Scan barcode
A review by chronicallybookish
Stolen City by Elisa A. Bonnin
4.0
Quick Stats
Age Rating: 13+
Over All: 4 stars
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Special thanks to FierceReads and NetGalley for an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions reflected in this review are my own.
The first few chapters of this book focus on a futuristic world built in towering skyscrapers. That, paired with the cover, made me assume it was going to be scifi—but it was definitely high fantasy. The magic system, yes, but also just the vibes.
Think: magic, rag tag team, heist plot, revenge, political subterfuge.
And yes, it is as good as it sounds.
Stolen City is narrated through four (third person) POVs, Arian, Liam, Cavar, and Zephyr. I’m always hesitant when books go over two POV characters, because I often find it confusing or generally less engaging, but I enjoyed every POV and they were different enough that I never got their voices muddled. Each character gave their own unique and necessary viewpoint to the story.
The plot was equally engaging—fast paced and twisty. There were a few reveals that I saw coming from early on, but others completely caught me off guard in the best way. I do wish the heist aspect had been played into a little more, mostly because I’m a sucker for that trope, but I think there was room for more building of tension in that regard.
My only other complaint was in the world building. The Leithonian magic system was well developed, as was the political climate of the world and its relations to the other nations. The tribal clans of the Weavers were also well developed, but I am still highly confused on what, exactly, the Weavers themselves are. They’re…spies? Who think the fate of the world is there responsibility? What are their motives? Do they or do they not have magic of their own? Every mention of the Weavers just confused me more.
In the start of the book, alongside the cover, there is a lot of emphasis of a world based on towering skyscrapers (think Rebel by Marie Lu), but after those first few chapters, the skyscraper and similar layout of the city is almost never mentioned, nor is it relevant. On occasion there would be a throwaway mention, and I’d get confused as I remembered this city is set up very very oddly. Due to the lack of explanation to how these skyscrapers interacted with the story itself, I often found myself trying and failing to picture any sort of landscape, terrain, or map of the world.
I enjoyed the book as a whole. It was fast, sweeping, and intriguing. It was open-ended, and while the ending was satisfying, I’d love to return to the world of Stolen City and see what everyone—especially Liam—are up to. I enjoyed Elisa A. Bonnin’s writing and I’m excited to pick up her debut next!
Age Rating: 13+
Over All: 4 stars
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Special thanks to FierceReads and NetGalley for an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions reflected in this review are my own.
The first few chapters of this book focus on a futuristic world built in towering skyscrapers. That, paired with the cover, made me assume it was going to be scifi—but it was definitely high fantasy. The magic system, yes, but also just the vibes.
Think: magic, rag tag team, heist plot, revenge, political subterfuge.
And yes, it is as good as it sounds.
Stolen City is narrated through four (third person) POVs, Arian, Liam, Cavar, and Zephyr. I’m always hesitant when books go over two POV characters, because I often find it confusing or generally less engaging, but I enjoyed every POV and they were different enough that I never got their voices muddled. Each character gave their own unique and necessary viewpoint to the story.
The plot was equally engaging—fast paced and twisty. There were a few reveals that I saw coming from early on, but others completely caught me off guard in the best way. I do wish the heist aspect had been played into a little more, mostly because I’m a sucker for that trope, but I think there was room for more building of tension in that regard.
My only other complaint was in the world building. The Leithonian magic system was well developed, as was the political climate of the world and its relations to the other nations. The tribal clans of the Weavers were also well developed, but I am still highly confused on what, exactly, the Weavers themselves are. They’re…spies? Who think the fate of the world is there responsibility? What are their motives? Do they or do they not have magic of their own? Every mention of the Weavers just confused me more.
In the start of the book, alongside the cover, there is a lot of emphasis of a world based on towering skyscrapers (think Rebel by Marie Lu), but after those first few chapters, the skyscraper and similar layout of the city is almost never mentioned, nor is it relevant. On occasion there would be a throwaway mention, and I’d get confused as I remembered this city is set up very very oddly. Due to the lack of explanation to how these skyscrapers interacted with the story itself, I often found myself trying and failing to picture any sort of landscape, terrain, or map of the world.
I enjoyed the book as a whole. It was fast, sweeping, and intriguing. It was open-ended, and while the ending was satisfying, I’d love to return to the world of Stolen City and see what everyone—especially Liam—are up to. I enjoyed Elisa A. Bonnin’s writing and I’m excited to pick up her debut next!