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ShinyNickel
5.0 out of 5 stars READERS: Word of Caution: Explosive Humor, May Need Gag (but use your safewords people!)
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2015
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"The Lightning-Struck Heart" reminds me a little of "The Princess Bride", but buffed up on 'roids and spewing an art supply store's stash of glitter- so, in other words: AWESOME! Like the aforementioned 80's classic, it abounds with characters too delightfully wacky for mere words on paper, throws around banter and drops witticisms like it's going out of style. Fantastical, right?

Argh! I just can't stop sighing and smiling all over the book. It's a bit painful how funny it is- no, like I seriously started to worry for my physical well being...like should a person be able to laugh, non-stop, through 400 some-odd pages?

No. They should not.
For everyone's health and sanity...especially my elderly neighbors. My poor, poor, grumpy old neighbors trying to sleep on the other side of woefully thin walls. Oh well!

So, what's to love about this book? First and foremost, the triad amazingness that is Sam, Gary and Tiggy. Sam is our hero with his wizardry, good heart and terminal case of word vomitus. Gary (yes, seriously!) is a shockingly kinky, gay, horn-less unicorn whose a$$hole smells of moonbeams and cookies and rages glitter. And, last but never least, is the half giant, Tiggy, who smashes and hugs in equal measures.

There's also love bound knights, kidnapped princes, randy magical creatures, resigned elders and a myriad of others throughout the book. Each and every one, memorable and unique- TJ Klune-style! (That's a thing, now)

But, I think what I enjoyed most about their misadventures in life and love, is the friendship. I know I've compared "The Lightning-Struck Heart" to "The Princess Bride", but it really stands on its own. It's full of heart, humor and is pushing classic status with its "love will find a way" message while still managing to be fresh and fun. You can't beat that! I wish I could crawl into Mr. Klune's brain and camp out (but totally in a non-creepy or murderous fashion). He's a genius :)

It's late and I worked all day, so please forgive the rambling and get up all on this! The book! I mean the book...
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Ariel
5.0 out of 5 stars My new favorite!
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2017
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"You and I have been talking, actually talking, for a little over three weeks. And in those three weeks, we've been attacked twice, a dragon came to the city and knocked you through a building, and now we're going to meet your ex to whom you almost gay fairy married. How are you even a real person?"

I don't think I've ever laughed so hard and for so long when reading a book, or in this case listening to a book. The dialogue is absolutely HILARIOUS and I am soooooo happy I finally decided to start this book! In fact, I wish I hadn't waited so long...

I don't want to go much into plot because I really don't want to spoil anything and take all the fun away but this story was very well told and even though it was longer than I thought it'd be, I never felt like it was dragging.

All of these characters were AMAZING! Sam is adorable and quirky and so good hearted. He's just such a loveable sweetheart! Ryan was sweet too. I loved listening to him and Sam banter and dance around each other. There are no words to describe how much I love Gary and Tiggy! They were sooooo freakin hilarious and adorable! I really loved all of the side characters too. Sam's parents, Morgan, the King...they were all wonderful and loved Sam so much. I especially loved Sam and Morgan's relationship.

"Maybe I should have been embarrassed by my actions. Maybe I should have shown the slightest bit of decorum. I was the apprentice to the King's Wizard, after all.

But f*** that. I hadn't seen my mentor in almost three months. I'd faced things I'd never seen before. I'd been loved and broken. I'd eaten a sh*tload of corn laced with a truth serum.

So I don't know that I can be blamed for running full speed at him. I don't know that I can be blamed for the way my eyes burned when he smiled widely and opened his arms. I don't know that I can be blamed for the sound I made, that broken, wounded noise that crawled out of my throat when his arms wrapped around me. I felt his magic wash over me, and for the first time in weeks, I thought I was able to breathe. I let my forehead rest in the crook of his neck as he held me tightly."

A book this hilarious should NOT have given me the amount of feels that it did!! But that's kind of what makes this such an awesome story...Not only does it have a ridiculous amount of humor (seriously...my sides still hurt from laughing so much) but it also has some really heart-breaking moments that I actually teared up for, which is crazy! I actually had to pause the audiobook for a minute to be like: "Am I REALLY about to cry right now???"

"It's all about the journey, Sam. One day you'll get your ending, but until then, remember it's about the journey. The things you've learned. The future you'll have. I know it may not seem like it right now, and I know it might hurt, but you will be ok. You're my apprentice. I expect nothing less of you."

This book was just fantastic. Do yourself a favor and listen to this audiobook. Michael Lesley does a phenomenal job and I don't know if anyone could have performed this book any better. It is 100% worth it to listen to him tell the story. I really can't praise him enough!

Do yourself a favor and get this audiobook and settle in for a great time!
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Top reviews from other countries

Bry
5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Dashing and Immaculate Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2018
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This book is quite unlike any other of its sort. If you're looking for high fantasy (Think Discworld, Middle Earth etc etc), a parade of individually charming characters and a romance that has you laughing as much as sighing wistfully, then you'll enjoy this.

Now, to be totally honest, I'd avoided this book for a while despite having seen good reviews. The summary had me scratching my head and deciding it probably wasn't for me. Oh how wrong I was.

