Review of "Bottled Lightning" by L.M. Weeks

 Score: 90/100 (9.0 out of 10)

This debut novel is like John Grisham meets Akira--a strange and unique sort of blend!

Bottled Lightning by L.M. Weeks is a legal thriller set in Japan featuring Tornait “Torn” Masao Sagara, a tech lawyer who becomes entangled in an elaborate conspiracy involving corporate espionage, high-stakes energy innovation, and deadly adversaries determined to bury a world-changing technology. Torn’s client, Saya Brooks, has developed a revolutionary lightning-based energy storage system that threatens to disrupt the global energy industry. But as powerful forces conspire to suppress her invention, Torn finds himself thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse, dodging assassins, corporate backstabbers, and the murky underworld of Japanese organized crime.

This book blends legal drama, intense action sequences, and geopolitical intrigue.

The novel doesn’t just stay in the courtroom—it races through Tokyo’s motorcycle underworld, delves into corporate boardroom wars, and even explores the shadowy influence of multinational energy giants. Torn is more than just a lawyer—he’s a motorcycle-riding, judo-trained strategist, making him a unique protagonist.

As his name ("Torn") suggests, he's also a bit of a gray character who is prone to lying and cheating. This can make him compelling to some readers while making him off-putting to others. Even the author's own stepfather, a beta-reader, was disappointed by some of Torn's choices.

However, this moral ambiguity is precisely what makes Torn such a layered and unpredictable protagonist. He operates in a world where legal ethics, corporate loyalty, and personal morality constantly clash, forcing him to make questionable decisions in the name of survival or success. Some readers will appreciate his strategic cunning and adaptability, while others may struggle with his self-serving tendencies and emotional detachment. Ultimately, Torn is neither hero nor villain—he’s a pragmatist navigating a morally complex world, which adds to the novel’s depth and realism.

However, if you've ever had a partner who behaved like Torn, it's hard not to be repulsed, upset, and disappointed in him at times. In fact, there were times when we found Torn (and the book in general) to be aggravating.

Another aspect of that is how plodding, overly-detailed, and dense it seems.
The author seems to want to describe every little thing, every little detail, every little thought, and every little action. There are times when we read about characters doing such things as opening doors and washing their hands—things which don't advance the plot or reveal anything about the characters. Unsurprisingly, this is the author's first book. Also, unsurprisingly, the author later talks about how editors took an ax to numerous parts of this book and removed them to his initial emotional distress. There's still a lot of fluff and unnecessary things in this book that severely disrupt the flow and pacing of it.

It also does seem like the author tried to shove every single little thing he's personally interested in into this one novel: Japan/Japanese culture, motorbikes, martial arts, law, technology, etc.

While this can make for a rich, immersive world, it also results in overloaded exposition and unnecessary digressions that bog down the pacing. At times, it feels like the author is eager to showcase his expertise in multiple subjects, but instead of seamlessly integrating these elements into the narrative, they occasionally come across as self-indulgent detours. I like and understand these things , and I think you'll like and understand them too.

This tendency to over-explain and over-describe makes the novel feel dense and cumbersome, particularly in sections where legal jargon, business negotiations, or technical explanations are drawn out beyond what is necessary for plot progression. While some readers might appreciate the authenticity and depth, others will find themselves skimming through passages that could have been streamlined or omitted entirely.

This causes pacing and flow issues that ultimately cause the book to lose some of its edge as a thriller, which is somewhat ironic because the narrative repeatedly feels the need to remind us that the characters' hearts are racing at X-number of RPMs, sweating, or breathing heavily. Characters constantly react like they're in fast-paced, life-threatening situations, but the slow, plodding pace of the narrative caused us to not perceive them that way.

A lot of that comes from the convoluted nature of this book. Here's just one example of that: How many organizations are involved (or potentially involved) in this conspiracy?

Raijin Clean, Wakkanai Drilling, ChinaPetrol Ventures, Harden Industries, Yamakawa Gumi, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the Japanese government, U.S. Intelligence Agency (implied CIA or NSA), Magadan Oil & Mining, Eagle Technologies Capital, the Russians and their mercenaries, possibly even the North Koreans.

Yes, having a few red-herrings is good for a mystery or a detective novel, but this seems to be a bit much.

It's A LOT for readers to keep track of on top of Torn's sexual escapades, motorbiking, martial arts, and legal talk/jargon.

Speaking of legal talk/jargon, it's cool that this seems to be a genuine and authentic portrayal of legalese, but... it's also a bit much for the average reader.

Anyway, on a more positive note...
Another major aspect of this book is the world-building.
In fact, you can almost make the case that Japan is a character unto itself.

The author’s deep familiarity with Japanese culture, legal systems, corporate dynamics, and even underground subcultures makes the setting feel authentic and immersive. Instead of relying on surface-level depictions or clichés, the novel delves into the complexities of Japan’s business world, legal environment, and even the nuances of daily life. From the rigid hierarchical structures in law firms and corporate boardrooms to the intricate traditions of Japanese etiquette, every detail contributes to a fully realized and believable world.

