Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 20/01/2023
Published by: Hot Key Books
ISBN: B0B3DZ69Y6
Cover:
It is pretty sad that the title, with its golden outline and gothic font, is the only thing I like about this cover. I am seriously unimpressed by the simple illustrations, which at least provide some references to the story.
Writing:
As expected from Holly Black, the narrative is evocative with a dark, mystical atmosphere. Not only is the fascinating world of Elfhame resurrected, but it is infused with new details and creatures that make it irresistible. I also enjoyed the rawness of Suran’s point of view, even though I would have loved to have Oak’s perspective too.
Sometimes life gives us the terrible gift of our own wishes come true.
Storyline:
The eerie start reeled me in and is cleverly used as a gateway to the world and characters. As the complex ties between Suren and Oak are gradually revealed, their quest and motives are also bared. However, the spotlight on these two characters and their personal journeys meant the story was slow-paced, with little action. Thankfully, various twists and turns kept the story interesting, and things were nicely set up for the sequel.
Main character:
Suren is a fierce protagonist whose pain and suspicion are rooted in her dreadful childhood. Even though it was a little clique, the awful treatment of her character created empathy from the start and made her realistic. It also made her growth and increasing self-confidence throughout the story even more satisfying. I cannot wait to see where this personal development leads her character in the next book, especially with that ending!
Some people laugh in the face of death. He laughs in the face of despair.
Secondary characters:
Given just how cunning and bloodthirsty Oak is presented, I craved his perspective to fully grasp the complexity of his character. Without this, it was hard to connect with Oak since his character is so enigmatic. The remaining characters add depth to the world and story, but none really drew my attention.
Romance:
The contrast between Suren and Oak, especially in their childhoods, is so well done it felt painful at times. Despite these differences and the mistrust between them, their attraction was undeniable. However, I needed their romance to progress slower and with more depth for me to become invested.
Narration & Audio:
I enjoyed the voices and tones used for the characters and various aspects of the story. Saskia Maarleveld’s narration nicely fits the dark atmosphere of the story and Suren’s compelling character.
Despite my nitpicking, ‘The Stolen Heir‘ is an entertaining character-driven story that takes readers on a quest through a fascinating magical world. My dissatisfaction likely comes from expectations for elaborate power plays and politics with a slow-burn romance similar to The Folk of the Air series. I would recommend The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen for those who loved this book, as it is also a character-driven fantasy story with untrusting leads.
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