Struck

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Nocturnal Nymph - Michelle:
*eARC gifted in exchange for an honest review

Phoebe Meadows thinks she is just a normal small town girl living in NYC until she is struck by lightning in the storage room at Macy's. When she gets home, she finds that her neighbor, Ingrid, is actually her aunt, and they need to get out because someone is after Phoebe. After that, Amanda Carlson takes us on an incredible journey filled with Norse Mythology, Valkyries, gods and demigods. But that isn't all that is involved in this story. Phoebe's character is one kickass heroine, she isn't afraid to get in there and fight. And I loved that she was sarcastic, witty, strong, and wasn't afraid to fall for Fen, the demigod she just happened to encounter.

From the very beginning of this book, we had twists and turns, action and sarcasm. This was seriously a fun book to get lost in. I love books where there is so much action going on that you literally can't put the book down. That is what happens with Struck. You don't want to do anything else but see what these characters will get into next, or see what happens to them. The spin Amanda put on the mythology was perfect, I don't know much about it, but the information she gives along with the character's stories makes you want to know more.

I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens with Phoebe, Fen, and Fen's brother, and her human friend Sam.

*I requested a copy of this book for an honest review.

Phoebe thought New York was dangers, until she gets a glimpse into the life of Asgard.

Phoebe is struck by electricity at her day job at Macy's. She's tossed into the whirlwind world of Asgard and more as the shock was sent to awaken her Valkyrie side. Phoebe comes to grips with crazy notion that the mythological gods and creatures really do exist with a first hand experience of the terrible pain they can inflict. Yet, she finds Fen who helps her at every turn when he doesn't have to. With Fen's help she returns to New York where her and Ingrid were separated, just to learn now she must find her way to the Valkyrie stronghold.

Phoebe is dropped into the dangerous mythical world of Asgard and beings of power to learn about them. Her way through it, is the rough way. By rough I mean painful and deadly. But in all the pain she suffers, she finds one person that helps her. Fenrir the wolf. Fen, as Phoebe has taken to calling him, is trapped in a different world and those wanting Phoebe dead send demons and more after her, drawing the two closer to each other.

Fen... Mmmm. He is a hot catch! Fen sounds delicious but he's also the strength that Phoebe needs at her side too. He's old in human terms but he know much of the Asgard ways and beings. Without knowing it, he's teaching Phoebe about his world as they come across dangers.

I love that Phoebe is an honest person. She's not hiding information from Fen. Well, maybe one piece of information, but that will have to come out. Right? Even if it's not verified yet. Phoebe trusts Fen and doesn't want to lose the one person that's helped her in this crazy new world. I love how Phoebe is determined to keep her friends with her and all are to stay safe. This is a strong will that I find great in a character.

A modern day girl trying to make a living has collided with the mythical world of gods, demi-gods, demons, the hags, and many more powerful creatures. Phoebe is stronger than she ever thought, and will have to fight to not be a victim, and she's determined to do just that. A great story of Phoebe coming to her power but still needing to understand it, but she suffers along the way realizing she is more and can do much more than she thought. She comes across many things and people, but she knows she has much ahead of her to set straight the prophecy that the Norn (the three hags) will do anything to stop, including kill her.

This book is the beginning for Phoebe. She never knew of the mythical world or valkyries, demons, demigods, and more. Her eyes are opened to the world that exists parallel to the one she grew up in. We get to see, with Phoebe, the dangers present and why they want her. This story is Phoebe learning who and what she is, and accepting it to live. I'm curious to see how Phoebe grows in the books to come, now that she finally has seen the truth. I didn't feel as drawn to Phoebe in this book, but I wasn't turned off either. I liked what a saw and I'm wanting to see it grow with each book. We have a cast of characters that have their own troubles and complications that could conflict with each other, but they have knowledge and power between them that will come in handy.

The action that Amanda is known for writing is present in this book as well! There are terrible troubles at every turn that Phoebe has to face, along with decisions to make. If you enjoy Amanda's Jessica McClain series, you'll love this one too!