“A bold girl, a kingdom under attack, magic everywhere–I devoured it in one sitting! This book is one wild ride!” –Tamora Pierce on Stormrise Nothing is quite as it seems in this thrilling YA fantasy adventure by Jillian Boehme, The Stolen Kingdom! For a hundred years, the once-prosperous kingdom of Perin Faye has suffered under the rule of the greedy and power-hungry Thungrave kings. … greedy and power-hungry Thungrave kings. Maralyth Graylaern, a vintner’s daughter, has no idea her hidden magical power is proof of a secret bloodline and claim to the throne. Alac Thungrave, the king’s second son, has always been uncomfortable with his position as the spare heir–and the dark, stolen magic that comes with ruling.
When Maralyth becomes embroiled in a plot to murder the royal family and seize the throne, a cat-and-mouse chase ensues in an adventure of dark magic, court intrigue, and forbidden love.
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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I love that this is a standalone book. I love the clean romance between the MCs, the family love, mystery, dark magic, and the conspiracy to claim the throne. It was well written and very descriptive that I enjoyed reading it until the end. Narrated in dual POVs, this book has been straightforward and entertaining.
Maralyth is a vintner’s daughter who performs magic which is forbidden in the kingdom. Little did she realized that her magic was passed onto her from the secret bloodline. Prince Alac, the king’s second son, was kind, charming, and friendly. He has always been displeased with the idea that one day he might inherit the crown and the stolen magic that comes with it.
I wish there was more back story with regards to the religion and how the first Dallowyn king received his magic. There are interesting revelations regarding the secret bloodline and I will not go further into details because I want you guys to find out!
I would surely check out the other works of the author and would recommend this book to you.
I’m grateful to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read and give my honest review of this book.
The Stolen Kingdom is a standalone young adult fantasy. It follows dual POVs between Mara, the daughter of a vintner who discovers she has magic, and Alac, the ‘spare’ son of the king. Mara wants nothing more than to run her father’s vineyard, using the magic she’s told to hide to help nurture the grapes – until the day she is kidnapped by the lord of her region who is trying to overthrow the king. Alac has been secretly studying winemaking in an effort to start his own vineyard and leave the castle where he is constantly overlooked – until he gets a taste of the stolen magic his father possesses.
I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did – but I couldn’t put it down. I found both of the narrators intriguing and likable. When inevitably they were pitted against one another, I felt myself torn as to who I wanted to ‘win.’ The Stolen Kingdom gave me Ember Queen vibes but with less on page violence. (As the plot involves a coup, some violence is inevitable but I found it very tame.) Most of the violence happens off the page or is mentioned by a character. I loved the banter between Alac and his guard, Tucker. Even when things were serious, it brought a smile to my face.
The author did a great job of portraying Alac’s indecision between his duty and his wants. And, equally, the reader could feel Mara’s tension between what she was pulled into and what she wanted for herself. The plot wrapped up nicely and there weren’t any glaring open endings. Both characters showed growth and some surprise characters were revealed. The biggest ‘problem’ I had was how smoothly things actually ended. (I don’t want to give away any spoilers – some I’m going to leave this vague.) And that isn’t necessarily a bad thing – especially right now!
If you’re a fan of other young adult fantasies revolving around royalty and who’s right it is to rule (I know I am), I encourage you to pick this book up. It’s a very enjoyable, fun read!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the book.
While browsing through the available titles on Libby, I could not pass up The Stolen Kingdom by Jillian Boehme when I saw the gorgeous cover! I started reading the book in the midst of also trying to finish multiple other books, but I simply could not put this book down. It’s been a while since I’ve read such a compelling novel!
There were so many likeable aspects of this book, and I felt like it was equally driven by the characters and the plot, which I really enjoyed. The book is told from alternating perspectives: Maralyth, who is the daughter of the owner of the biggest vineyard in the kingdom, and Alac, who is the frequently overlooked prince, second in line for the throne. Maralyth and Alac are thrown into difficult and dangerous circumstances throughout the novel that leave them questioning their aspirations in life and their duties.
