ISBN: 9781906427139Publisher: The Chicken House (UK)
Pulished: 2009
301 pgs
This book has stolen my attention right from its grabbing first line till the end of the story. For a moment, I am at a loss of words when typing this post because I fear whatever I write will not do this book justice. It is so good!
Anyway, I suppose I have to start from somewhere, so here it is:
Sixteen-year-old Gemma Toombs is kidnapped while she is on a holiday with her parents. They were waiting for their plane to arrive at the Bangkok airport when she caught the attention of a young man, whom she believed she has last seen him on the plane departing from the London airport. She could sense there is a strange sort of familiarity about him, but she could not remember anything.
So when she wandered about and stopped at a cafe for coffee, the young man offered to buy it for her when he found she hasn't got any change. They started a conversation from there, and told her his name is Ty. Ty must have drugged her coffee and fed her some chocolates because the next thing she knew, she was following him half-dazed and by the time she has changed clothes and with Ty holding her 'new' passport, they left Bangkok and arrived at a wild land of outback Australia.
There are no sights of any people there in the remote deserted area, except the dry landscape which seems to stretch forever and some wild animals like snakes, wild kangaroos and even camels. Being a city girl all her life, Gemma has seen any place like this before, but the most terrifying of all is there will be no escape for her, ever. Left without a choice, she learns to live with Ty, who seemed to have prepared and planned for this abduction because he had more than enough food and other necessary stuff to keep them both alive and to stay there for some time.
On the other hand, Ty has no means of kidnapping her. Like Gemma, he has been living in the city once, but it left him with too many sad memories, in particularly of his mother. Living in outback Australia has changed his lifestyle and the way he sees things, and he welcome this new experience. He has been watching Gemma since she was ten, and he feels he has a need to protect her ever since her narrow escape from a boy whom had taken a fancy at her.
Although Gemma has not entirely given up hope on escaping, but it is also at this time that she began to see him in a new light which she has never seen in him - sensitive and yet vulnerable at the same time. Through these, she sees a little of him in herself; after all she is very much alone like him as she felt her parents are too busy with their lives to even care about her feelings.
Just when Gemma wonders about her life thereafter, an encounter with a wild snake changes their lives from then. After Gemma is bitten, Ty tries all ways in saving her, even if it means risking his life in seeking medical assistance and exposing his deeds. But regardless anything, it is up to Gemma to decide his fate.
Stolen is told in a letter from Gemma's perspective, but it does not read like the typical letter form. Throughout the story, Gemma referred Ty as 'you', so it read like journal after what had happened between her and Ty. I liked the plot, but most of all I liked how it explores Gemma's feelings about everything: from Ty to the wild remote place she is being forced to stay.
I think most readers would argue that what her feelings for Ty might be a cause of Stockholm syndrome; I admit I had the same thinking while reading the story, but the more I read I felt there is also a real connection between Gemma and Ty, after all. And I simply, simply loved the ending and that is all I have to say. You will have to read it and find out what Gemma has decided on Ty's fate, and I felt there is no other better ending than this is.
There, I have completed writing this post, at last. It is now your turn to look for this book and read it.
To find out more about the author, Lucy Christopher, click here.
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When I saw it was about abduction and Thailand, I thought this was going somewhere ugly (the guy who taught our Human Trafficking class lost a daughter to kidnappers in Thailand: I'm sure you can fill in the blanks). I'm relieved that they just went to Australia!
Ever since reading The Thornbirds earlier this year, I've been captured by the outback, so I might have to read this one.
From the cover this looks like a chicklit, thats what I felt at least. But the plot is so good, I would love to read this book. Thanks for the review Melody.
Eva - I've heard a lot of sad news about abduction cases and my heart always went out to the victims' parents.
I have not read The Thornbirds so I'll have to look out for it. Thanks for the heads up, Eva!
Violet - I'm glad to hear you'll be reading this book! :)
This one sounds so good I don't think I'd be able to resist it. Bad, Melody! LOL!
This is on my wish list -- can't wait to read it. Great review.
lol, I love how you couldn't resist the pun :P
I really like books told in letter format, so that's one more reason to read this, even if it's different from most epistolary novels.
Fantastic review Melody. Looks like yet another one that sounds like something I'd like. Nothing new about that right. lol.
This one sounds great -- if you can say that about a kidnapping. Thanks.
wow, it does sound very good.
great review!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Well, I'd say you did pretty good for not knowing where to start. I know just how you feel about books like this one and writing the review--it's tough as nails but that just means the book is so great.
Stockholm syndrome is a really interesting thing--you've got me curious about this connection between the characters!
I read this book in one sitting. It was absolutley AMAZIN!! i lovw the fact that Ty is young and good looking because it completley threw my image of a steriotypical kinapper. I was kind of sad with the ending and i wanted it to end another way but i know if Ty was in my image of a typical kidnapper then i would want justice. However, i really loved the fact that lucy christopher has written in a way that its hard to dislike him. I really reccomend this book to everyone and, though i doubt it, i hope there is a sequel.
You've definitely gotten my attention with your review! The book sounds so good. I'm going to see if my library has it :)
It sounds very interesting. The part about living in the remote area of Australia interests me.
Thank you for another great review, Melody! This does sound good. I would wonder about that too in regards to Gemma and Ty's relationship. I will have to look for this book.
Alice - I know you wouldn't resist this one, Alice! LOL.
Jess - Thanks, Jess!
Nymeth, Dar - I'm glad you both are thinking of reading this book! I hope you ladies will enjoy it as much as I do!
Beth - I know the plot sounds bizarre, but it works for me! :D
Naida - Thanks, Naida!
Trish - LOL. My mind was a blank before writing this post, and I guess I just rambled thereafter, haha.
Kristina - I'm glad you enjoyed this book too! I really look forward to reading Lucy Christopher's book in the near future!
Iliana - I hope your library has a copy!! :D
Jeane - I was totally fascinated by the outback setting.
Wendy - I don't know what to describe Gemma and Ty's relationship. So complex, LOL. Glad to hear you'll be looking out for the book too! ;)
I think it was the only ending which made any sense. A book so compelling and gripping.
Here is my review of Stolen by Lucy Christopher.
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Awesome review! Here's mine if you don't mind: http://lorxiebookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/12/stolen-by-lucy-christopher.html
Thanks and have a nice day! :)
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