Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Release Date: 8th May, 2012

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Pages: 373pgs

The Story

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She's survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she haws a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn't who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher on netGalley for accepting my request in reading this book early!

As soon as I began reading the opening lines of STRUCK, I knew I was going to love it no matter what the book was going to throw at me next. Even the main character, Mia Price, could strike me down with some lethal lightning of her own and I would still want more and more of this book. I just couldn't get enough of it. I mean, just by judging this book by its cover - both beautiful and striking to the human eye - and the storyline itself, you knew it would be a whole ball of fun for the reader and after physically reading the book . . . it only proved to be worth its true greatness and I can definitely guarantee readers that this book will be filled with plenty of awesomesauce and trust me here . . . it will deliver. Not only was this book twisty, edgy and hella crazy, but it was also completely original and that's as good as it can get!

What really drew me into this book was the girl in question. Mia Price. With her being a lightning addict and all, I knew I needed to read this book. I mean, who in their right mind would want to be "struck" down by lightning? Mia Price, obviously. But the main question I was asking myself repetitively was this one right here: Who in their right mind would want their own character to be damn right crazy and be "struck" down by lightning? Jennifer Bosworth - that's who! Mia Price, the main heroine, has a strong connection to the storms that caused a major earthquake that devastated the entire city of L.A., and she doesn't know why. But when two cults are rising to power and claim they have the answers she has been looking for, Mia is interested. But when the alluring Jeremy arrives and warns her to stay away from the two cults, the young Mia will soon need to question where her real loyalities lie because her loved ones and not to mention the world depends on her final decision. Because if either cult discover her true power and use it . . . she could either save the world or destroy it!

Mia Price is the leading star of this striking tale and she's the kind of character I cared a great deal for because I couldn't help but love everything about her. She's incredibly strong, intelligient, caring, and above everything else she's a survivor. Honestly, what's not to love? Jennifer Bosworth does such an amazing job in developing Mia's character from start to finish and I'm not kidding here because she has not only managed to grow her character to her full potential but she has also portrayed Mia's character in a realistic light while giving her some extra flaws along the way as well. Good and human flaws that we all can relate to on some level. I love a lot of female heroines in my past times but Mia is definitely one to trifle with.

Throughout the book, Mia is introduced to a variety of colourful characters, ones with their own minds, beliefs and agendas that always made a great impact on the storyline's turnpoints. Especially the evil preacher ones . . . they were the best things ever. One of the most honourable mentions of supporting characters goes to Mia's brother, Parker, whom was a perfect contrast to Mia's character. He's a young teenage boy who might have a lot of things to learn, but I loved his sensitive personality and the ways of wanting to help out everyone around him whenever the chance arises, and I really admired that side of his character. I really did. He maybe naive to understand Mia on how she just wants to move on with her life, hide her secret and protect him from all of the evils of the new world, but without Jeremy I think we wouldn't have such a strong Mia Price so Parker . . . we love you dearly and your sensitive side.

Another character I deeply loved was the mysterious and alluring, Jeremy, a boy whom later becomes Mia's potential love interest. While I was attracted to his character, but he always had me questioning him on whether he should be trusted or not. But damn - I loved this boy so much! There were plenty of reasons to not trust him, but in the end he really came through and made things interesting and shocking. Sure, there weren't exactly sexy romantic scenes in this novel but the connection shared between the two of them - Mia and Jeremy - was absolutely outstanding and I could see why they ended up falling for each other . . . even though they took their damn time to form a relationship. But moving past that, I really loved and admired Jeremy's character and he was an awesome person with a heart full of gold. So fangals . . . trust me you're going to love him!

Overall and without revealing spoilers, I thought Jennifer Bosworth has created a mind-blowing debut novel and she's very gifted in her storytelling! Both cleverly written, intense, fast-paced, action-packed and containing all sorts of awesomeness that readers can appreciate, I can definitely guarantee you that this book is going to become a classic hit with young adult readers! With a city in chaos, two rival cults battling each other to get what they want and with an average-but-somewhat-very-strong young woman whom holds the key to how the world will end . . . if you're looking for something crossing between the likes of X-men and Dark Angel, or are looking for a very daring post-apocalyptic world awaiting for Doomsday to finally hit (you gotta love the doomsday element), then STRUCK is you're kind of read for sure!

The Rating


4 1/2 / 5 stars

26 comments:

  1. Hi Erin! I got an ARC of this from the publisher and I'm about to read it soon (been itching to read it but couldnt due to my TBR pile.) I like how you describe Jeremy and Mia. I'm all for this 'mind-blowing novel.' Thanks for your review! :)

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    1. I really hope you enjoy this book. I was surprised by how much I loved it . . . anyway enjoy!

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  2. Ooh, this sounds like a unique read and Mia sounds AWESOME. Great review! =)

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    1. It's definitely unique compared to other dystopian novels.

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  3. I haven't read many reviews of this yet but it really does sound interesting and I can tell that you really loved it, Erin!

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  4. I read and reviewed this book a while ago and you're making me want to reread it already, haha! I love the idea of someone addicted to lightning, it's so cool and unique. Great review, Erin! :)

    Andie

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  5. I have been seeing this book everywhere and I love the sound of it! Love the cover too! It looks awesome. I am so glad you enjoyed it, Erin! Will definitely have to look out for this book!

    Awesome review! ♥

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    1. Definitely look out for it! Worth the read!

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  6. Ohmygoodness I WANT THIS NOWWW<333333 Wow..Mia sounds like a FANTASTIC protagonist! I sooo cannot wait to meet her and Parker as well! (I love reading brother/sister relationships..it's always so amusing<3) LMAO. "Who'd want to get struck down by lightening"? Ermm...no one? Fantastic review, Erin! I can't wait to read this!

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    1. Mia was . . . awesome. I love too love the whole brother/sister relationships - they can be amusing but ever so frustrating. haha. Well in Mia's case . . . she wants to be struck down.

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  7. WOW!! I've been hearing mixed reviews about this book so I wasn't sure if I was going to read it or not, but you've definitely got me excited for it all over again! All of the characters sound GREAT, especially Jeremy! Romantic scenes or not, I LOVE bad boy characters and I really want to meet this guy now!

    Really awesome review, Erin! :) <3

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    1. Jeremy is a real complex character. Hope you love him!

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  8. ERIN! STRUCK! YAY! I have HIIIIIGH hopes for this book because helloooo... A LIGHTENING ADDICT? Does it get anymore thrilling and badass than that? For a female protagonist? I THINK NOT. So to hear such high praise for it is making me SO giddy with excitement to finally read it.

    I love the storyline, I love Mia already and I'm already insanely intrigued by Jeremy. This sounds like it has everything necessary to make for a standout debut and your awesomereview has only fueled my impatience to read this!

    And as much as I ADORE seeing pretty dresses and intense gazes on covers (they do make for pretty books), I have to say these kind are my favourite. They radiate power and badassery. ME LIKE.

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    1. Yay! I'm so eager to hear your thoughts on this book because it was bloody fantastic! I so know what you mean when it comes to pretty dress covers . . . but this one has everything badassery needs. ;)

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  9. eeeh! Cant wait to read this! And so glad you enjoyed it!. thanks for sharing and great review Erin x

    Ƹ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

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    1. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one! Thanks.

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  10. Ooo I have this one sitting on my bookshelf. Can NOT wait to read it. I'm so happy to see you loved it. Wonderful review, Erin!

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  11. For some crazy reason, I enjoy slow burn romances like what you're describing and the delicious frustration that goes along with it. I'm most excited about the plot and romance because of your review! IT'S SIMPLY OUTSTANDING.

    Asher

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    1. Now and then I don't mind slow burn romances . . . better than the whole insta-love element. Thanks!

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  12. I love the idea of a lightning junkie. I'm not into dystopia/disaster books, but this seems like some different enough from the standard that I'm intrigued. Great review!

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    1. Really? I love dystopian books . . . but not so much the disaster part . . . but definitely check out this one! Worth the read!

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  13. Can't wait to read this. Trying to hold off until closer to the UK release! Fab review!

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    1. Thanks! Looking forward to hearing you thoughts about it!

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  14. Fantastic review, as always! I absolutely adored this novel. It was so intense and wonderfully written. GO MIA AND JEREMY!

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