If you’re looking for another world to escape into, this book is definitely for you! With an interesting magic system, morally questionable characters, and royal kidnappings, what more could you ask for? While there wasn’t necessarily anything that made the novel especially unique, it is the type of feel-good fantasy book that I truly adore reading!
This is one of my most anticipated releases this year and it didn’t disappoint at all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and the story was not like how I thought it would unfold. I knew it was a cat-and-mouse game between two heirs, but there was a lot deeper going on than just a plot to seize a throne, and I find the whole story so intriguingly well-written.
The storyline about Maralyth and Alac fighting on who will get the throne of Perin Faye seems easy and predictable enough, but turns out there are too many complications in the process. I was tense the whole time reading this book, mainly due to what will happen once Alac found out the truth about Maralyth’s bloodline, and since they started to have feelings for each other then what will become of it? How will their respective supporters react to that? There was so much to think about.
So many things are at stakes in this book and the whole situation was really dangerous and intense. As for the plot, it was incredible how there are many twists and turns in it. I was shocked on multiple occasions, especially learning the truth about Maralyth’s background, Nelgareth’s plan, the sudden change in Alac’s to-be sister-in-law’s character, and the main threat. What a bunch of great surprises all of this are, I can’t stop being shocked. I was impressed by how unpredictable the story was as a whole even though it seems predictable to me at first.
I was really interested in learning more about Maralyth’s background and Alac’s background, and how Alac’s family stole the magic and throne from Maralyth’s family. Everything happened way in the past, but discovering the truth made this book far more enjoyable than it already is. I was really invested in this part the most, and then there was a matter of the magic. The history of the magic and how it became the stolen magic which turns it into a dark and dangerous magic was explored a lot deeper in the story which fascinated me. I liked how the author gave a detailed explanation regarding these matters instead of explaining it in the simplest way and left the major details out. That must’ve took a lot of patience to write it and make it make sense so that the readers will easily understand the part. I appreciate the author’s hard work for writing all the intricate details.
There are quite a handful of amazing action sequences in this book, especially the one that involved Maralyth’s magic. Her magic was beautiful and captivating, I can pictured it clearly in my head. Her power was simple but enough to changed the fate of the whole kingdom and saved many lives. She used her magic for good which made her out to be a hero of Perin Faye, I’m honestly fine with that. The best way to describe her magic is that when she uttered a simple word, it became a reality. It’s not a spell, just any normal words. I find her ability so unique because this kind of magic usually need a spell to work but in this book, there are no spells needed which was refreshing to see.
Maralyth is just a girl who was born with magic and lived with her father and brother. She grew up as a daughter of the famous vintner. Turns out, she was a lot more than just that. I was actually surprised to learn who she really is. She was a special girl because of who her mother was. Never once in her lifetime did she dream of becoming a queen, ruling a whole kingdom, and is actually the true heir to the throne of Perin Faye.
She’s a girl with a kind heart, and her only intention is to change Perin Faye into a better kingdom. She wanted what’s best for everyone and always stood for what’s right. She helped save many lives using her magic and is a very down-to-earth girl. I liked how she carry herself throughout the story. She may be a normal girl but she does possessed a strong trait of a queen, nobody can deny that. There isn’t much to say about her character other than that she’s an amazing and well-written character with a bright and strong personality.
Alac on the other hand is the second son of the king, who never wanted the throne and hated the stolen magic that his family possessed for years. He just wanted to become a vintner instead of doing his duty as a royal prince. Out of him and his brother, he is the only prince I find really likable due to his kindness and good heart. Just like Maralyth, he wanted what’s best for everyone and wanted to make a good change to Perin Faye. He knew how corrupted her father’s rule has been and he wanted to destroy the magic if it means the kingdom will be save and everything will be good again.
