Review ~ Stolen Away ~ Alyxandra Harvey



3 stars

Title: Stolen Away
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Published: January 2012
By: Bloomsbury

For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric—who may or may not betray them.

Opening line: "I hate this town," Jo complained.

Closing line: "I have something better in mind."

Favourite line: "So, you get a Fae prince, El gets a hawk, and I get a psychotic water horse who tries to kill me? How is that fair?" ~Devin~

I'm not going to lie, I looked the cover of this book and I love a good Fae story and it's for those reasons I picked up this book. I had heard very mixed things about this story but 99% of the time I like to have a read myself and make up my own mind. I have very mixed feels about Stolen Away.

The story is told from two points of view, that of Eloise and Jo. I found this confusing at times but it's understandable why it had to be done. But I often found myself wondering just whose story I was reading. I like both characters and found them easy enough to relate to. Jo had real spunk and I think I warmed to her the most.
Both our girls have love interests, Eloise has Lucas and Jo has Eldric. Now I love a good bit of romance but I failed to see it in this story. The book felt a little rushed and I found Jo & Eldric's relationship a little all over the show, although they had their stolen moments I didn't see them as a couple or as a couple in love. Eloise and Lucas on the other hand seemed to have more time together to be able to grow and things didn't feel as rushed with them. Although I don't think either relation really got going.

The plot was simple, girl is fairy, girl didn't know, girl saves the day kind of story. There may have been a few twists and turns here and there but over all I felt the pace was lacking in this story and I just wanted so much more. The book is only 277 pages or so and I think I could have happily read another 100 if the plot was rich with detail.

If you are the kind of reader that likes a quick easy read then this is the book for you. Although there were moments I really liked and there were some laughable moments this story fell a little short of the mark for me.