Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

It was the premise of the book that initially drew me into this book, but I was left sorely disappointed and underwhelmed. The first 50-60% of the book is the author telling (not showing) us about characters with no clear plot in sight. Then, in the last third, the action kicks up and we're taken, a bit too speedily, to the finish line. With a lot more editing on the pacing front, this could have been such a powerful story.

In an attempt to broaden my reading – and reviewing – range, I requested In the Heat of the Light, despite it sounding different to my usual style. I wanted to enjoy this: it addresses culturally themes as well as some important movements the modern day audience can relate to, including Black Lives Matter.

There was only one problem… I got a little bored.

The plot was slow-paced, with long descriptions of the locations making it feel more like you were going on a road-trip rather than exploring what makes these characters react the way they do. I stopped paying attention as streets were named – possibly interesting if you lived in or know Atlanta but when it’s just names, you start to lose focus.

The characters were the problem for me. It wasn’t that there was anything wrong per se but you’re never given a chance to connect with them, get to know their motives or engage with their personalities on an emotional level. Quite simply, I didn’t care. One in particular – Apollo – seems fairly mild for the most part, then there is a twist in his character that seems too extreme to be believable.

The narration switches between the group, plus an FBI agent. With it being such a short book, this changing perspective distanced the characters. Without being able empathise with them, their actions were random.

They looked like a successful dodgeball team: triumphant, but united in lameness.

Dialogue was also a tricky one for me. There were phrases that the teenagers were using that made me a little uncomfortable reading. Maybe it is how teenagers in Atlanta speak but without knowing that culture, it was jarring.

Tilly – the FBI agent – was particularly problematic. The relationship and motives behind her and her partner seem vague to say the least. When her partner suddenly seems to go completely off the rails – shooting and killing an unarmed teenager before threatening an entire group of them – the last thing I expected was for Tilly to go along with it because she’s career driven. Even that wouldn’t be so bad if you could actually feel some of her emotions. There’s nothing there to engage with.

Lack of characterisation aside, the plot is fairly straightforward: a group of bored teenagers try and rebel against the system by hacking a satellite and using it to graffiti a monument. Again, it seems extreme and might have worked if the reasoning wasn’t just that one wanted to get revenge on an ex-employer (and then have a crisis of confidence afterwards).

This is a short book that is an easy read. If you’re looking for something to fill an afternoon and want to know a little more about Atlanta, maybe it will be an enjoyable read. But if you’re looking for something emotive, or even with any depth, I’m not sure this is the right book.

I was disappointed. I wanted to get so much more from it. Perhaps fewer characters might have worked, giving us a chance to get to know at least one of them better. Not for me.

This was an interesting book, but it really needs work. It reads like a first draft and is clearly in need of a skilled editor. My hat is off to the author for this ambitious undertaking, but this is a potentially fine novel struggling to emerge from unnecessary verbiage and clear plotting.

This book was just a mess. That is the only word to describe it. It was not organized at all and way too much time was spent on minor details vs actually developing a realistic plotline. Save yourself the aggravation and skip this one!

This book had a lot of potential. A group of teens hijack a satellite and burn the famous carving on Stone Mountain in Georgia. So what happens next? They go for a bigger target? More distruction?

Not really.

This book goes nowhere. It just rambles along with no real point until it reaches an unsatisfying climax. By the end, you don't really care what happens to any of the characters.

The plot had promise, but overall, this was a letdown.