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A review by shona_reads_in_devon
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a welcome return to Elfhame. Following on about eight years after the Battle of the Serpent, the little queen, Suren is our FMC here, and Oak is a teenager on a quest.
Holly Black does great FMCs. Suren/Wren is every bit as complex and interesting as Jude was before her and it is the FMCs that keep me coming back to these novels. Wren's story is a heartbreaking one of neglect and trauma and reading her navigation of moving through that is, at times, painful. The rules of Faerieland don't lend easily to trusting relationships.
Oak is a fun character - it's easy to see how Wren is drawn in, against her better judgement. Watching Wren and Oak tease out the best and worst of each other was enjoyable to read.
I found the plot slightly slower, and the various machinations harder to keep track of this time - I didn't fall into this one as quickly as The Cruel Prince - Wren is no less compelling as an FMC I don't think, but this one felt immediately darker and heavier than The Cruel Prince.
In true Black fashion though, it's end is spectacular and left me needing to pick up the next one immediately - luckily I have it right here!
Holly Black does great FMCs. Suren/Wren is every bit as complex and interesting as Jude was before her and it is the FMCs that keep me coming back to these novels. Wren's story is a heartbreaking one of neglect and trauma and reading her navigation of moving through that is, at times, painful. The rules of Faerieland don't lend easily to trusting relationships.
Oak is a fun character - it's easy to see how Wren is drawn in, against her better judgement. Watching Wren and Oak tease out the best and worst of each other was enjoyable to read.
I found the plot slightly slower, and the various machinations harder to keep track of this time - I didn't fall into this one as quickly as The Cruel Prince - Wren is no less compelling as an FMC I don't think, but this one felt immediately darker and heavier than The Cruel Prince.
In true Black fashion though, it's end is spectacular and left me needing to pick up the next one immediately - luckily I have it right here!