The Stolen Kingdom by Jillian Boehme
Hello Books Lovers,
Today I’m talking about another book read in the summer, another title of my august / september TBR. This one was sent to me months ago by Tor Teen, whom I thank, and is a high fantasy, young adult, called The Stolen Kingdom by Jillian Boehme.
The Stolen Kingdom was a pretty quick read. In itself the book is not very long, 300 pages, which went through quickly. The plot played a huge role in this. It’s written pretty well, and the world we find ourselves in, Perin Faye, is well built even if a few more details wouldn’t hurt. The boundaries are well defined, but a little more exploration would only have been a plus for the story. The number of pages probably had a big impact on that too.
As for the narrative instead, the chapters are divided between Mara and Alac, respectively the protagonist who discovers she has the powers and inheritance to ascend the throne, and the second son of the king who does not feel comfortable being only the second choice.
I will not hide the fact that for events and story this book is very close to Of Silver and Shadow. In the fact that magic is forbidden in the kingdom, the second son of the king who does not accept his role, and the protagonist who is able to use magic and could claim the throne and not to forget also the plan to kill the king. In short, it’s nothing that hasn’t already been written, even in the past. But in itself it’s a very nice story.
The most negative side for me is that the romantic component, which one would strongly expect in a young adult, is instead almost nil and very youthful, in the sense that it seems more a friendship than a romantic story. Let’s say it’s too transparent even for a young adult. The potential was all there, if only the story had been slightly different from usual. After all, being fluent is not all the beauty of a book.
Its official plot is as follows.
For a hundred years, the once-prosperous kingdom of Perin Faye has suffered under the rule of the greedy and power-hungry Thungrave kings. Maralyth Graylaern, a vintner’s daughter, has no idea her hidden magical power is proof of a secret bloodline and claim to the throne. Alac Thungrave, the king’s second son, has always been uncomfortable with his position as the spare heir—and the dark, stolen magic that comes with ruling.
When Maralyth becomes embroiled in a plot to murder the royal family and seize the throne, a cat-and-mouse chase ensues in an adventure of dark magic, court intrigue, and forbidden love.
