The Stolen Heir
Ratings71
Average rating3.9
Super fun to read as always. Wren was an interesting character to read about, and so was Oak. You guess what's coming from miles away but then get to see it unravel to a satisfying end.
Loved the main trio (quadruple counting Hyacinthe). Their dynamic was fun even though Tiernan was understandably a bit prickly.
Oak was hilarious and delirious!
Wren was that quote from Six of Crows: “When everyone knows you're a monster, you needn't waste time doing every monstrous thing.”
This was a very very good book, but I DESPISED the ending.
First of all, I really loved Oak & Wren/Suren but the fact he was lying to her was so so obvious the entire book. Wren knows fae can't lie and still she only realises his scheme in the last 20 mins or so? And then she gets angry about it, EVEN THO SHE DID WHAT SHE WAS NEEDED FOR (namely to command Lady Nore) so most of the plan was STILL TRUE.
Besides, Wren literally heard him say “I would never kill her.”
I just didn't think her suddenly placing the bridle on him (after explicitly stating everyone and everything hates the thing including herself and it would be better if it was destroyed) made any sense. Especially for her character who didn't seem like the type to want power.
I really liked the quest aspect of this book and to see the consequences of the ending of Queen of Nothing but the “scheme” from Oak fell short (simply bc I couldn't see or understand why he would keep this from her?) and the ending of this book definitely felt rushed.
I do however look forward to the next installment
4.5 :)
I can't believe i'll have wait a year to stand madoc for another book. holly black why you do this to me ???
Hell yes.
This was everything I wanted it to be and more. I love this world Holly Black has built.
Read it.
I really don't know what I am doing here, I need to go live in Elfhame
she did it again... Holly Black... I LOVE HER
This was not what I expected at all, but I was so happy with what I got instead.
The beginning was slow and a bit of a struggle to commit to, but when it picked up I was HOOKED. I'm already dying for the sequel!
3.5★
i can't help but compare this to the original trilogy. while i still enjoyed the adventure they were on and the tension between Wren and Oak, the stolen heir feels like one long introduction to the prisoners throne. i look forward to reading it, though!
I LOVED the Cruel Prince trilogy. I was exited to hear Oak was getting his own book. I was really disappointed to find out the book is in someone else's POV. I wanted Oak's POV.
Suren was a fine character, but I just didn't connect with her like I did with Jude. And Oak isn't as compelling as Carden.
I did enjoy the end of this story, although I was left thinking, “what?! It's gonna end like THAT?!” Ugh. Lol.