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A review by kp_hobbitreads
The Lightning-Struck Heart by TJ Klune
5.0
#1 The Lightning-Struck Heart: ★★★★★ | 5 stars
This book is unlike anything else I've ever read. It is over the top and ridiculous. It's full of sex jokes and crude humor, and increasingly outrageous situations. But, it's also got themes of friendship and found family. I can definitely see it being very polarizing. I think most people with either love it or hate it, but I definitely loved it.
I would also highly recommend the audiobook. I listed to this while reading along with the eBook on my second time through this story, and I think it really enhanced both the theatrics of it as well as the angst. A++ performance by the narrator Michael Lesley.
This book is the story of Sam of Wilds. Sam grew up in the slums, but becomes the King's Wizard's apprentice when he accidentally turns a group of boys to stone. His bestfriends are Gary (a gay, hornless unicorn) and Tiggy (a half-giant), And, he harbors a not so secret crush on Knight Ryan Foxheart aka Knight Delicious Face. Unfortunately, Ryan Foxheart is dating Prince Justin (*eye roll* #TeamHaveHeart). To make matters worse, Justin is captured by a very horny dragon, and Sam is forced to go on a quest with his besties and Ryan to get him back. All the while falling more in love with the man he thinks he'll never get to have. The angst guys, seriously. SO. MUCH. ANGST.
The writing in this story is super dialogue heavy and very casual, but it absolutely fits the story. It wouldn't make sense if it was written any other way. And, it's ridiculous at times. There is banter, and villain monologues, and random tangents, and side quests. And basically everyone wants to have sex with Sam. But, at its heart this is a story of love and friendship and finding your people and holding on to them. TJ Klune manages to balance the banter and jokes with some really heartfelt emotional moments. This book is full of characters who genuinely love and care for one another. This story will make you literally laugh out loud one moment and then have you wiping away your tears the next.
Three Thoughts:
1. The friendship between Sam, Gary, and Tiggy is absolutely goals. Yes, it's full of back and forth banter, but it is never mean spirited. Gary teases Sam about Ryan, but always listens to him when he needs to talk. When Tiggy doesn't understand something, they just explain it to him without judgment. And, when one of them crosses a line, they apologize immediately. The banter works so well because the foundation of their friendship is solid.
2. It's so nice to read a fantasy book with a hero actually has kind, loving parents. Sam's parents are unconditionally supportive of him, and that's such a nice change of pace.
3. I completely adore how utterly oblivious Sam and Ryan are about how the other one feels - even when literally everyone arounds them sees it. They're idiots, but lovable idiots that you keep rooting for.
I had such a blast re-reading this, and I can't wait to continue on with this series (for real this time). I know it's going to be a wild ride - and I'm ready for it.
content warnings: violence, use of the word g*psy, crude/offensive humor, mentions of past abuse, sex (on page)
_______________________________
Original Review from 2020:
This book made me laugh and cry in equal measure. TJ Klune knows how to tell a story that kicks you right in the feels.
Banter. Friendships. Adventure. Magic. And SO. MUCH. ANGST.
I absolutely loved this - and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. TJ Klune has become a new favorite author.
This book is unlike anything else I've ever read. It is over the top and ridiculous. It's full of sex jokes and crude humor, and increasingly outrageous situations. But, it's also got themes of friendship and found family. I can definitely see it being very polarizing. I think most people with either love it or hate it, but I definitely loved it.
I would also highly recommend the audiobook. I listed to this while reading along with the eBook on my second time through this story, and I think it really enhanced both the theatrics of it as well as the angst. A++ performance by the narrator Michael Lesley.
This book is the story of Sam of Wilds. Sam grew up in the slums, but becomes the King's Wizard's apprentice when he accidentally turns a group of boys to stone. His bestfriends are Gary (a gay, hornless unicorn) and Tiggy (a half-giant), And, he harbors a not so secret crush on Knight Ryan Foxheart aka Knight Delicious Face. Unfortunately, Ryan Foxheart is dating Prince Justin (*eye roll* #TeamHaveHeart). To make matters worse, Justin is captured by a very horny dragon, and Sam is forced to go on a quest with his besties and Ryan to get him back. All the while falling more in love with the man he thinks he'll never get to have. The angst guys, seriously. SO. MUCH. ANGST.
The writing in this story is super dialogue heavy and very casual, but it absolutely fits the story. It wouldn't make sense if it was written any other way. And, it's ridiculous at times. There is banter, and villain monologues, and random tangents, and side quests. And basically everyone wants to have sex with Sam. But, at its heart this is a story of love and friendship and finding your people and holding on to them. TJ Klune manages to balance the banter and jokes with some really heartfelt emotional moments. This book is full of characters who genuinely love and care for one another. This story will make you literally laugh out loud one moment and then have you wiping away your tears the next.
Three Thoughts:
1. The friendship between Sam, Gary, and Tiggy is absolutely goals. Yes, it's full of back and forth banter, but it is never mean spirited. Gary teases Sam about Ryan, but always listens to him when he needs to talk. When Tiggy doesn't understand something, they just explain it to him without judgment. And, when one of them crosses a line, they apologize immediately. The banter works so well because the foundation of their friendship is solid.
2. It's so nice to read a fantasy book with a hero actually has kind, loving parents. Sam's parents are unconditionally supportive of him, and that's such a nice change of pace.
3. I completely adore how utterly oblivious Sam and Ryan are about how the other one feels - even when literally everyone arounds them sees it. They're idiots, but lovable idiots that you keep rooting for.
I had such a blast re-reading this, and I can't wait to continue on with this series (for real this time). I know it's going to be a wild ride - and I'm ready for it.
content warnings: violence, use of the word g*psy, crude/offensive humor, mentions of past abuse, sex (on page)
_______________________________
Original Review from 2020:
This book made me laugh and cry in equal measure. TJ Klune knows how to tell a story that kicks you right in the feels.
Banter. Friendships. Adventure. Magic. And SO. MUCH. ANGST.
I absolutely loved this - and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. TJ Klune has become a new favorite author.