He’s so down-to-earth just like Maralyth. There are so many similarities in their characters and yet there are still a few differences. He’s not an arrogant and a self-absorbed prince like in many books. A kind-hearted and selfless prince with a good attitude and likable personality is very rare to find in most of fantasy books, and I’m glad Alac is that rare prince. I find him to be a bit hilarious, especially when he was trying to get angry at Maralyth for deceiving him but then he can’t even be angry at her at all. Being angry or mad at someone doesn’t even suit him, especially if that someone is Maralyth. The way his facial expression changed from angry to soft in a matter of seconds actually quite funny the way I imagined it. Even if he did get angry, it was only for like a few seconds. His heart was too kind and soft. Overall, I find his character so easy to connect to and is very much likable.
The romance between Alac and Maralyth are sort of insta-love at first but actually not. How wrong I was for thinking it was going to be that while it was actually a slow-burn kind. The attraction was instant because they both felt something when they first laid their eyes on each other but they get to know each other first and then became friends before acknowledging the feelings they have for one another. Their romance is a slow-burn friends-to-lovers kind of romance which is my favorite romance trope. I liked the progress of their relationship throughout the book.
From two strangers who slowly get to know each other to two strangers who slowly get closer to each other to two friends who enjoyed each other’s company to two friends who finally acknowledged their feelings and decided to pursue a romantic relationship and become lovers. I loved this so much, how it went from small and later developed into something bigger. They are so compatible together, both have the traits of a queen and a king in them and I have no doubt that both would be great as the new rulers of Perin Faye. They both stood for what’s right and have the same goals in their minds which makes them an amazing king and queen even though they are so young to rule but they’d proven they can handle whatever is coming their way—be it good or bad.
The story as a whole is very incredible and I enjoyed it so much. If you’re looking for a standalone fantasy book that has an amazing storyline with many great plot twist and a dash of courtly intrigued, a secret or hidden bloodline that unraveled many protected secrets, unique magic with a little bit of darkness and danger in it, simple and yet beautiful world-building, two well-written and likable protagonists, and a sweet forbidden romance with a dash of angst, then you might want to read this book.
I want to say that this book was freaking amazing. But sadly for me it was not. I loved this authors other story Stormrise but this one just fell very flat for me. I ended up DNFing it around 20 pages in. I was bored and the story just didn’t grip me at all. I didn’t care about the characters and I just couldn’t force myself to read any further.
Thank you Tor Teen & NetGalley for #gifting me a copy of this audiobook.
I feel like standalone fantasy novels are few and far between these days. If you’re looking for a YA Fantasy standalone, this is a good one to reach for.
What I enjoyed:
I loved the idea that both MCs are fighting for the same kingdom but for very different reasons.
Told from the POV of Maralyth & Alac, both with different personalities
I loved the idea of blood magic being passed down through the generations
I enjoyed the idea behind the “stolen magic” and how it differed from the original magic
I appreciated that it was a bit of insta-like without it being insta-love
The story was set at a great pace, it keeps you engaged and reading “just one more chapter”
What didn’t work for me:
Due to the length of the story, there was a bit missing in the world building and backgrounds
: I really enjoyed this audiobook. Each character was narrated by a different narrator, which helped bring the story to life and easy to follow along with.
Solid 3.5 star book!
The overall concept of this novel was really interesting and what drew me in right away. The magic, the journey…it held my attention throughout the entire story. I like the twists and turns and bits of substories that were woven into the tale and it was easy to follow the lineage of families. There was a hint of romance, but definitely was not a main focal point of the book, which I have no complaint about because I feel as though that could come in a sequel or novella if the author ever decided to write one.
Where the lower rating comes from was the continuous repetition of phrases and comparisons. It definitely felt as though altering word choice was a bit brushed over as it was filled with a lot of flat, basic language. In my opinion, it didn’t help me draw connections or emotional attachments to anyone in particular or feel anything regarding events because it just wasn’t really as eloquent as I would have expected, but nevertheless, it was still an entertaining book!
Big thanks to NetGalley and TorTeen for providing me with a copy of this book! This did not affect my review.