Moreover, Japan isn’t just a backdrop—it actively influences the story. The legal restrictions Torn faces, the bureaucratic hurdles, and the social expectations all shape his decisions and conflicts. The book also captures the contrasts between modern and traditional Japan, from cutting-edge technology and corporate power struggles to samurai-era ethics, underground biker gangs, and organized crime.

It's ambitious and admirable, but there are still times when it seems to be a bit much to shove into 300 or so pages, especially when there's a super convoluted conspiracy plot also going on in background.

Anyway, unlike in many Western thrillers in which lawyers operate with relative freedom, Torn faces a strict legal system that assumes guilt rather than innocence. His interactions with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police early in the novel highlight how Japanese law enforcement places heavy emphasis on confessions and bureaucratic procedure, making it clear that Torn's Western-style legal maneuvering won’t always work. Later, his legal battles in the corporate boardrooms showcase the rigid hierarchies and power dynamics that dominate Japanese business culture, where alliances and reputation can be just as important as the law itself. This adds a layer of authentic tension, as Torn must navigate not just legal challenges but also cultural expectations and unspoken rules.

This is relatable for anyone who has been a victim of a crime or who has sought justice for a wrongdoing regardless of where you are in the world. Police officers, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system (in general) are often constrained by restrictions or limitations including something as simple as being understaffed. There are times when it seems like these entities—which you'd think are there to right wrongs and protect us (the citizens)—are lazy, slow, lax, and ineffective. There's a scene in this book in which the police come to a conclusion about Russian involvement long after the progonist has already done so. They seem to be ten steps behind.

If you've ever dealt with law enforcement in an attempt to report a crime, be a whistleblower, or be an informant, you'd know that there's only so much they can do. They're often overloaded with cases and tend not to prioritize yours. It's not uncommon to seem ignored or disregarded by law enforcement. They also tend to have to be reactive rather than proactive. In other words, you could know of a coming threat or potential threat, but police will tend not to do anything about it until something bad actually happens.

Beyond the legal world, the novel also explores Japan’s underground subcultures, particularly through the Roulette Tribe—a group of elite motorcycle racers who dominate the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway’s racing circuit. These sections bring Tokyo’s street racing culture to life, detailing the thrill of high-speed chases, the camaraderie between bikers, and the dangers of pushing limits in an environment where a single mistake could mean death. The attention to detail, from the intricacies of motorcycle mechanics to the specific stretches of Tokyo’s highway system, makes these sequences feel grounded and exhilarating. Torn’s connection to this world isn’t just a hobby—it’s an extension of his personality, reflecting his need for control, his willingness to take risks, and his refusal to play by the rules.

The corporate intrigue in the book is also deeply embedded in Japan’s business culture, showing how major energy companies operate in a world of backroom deals, silent takeovers, and brutal competition. The novel explores keiretsu-style business alliances, where companies are often intertwined in complex, interdependent relationships that make hostile takeovers and betrayal a dangerous game. Torn’s battle against Vince Harden and corrupt investors mirrors the real-world struggles of Japanese firms trying to protect their independence from foreign control. Instead of a generic corporate thriller, the novel crafts a realistic and culturally specific portrait of Japan’s financial and energy sectors, where tradition and modern ambition collide.

Even the smaller moments reinforce Japan as a living, breathing character. Scenes where Torn and Saya navigate the bustling streets of Shibuya, the neon-lit chaos of Shinjuku’s nightlife, or the tranquil, traditional atmosphere of a ryokan (Japanese inn) help bring the setting to life. The contrast between ultramodern technology hubs and historical districts gives Japan a distinct personality that influences the story in a way few thrillers manage to achieve. Instead of just being an exotic location, Japan actively shapes the challenges, conflicts, and themes of the novel, making it feel like an integral part of the narrative rather than just a backdrop.

Ultimately, Bottled Lightning is an ambitious and intricate debut, offering a unique blend of legal thriller, corporate espionage, and high-octane action, all set against the backdrop of a meticulously crafted Japan. L.M. Weeks clearly has a passion for detail, which gives the novel a deep sense of realism but also weighs it down with excessive exposition and a sometimes overwhelming level of complexity.

Torn Sagara is a compelling but divisive protagonist, a morally gray character whose questionable ethics and relentless drive make him intriguing but not always likable. The vast number of organizations, conspiracies, and overlapping power struggles add layers of intrigue but can also make the plot feel overcomplicated and difficult to track. While the book succeeds in world-building and high-stakes storytelling, its dense prose and slow pacing at times diminish its impact as a thriller.

Still, for those who enjoy deeply researched, intricate thrillers with a strong sense of place, this novel is a refreshing departure from standard legal dramas. It’s a book that demands patience but rewards readers who enjoy complex characters, rich settings, and a thriller that dares to be different. If Weeks can streamline his storytelling in future works, his unique blend of law, technology, action, and culture could make him a standout voice in the genre.

Check it out on Amazon!