Word of warning: If you're used to super serious romances that get straight to the 'point'-in more ways than one-then this might challenge you. I, however, was delightfully surprised by the breath of fresh air that is TJ Klune's brand of humour in 'The Lightning Struck Heart'.

The writing in and of itself is unique, and if you're looking for a winding, adjective-heavy love poem (that doesn't involve cheesy dicks and candlesticks), then this isn't quite...that. It's not the usual fare, if only because it's so darn hilarious. Frustrating, oh yes, because you and the rest of the cast want to bash the two lovestruck loons' heads together, but hilarious.

And there's plot! Not heavy (this is, after all, just the beginning of a series), but enough to keep the story flowing forward. It focuses more on introducing you to the characters within the story before it gets going.

I love Sam and his friends dearly, and the relationships within the book (from friendship to mentors to family to love) just tug at every single heartstring I own. It truly did 'Hit Me In The Feels'.

And that's capitalised, so it's true.
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Louise @foxesfairytales
5.0 out of 5 stars The best comedic fantasy I've read in ages
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 7, 2020
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This book is so freakin’ funny!

I wasn’t sure about The Lightning-Struck Heart for the first couple of pages. I don’t think I actually read that many humorous books and I thought this might have a bit… over the top or ‘thinks it’s so clever’ for me.

I was soon proven wrong.

I actually laughed until I cried at more than one line. That said, the sense of humor here — very dry, sarcastic and incredibly sex-driven — isn’t going to be for everyone.

Aside from the humor, I loved how unapologetically queer The Lightning-Struck Heart is. For one thing, all (I think?) the main characters bar the king and Sam’s parents — who actually get to live with him in the castle when he’s taken on as a wizard’s apprentice, not just one but both of them, we have a non-orphan hero OMG — are queer. Plus, queer relationships are a total non-thing in this world. The Prince is getting married and will have a same-sex Royal Consort and no-one’s batting an eyelash. There’s a fabulous queer found family Sam’s built around himself (in addition to the miraculously living and supportive parents).

Another thing I loved, sort of related to the queerness, was how The Lightning-Struck Heart uses so many of the tried and true high fantasy tropes, sometimes with a bit of a twist, but rather shamelessly. I’m a huge believer in the idea that a trope’s not over until everyone’s had a shot at it. Gay chosen ones, asexual wizards, kidnapper dragons, and rainbow farting unicorns are everything I’ve ever wanted.

I bought the rest of the series — the remaining three books — the second I finished The Lightning-Struck Heart and immediately started A Destiny of Dragons.
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bookish_heights
4.0 out of 5 stars The Lightning-Struck Heart
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2018
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This was so much fun!

Plot: We follow our main character, Sam, who is a wizard's apprentice, at the beginning of the book he and Gary (best friend and gay unicorn) are captured and then saved by their other best friend, Tiggy the half-giant. Sam is in love with Knight Ryan Foxheart, but he believes it's only one-sided and that he will never have a chance with him as Ryan is due to marry the Prince.

LGBTQ+ rep (gay main characters and asexual side character)

What I loved (and at times hated) was the fact that nothing phases our main character, this is such a humorous story and I could not stop laughing throughout! However, at times I felt like I needed a bit more seriousness, a bit more emotion.

Since I started writing this review all I want to do is go back and read the book again! I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Overall, this is such a fun and brilliant story that I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves fantasy, comedy and loveable characters.
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FIFI
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious laugh out loud fairy tale for adults!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 25, 2016
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I cannot begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book. It was hilarious and sexy and entertaining and enthralling. I took it on holiday with me and I could be heard laughing out loud on the plane; by the pool; in my room! TJ Klune has taken a motley crew and made them adorable. Our unlikely hero, the apprentice Wizard Sam of Wilds, is cute and brave and reckless and horny; ALL the time! He speaks before he thinks but he is fiercely loyal and loves hard. His best friend Gary is a hornless unicorn with the mouth and morals of a diva drag queen, and their friend and protector, Tiggy, is a half giant determined to ‘smash’ whatever threatens Sam or Gary. The three of them embark on a series of adventures and the characters they meet and the situations they find themselves in are absolutely hysterical. The love interest comes in the visually delicious form of Ryan; a brave knight bequeathed to the Prince. It’s all a bit messy but utterly delightful and the way things pan out is genius. One of the best books I have read this year. Well written and totally absorbing. I have read a lot of this author’s work and he seems to get better and better with each new release. Can’t wait for more….
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Pjms78
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It (capitalised because it’s a thing)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2018
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I have read a couple of books by TJ Kline (Wolfsong and Ravensong) and was immersed so thoroughly, I shed many tears, sighed and smiled wistfully, I didn’t think they could be topped..... and then I read this book. It’s much more lighthearted. I laughed so hard in places I made everyone jump around me but at the same time my heart strings were pulled at the pain hidden behind the humour.

I have spared the few minutes I needed to write this because the second book is in my hand and I can hear it’s song calling me. Fools to those that don’t read it. I haven’t written about plot and characters because nothing will do them justice until you read them for yourself.
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