Review: Stolen

Author: Jessica Titone
Started reading: August 7th 2018
Finished the book: August 10th 2018
Pages: 206
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Published: November 24th 2017
Source: Got a digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: 4.04
My score:

Synopsis
Ella’s no stranger to sacrifice. Pursuing a professional career in ballet demands that she risk everything, including remaining in war-torn London to continue her training. Dancing has always been her singular desire, until reserved American Jesse Cohen transfers to her school. When partnered in a production of Giselle, Ella glimpses a new side of Jesse and works to break through his defenses. Their tentative friendship blossoms into romance, but happiness is not theirs to keep. Jesse mysteriously vanishes, confounding the authorities and breaking Ella’s heart. When all searches fail to locate him, Ella takes matters into her own hands. She begins with the attic - their secret meeting spot - where a strange melody pricks her ears. Following it, she ventures an unusual attic door, down a dark path, and into an idyllic, magical realm called Arcadia.

My thoughts

I was so surprised by this book! It reminded me a bit of Alice in Wonderland, in some parts of the book and I liked that a lot. The writing is good and I was always on the edge of my seat, curious what would happen. The funny thing is; I didn't read the back of the book before starting, so I was very surprised when the book started going the way of a Fantasy book. I adore the mystery, interwoven with the dancing and the beginning of a true love.

Pros

• Couldn't stop reading: The biggest pro in this book that I COULDN'T stop reading. I remember reading this in the train in China and I felt a bit sad that I arrived at my destination, because I had to stop reading. I was so curious what was going to happen next. The book is not that long, 200 pages or so and I wouldn't even mind if it was a bit longer. The book is easy to read and I had no trouble to get into it.
• Alice in Wonderland: The part where Ella is looking for Jesse reminded me a bit of Alice in Wonderland. And also the way the real world is a part of the book as well as the magical world "behind the attic door", was something that reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. I do like the fact that the author didn't write a rip-off but made her own story with just a little touch that reminded me of Alice.
• Real world interwoven with the magical world: Both worlds are believable. The book starts of in our own real world, in war-torn London and I thought I was reading a romance book first, or maybe drama, but then Ella started looking for Jesse. We then get to know more about the magical world and that was also a believable place.
• Believable: The characters and the story are believable and there were no question marks from my side. The characters all have their struggles and their weaknesses but also their strong sides. Good job to Jessica Titone.
• Ending: LOVED IT. No more words.

Cons

• More time before vanishing: I'd love the book to be a bit longer and for Jesse and Ella to explore their relationship a bit more. I felt like the build-up towards their romance was of good length, and I'd love to know a bit more about their romance too.
• Cover: I KNOW. Never judge a book by it's cover, and I don't want to hurt the person that made the cover, but I'm not the biggest fan. It's not ugly, but I do judge a book by it's cover... I love how the mountains remind me of Arcadia and also the ballet-shoes, but the cover doesn't GRIP me. I do get influenced by covers, a lot, that's why I have my topic "Coverlove". I even buy books just for their cover, so it is important to me...

Overall

I'm curious what's to come next by Jessica Titone. The writing was good, the characters were believable, I was curious what was to come next all the time and I just couldn't stop reading. I'm sure that YA/Fantasy lovers will fall in love with this author after reading this book!

Thanks for reading!

I'd love to talk books, so let me know what you think about this book/review!