I had figured it out immediately.

Jackary Salem REALLY knows how to write fighting/battle scenes. They are exciting and full of suspense and I would absolutely love to see them irl. She also knows how to write one of the most annoying characters I've ever read. Leslie drove me INSANE but that's because I'm more like Adair than Leslie and all that crying made me roll my eyes so far into my head it's a miracle they didn't get stuck there. To be fair, Leslie is like that for a reason (I won't spoil it) so I understood, it just made me crazy.

This book is ultimately about grief and regret and what we’ll do to avoid them both. Grief can really mess us up, especially when it is coupled with regret, which I know so many readers will relate to.

The way the books ends leads me to believe there may be a second book but if not, I would be fine with it. I would love to see what happens next with Elle so Jackary if you're reading this, please write a sequel.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

[Thindbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars
This was such a cool book about a girl named Elle whose memories are lost and is locked in a house though she escapes and tries to figure out her memories in order to survive. I’m all here for a dystopian/fantasy novel because I love the world-building in them. Salem was a great writer and I loved how they brought this story to life. The pacing was very fast which was perfect for this thrilling book. The world-building was simple and easy to understand with no complications to figure out what was happening. There were many conflicts and a lot of plot twists that kept me hooked on the story. I do have to say that the story is very generic and nothing specific but the writing was still great.

This book is written in Elle’s pov and I really enjoyed her character. I loved how determined she was with her goals and how confident she was. She had great character development and fits into the typical hero role of a character. There were many side characters that were involved with the story and some had their own perspectives put into the book. I would name them all but then this review will be crazy long. The side characters were amazing though and I loved reading their story. There is found family which was well written but the romance is practically non-existent. I wish there was some romance as that usually keeps me into the story.

With the fun plot twist, I enjoyed how the book ended off. This was such a great story but it did lack some things for me. Usually, I perfect most of my books to have some type of romance. Though this book is suitable for middle school students or even high school as it mostly focuses on self-development and found family.
*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thanks to NetGalley and Derealization Press for providing for an eARC exchange for an honest review. As well as Derealization Press and YABC for then providing a physical ARC.

What is your first memory? Perhaps it's something mundane like an early birthday or your first bicycle. For Elle, her first memory is falling out of the sky.

Where the Lightning Goes by Jackary Salem is a YA fantasy novel that follows the life of Elle, after a wizard tore her soul in half and stole all her memories. Just an ordinary Tuesday, right? Elle's only remaining memory is of falling out of the sky. Which leaves plenty of the plot to answer and fill in with mystery and intrigue you will only find in a Jackary Salem novel. Escaping from her bleak home, Elle is faced with a world that has a bite worse than its bark. And the only way she hopes to survive it, is by gaining her magic. But that's easier said than done.

What I liked most about Where the Lightning Goes is that it was a never-ending unraveling mystery. Where one mystery ended another began, and so on and so forth until we were met with that dramatic plot twist, then decent end. Which often lead to me being confused as to what was actually going on. But Salem had a way of reeling me back in with their delicate lyrical writing.

Though if I were to change anything, I feel Salem needed to add just a few more hints as to what all was going on. Their mystery and intrigue often muddled the story and hurt the plot. To the point that I nearly wanted to give up and pick something else to read. But Elle kept it going. Along with the awesomeness that was Adair, Honeycutt, and Leslie of course.

Overall, this is a solid fantasy that I would recommend to anyone just starting to get into the genre that won't mind a few head turns and confusion.

[The Jesus Fandom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't know this was a book about demons when I started it. But that's on me, I should have checked more carefully. So that part won't affect the rating lol. Actually, I'm not sure how I stand on books with demons. I'm still figuring it out and this book did help.
Some points:

- The magic system was very cool. I liked it a lot, with the surroundings having personalities. Bit pantheistic.

- This book does not make a point of having morally upstanding characters. Elle is just fine sacrificing others' lives for her own good.

it excited her to take part in a system where the powerful were rewarded and the weak got smart.
One day I'll be powerful enough to force people to give me all the answers, but not today.

Same goes for Adair, who basically kills anyone who comes close to him.