I was cover whoring again and requested The Stolen Kingdom on NetGalley because of its cover (obviously). And let me tell you, the book did not disappoint. Lots of aspects of the book are quite common in other fantasy books, like a bad king, protagonist finding out she’s royalty and insta-love. That did not make this book any less enjoyable though!
Fortunately, the book has some unique characteristics as well! For example the fact that stolen magic changes the personality of the one who stole it, or that the book contained both enemies-to-lovers and insta-love. The chain of events made an incredibly big impression on me as well. The protagonist’s actions were really admirable. I wish I could elaborate, but that would spoil a big part of the story so I won’t. 😉
What I didn’t like however, was everything wine related. It was given quite a big role in the book, but I couldn’t find any added value in it, other than the fact that it was their common interest. I would’ve put less emphasis on the wine, or given it a different role in the book (like extra symbolism or something like that).
In short, it was an enjoyable fantasy standalone. It’s not one of the best books I’ve read, but I definitely enjoyed it! The book had a slow start, but I couldn’t put it down as soon as I got into it. It had an interesting mixture of insta-love and enemies-to-lovers that I’m sure lots of readers will enjoy!
I love fantasy books, I really think the storyline had potential but for me, it missed some things. The world-building was lacking, not expecting a huge description but a bit more to really get into the world, the secondary characters were undeveloped and I really wanted a romantic connection but that want was felt a bit flat as well, I know it’s a YA but the emotions I wanted to feel weren’t as strong. The story was entertaining so I read it all, it’s standalone, the blurb intrigued me enough when I got the book, I think if it’s a bit reworked it would be a better book. That’s just my perspective, but also I’ve been reading very well-written fantasy novels lately, and perhaps comparing even unconsciously had me rating this way. The audiobook was narrated by Kirby Heyborne and Suzy Jackson and I think it was better than just reading it, they both nailed their characters.
We meet Mara, the daughter of a winemaker, who finds out she is the long lost heir to a stolen kingdom. She has to keep her magic a secret while she plots to steal back her kingdom. However, she meets Prince Alac, the man she must get rid of in order to take back her kingdom and become queen. But there are some unexpected twists and turns that make gaining her kingdom back that much harder.
The story was interesting and Mara was a well developed and entertaining character. However, Alac was lost in the mix and didn’t stand out much in the story. He was easily forgotten. There were also so many details throughout the book that it bogged down the story. Details are great for building a unique world, but too many details just make reading harder.
Mara and Alac’s romance was instant love, but I didn’t feel like it worked. They seemed to have more a friendship or platonic love and forcing them into a romantic love didn’t do them justice. I would have liked to see them get through their journey and had a different outcome to their relationship.
Overall, the story was decent and Mara was an incredible character, but their were some issues with the development and arc of the story and characters.
Maralyth, a winemaker’s daughter, has a secret. Born with a magical power that most people believed was lost or stolen long ago, she uses it to help the vineyard. However, when others learn of this secret, Mara’s entire life turns upside down. A young woman who never wanted more than to be a successful winemaker has the throne thrust upon her when she is kidnapped and told that she is the rightful heir.
With her life and the lives of those she loves threatened, Mara has no choice but to take the throne and become a better ruler than the current greedy king. Her feelings change when faced with the harsh realities of the coup and she meets the handsome and kind prince. Will Mara reveal her secrets? Will she ignore her feelings and take the throne?
Written from dual perspectives, Alac and Mara’s, The Stolen Kingdom focuses on the thoughts and feelings of both characters. I like that you really get to understand both characters – their motivations, desires, concerns, and more. Mara is selfless, strong, and cares deeply about others. Alac is kind, sincere, and honorable. He cares about the people and doesn’t want to rule if it means taking on dark power. I think the dual perspectives allows for an in-depth and honest view of both Mara and Alac. It also shows how similar and well-suited they are.
The blossoming relationship between Alac and Mara is sweet and complicated. However, this enemies-to-lovers romance is easy to root for. Both Mara and Alac are smart, brave, and kind. They both have a love of and interest in winemaking. Mara, in particular, has a long and strong connection to the vineyards and winemaking. It’s in her blood, and her power responds to living things.
