Reviewed: August 8th, 2021
Released: November 12th, 2019
Genre: Gay Fantasy Romance
Once upon a time, in an alleyway in the slums of the City of Lockes, a young and somewhat lonely boy named Sam Haversford turns a group of teenage douchebags into stone completely by accident.
Of course, this catches the attention of a higher power, and Sam’s pulled from the only world he knows to become an apprentice to the king’s wizard, Morgan of Shadows.
When Sam’s 14, he enters the Dark Woods and returns with Gary, the hornless gay unicorn, and a half-giant named Tiggy, earning the moniker Sam of Wilds.
At 15, Sam learns what love truly is when a new knight arrives at the castle – Knight Ryan Foxheart, the dreamiest dream to have ever been dreamed.
Naturally, it all goes to hell when Ryan dates the reprehensible Prince Justin, Sam can’t control his magic, a sexually aggressive dragon kidnaps the prince, and the king sends them on an epic quest to save Ryan’s boyfriend, all while Sam falls more in love with someone he can never have.
Or, so he thinks.
Helen’s thoughts:
Brilliant! Just brilliant! Such a clever, well written book. And Michael Lesley’s narration was amazing! I loved the characterization and now when I hear Michael’s voice I can absolutley picture Gary, the gay unicorn who reminds me of Donkey from Shrek! and Ryan, the dreamiest knight ever seen, and Sam the apprentice wizard who just can’t keep his mouth shut. Just when you think things are going right, they all go wrong, and if you need a masterclass on presenting obstacles in front of your characters then this is it!
This story is so gay, but don’t expect the usual romance trope. You’ll love Gary’s rainbow and sugar sweet centre, and his sparklingly, glittery unicorn fury, and it is so worth it, as each character is so richly described and plays their part. Sam is an apprentice wizard, who seems to be a magnet for trouble, but he has a heart of gold and manages to achieve the unexpected and collect a menagerie of wonderful friends around him. He falls for the dreamy Ryan Foxheart but so has the Prince, and Ryan always seems just out of his reach, even though Ryan makes Sam feel so good! Expect to be drawn into a dreamy love story interrupted by cringingly embarrasing episodes. You’ll run the gamut of emotions whilst also laughing out loud!
I listened to the audio book, and Michael Lesley’s narration was fantastic.
About the Author:
TJ KLUNE is a Lambda Literary Award-winning author (Into This River I Drown) and an ex-claims examiner for an insurance company. His novels include the Green Creek series, The House on the Cerulean Sea and The Exraordinaries. Being queer himself, TJ believes it’s important–now more than ever–to have accurate, positive, queer representation in stories.
You can find TJ on:
You can purchase: The Lightening Struck Heart
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my books which are available in eBook or paperback: Book One: Sentinals Awaken. Book Two: Sentinals Rising. Book Three: Sentinals Justice (Preorder). Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 