Stolen

The Stolen Series, Book 1

By: Marlena Frank

Narrated by: Caoilainn O'Horen

It’s difficult taking care of a delusional father by yourself. Sixteen-year-old Shaleigh Mallet would rather explore and photograph dilapidated buildings than cater to her father’s dark episodes. But when she’s kidnapped by a creature who carries her atop a flying bicycle into another world, she realizes this wasn’t the escape she wanted.

In a kingdom known as the Garden, where minotaurs pull carriages and parties are held in hot air balloons, Madam Cloom and her faerie servant, Teagan, rule over the land with incredible but terrifying magic. Shaleigh must prove that she is the reincarnation of a long-dead ruler, not because she believes it, but because it’s her only chance to survive. With the help of a trespassing faerie, a stoatling, and a living statue, Shaleigh hopes to outwit everyone. She aims to break the bonds of servitude and finally make her way home. What she doesn’t realize, however, is that she’s playing right into the hands of a far worse enemy.

©2019 Machovia Productions INC (P)2020 Machovia Productions INC

Really enjoyable!

First off, I loved Shaleigh as our MC, I trusted her voice and her story as we followed along her journey. She finds herself in a brand new world, and she didn't let that fact throw her off in the least - she was a strong voice throughout the story. Her goals never waivered, and the love for her delusional father never faltered. I really enjoyed all the characters we met along the way as well. There were so many different and unique personalities present, and it was very dialogue driven when I liked. This is the first in a series, so it's a happy for now ending/cliffhanger instead of an HEA... just a heads up.

I really enjoyed the narrator as well, the techniques used to make voices and parts of the story stand out were well done. Her voice was very easy to listen to. I got sucked in because the story telling was just as good as the story I was being told!

A book just as fascinating the second time around

This marks the second time I've read this book, and it's just as magical as the first time I dove in. I listened to this in the shower, cooking dinner, working out, and even as I was writing other reviews for other books; I couldn't stop. The narrator is great with the different voices and encompassed the beauty of Marlena's words.