Struck by Jennifer Bosworth::Review

STRUCK by JENNIFER BOSWORTH

Movie Rating: PG-17 for violence and sexuality
Book Rating: @
Swearing: only a couple of uses of a**
Inappropriate Scenes: 2 teens 'mess around' at least twice. The author doesn't go into detail but for those with active imaginations....
# of Pages: 373 (hardcover)
Genre: YA Dystopian/Thriller (?)
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
LLFTB: Don't read a novel written by Jennifer Bosworth

Back Blurb:

   Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s 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 to 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.

My name is Mia Price and I am a LIGHTNING ADDICT. I want lightning to find me. I crave it like lungs CRAVE OXYGEN. Nothing makes you feel more alive
than being STRUCK.

My Review:

To shake things up I'm going to write my review letter-style:

Dear Ms. Jennifer Bosworth,
   Since you have offended me by the content of your book (your blasphemy against the Most High God and the smut you put in your book) I wish to return the favor (or lack thereof). STRUCK--the book that SUCKED. Now, I realize that you're rather new to the writing world so let me give you some tips...
   You don't have to put sex scenes in your novel to sell more copies. If your novel is worthy of recognition it will get recognition. However, I do appreciate the swearing that you kept to a minimum. I wasn't expecting that. And, furthermore, you offended me just about every time you used God's name (which was close to every page) and I'm pretty sure you compared unbelievers to 'pigeon poop'. That would and should offend every unbeliever.
  Here's what I expected to STRUCK: I expected to learn about a girl getting struck by lightning and using it to do whatever. I did not expect there to be blasphemy and smut on every page!
  You've made an impression Jennifer. An impression that is not a good one. And I agree with you, "There's a lot of moral depravity in Los Angeles.", unfortunately, though, you also live in L.A. I only hope that you receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour before you too burn in the pits of hell forever.
                                A disappointed reader,
                                                The Maniacal Bookworm

*Want to know which teen books are clean to read? Follow my blog! I'll tell you in my reviews or if you don't want to wait just ask me: themaniacalbookworm at gmail dot com*

Jill Williamson author of Replication Interview&Giveaway!

How long have you been writing?


I started writing in 2004. I worked on my first novel for about three years. In 2007, I went to Mount Hermon and had the opportunity to send in my full to two agents. Neither one worked out, but I knew I was getting closer. I wrote a few other books. In 2008, I attended the Oregon Christian Writer’s conference and gave the first chapter of a different story to editor Jeff Gerke. I knew his company wasn’t looking for teen novels, but he had edited my first book and I wanted to get his take. He asked for the full, then wanted to publish it. By Darkness Hid came out in April 2009.

What (or who) helped you decide to be an author?

I had left the fashion industry and was searching for the plan God had for my life. Since I had a pretty interesting childhood/life story, I thought God could use me as a motivational speaker for teens. I discovered that sometimes, people hire speakers based on articles written by the speaker. So I looked into writing articles. I was working on all that when a new Harry Potter book came out, and a new barrage of debates within the church community flared up as to whether the books were safe for Christians to read. The debate inspired me to write a teen novel for Christians. Writing was so much fun I never stopped.

Who inspired you most in your life?

Both my parents inspired me a lot. They are both hard workers and creative. I think I got my creativity and work ethic from them.

Who are/is your favorite author(s)?

I like too many authors to name as favorites. Some of my favorites are: Frank Peretti, Jenny B. Jones, Bill Myers, Ted Dekker, John Grisham, J.K. Rowling, Lowis Lowry, Nicholas Sparks, Cathy Gohlke, Tolkein, Lewis, and Melody Carlson.

What is your favorite genre(s)?

Fantasy.

What are/is your favorite book(s)?

Lord of the Rings, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, This Present Darkness, Blink, Harry Potters, William Henry is a Fine Name, A Walk to Remember, Hunger Games.

What are/is your favorite Scripture verse(s)?

John 3:16, Galatians 5: 22-23, 1 Cor. 11:1, Ephesians 2:10, the entire book of James.

Tell us a little about your book Replication: The Jason Experiment.

Replication: The Jason Experiment is about a girl named Abby, who is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of fifty-five identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby tries to help Martyr see that God has a purpose for his life, one that is different from the one the scientists originally planned for him.

Were you trying to get a specific message across in Replication? If so, what?

I want readers to consider that God is real and that he has a purpose for every life on this planet.

Why did you pick Alaska as the main setting?

I chose Alaska as the location for my cloning lab because Alaska is a place where many people move to disappear. And it’s a vast enough state that a cloning lab would be easy to miss. Plus I grew up there, so I thought it would be fun.

What character was easiest for you to write about? Why?

