Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher

To see the spoiler review go here.

Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Chrtistopher

5 stars

Stolen opens up with a sixteen-year-old girl named Gemma who just had a fight with her parents in a train station. She decides to get coffee and get away from them. While she’s getting coffee she meets Ty. She feels like she’s met him before, but can’t think of where. After talking to him, he offers to fix her coffee for her. While fixing the coffee, Ty drugs her and kidnaps her. Ty takes Gemma to the Australian outback. It becomes obvious to Gemma that getting out won’t be easy and maybe Ty isn’t a monster after all. Stolen is one of my favorite books that I’ve ever come across (speaking of which reminds me I need to modify my favorites shelf). This book is a beautiful tale of a girl that is kidnapped and her fight for survival. She writes this story in as a letter to her captor, Ty. I immediately went into this book thinking it would be similar to Living Dead Girl. I was very wrong. Living Dead Girl was a beautiful heartbreaking tale, but this book… this book… is something so much different from your average kidnapping tale.


The main female character is Gemma. I love Gemma. I wanted her to break free and then I wanted her to be with Ty. I didn’t know what I wanted. I loved how Gemma and the camel they capture is a symbol for Gemma. It made me so sad and I felt like the symbol of something so small could mean so much to this book. I still want to know what happens to Gemma after the (view spoiler) but I think what we were left with is enough. I think Gemma is very naïve. She was far too trusting of Ty when she met him. I would never let a guy fix me coffee that I just met. I probably wouldn’t even let my guy friends. Let’s be honest I wouldn’t be drinking coffee in the first place since I am a coffee hater. Gemma’s being so trusting landed her in a situation she didn’t want to be in or think she would ever be in. Gemma was very naïve even while trying to escape, but I think anyone would be in a time of panic. Gemma felt real.


Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 9.5

The main male character is Ty. I think I’m still suffering with a case of Stockholm syndrome. I read this book in March and I still love Ty, but hate him all the same. I’m a lot like Gemma in the situation. I don’t know whether to hate his guts always, but there are times when you see his sweet side and you want to hold him. Ty’s had it rough. Rougher than I would’ve expected and I just want to whisk him away from the terrible hate he’s faced. I felt everything Gemma felt the hate towards him, but also everything else. Ty is a character that I’m conflicted over, but I know for certain that he’s one character that I wanted to be happy. I hope Christopher had in her mind’s eye that he would one day.

Swoon Worthy Scale: 9.5

The Villain- It’s hard to describe it when you’re villain is also somewhat of a love interest. I do love that Ty never forced Gemma to do anything though. He was sweet and not as vicious as some would want him to be if they were into that kind of stuff.


Villain Scale: 8




I just like the design. It's cute.
 
Just because this made me laugh at the cuteness.
 
If you couldn't tell already I really liked the camel in this story. Here's another.
 
I'm more of a llama girl, but I really liked this camel.

Character Scale: 9.5

This book isn’t for everybody. Some may find that this book is too real for them in terms of Stockholm syndrome. Others might not think it’s their kind of book. I also had a friend who didn’t like it because she couldn’t understand the prose. I found the prose easy to read and beautiful but not everyone is me. Christopher is definitely an amazing writer. There’s no doubt about it. I recommend giving this book a shot especially if it doesn’t sound like your type of book at least think about it. I think it’s one of those books that are worth leaving a comfort zone for.


Cover Thoughts: I love the cover. It’s simple, but beautiful. In a way feel like it fits this story Gemma and Ty’s tale. I like the butterfly it’s so simple and just perfect.