- The book definitely had me hooked. I wanted to know exactly how it would end.
- Justice for Leslie. My man got done dirty by everyone.
- For those who don't like LGBT content: It ends up being a lesbian lovestory. (To be clear, it's very much an adventure book, not a fantasy romance. The romance just happens to be lesbian.)

So yeah, I'm conflicted. I don't know how I feel about demons in books, I don't really like how none of the characters where people I could look up to. Yeah, they had their flaws. Yeah, in the end they did something selfless. But other than that, they were pretty much selfish and powerhungry. I guess it could be relatable to some people? But I want to root for people who are trying to do good in all ways, not just one way.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I accessed a copy of the book through NetGalley thanks to the author.**

Where the Lightning Goes is the debut work of author Jackary Salem. This YA Fantasy reads very similar to works by Neil Gaiman and Diana Wynne Jones. It throws you into a new world along with our main character Elle who has lost her memories and is determined to find her way out of the house she is trapped in, regain her memories, and learn magic. The beginning is a bit jarring as we a thrust into this new world with absolutely no idea of where we are, what is going on, etc. because that is the world Elle has been living in for a decade. She fell from the sky ten years ago and has been held against he will (for her own good), isolated in a house with other humans to keep them safe from the demons outside. But Elle knows there is something more going on and that she needs to get out. What follows is a story of discovery beyond anything I was prepared for when I went into this book. Jackary Salem created such a unique character experience that I have not seen before in a YA novel. My only true complaint was that Elle seemed to have a bit of plot armor throughout the story. She grew really strong in her magic really quickly, and even though there were some fights where she did get hurt, I never thought she wouldn't prevail in the end. I also would love to have dived more into the world building. It seems that Where the Lightning Goes is meant to be the first in a series, so I hope that we get to learn even more about the world and its magic as the series goes on. Overall, I think it was a fun and whimsical story. 4/5 stars.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle has lived in a locked house in the sky for as long as she can remember.  Her caretaker tells her that the rest of the world has been ravaged and overcome by demons.  Elle escapes and falls to the Earth, determined to regain her memories from before the house in the sky and regain her magic.  Elle finds help in a strange group, Adair, Leslie and Honeycutt, that all seem to have a connection to Elle.  Elle believes that she needs to find a castle in the sky with a vengeful god, however, she must figure out the secrets of her past before being able to fight.
Where the Lightning Goes is an exciting and unique fantasy.  I was hooked on the story from the moment of Elle escaping the house in the sky.  As Elle falls, she has no memory except for living in the house and no knowledge of the world she has landed on. She must accept things as they happen, as does the reader.  The pacing of the story moves quickly as Elle is faced with decisions.  I loved the journey into the painting to find Adair's heart as well as Leslie, the heart itself.  Through the characters, there is an overwhelming feeling of loss, but also one of hope.  I enjoyed watching as Adair taught Elle magic and the Impossible markets. Honeycutt's character was an amazing addition to the group and began to give some hints as to how the four might be connected.  I even appreciated the demon character and it's unexpected actions. Elle's final battle with the god was amazingly written and offered a satisfying and dramatic ending. 

 This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

[dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Received as an digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Where the Lightning Goes follows a young girl named Elle as she journeys to learn magic while figuring out what happened to her missing memories. That is essentially the entire story. The book starts out by immediately thrusting the reader into a scene where Elle talks about being isolated from everyone except a younger boy named Quincy, who she was only permitted to visit with a few times. There isn't really any explanation of the world setting or any of the mentioned systems of magic. Ever. The world building is almost non-existent, making this a fairly disorientating book to read.

Looking past the lack of world building, the book itself isn't spectacular enough to make up for it. The writing isn't bad (other than the use of the word "couldn't've" wtf...), but the cons of this book really took away from it. I wasn't able to look past plot armor, predictable twists, etc. because it does not feel like the world was completely or fully built or explained. Genuinely, I think a lot of the issues I had could've been resolved by explaining the magic system, politics, or even the geography in the world.

All in all, this book was mediocre in a good (?) way. It isn't something I would go out of my way to mention or recommend to people, but if someone told me they were planning on reading it I wouldn't necessarily discourage it.