Skip to main content

Stolen by Jessica Titone: A Book Review

Stolen
Author: Jessica Titone
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Jessica Titone
Release Date: November 24, 2017
Pages: 232
Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: In the twilight days of World War II, seventeen year old Ella's heart is broken when her partner, Jesse, mysteriously vanishes from their London ballet school. A search for him proves futile, leaving Ella to take matters into her own hands. Lured by a strange melody, she ventures through an old attic door and emerges in an idyllic, magical land. There she meets Wren, who instills in her the ways of the forest and fear of the mountain queen. The quest to rescue her lost love forces Ella down a path that questions her loyalty, tests her fortitude, and examines her heart's deepest desires.

      My Review: Ella is a student at a ballet academy that dreams of becoming a ballerina. She falls for her partner, Jesse. Just before their romance begins, Jesse disappears without a trace. Heartbroken, Ella is determined to find him. During her search, she stumbles upon a magical new land called Arcadia. She learns that Jesse is a prisoner of the realm’s queen. Can Ella rescue him or will she lose him for good?

       Ella is a fun and lovable character. She is very ambitious and loves to read poems. At times, she can be strange because she loves to talk to herself. However, she always likes to see the good in others. I really thought her character grows when she is in Arcadia. She is forced to make hard decisions and to trust in others. It was interesting to see how Ella matures into a strong heroine. Ella is not a person who gives up easily. Thus, Ella is a tough character, and I kept rooting for her to find happiness.

      Overall, this book is about friendship, loss, and choices. I thought the characters were well-developed. However, I thought the kindling romance between Jesse and Ella was rushed and would have liked it to have developed more slowly. I also did not get a good grasp of the world-building of Arcadia and would have liked a more explanation of the world. The plot was a bit slow-moving at times. However, it was full of magic and mystery that kept me at the edge of my seat reading! I wanted to find out what would happen to Ella in the end! It was a very heart-wrenching story that captivated me from the first page. While it has a satisfactory ending, I would love to have a sequel. I want to see what the aftermath of the journey lies in wake of these characters. Stolen was a beautiful emotional story that is perfect for fans of fantasy and fairy-tale lovers. I recommend this for fans of The Snow Queen, Sun, Moon, Ice and Snow, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Right Worthy Woman by Ruth P. Watson: A Book Review

A Right Worthy Woman Author: Ruth P. Watson Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Atria Books Release Date: 2023 Pages: 303 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In the vein of The Personal Librarian and The House of Eve , a “remarkable and stirring novel” (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author) based on the inspiring true story of Virginia’s Black Wall Street and the indomitable Maggie Lena Walker, the daughter of a formerly enslaved woman who became the first Black woman to establish and preside over a bank in the United States.       Maggie Lena Walker was ambitious and unafraid. Her childhood in 19th-century Virginia helping her mother with her laundry service opened her eyes to the overwhelming discrepancy between the Black residents and her mother’s affluent white clients. She vowed to not only secure the same kind of home and finery for herself, but she would also help others in her community achi...
1 comment
Read more

The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across The AncientWorld by Adrienne Mayor: A Book Review

The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across The Ancient World Author:  Adrienne Mayor Genre: Nonfiction, History Publisher: Princeton University Press Release Date: 2014 Pages: 530 Source: My State Public Library Synopsis: Amazons—fierce warrior women dwelling on the fringes of the known world—were the mythic archenemies of the ancient Greeks. Heracles and Achilles displayed their valor in duels with Amazon queens, and the Athenians reveled in their victory over a powerful Amazon army. In historical times, Cyrus of Persia, Alexander the Great, and the Roman general Pompey tangled with Amazons.      But just who were these bold barbarian archers on horseback who gloried in fighting, hunting, and sexual freedom? Were Amazons real? In this deeply researched, wide-ranging, and lavishly illustrated book, National Book Award finalist Adrienne Mayor presents the Amazons as they have never been seen before. This is the first comprehensive account of warrio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Queen of Exiles by Vanessa Riley: A Book Review

Queen of Exiles Author: Vanessa Riley Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: William Morrow Release Date: 2023 Pages: 447 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Acclaimed historical novelist Vanessa Riley is back with another novel based on the life of an extraordinary Black woman from history: Haiti’s Queen Marie-Louise Christophe, who escaped a coup in Haiti to set up her own royal court in Italy during the Regency era, where she became a popular member of royal European society.       The Queen of Exiles is Marie-Louise Christophe, wife and then widow of Henry I, who ruled over the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti in the wake of the brutal Haitian Revolution.      In 1810 Louise is crowned queen as her husband begins his reign over the first and only free Black nation in the Western Hemisphere. But despite their newfound freedom, Haitians still struggle under mountains of debt to France and indiffe...
Post a Comment
Read more