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3.72 AVERAGE


to-read

*Disclaimer* I enjoyed this book but cannot recommend it because of the language. If you can get your hands on an edited copy, I think it is well worth the read!

I knew before I stared the book that the story was about Stockholm syndrome. I was prepared for it. . . And yet, I still felt like I was taken for an emotional ride. I was amazed at how well Christopher took our natural emotions, to hate the kidnapper, and turned them into confusion and even admiration at some points. I hated myself for cheering for the bad guy. For the first time ever, Stockholm syndrome seemed real and completely plausible to me. I loved the ending and felt it perfectly wrapped up the story. I would have rated the book 5 stars but I am taking off a star for language. If the author can’t find another way to express emotion other than swearing . . . she has a long way to go in my opinion.

Where to begin? After reading the last page of this book, my feelings are all over the place. I loved the build up and the descriptive narration. I loved how the POV is from Gemma, but it is her writing the story to Ty. I loved that!

I might actually have Stockholm Syndrome for a fictional person. I can completely understand how it would be easy to fall into that behavior because Ty was actually a nice guy. He knows what he did is wrong, but his reasoning for the kidnapping falls into the “knight in shining armor” mentality in his head.

Even though Gemma fights him every step of the way, she does start to understand him and come to care for him. By the end of the story I was in tears. You can feel the heart break Ty experiences when the hardest decision he has to make comes sooner than later.

This book was a rollercoaster. The way that Lucy Christopher makes the reader develop Stockholm Syndrome with Gemma is so interesting and smart. At first, I expected to hate Ty for the entire book. I was creeped out by his mood swings and the fact that he said he loved Gemma. But as the book went along, both me and Gemma started to understand him and why he is the way that he is. It was still wrong that he kidnapped and drugged her, yes. But he truly cared about her and felt like he was doing what was best for her. But that still doesn’t make it right. This story was so sad and confusing at the end. I actually cried when Gemma and Ty had to leave the camel behind. I was heartbroken by that scene. The camel definitely was a huge symbol for Gemma in captivity. And when the Camel was turned free, she was mourning and heartbroken because of this. Also, it was so bittersweet that Ty turned himself in so Gemma could live and be safe. I really liked that Gemma was so confused and distraught about returning to her old life. Because I felt those same things. This was a great book. I felt so sad at the end but also happy that Gemma was able to let go of Ty but also acknowledged that he had changed her life.
dark tense slow-paced
adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Zu einem passenderen Zeitpunkt hätte ich Stolen wohl kaum lesen können. Nämlich im Flugzeug, auf dem Rückflug von Australien. Hierzu muss man wissen, dass das Mädchen in Stolen von einem Flughafen entführt und nach Australien verschleppt wird.

Ich fand es so gruselig und unangenehm wie einfach Gemma entführt wird. Alles geht so schnell und wirkt so gekonnt eingefädelt. Da ist es mir echt Angst und Bange geworden. Ich war froh, dass ich bereits im Flugzeug saß und mich nicht auf dem Flughafen von einem Wildfremden anquatschen lassen konnte.

Nach dem Flughafen folgt Australien. Ich war zwar noch nie im Outback, aber man spürt, dass die Autorin weiß wovon sie redet. Die Beschreibungen der Landschaft, der Hitze und der Tierwelt waren so lebendig und leidenschaftlich. Durch Entführer Ty lernt man passend dazu auch ein paar der Mythen und Geschichten der Aborigines kennen.

Der Roman ist übrigens ein einziger langer Brief, in dem Gemma ihren Entführer mit einem direkten Du anspricht. Ich kann mir vorstellen, dass nicht jeder mit diesem Schreibstil klarkommt. Ich selbst hatte keinerlei Probleme, weil die Perspektive einfach so perfekt zur Geschichte passt und einen noch näher an die Protagonisten heranbringt.

Das Spannendste an diesem Roman ist der Konflikt, den Gemma in sich austrägt. Sie wurde gegen ihren Willen an einen Ort im Nirgendwo verschleppt und wird dort festgehalten. Natürlich bäumt sie sich dagegen auf, ist verängstigt, reagiert abweisend und hysterisch, aber selbst das stärkste Mädchen kann diesen Schutzwall nicht für immer aufrecht erhalten. Es hilft, dass ihr Ty ziemlich attraktiv ist, eigentlich auch liebenswert. Er will ihr gar nicht wehtun sondern nur das seiner Meinung nach Beste für sie.

Und so kann der Leser mit leiden und entscheiden, ob Ty nun der Böse oder der Gute ist, ob diese zwei Welten in dieser Situation überhaupt so trennbar sind und mit angehaltenem Atem Gemmas finales Urteil erwarten.

started and finished this book in a day, I could not put it down!
challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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