The Stolen Kingdom

by Jillian Boehme Narrated by Kirby Heyborne, Suzy Jackson

Overview

“What did it matter what I felt about anyone? In three days, either I would be queen-or I would be dead.”
For a hundred years, the once prosperous kingdom of Perin Faye has suffered under the rule of the 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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This exciting new epic is more than a fight for power; it’s the fight for empowerment, independence, freedom from oppression, and the birthright of a throne.”—Booklist

“Meticulous world-building and a fleshed-out history produce a rich world that will be hard to leave behind. A thought-provoking tale on challenging the status quo on your own terms and going after your dreams; sure to be popular with all teens.”—School Library Journal

“The Stolen Kingdom swept me into an intricate world of extraordinary magic and lively characters, carrying me along to the end before I could catch my breath. I can't wait for more from Jillian Boehme.”—Erin Beaty, author of The Traitor's Circle Trilogy

Praise for Stormrise

“A bold girl, a kingdom under attack, magic everywhere—I devoured it in one sitting! This book is one wild ride!” —Tamora Pierce

“Stand aside, Daenerys Targaryen. Stormrise is a gorgeous, non-stop adventure that kept me turning the pages well into the night!” —Sarah Ahiers

"Boehme is a superb storyteller, masterfully combining elements of fantasy, love, loyalty to family, integrity, and sacrifice for the greater good. And did I mention dragons? I want more!" —Dorothy Dreyer

"Captivating world-building and fantastical creatures . . . This lush, epic fantasy filled with magic and dragons will circulate well among fans of Tamora Pierce and J.R.R. Tolkien." —School Library Journal

"Debut author Boehme makes the story exciting: The world is well thought out, and the dragons are distinctive, with clear rules for magic that will draw readers in." —Kirkus Reviews

"Boehme’s debut, which borrows from Twelfth Night, is an adventure perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce. A good fit for any collection." —Booklist

Publishers Weekly

02/22/2021

The titular issue of stolen power receives only surface treatment in this epic fantasy by Boehme (Stormrise), which unfolds by the numbers in alternating first-person perspectives. In Perin Faye, magic is the king’s prerogative, his throne wedded to a dark magic stolen a century ago, which plagued the land with the Black Death. Maralyth Graylaern, 17, who has a “fair face and auburn hair,” keeps her affinity for plants secret outside her father’s winery, which suffers from predatory taxes despite his vineyards’ fame. But when a conspiring nobleman abducts and blackmails Mara into a plot to assassinate the erratic king—and rule as the legitimate heir to Perin Faye—she is thrown into the midst of a sumptuous court wedding and the arms of kindly, light-haired 19-year-old Prince Alac. As their instant attraction grows, they must do the impossible: escape Alac’s legacy of dark magic, restore the throne, and save the kingdom. Contradictory political values, racial stereotyping, and inconsistent themes destabilize this political fantasy, and cursory, unconsidered treatment of violence, romance, and restitution will frustrate those familiar with the genre. Still, a shocking twist spurs readers onward, and smooth prose and innovative magic make for a fast-paced read. Ages 13–up. (Mar.)

School Library Journal

01/01/2021

Gr 9 Up—Seventeen-year-old Maralyth has grown up assisting her poppa and older brother on the family vineyard, keeping secret the magic she uses to grow the grapes to perfection. When she was young her mother found her using magic and forbade her to use it. Maralyth doesn't know where the magic comes from, and after her mother's passing no one knows of her gift. This proves to be untrue when she's kidnapped by a vineyard worker and spy for Lord Ogden Nelgareth who wants to use her to take back the kingdom of Perin Faye. Alac, second son of the King, has always feared the stolen magic that passes through the kings in his family and turns them cruel. He can't help being drawn to the magic as he learns his father's life is coming to an end, and Alac wonders if magic can be used for good instead of fear. Told in a dual narrative, this fantasy depicts different aspects of society and delves into what it means to be a good ruler. The plot takes off once the two protagonists meet and wonder what they can reveal as they slowly fall for one another. Well-drawn characters will have readers rooting for them both, even as they come into conflict. Meticulous world-building and a fleshed-out history produce a rich world that will be hard to leave behind. Characters' skin tones aren't described. VERDICT A thought-provoking tale on challenging the status quo on your own terms and going after your dreams; sure to be popular with all teens.—Rebecca Greer, Hillsborough Cty. P.L. Coop., FL

Kirkus Reviews

2020-12-10
Two reluctant leaders rise to power.

Prince Alac is the heir’s spare, more interested in wine than in his Thungrave ancestors’ usurpation of the Perin Faye throne and seizure of dark magic from the Dallowyn dynasty. Annoyed by his brother Cannon’s wedding festivities, he unexpectedly falls for Maralyn Keele, a newcomer to the court. But Maralyn is actually Maralyth Graylaern, a commoner raised by her vintner father and mysterious mother who is gifted with magic powers she must conceal. Stolen by the manipulative Lord Nelgareth and backed as a true Dallowyn heir, Maralyth must make it through courtly parties and a vicious coup if she wants to be queen. The protagonists’ transformations from reluctant royals to contestants for the throne parallel their evolving relationship and are more richly written than the thin plot and thinner worldbuilding. The reasons for the rebellion are unsatisfyingly vague, attributed to alleged tyranny and a century-old coup, while the magic central to the plot feels omnipresent yet ill-explained. Genericness abounds, with a vaguely Northern European setting, a typically tumultuous feudal system, and a default-White cast of characters. The attentive focus on wine, while delightfully detailed, may miss the mark with underage readers who likely do not know their cabernet from their chardonnay, yet the triteness of the plot—lost heir overthrows bad king, restores good magic—may not impress more experienced audiences.

A fairly standard fantasy tale featuring grapes and wrath. (Fantasy. 14-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178467138
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	03/02/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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