By Lucy Christopher
Genre YA Contemporary
Pages 301
Recommended by Me
First sentence You saw me before I saw you.
Synopsis
Written in letter form, Gemma writes to Ty,the man that kidnapped her from an airport in Bangkok, whisked her away to an Australian desert, and held her captive for over a month.
What it has going for it
I needed something more engaging than the current books I was reading to entertain me on my flight. I hate flying, I get a bit claustrophobic, so I needed something engaging and Stolen fit the bill. I've always had an obsession with stockholm syndrome, probably because it messes with the reader, or watcher's head and I kinda like that, and while this book didn't exactly claim to be about stockholm syndrom, it was a letter from a girl to her captor. Interesting right? It was, very interesting and very engrossing. It did a stupendous job distracting me during my flight. I was entranced from the first page. Gemma was believable and sympathetic, thank goodness, because if she hadn't been I might have found her gullibility at the beginning of the book infuriating. Her strength and determination throughout the book was also admirable. Ty, oh, Ty, if Gemma didn't suffer from stockholm syndrome, I certainly did! I felt for him, I really did! The author did an amazing job of creating a bad guy with a story worth pitying.
What's lacking
The style, sort of a second person, confused me sometimes. I don't know why, I don't consider myself that dense but, yeah. This is a heartbreaking, depression inducing story. There is very little hope and no joy to be found within these pages. The ending frustrated me too, there wasn't enough closure and I wasn't happy with Gemma's decision. I'm afraid the ending sorta ruined it for me.
Favorite moment
When Gemma finds out about Ty's role in her life before being kidnapped. Specifically the almost rape.
Yea or Nay?
Yes, it's a very fast, engaging read, but don't expect a joyous ending.
Oh man. It sounds like I am going to definitely enjoy this one. I find stockholm syndrome interesting too, so this has been up there on my list to read. I'll have to move it up and make sure to read it this summer. :)
ReplyDeleteI wonder what you'll think. I look forward to your thoughts.
Deletei kind of want to read this one, but I'm not sure it's for me. I like lots of joy and giggles, even with my heartbreak.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this ones pretty depressing.
DeleteOh, I've read this one already! I liked it, but hated the ending. What was up with that? Definitely made me feel like I needed to make up my own proper ending because there was NO closure. I demand a sequel!
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, it's quite good for a contemp YA.
Yeah, I can kind of see why she ended it the way she did but it sure didn't leave a good taste in my mouth.
DeleteSo ... when you say "don't expect a joyous ending" I should remember 500 Days of Summer and how it told me not to expect a love story and then I did still and then I was disappointed?
ReplyDeleteExactly. Don't think it will have good ending. It doesn't. Not really.
DeleteI'm assuming it's not a true story? I don't know if I can stomach it if it is. Stockholm Syndrome is certainly interesting and the author really knows how to create characters if she makes the evil guy relateable. I just hear the line almost rape and want to punch something. I think I'm way too violent.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a true story...that I know of. And there's no rape so you're good.
DeleteEeep!! Great review, Jenny! I think I felt the same way. It's a great read, but a little disturbing and scary so I wouldn't recommend it for the weak-hearted. Lucy Christopher's story telling is so beautiful and amazing isn't it? I loved how at first I HATED Ty at first, but then totally fell for him. I think I actually might have shed a tear or two at the ending. Amazing review!!
ReplyDeletexx
Riya (The Teen Book Guru)
Yeah, the author did such a good job making you feel and relate to the characters. Particularly Ty.
DeleteNot my favorite read. I couldn't ever lose my startled awareness of the second tense (all the "you's") to really get into the story, although I did finish it. The sheer number of times "you" was used got really old.
ReplyDeleteYeah, all the "yous" got tiresome and caused me some confusion.
DeleteI've been wanting to read this for a while now but what you say about the ending has put me off a little - I want a happy ending!
ReplyDeleteSorry but this one doesn't have a happy ending. It's not a horrible ending just sad.
Deletewow - sounds like one I'd love.
ReplyDeleteOh, good. We so rarely read the same type of books. ;)
DeleteI liked this one, too, although I agree that it's not a joyful, touchy-feely type book. It's definitely disturbing, but very, very compelling.
ReplyDeleteYes, very compelling but sad.
DeleteIt does sound like an interesting one.
ReplyDeleteYou should read it. You can borrow it if you'd like.
Delete