Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Canadian Spotlight Month: Review - Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey
Series: Standalone
Published: January 17th, 2012
Publisher: Walker Childrens
288 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Young adult fantasy
Acquired this book: From the library
{GoodReads || Purchase this book: Book Depository || Amazon}

For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them.


Stolen Away was a great, original story about friendship, love, and the fae. I love anything to do with faeries, and I always appreciate a unique spin, something that hasn’t been done over and over, and this book definitely delivered in that respect. It was really cool that the fae weren’t typical fae, and that the royal courts weren’t what every other faerie story has already done.

This book had a lot of really well-developed characters. The point of view alternated between best friends, Eloise and Jo. Eloise is seemingly quiet and shy, but she’s much tougher and stronger than she appears. Jo is the outgoing one, and she’s absolutely boy crazy. Their friend and sidekick Devin lives in a fantasy world, which is ironic because as things unfold, it’s like he gets to live in one of his fantastical stories for real. Lucas and Eldric, the love interests, were possibly my favourite characters. Lucas was old-fashioned and chivalrous, and Eldric was sexy and mysterious.

I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Faerie. From beautiful to dark and dangerous, it was vivid and enchanting. The story held my interest throughout, and I found myself always wondering what was going to happen next.

I’m not going to lie, I prefer Harvey’s Drake Chronicles, but Stolen Away was a nice break from the norm, and readers get a chance to see just how far Ms. Harvey’s imagination can stretch, and what a true creative talent she has. Overall, Stolen Away has a bit of everything - fantasy, romance, action, humour, intrigue. I definitely recommend this one.
 Have you read Stolen Away? Do you enjoy books about the fae? Have you read Alyxandra Harvey's Drake Chronicles? 
Be sure to come back next week (and, of course, hopefully sooner!), because Alyx is going to have a guest post and giveaway for us as part of Canadian Spotlight Month.
 
This post has been part of the Canadian Spotlight Month. Click the graphic below to check out the schedule and all things Canadian here at Ramblings of a Daydreamer. 
 

1 comment:

  1. OOH. What you said about the characters definitely has me interested! Harvey's books, or a few of them at least, have been on my TBR for awhile now. Now I remember why! Great review, Marie - you're so awesome at giving us a taste of why we should read a book without giving it all away!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting Ramblings of a Daydreamer! I love hearing what you have to say, and I appreciate every single comment. I hope to see you here again soon! ♥
~Marie

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