Friday, September 4, 2009

Book Review: The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

When her adoptive mother Grace dies, Kat takes her sister Anna and heads to London, hoping to discover the truth about her origins. There she becomes a favorite of Queen Elizabeth’s court and because of her red hair, rumors abound that she is the Virgin Queen’s secret daughter…

There is something so fascinating to me about the Elizabethan era and about Queen Elizabeth herself – her story, her manner, and all the intrigue that surrounded her life. Although we hear a lot about her, there is still something profoundly mysterious about her too. That’s why it is an especially intriguing angle to tell the story from Kat’s perspective – a mysterious red-haired orphan who his searching for her identity and finds it in QE’s court.

To say I was enthralled is an understatement. In fact, I wish it could have been even longer than its’ 416 pages because Kat was such an appealing character to hang out with – curious, bright, passionate, and unpredictable. I loved the vividly realized historical details of the court and fashions of the time. Oh and I loved the writing – especially this line:

Grace had always said something similar – that God sent us coincidences to warn us a bigger truth was on its way. (p 264)

THE STOLEN ONE is available in hardcover now. Find out more about the book at the author’s website. And come back later today (or tomorrow) for an amazing cover story and giveaway prize pack worth over $100!!

81 comments:

bermudaonion said...

Now I need to read the book so I can discover Kat's identity too!

PJ Hoover said...

Wow, your review really makes me want to read it!

Yan said...

yay! I'm so glad you liked it! Knew that you wanted it pretty badly so I'm happy that didn't disappoint you :)

Erica said...

I still need to read The Stolen One - your review makes me want to read it all the more :) I love the Elizbethan era as well.

Katie said...

Great review! I'm definitely going to add this to my wishlist! :)

Kelsey said...

This looks amazing. I really want to read it(:

Rebecca Herman said...

I agree that this book was wonderful, I loved it as well! great review.

Melanie said...

This sounds like a really interesting book. That era is fascinating. I'm excited to see what the prize pack will be! :)

Anonymous said...

So glad you love it! :) I've been looking forward to reading it; it's uber high on my wish list.

Cecelia said...

Oh, this one looks so good! I've got it on reserve at the library...just need to find time to read, and space to put it! Great review.

Staci said...

I am in love with this time period. I read a fantastic book by Alison Weir, entitled Life of Elizabeth I...totally was sucked in. This one sounds like another great glimpse into this era!! I'm going over to my library site right now to request it!!

Here's a link to Elizabeth I book so you can read a synopsis if you're interested.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/111222.The_Life_of_Elizabeth_I

MySharonAnne said...

nice review. It seems like I've had this book sitting on my shelf forever.

P.S. Unable to control myself any longer (your brain just smells so good!), I bit you! Get cured here

Unknown said...

Oh, this one sounds brilliant. I love Elizabethan times, and the angle on this one is great.

kay - Infinite Shelf said...

Wow, it sounds really good!
I was considering maybe reading it, but now I'll definitely will! I love books inspired by the period.

Kelly said...

Katniss, Katsa...I loved them so I wonder if I will love this Kat? :)

Sounds great, thanks for the review!

Thao said...

I think this book is starting to grow on me.

kalea_kane said...

A wonderfully enticing review, Lenore! Thank you!

Jenny said...

Great review! I have just been reading about Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, so this sounds perfect.

Ellie said...

This review definitely enticed me to read the book!

Liz said...

This looks like such a great book! Great Review!
-Liz :P

Eleni said...

Great review, I can't wait to read this book!

Margay Leah Justice said...

Well, I have to say that I'm intrigued by this story because of its unique angle and, yes, because I am the mother of a redhead, so I'm kind of partial to them! This is definitely a book that is on my radar. Thanks for the nice review!
Margay

Brooke Reviews said...

Well, this sounds more interesting than what I originally thought. Thanks for the review. :D

Unknown said...

Ooh, I love the Elizabethan era. Definitely adding to my to read pile.

Mel (He Followed Me Home) said...

I love it when a book wows you, will have to check this out, thanks!

Briana said...

I really want to read this book. I love the cover! Great review :)

-Marisa

Unknown said...

I hadn't heard of this book before your review. Now I think I'll be adding it to my TBR pile! Thanks for the review.

melissa @ 1lbr said...

That is a pretty convincing review! Now I'm itching to read it just from your praise!

Liviania said...

I'm glad you liked this one. And I'm even more happy that it went beyond "like," because reading an awesome book is always fun.

Beth F said...

I wanted to read this before, but now I *really* want to read it!

Chelle S. said...

Sounds great! I love Elizabethan stories.

Priya said...

This looks interesting -- I'm definitely going to check this one out!

Pam said...

I am also intrigued by Queen Elizabeth I. Great review!

melacan at hotmail dot com

Diana Dang said...

I look forward to this one!

Jolynn said...

That sounds like an interesting book.
Jolynn_Reads at yahoo

Unknown said...

I love the review. I cant wait to get the book, since I love books about older eras.

throuthehaze said...

Great Review! I love the cover of the book...very pretty.

