Bookworm Blogger #YA: Review: Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND BLOOMSBURY FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION

Synopsis:
For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them.

Review:
I'm not a great Faery fan, I'll say that now so you understand. I enjoyed Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa immensely but bearing in mind that they aren't faery stories in the traditional sense, and I was swayed by the characters more than the writing.

Alyxandra Harvey's Stolen Away is more of a traditional Faery tale. It tells a thoroughly adventurous story that would be up there with CS Lewis' Narnian Chronicles. From the beginning, with the arrival of Lucas, you can just tell that everything is not as it seems.

Our 2 POVs are different to say the least. You truly get a different angle of this delightful adventure. Eloise is quieter but funny and quirky and I enjoyed Jo's POV immensely with her devil-may-care attitude.

The writing is beautiful and Harvey really pulls it out of the bag with her storytelling. Jo's use of English words may not work in favour of the character though. Sometimes it felt a little forced and unnecessary.

The only issue I really have with the book is the reading age. In my opinion this was a book which should be aimed at younger teenagers rather than YA. The only reason I would say it was YA to begin with was a) use of english swearing, and b)the romances which occur with Eloise/Lucas and Jo/Eldric. In most YA books if you take away the romance the story is quite simple, whereas here the story was quite complex and involved and I couldn't help thinking that the romance got in the way. This is obviously only my opinion.

On the whole, its a great read for Faery Fey fans everywhere. Great work, Harvey!