Caught Between Worlds—A Review of The Stricken

I had The Stricken on my reading list since it came out on my birthday this year. Because I had a few ARCs and a lot of other books waiting in line, I only got to it this month. Oh boy, I'm glad I did because it fits perfectly with the spooky season—dark fantasy, dystopian vibe and the eternal battle between good and evil.

The Stricken by Morgan Shamy is a contemporary YA fantasy with a unique magic system and parallel worlds. Reading this story was an unexpected experience as the book was so different from anything I’ve ever read.

What I loved

Clara, oblivious to her dual existence, discovers the truth when her mother starts disappearing and her classmates, previously in an almost zombie-like state because of the ongoing storm, start to regain their senses. It is at that precise moment that Clara makes her first jump back to a world she had previously forgotten. The world that Clara has been living in has been strange ever since she was seven years old. Following her father’s disappearance, over time, all the people in her life, including her mother, have started to disappear both mentally and physically.

The magic system is intricate, almost like a combination of many other magic systems. You’ve got those who can control the elements, others who can enter minds, and of course, there’s blood magic. It took me a while for things to make sense, but once that happened, I was hooked.

Awesome YA fantasy with a captivating storyline, awesome characters, and twists that grab your attention and make you want to keep reading. This was an emotional rollercoaster.

I loved Clara as a character. Not only is she strong and clever (most of the times), but she also has a romantic side. I loved how she fiercely protected the people she cares about. The love interests were on point and the ending twist was so good!

What didn’t resonate with me

Despite enjoying this story very much, I found the beginning a bit confusing. I don’t mean that it lacked clarity, but it was a bit too fast-paced. I had so many questions and I wished for more build up. Also, I felt Clara should question more. But let’s not forget she’s a teenager, so maybe I want too much.

The first part of the book left me feeling confused as I tried to unravel the magic history, the dual lives people lead, and the reasons behind being trapped in one life.

Clara is sometimes oblivious to obvious facts.

Themes/Tropes

• People living parallel lives. It gave me Inception vibes.
• Unique love triangle, but I can’t elaborate without giving away spoilers.
• Memory loss
• Battle between good and evil

Final thoughts

I recommend The Stricken by Morgan Shamy to lovers of dark fantasy filled with plot twists, specifically YA readers who previously enjoyed V. E. Schwab. Keep in mind this is a fast-paced story, so you've got to keep up with the plot. This book has it all: fantasy, magic, horror, mystery, teen drama. I think it’s a perfect read for the spooky season.