The Lightning-Struck Heart

Absolutely brilliant

I cannot say enough about this book. First, a warning; it's not for everyone. It is devastatingly funny, but the humor is sometimes crude. For me, it was quite amazing. I was constantly laughing and rewinding to my favorite parts. In over 19 hours, I never once felt like it was slow or boring. I'm doing my best to write a spoiler-free review, so it will not do the book justice.

I'm not one for warm and fuzzy relationships, nor relationships that are too easy or too anguishing. The interactions between Sam and Ryan make this relationship my favorite of all books I have ever read or listened to.

Every character was fleshed out, unique, and worked flawlessly in this story. I cared about each character, laughed at all the bad guys, and was never confused about what was going on. The details were plentiful without being too much.

The performance was phenomenal. The narrator's voices were very different, so I knew who exactly was speaking, and each matched the character perfectly. There was emotion in every word. It was not just a narration; it was a masterful performance full of emotion, laughter, and passion.

I would happily listen to anything this author and narrator ever created. I hope there is a sequel, that it comes soon, and that it has the same narrator. I will listen to this over and over again. It was more than worth the credit.

56 of 59 people found this review helpful

Best audiobook of 2015!

What made the experience of listening to The Lightning-Struck Heart the most enjoyable?

The narrator seemed to truly understand and enjoy the content so it was so much fun to listen to!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lightning-Struck Heart?

I can't even pick one! I love TJ's writing and wordplay and it was so well done by the narrator that the entire thing just tickled me!

Which scene was your favorite?

Again, not sure I could pick one but the opening scene really gets you into the style and humor of the story

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I REALLY REALLY tried!

17 of 18 people found this review helpful

There aren't enough stars for this...

Any additional comments?

The Lightning-Struck Heart or, as it was originally titled, Unicorn Star F**ker, is a fantastic story of love, friendship, longing, loss, and hope.

Is this funny? Yes. Yes, it is. It's hilarious. Straight up - I was obnoxiously laughing so hard and so loud for so long that I actually began to feel sorry for the people around me. Sorry they were being subjected to my overt hilarity and sorry they were not reading this magnificent and wondrous book so they too could laugh uproariously.

Does this book make your heart ache? In part. Yes, it will, a little. What can be more sad than wanting someone so desperately, but knowing you can't have him?

"...I’m sorry I made an oath. I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do. And I’m sorry that I can’t break it. But you have to believe me that it’s always been you. I promise. I promise." His voice cracked and my hands shook. "I promise, because when I look upon these stars, there is nothing I wish for more than you."

Is this just an OTT Fairy-tale on crack? No. No, it's not. Or, well, it's not only that. There are so many nuances to this. It has humor, heartache, and, most importantly, lessons to be learned about life, love and sometimes letting the things you love go even at the expense of your own heart and soul.

And, oh, the characters!

Wizard Apprentice Sam Haversford aka "Sam of Wilds" is maddening, fantastic and wonderful in all his blurty over-the-top goodness.

Sir Ryan Foxheart, is dashing and wonderful and...an asshole. But not an irredeemable asshole. Which is good.

The sidekick characters are utterly sublime! (Gary, the hornless gay unicorn, Tiggy, the half-giant, Sam's parents, Morgan and Randall the wizards, Kevin the dragon, Mama, Sam's fairy drag mother, the King, Pete, the guard...gods I could go on and on...) They all steal spotlight every time they appear on page again and again.

I *literally* loved every single minute of this.

If you are a fan of Monty Python, Mel Brooks, Top Gun, and The Princess Bride - then you will love this book. You will want to have this book's babies.

If you are a fan of T.J. Klune's, and love his characters Derrick "Bear" McKenna (BOATK), Paul Auster (TMIR), and Sandy Stewart (TMIR) - then you will love this book. You will beg for more ( by the way, T.J....MORE PLEASE!!! ) Literally.

Never fear, dear readers! You get an HEA, but it's also left open for more adventures. And, oh, how I want them. I literally want them so much. Literally.

Michael Lesley takes this funny, makes your heart ache, cracktastic fairy tale and maked it infinitely relatable to anyone who loves humor, sarcasm, sassiness, and even sadness.

This is fantastic in all senses of the word. Run, do not walk, to buy this audio!

HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

27 of 30 people found this review helpful

The Go Word Is "Sam"

I love "Tell Me It's Real," but "The Lightning-Struck Heart" just took loooove to a whole other level! With best friends like Gary the hornless, gay unicorn (aka the perversion queen) and Tiggy the half-giant (who smashes and hugs with his whole heart), resigned and reluctant mentors like Morgan and Randall (respectively), a caring king and a butthole of a prince, a frustrating and sometimes stalker-y love interest (Ryan) this great book needs only one more ingredient (besides overly sexual dragons and fairy kings, though it has that, too) to make this book not just pretty awesome, but a vision of pure awesomeness almost too beautiful to put down EVER (okay, maybe that's a bit much...sort of): Sam of Wilds! With his kind heart, sassy mouth, bad sex puns and even worse jokes (love Wassa's name), and the fact that EVERYTHING wants to have sex with him, especially in front of Ryan, he makes a fabulous and fun and downright lovable main character.

And to Michael Lesley: you make this book and these characters really come alive. No other narrator that I've heard could do a more amazing job for these books and queens of sass than you!

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

Awesome!

This book was exactly what i needed, I love this book I was laughing my ass off it was awesome, the narrator was great. This audiobook is Hilariously funny and enjoyable wow so must fun thanks TJ Klune and Michael Lesley for making my day. ( Warning DO NOT listen to this book outside you home because people will think you are losing your mind or high). I highly recommend it 5 star.

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

Beyond the stars...

I have always enjoyed TJ Klune's work but this story has got to be one of the best that I have listened to since I began listening to audiobooks. The author's wit and writing style had me experiencing every emotion that one could possibly consider. They dynamic between Sam, Garry, and Tiggy was just awesome and the love between Sam and Ryan could be felt (physically) through the words. Adding to the majesty of the words is the excellent narrative abilities of Michael Lesley. Each character was brought to life with the differing vocals assigned to each. What an amazing talent he is! Exceptional is not nearly a strong enough adjective to describe the awesomeness of this book!!!

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Like a Sassy Gay Princess Bride

Would you listen to The Lightning-Struck Heart again? Why?

Yes! Just pure entertainment, It's wonderfully funny, yet has it's balance in the achingly familiar longing for what you dream (but don't think you can have). It is an adventure tale that is both filled with excitement of perilous situations and the great delight of the just plain wacky ones.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lightning-Struck Heart?

There really are too many great moments to pick just one. What stands out is the sheer abundance of little moments. A line here and there, or the description of a scene or situation in the voice of the main protagonist and storyteller.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are so many scenes that I could think of, but then immediately think of others that could also be considered as a favorite. While not a scene, the relationship between the three friends (Sam, Tiggy The 1/2 Giant, and Gary The Hornless Unicorn) is so well done and complex it makes every scene between them eligible for the title of favorite.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is extremely funny, and I found myself laughing out loud many, many times. But underneath the goofy situations, and sassy dialogue, is the ache of life not being like your dreams, or even easy. Characters that seem shallow and one-dimensional can open up for a moment and show their own aching heart.

Any additional comments?

A lot of "gay" fiction centers in the theme of not being accepted, by yourself or by society. It is refreshing that in this book being gay is thought of as just as valid as being straight, and not treated as anything but just another way of being.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

EPIC Romantic Comedy

Just read the prior reviews. Nobody does not like this read, nobody including me. What a triumph. I laughed, I cried, I signed and moaned. 19 hours was not nearly enough. I want more of all the characters. Michael Lesley's narration was top shelf perfection. Standing ovation, encore!!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Epic and Magnificent!!

Epic and Magnificent!!! That is how I would describe this wonderful book and performance. For have not doubt, Mr. Lesley does NOT read this book; he performs it in a way that you "experience" this book. The combination of TJ Klune's imaginative, funny and poignant fantasy adventure and Micheal Lesley's amazing performance is the stuff of dreams. The story of Sam and Ryan and their marvelous Scooby gang of friends and family had me grinning from start to finish. At 19 hours you would think it would drag, but it didn't. And that is primarily due to TJ Klune's wonderful writing. He makes these characters so endearing that you can't help but get swept up in their lives. Of course there is the usual warning about listening in public. You will laugh out loud and get strange looks and wide berths. But it is so worth a little public shaming. The ending seemed to infer they may be more adventures to follow. I really, really hope there are.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Awesome!!

TJ Klune's characters danced across the pages of The Lightning-Struck Heart with magic and fire and life. And I loved it. Michael Lesley's narration was perfect, freeing Sam, Gary, Tiggy, Ryan and all the others to romp around inside my car, making me laugh out loud and occasionally giving me Wookie Cry Face on my way to and from work. Thank you, TJ and Michael!!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful