Release Day Review: The Lightning-Struck Heart by TJ Klune

Author: TJ Klune

Page/Word Count: 400 Pages

At a Glance: Like the quest they are sent on, this story is EPIC…HaveHeart Forever!

Reviewed By: Karen

Blurb: Once upon a time, in an alleyway in the slums of the City Of Lockes, a young and somewhat lonely boy named Sam Haversford turns a group of teenage douchebags into stone completely by accident.

Of course, this catches the attention of a higher power, and Sam’s pulled from the only world he knows to become an apprentice to the King’s Wizard, Morgan of Shadows.

When Sam’s fourteen, he enters the Dark Woods and returns with Gary, the hornless gay unicorn, and a half-giant named Tiggy, earning the moniker Sam of Wilds.

At fifteen, Sam learns what love truly is when a new knight arrives at the castle—Knight Ryan Foxheart, the dreamiest dream to have ever been dreamed.

Naturally, it all goes to hell when Ryan dates the reprehensible Prince Justin, Sam can’t control his magic, a sexually aggressive dragon kidnaps the prince, and the King sends them on an epic quest to save Ryan’s boyfriend, all while Sam falls more in love with someone he can never have.

Review: I honestly don’t even know where to start.

I originally read this blurb and thought, nope not going to be for me. But come on, it’s TJ Klune and you are going to have to read it. Oh I was so, so wrong. This book was exactly what I needed. I didn’t think I would ever come across another book that would have me laughing so hard I was crying the way that Tell Me It’s Real did, but this one absolutely did. The dialogue and banter was super fast and snarky and random and filled with complete awesomeness!

And then there were the feelings…so many feelings. I may have on occasion while reading gotten a little teary eyed…alright, that is a lie. There was definitely ugly crying going on for a minute or maybe two, which then would turn into uncontrollable laughter. I am positive anyone near me while I was reading this book now thinks I am an absolute crazy basketcase. It was so worth it! There were times I wanted to smack the Sam and Ryan upside their heads, they were both so oblivious. My heart would brake but would then be put back together.

Gary and Tiggy…I really don’t even have the words. Most awesome hornless gay unicorn and half giant ever! Throughout the entire story I kept flipping between who was my favorite character and finally just decided there was no favorite. I love them all. There really isn’t a character mentioned that I didn’t love for what they brought to the story. I can’t even tell you how happy I am that I currently don’t have any books lined up behind this one to review so that I can immediately do a re-read of this one.

Like the quest they are sent on, this story is EPIC…HaveHeart Forever!