Struck by Jennifer Bosworth {Review}

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR

Publish Date: May 8, 2012

Source: Publisher for honest review

Goodreads

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She 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 has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and 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.

Struck was one crazy, adrenaline-filled ride. I’ve just finished and my heart is still pounding!

Going in, I was quite wary since I’ve been hearing a lot of mixed reviews. Some people absolutely loved it and some people hated. I, for one, side with those who loved Struck.

Before I go any further, can I just talk about Jeremy for a second? I did have to move past the fact that he shared a name with my younger brother, but once I did…let’s just say I was a fan ;] I mean, shaggy hair and “Clark Kent” glasses? Swoony, swoon-swoon. Plus, he’s all like “Who cares about your scars, Mia, you’re still pretty.” Except, you know, way more eloquent than that.

Speaking of Jeremy and Mia, even though Struck takes place over the course of three days their relationship didn’t feel at all like insta-love to me.

I’ll give you the science in Struck is pretty unlikely, if not completely, but considering the Spark isn’t a realistic thing, I don’t think it really matters. And if I’m going to be honest, I’m a fan of fake science :P

I liked that Mia was willing to do anything for her family, though I think that was also a drawback for me. I’m coming to realize characters that blindly do whatever for the good of this or that person kind of gets on my nerves. In the end, though, Mia did what was right though it was the more difficult thing to do.

If religion makes you squirmy then you might have a problem with Struck but at the core of the story that’s not at all what it’s about so hopefully you’ll look past it.

The Nutshell: I think Struck would have made a great standalone, but I’m looking forward to the sequel nonetheless. Mia is a strong character who’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure those she loves are safe. There’s also a super hot love interest if that’s what you’re looking for ;] Overall Struck does a fantastic job of weaving a treacherous story filled with science (albeit fictional science), love, post-apocalyptic setting, and just a dash of the paranormal (don’t think ghosts or anything, just simple things that can’t be explained by the laws of science and whatnot).

Pages: 373

Series: Struck #1

Rating: Hit