If you’ve been reading my blog or have known me for awhile, chances are you know how much I LOVE a good cult. So, OF COURSE I could not resist Jennifer Bosworth’s debut Struck which totally delivers on its promise of cults. ALSO you guys I am going to use the word cults like a million times in this review because I get so excited about them.
Struck
Mia Price, main character of Struck, is totally addicted to getting struck by lightening. In fact, she’s developed a sort of power from it, like an X-Man. Anyway, this insane lightening storm hits LA where she lives and causes a HUGE earthquake (FYI my boyfriend majored in geology, but I am not sure I have the attention span to listen to him explain if that could happen). So yeah, medicine is on the black market and food is scarce since most of LA was destroyed. There’s also this guy who you can tell is a total douche because he named himself Prophet who is playing on all the fear and uncertainty to get people to join his cult. OH and there is this mysterious boy named Jeremy who Mia has the hots for.
Full disclosure, I had mad anxiety while reading Jennifer Bosworth’s Struck. This might be because of my survival instinct or the fact that I am am heartless, but Mia’s mom has PTSD, right. And I know I should have been an understanding reader, but the whole time I’m thinking lady your kid’s life is at risk from taking care of you, get your act together. AND I KNOW THAT IS SO WRONG TO SAY, but gahh I was on edge the whole time.
Luckily, Mia Price falls into the Katniss Everdeen school of heroines. She does what she needs to do to survive and take care of her family, even if it means putting herself in a bad situation. Like, buying the black market drugs for her mom is definitely a risk, but girl gets out there like a hustla and does her duty to family. I can admire that even if I’m like, oh come on.
And okay. Usually I talk about the romance and the XXX but that wasn’t nearly as important to me in my reading of Struck  as the cult which was AWESOME because omg you guys. They proselytize and are holier than thou and walk around in white clothing. AND HAVE TENT REVIVALS HALLELUJAH! AND AND AND a TV show.
I think if you are a weirdo about cults like me, you’ll be into Struck. Also? The paranormal lightening element is really, really cool. Struck by Jennifer Bosworth is definitely a debut to watch for.
Disclosure: Received For Review.
Other reviews of Struck by Jennifer Bosworth:
Into The Hall Of Books
Book Hounds
Christina Reads YA
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I had no idea this was about a cult! I’m a weirdo about cults too! I’m adding it to my TBR right now. 🙂
It is really gratifying to know that I am not the only weirdo about cults, ha ha.
You definitely make this book sound interesting! May check it out.
Making books sound interesting is definitely fun haha. Hope you do check Struck out!
I can’t wait to read this one – it’s on my pile for next month, and I can’t wait to read it. Glad to hear it was good 🙂
Erica, I bet you will be really into Struck, with your good taste and all! 😀
I have seen a few reviews of this one but I was just not sure it was for me. Your excitement about it is infectious though, I am going to have to get it!! The cult thing has me interested too.
Shannon, your comment has made my day. I love having infectious excitement. Hope you love Struck!
I’m with you in not being clear about how the weather could affect tectonic plates… seems like a stretch to me, but what do I know.
Well, I actually asked my boyfriend after reading the book and with his geology background, he told me that lightening would not affect tectonic plates.
I really like cult stories too so I’m excited to read this. What is it that makes cults so much fun to read about???
I don’t know. I wonder if they are so fascinating because for us we can’t imagine letting one person have complete power like a cult and it’s interesting how people end up in one. Like, I can’t fathom being in one.
Sounds intriguing! I don’t think I’m as excited about cults as u, but the lightening thing does sound great! 🙂
Haha, Liesel, I just love cults a lot. It’s a quirk. The lightening bits are interesting.
With you on the cults. They are just a big fucked up train wreck that I can never look away from so I’m definitely looking forward to this one.
Word. Fucked up train wrecks ARE MY FAVORITE. I think that’s why I also tend to read non-fiction that is cult-based as well.
I admit, the cult thing kind of weirded me out. But otherwise this was definitely a unique and crazy read. Like the Mia/Katniss comparison (it works). Nice review! =)
awww, I guess not everyone is as huge of a cult fan as I am.
And yeah, I like how Mia hustles for her family.
I LOVED THIS BOOK LIKE WHOA.
I LOVED THE CULT.
YAY YAY YAY YAY
I totally remember nagging you about reading this one. I’m SO GLAD you liked it. Plus Jenn Bosworth is legitimately cool which is awesome in my book. Did you see the collaboration she’s doing with Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, Terry Brooks, and a bunch of other fantasy writers? It looks amazing.
But yeah, YAY for STRUCK. SO incredible. One of my favorites this year.
ASHELEY YOUR NAGGING IS MY FAVORITE. Get it, girl.
Okay and no I did not see this collaboration, but, um, BE STILL MY BEATING HEART I WANT IT SO BAD. Like are you fucking kidding me I worship at the alter of Rothfuss and Sanderson. Oh my god. I WANT IT.
Whoo hooooo STRUCK FOREVAAAA!
SPEAKING OF CULTS, have you watched Martha Marcy May Marlene? Also, have you heard about Aum? It’s an infamous cult that had the first domestic terrorism act in Japan. I think there’s something really morbidly fascinating about cults but I get so anxious about them!
I didn’t know this book had cults and I’m kind of curious about this book now! All I knew before this review was a girl gets struck by lightning…a lot?! Great review!
I have not watched that or heard about Aum. Seriously, I fail at being interested in cults.
Isn’t it funny how the mere mention of cults perks the ears up?
I am so going to drink this cool-aid. Officially reading this next! I was thinking it seemed totally X-Men-y too, though I have to say that I was a geo major for the bulk of undergrad and I’m pretty sure that no, lighting could definitely not cause an earthquake. 😛
Mmmm kool-aid.
I hope you LOVE Struck.
Also? Yeah, Tony pretty much confirmed for me that lightening, even if it struck the fault line, could not cause an earthquake. But science aside, it’s a great read.