Martyr for sure. He is smart and kind, but totally naïve about the world outside the lab. So he questions things like colors and animals and marriage, but doesn’t hesitate to stand up for what he believes is right. And it was fun to write his loving, selfless character in comparison with Abby’s by the book, it-has-to-be-my-way personality. Martyr sure showed her a thing or two.

What character was hardest for you to write about? Why?

Abby was the most difficult because I wanted people to like her but she was whiny and a know it all. I hope that her journey helped people identify with her in some way.

Are you currently writing another book now? If so, what is it about?

Right now I’m working on the first book in a dystopian trilogy. Book one is called Captives, and it’s the story of three brothers who are taken captive by their enemies and forced to live in a strange land.

Are there any additional thoughts you would like to add?

Come find me online. My website is: http://jillwilliamson.com/

And my Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/jwilliamsonwrites


Jill Williamson has also offered to *giveaway* a copy of her book! Just Follow this blog and comment (with your email address please. If you have already have followed this blog just comment :) below to have a chance to win! (Winner will be notified Saturday 17th. Giveaway ends Friday 16th! If you do not respond within 1 month you will forfeit to the next runner up!)

The Maze Runner Review!

THE MAZE RUNNER (book 1 of the maze runner trilogy) by JAMES DASHNER

Movie Rating: PG-13
Book Rating: @@@@@
Swearing: Maybe 2 instances of the h-word (mostly the author made up his own slang in place of swear words such as 'shuck-face')
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian
Inappropriate Scenes: a guys calls dibs on the girl. that's it.
Published By: Delacorte Press

Back Blurb:

     When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty. But he's not alone. When the lift's door opens, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got the Glade. All they know is that every morning of every day, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark. The Gladers were expecting Thomas's arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up--the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surround the Glade, they might find their way home...wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable. And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers--if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.
Everything is going to change....

My Review:

    If you have a teenager who loves good clean sci-fi/dystopian books, you might just want to check out The Maze Runner. Thomas has been thrown into the Glade with about 50 other boys. Some like him; some don't. Anyway ever since Thomas shows up things have started going haywire. A girl shows up with a mysterious message, boys are going crazy and trying to kill people, and the worst, the Maze doors refuse to shut leaving them to the horrors of the Maze. Superbly written! New York Times bestselling author  James Dashner has also made it to my Top 10 Favorite Authors List. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat constantly turning page after page to find what happens next. Check out the official trailer below. *I thought it was kinda creepy. The book isn't as creepy.* :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hi, guys! Tomorrow (or today or yesterday--depending on when you see this) is Valentine's Day! So I thought I'd say:

Hope you guys have a really Awesome Valentine's Day! :) (and don't forget to tell your parents) 

And if you are looking for some good romance novels here are a few:

The Price of Trust by Amanda Stephan (contemporary romance)

Lonely Hearts by Amanda Stephan (contemporary romance)

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (fantasy)

Matched by Ally Condie (dystopian romance)

I have an announcement! :O

(This is the book cover)

(This is the movie poster)








As you know I am the BIGGEST Hunger Games fan. (just ask my poor mom as she deals with a very ecstatic teenager blabbing on and on and on alllllll day about the hunger games. luckily, she still has some hair) And well I learned that there is a BRAND NEW movie trailer out for it. So I thought I'd post it here just for you guys. (and for me so I can watch it over and over and over) :D And then I thought I'd post one of the songs for it on here too. Safe & Sound by Taylor Swift. March 23,2012! Only 48 days 4 hours and 8 minutes! :D

(this is the movie trailer)

(this is the song)

ENJOY! :D

Divergent Review!

DIVERGENT by VERONICA ROTH

Movie Rating: PG-13 for violence, graphic images, and romance

Book Rating: @@@@@
Genre: Dystopian/Science Fiction

Time Frame: Futuristic
Page Number: 487 (Hardcover)

Swearing: 4 instances of the h-word
Inappropriate scenes: A girl is caught with her bath towel off but it doesn't go into detail

Published By: Katherine Tegen Books

Back Blurb:     

      In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago society is divided into 5 factions dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue---Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is---she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
     During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are---and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden
from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves.......or it might destroy her. ONE CHOICE decides your friends. ONE CHOICE defines your beliefs. ONE CHOICE  determines your loyalties---forever. ONE CHOICE CAN TRANSFORM YOU.

My Review:     
     Divergent is one of the bestest debut books I have ever read! As soon as you pick it up and read it you are thrust into a world of division. Everything and everyone is divided. Everything they do is different. And if you aren't as divided as others you will die. It's was very nice to read a dystopian book where the govenment doesn't control everyone and everything they do. I do wish that Veronica would have toned down the romance and put action in it's place. And everything the Dauntless do just seems to be dumb instead of brave. When I started reading the book I got confused will all the different factions and had to constantly refer to the back blurb to figure out which was which but, still this was a great book that every one (who likes blood shed and violence) will enjoy!