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

After reading your review, I immediately added this book to my TBR pile! Thanks for the review!

Amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

Memory said...

Sounds intriguing. I'm a total sucker for red haired protagonists, too, so that's a happy bonus. :)

DogEar said...

I'm also a sucker for a good historical fiction and this looks right up my alley. I've just put a copy on hold from my library!

nicole.politi [at] gmail.com

holdenj said...

I'm very curious now about Kat's identity! It looks like a great historical mystery and I like that Kat is such a strong character.

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

Emilee said...

So excited to read this book!

Alexis AKA MOM said...

that does sound like a good one, I'm adding it to my must read list :). I do like the cover of it too, it really does bring you in!

Alyssa F said...

This has been sitting on my shelf forever, but I haven't yet picked it up. Thanks for giving me the final push to do so!

Kaylyn said...

This sounds like something I would read, thanks for the review!

Bianca said...

I'm glad you enjoyed reading this book! I haven't read anything like this before, but I think I'd enjoy this one a lot!

Nice review! :)

Bianca

Zibilee said...

I am definitely putting this book on my wish list. It sounds like a really incredible read, and I also really like books set in that time period. Great review, it really lit a fire under me!

Zibilee said...

I am definitely putting this book on my wish list. It sounds like a really incredible read, and I also really like books set in that time period. Great review, it really lit a fire under me!

Zibilee said...

I am definitely putting this book on my wish list. It sounds like a really incredible read, and I also really like books set in that time period. Great review, it really lit a fire under me!

jpetroroy said...

This looks great!

Elizabeth said...

I like that line you quoted too. For some reason, I read the cover as being a fairy tale story. But I like historical fiction too!

Jenn M. said...

I love historical fictions...especiallly those set in the Elizabethan era. I'm with you, the cover is beautiful. The striking contrast between the red of her hair and the green background is very eye-catching.

Great review. It really makes me what to read it!

Anonymous said...

The Elizabethan era is one of my favorite historical periods--I simply love books set at that time! This book sounds really good...great review! :D

Jess (The Cozy Reader) said...

I'm a huge historical fan. The setting of London and the description of clothes are my favorite things of historical books. It sounds like a great read! :)

Kelsi Rose said...

I want to read this book, I love historical fiction and it sounds right up my alley.

karen! said...

This book sounds fantastic (and I completely agree with you about Elizabeth). I need to remember to tell my mom about it because I think she'll like it too.

Andrea said...

Great review! The cover caught my eye and your review makes me want to read the book even more!

cheryl c said...

Wonderful review. I love reading historical fiction, and I am especially fascinated by the Elizabethan era.

Simply_Megan said...

My friend and I saw this book in Seventeen Magazine and both really wanted to read it. Now I just have to get her to lend me her copy...

Thanks for the review!

Anonymous said...

Great review! And I love the cover.

Natalie said...

this sounds so interesting!! it kinda reminds me of The Red Queen's Daughter by Jacqueline Kolosov, which is also set during Elizabeth's reign!

mrsshukra said...

Thanks for bringing this book to my attention!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing some info on this book. I just added it to my to-read list the other day, but now I'm even more excited about reading it!

flowerchild said...

you got my attention..this book sounds great..
great review..
thanks

flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com

Pissenlit said...

Oh, interesting. I don't think I've ever really read a book set in the Elizabethan era. Or at least not set in the queen's court.

Pixie said...

Great review- I've added this to my TBR pile.

Raspberry said...

I am very excited to read this book - it looks just wonderful.

Daphne said...

I loved that line as well!

KiraR said...

I'll definitely have to add this to my TBR list - love historical fiction. Pretty cover, definitely an eye-catcher!

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

This book is a must read for me so thanks very much for this review!!!

Unknown said...

Your review has piqued my interest about Kat! She sounds like a captivating character, intereasting and full of life. I can't even imagine what it would feel like to be though of as the Queen's daughter but I'd love to read the book and find out!

You've written a great review that makes me want to read this book! Thank you!

Sadako said...

Great review as usual, Lenore, and I can't wait to read it.

Anonymous said...

The cover alone would have gotten me to pick it up, but that line about coincidences got it officially added to my TBR list.
~Bella

Zombie Girrrl said...

Nice review! I don't normally go for historic fiction, but you've grabbed my atttention. :)

Rebecca N. said...

You make me really interested in reading this book! Great review!

DeNiSe said...

Kats sound like a character that i like to read about Great review as always :)

~The Book Pixie said...

I love historical fiction, especially when it is set during the Tudor period. Plus this is YA, so I just know I'll love it. It sounds so intriguing and I just want to read it even more now that I've seen your review. I agree with you. I love that line you mentioned. Oh, and the cover is STUNNING! lol. Glad you enjoyed this book so much. Great review.

~Briana

Marie (MUM) said...

This sounds like a fabulous book! Great review.

Marie

Mrs. Katz said...

Looking forward to reading this...

Paradox said...

This book sounds incredible, and the cover is so beautiful and mysterious! I definitely want to read it!

Unknown said...

Definitely one to out on my TBR list!