I would like to suggest that you read this review(and book) only after reading ‘The folk of the Air’ series (I am totally recommending the series to everyone) so that you are more invested in this duology. ‘The Stolen Heir’ was a near perfect way to dive back into the world of Elfhame. Yes, NEAR perfect -you can stop giving me the stink eye- I really did think one or two things could have been written a little differently BUT, everything else – *chef’s kiss*.
When I looked at the cover the first words to come to my mind(no, actually at first I was freaking relieved that I get to drown myself in Elfhame again, irrelevant but still thought you guys should know) anyway the first words are “Oooooo that sword looks sharp!”. And it somehow manages to match the whole elfhame vibe.
I SWEAR, I was almost always on the very of tears while reading the first few chapters of this book. The way Wren(or Suren; our FMC) mentions her horrifying past in a matter-of-factly way and YET I could still feel the underlying torrent of suppressed sadness, anger, fear and at times even desolation. Writing in such a way is such an impressive and impactful feat.
I WILL go Jude Daurte on you if you even THINK about hurting Suren(cute innocent cinnamon roll that she is). Proof of innocence below.
‘It isn’t that mortals aren’t pretty -many of them are- but their beauty doesn’t make you feel pummeled by it. I feel a little pummeled by oak’s beauty. If I look at him too long, I want to take a bit out of him.’ – Wren
Wren’s got the grit of a survivor and the instinct of someone who’s danced with danger and lived to tell the tale. Wren’s thoughts seem so…human at times(that’s surprising because she’s fae; like even Jude’s thinking felt fae-ish and she’s human).
‘It’s possible that despite all his big talk and his pedigree, the prince has brought the knight along to make sure he doesn’t trip and impale himself on his own fancy sword.’ – Wren
Her inner monologue is very intriguing to read (especially when it’s about Oak).
‘Perhaps it is Oak who is the fool, who caught a wolf and thought that by putting it in a gown and speaking to it as though it were a girl, it would become one.’ – Wren
Oak, the charismatic prince whose smile can both disarm(possibly) and deceive(I don’t think so buddy, you ain’t fooling me here). I am not really that happy with his character. In cruel prince(folk of the air, #1) even though Oak was a side character, he seemed interesting. Now, not so much. Getting a few chapters from his pov would have made the plot better and him much more darling to me(I think). Well for now let’s just say Oakey boy needs to clean up his act. Fast.
“It can be brave to hate. Sometimes it’s like hope.” – Oak
The creepiest thing in the book was the poem in the beginning (*shudders*). And I honestly don’t know what to think of the map (other than ‘necessity triumphs neatness’).
Then there are Tiernan and Hyacinthe. Tiernan is the sarcastic grump to Oak’s sunshine(totally platonic) and Hyacinthe is their prisoner (now to know how this complicated scenario came to be, just read the book). These two definitely made the book more interesting.
“Some people are ridiculous” says Tiernan. “Especially when it comes to love.”
The only thing left to say to all those Elfhame deprived souls out there….WHAT are you waiting for?!? Read the darn book!!!!
Obsessed with the faeries now, are we? NO WORRIES! My review on ‘Emily wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries‘ to the rescue.
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