Stolen by Lucy Christopher: Book Review

STOLEN by Lucy Christopher Book Review

I’m just finishing up Stolen by Lucy Christopher, but I decided to write a blog about it now anyways. Stolen is one of the galleys that I mentioned in my earlier post that I got on my last day of internship. Since then, I haven’t been able to read it mostly because I was finishing up the Luxe series and I had lent it to my cousin, Mikee, and my younger sister. Kimmy had gotten a copy of it as well, and she raved about how good it was. Since getting the approval of Kimmy is a rare and glorious thing, I knew it had to be good. I finally got around to reading it this week. I have been neglecting my tree-killer books lately, choosing to read everything on my Nook, but I decided to give my Nook a rest for the time being.

For those not familiar with the book, here is a brief synopsis:

Book Summary: Sixteen year old Gemma is kidnapped from Bangkok airport and taken to the Australian Outback. This wild and desolate landscape becomes almost a character in the book, so vividly is it described. Ty, her captor, is no stereotype. He is young, fit and completely gorgeous. This new life in the wilderness has been years in the planning. He loves only her, wants only her. Under the hot glare of the Australian sun, cut off from the world outside, can the force of his love make Gemma love him back? The story takes the form of a letter, written by Gemma to Ty, reflecting on those strange and disturbing months in the outback. Months when the lines between love and obsession, and love and dependency, blur until they don’t exist – almost.

I found that the book was really easy to get into. I picked it up, and I was easily sucked in. Most of the time, I hate reading the development. They’re boring. To me, it takes a good author to suck you right into the plot. If I hadn’t made myself stop last night, I would have been able to read this all in one go. I have fifty pages to go. (I actually managed to stop myself to go to bed right at the story’s climax. Wow.)

Furthermore, I love Gemma’s voice throughout the novel. I can see myself saying the things that she writes, reacting the same way that I would do if, God forbid, I was put into her situation.In addition to Gemma, I love Ty. Though he is the bad guy, I am put into such a great conflict because he is very handsome and, other than the fact that he kidnapped Gemma, seems like a nice guy. I find myself rooting for him, even if I know I’m not supposed to. I just want to give the bad guy a hug.

The imagery is so vivid in this story, I can practically taste the sand of the Australian desert in my  mouth. Lucy Christopher can really paint a picture with words. I feel that I’ve gained an appreciation for the landscape just by reading this book.

Things that Stolen remind me of:

• Australia (the movie) – Like for the most part of the movie, the book is set in the middle of nowhere of the Australian desert. I think seeing this movie really helps me picture the setting in my mind. Hugh Jackman and his bronzed skin in the movie also helps me picture Ty.
• Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott – Similar to Stolen since the girl gets kidnapped, but different since the antagonist is just a plain creeper.

Overall, I am finding that I am really enjoying this story. It is living up to my expectations, thank goodness. Now, off to finally finish this book.