A review by christineponkey
Stolen by Lucy Christopher

3.0

*Warning: May contain spoilers.*
I've actually rated this novel 3.5 stars.

At first, I thought the storyline was unrealistic and kind of creepy. Imagine having a dude nine years older than you, stalking you since you were 10.


~Shudder~

Ty was a man almost a decade older than Gemma who was only a 16-year-old teenager - and he kidnapped her, hoping that she would fall in love with him. Yeah, tell me again, why wouldn't it sound creepy and pedo-ish? If Ty was a little younger than he was, say... 19-22, I would totally dig the storyline, but because he sounds so old, I find the story creepy.

I estimate that Ty is about 25, but throughout the story, his appearance changes. I visualise him differently every time. At first, he sounds young, then he sounds big and buff, small and vulnerable, a carefree teenager and then a scruffy beggar. I just find it so hard when he changes from a big and buff to small and vulnerable. He doesn't sound... normal. (Not that he is.)

I feel sorry for Gemma when she first gets kidnapped, but her stubbornness is so annoying and frustrating! And when she 'accidentally' wrecks Ty's painting - I feel sorry for the big guy. I guess she learns how to accept the land and Ty but it was too late.
SpoilerShe just had to get bitten.


I actually went a bit teary at the end, when
SpoilerGemma was taken on the plane. Ty hands himself in, for her safety, because she wanted him to stay with her, and I just couldn't contain my feelings and tears when Gemma was in hospital. All the sound and noise, and all the she could think about was Ty in custody.


In the end, I felt as if I connected to the land as well, and even though I'm Australian myself. I live in the city and have never ever experienced what it was like in the desert or the outback. I would never have survived as long as Gemma. I connected with Gemma and the land and learnt about the way the land speaks.

All in all, I thought the novel was amazing towards the end and so, I'm rating Stolen 3.5 stars.