Both characters also seem trapped in their current situations. Alac is surrounded by darkness and people who thirst for power (and magic). Forced to be part of a coup attempt, Mara’s actions are controlled by those who want to usurp the throne. The fear, uncertainty, and feelings of entrapment draw the couple together, as do their similar good qualities. Mara and Alac feel like they can be themselves with each other, which is all but impossible in their world of political intrigue and manipulation.
The magical aspects of the story are really interesting and highlight the age-old battle between good and evil. Good magic and bad magic, as well as good people and bad people, contribute to the story’s action, excitement, and character development. Lies, political maneuverings, betrayals, and secrets from the past, all of which relate to magic, also enhance the plot. Alac and Mara reject the dark magic and all it entails, and they both want to find a way to rid their world of it. However, this proves almost impossible.
I also loved the vivid imagery throughout the book. I particularly liked the bird imagery, especially in relation to Mara, who frequently feels caged and longs for freedom. There is one scene where Mara is served dinner, a tray of delectable food with a beautiful bird in the center. This bird, served up on a shiny platter, is similar to Mara, who is being trained and presented (not on a shiny platter but in shiny and new clothing and baubles) as the perfect figurehead. Later in the same scene, Mara describes the bed in her kidnapper’s home as “a nest of comfort in the midst of a nightmare.” This evokes such strong bird imagery and feelings of entrapment, and it highlights Mara’s fear, helplessness, and desire for freedom.
I enjoyed this standalone fantasy and think it will appeal to readers who like young adult fantasies with a great enemies-to-lovers romance. I also think people who like books with cool magic systems and political drama will enjoy the book. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Tor Teen, and Jillian Boehme for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Stolen Kingdom is a rare gem in YA fantasy books, because it’s a standalone, I really like this story, but I think maybe a duology would work better.
Perin Faye’s royal family are the only people who possess magic, but a few decades ago their throne was usurped by the Thungrave family, the magic was stolen and is now controlled by blood magic.
The book has two POV:
Maralyth, she is vintner’s daughter and secretly uses her power to help the family vineyard.
Alac is the second heir to the throne, does not agree on how his father uses dark magic to rule.
When the magic of Maralyth is discovered, a plot is formed to return the throne to the rightful heir. Then, the protagonists meet, an immediate attraction occurs (no instalove). But both have secrets that they should not tell, their relationship starts by the hobbies they share; wine.
I like both characters, they are smart, good people, a little sassy and you will have fun with them.
It’s a descriptive novel, the magic of Maralyth is fascinating, I liked reading about her learning and mastering her.
Also the descriptions of the wine made me want to have a glass on hand.
The reason why I think a duology would have worked better is because of the extension, I loved the beginning but the last chapters, where the drama happens, I felt a bit rushed, a lot happened in a short time.
Overall, It’s a good story, you have everything, magic, court intrigue, cool characters, romance and action.
I loved this story. I have read a lot of Fantasy and been lucky to read some of the best. Now I have been gifted with this marvelous tale of a sweet girl who lives with her father and brother taking care of their vineyard. While Alac, the second son of the king, does not want to be king. His father seems almost possessed since he took the Dark Magic in. They say that the magic must stay with the Dallowyn but the Thungraves murdered the last Dallowyn sitting as King and stole the magic. The book was very well written, entertaining, and a little scary. The characters were amazing and kind to each other. I loved that it held my attention and was so engaging. It is an easy read. They went through some adventures together but did their best to try to stay calm.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
When I first started reading this story it was unattractive it has for me a little slow uninteresting start. But that was all the foundation for the things that come along. So the story sucked me in and I must say a did enjoy reading it. It was just a tiny thing that I miss and that was Marac and Alac lack of expressing love toward eachother.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley
Three and a half
This for me is hard to rate. A very interesting idea with characters that shine . Sadly I just kept wanting the pages to turn quicker so clearly not a,story that enthralled me and held my attention
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair