Title Struck (Struck 1) By Jennifer Bosworth Genre YA supernatural/paranormal romance Pages 373 Recommended by Me
First sentence I don't sleep much.
Synopsis
Mia is a lightning addict. She's been struck too many times to count. Moving to Los Angeles where lighting rarely strikes seems like a good idea. That is until a massive storm causes an earthquake that destroys the city. In the aftermath Rance Ridley has set himself up as Prophet and is claiming the end of the world is at hand. His interest in Mia is rivaled by that of a group of people known as the Seekers. With everyone taking interest in her, Mia struggles to cope. It isn't easy when the handsome Jeremy suddenly shows up at her school and warns her to stay away from both groups.
What is has going for it
I'll admit the premise for this one sucked me in. The book trailer also helped. I mean, a story with supernatural elements involving lightning? Sign me up. The writing was fine and the ending exciting. Here, watch the trailer. For me it was the best part of the book.
What's lacking
Sigh! See? Far too often I'm fooled into thinking a book is going to be awesome based on its synopsis. This one sounded really good. Unique even. Is that even possible anymore? My biggest problem with this one was the characters. Not one was worth investing emotion in. Mia was supposed to be all determined to have nothing to do with the two cults fighting over her and yet, you know right from the beginning she's going to get involved. Even when she protests and protests. So tiresome! I felt like the big message of the book was the choices we make. Mia had three choices to choose between and, quite frankly, it was between three evils. Maybe I'm just being too hard on the book and Mia but when there's nothing good to root for who the heck cares?! You know? I was also trying to figure out why the heck, when only LA was destroyed, did people stay there? Seriously, people, there's a psycho guy camping out on the beach claiming you're all going to die unless you join him. People are going hungry and camping out on the beach in tents and you're staying there because???? Yeah.
Favorite moment
Despite my dislike of this one and the romance. I did enjoy the kissing. The author sure could write a steamy kiss.
Yea or Nay?
My opinion probably can't be trusted. The book really wasn't bad. It and I just didn't get along.
Oh Jenny. I agree with you on it sounding like an amazing premise. I haven't read it yet, but I'm still interested... especially since you mentioned good kissing scenes. Lol.
I wasn't planning on reading this one, so I guess I'll stick with that idea. I like books with likable characters and more logic going on. It does have an interesting premise, but I'm not fooled by them anymore. ;)
Bummer that the trailer was the best part of the book (and that trailer was REALLY good). I still want to read it, but I'll go in a tad less excited so I don't set myself up for disappointment.
Hmm Ive seen this one around and havent been sure if I should read it. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what genre this fits into. I love the cover though. But I don't think I can deal with characters I couldn't care about.
Yeah, I had a hard time trying to put it in a genre too. I wanted to say post apocalyptic but only LA was destroyed so that didn't work...I just could figure it out.
Ahh, too bad, I really liked the cover! And the premise about getting struck by lightening too many times. Makes me go, HUH? And then want to read to find out. But I don't have time for annoying characters and annoying situations. :( Great review!
This is the second meh review I've read for Struck (and you both had totally different reasons for not loving it). That's too bad. I was interested after hearing the author speak at the library, but maybe not so much now. Maybe I'll wait until I want to read a kissy book.
I think an good book that disappoints you is worse than a terribly written book that you still kind of (secretly) enjoy. Sorry you didn't love this one.
It's such a shame about the characters! Especially since this one had such a great premise. At least the kissing's good though :P. Thanks for the review! I'll be a bit more prepared when I read this one now :).
Oh Jenny. I agree with you on it sounding like an amazing premise. I haven't read it yet, but I'm still interested... especially since you mentioned good kissing scenes. Lol.
ReplyDeleteYes, they were good kissing scenes. I really think it was a mood thing that had me disliking this one. I'm sure others will like it.
DeleteYou're the second person that I've heard who didn't like this one all that much. I hope I do. I guess we'll see when I FINALLY get around to it.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is always different than others. I'll be interested to see what you think when you get around to it.
DeleteI wasn't planning on reading this one, so I guess I'll stick with that idea. I like books with likable characters and more logic going on. It does have an interesting premise, but I'm not fooled by them anymore. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell, what's your secret?! I base all my book reading decisions on the premise and keep getting suckered into reading stupid books.
DeleteBummer that the trailer was the best part of the book (and that trailer was REALLY good). I still want to read it, but I'll go in a tad less excited so I don't set myself up for disappointment.
ReplyDeleteWasn't the trailer good? It totally convinced me to read it. Sigh!
DeleteHmm Ive seen this one around and havent been sure if I should read it. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what genre this fits into. I love the cover though. But I don't think I can deal with characters I couldn't care about.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I had a hard time trying to put it in a genre too. I wanted to say post apocalyptic but only LA was destroyed so that didn't work...I just could figure it out.
DeleteAhh, too bad, I really liked the cover! And the premise about getting struck by lightening too many times. Makes me go, HUH? And then want to read to find out. But I don't have time for annoying characters and annoying situations. :( Great review!
ReplyDeleteI know! That premise is very intriguing. It could have just been a mood thing, you might like it.
DeleteThis is the second meh review I've read for Struck (and you both had totally different reasons for not loving it). That's too bad. I was interested after hearing the author speak at the library, but maybe not so much now. Maybe I'll wait until I want to read a kissy book.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they made it look and sound really good at the library thing. I'm sure other people will really like it. I'm guessing It just wasn't for me.
DeleteI think an good book that disappoints you is worse than a terribly written book that you still kind of (secretly) enjoy. Sorry you didn't love this one.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'm not so sure which one is worse. Now I'm going to have to think about it.
DeleteIt's such a shame about the characters! Especially since this one had such a great premise. At least the kissing's good though :P. Thanks for the review! I'll be a bit more prepared when I read this one now :).
ReplyDeleteYes, good kissing is always a plus. ;)
DeleteWithout awesome characters a book loses me pretty quickly. Good kissing is a plus though.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but I'm thinking the characters won't bug everyone.
Delete