Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Release Date: May 1, 2010
Publisher: Chicken House
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository
Gemma, 16, is on layover at Bangkok Airport, en route with her parents to a vacation in Vietnam. She steps away for just a second, to get a cup of coffee. Ty – rugged, tan, too old, oddly familiar – pays for Gemma’s drink. And drugs it. They talk. Their hands touch. And before Gemma knows what’s happening, Ty takes her. Steals her away. The unknowing object of a long obsession, Gemma has been kidnapped by her stalker and brought to the desolate Australian Outback.
Stolen is her gripping story of survival, of how she has to come to terms with her living nightmare – or die trying to fight it. – Goodreads
Review:
Stolen by Lucy Christopher will straight up mess with your head. I’ve been wanting to read it for over two years now and when I had the opportunity to borrow it, I immediately jumped at the chance. I expected that this would be a hard read because, hello, we all know about abduction cases in real life and they are a worst nightmare.
Lucy Christopher definitely captured the nightmare side of things and it was so unsettling to read about Gemma’s terrifying experience of being drugged and taken by some guy to the middle of nowhere. I’m not even exaggerating when I say “middle of nowhere” because reading about the desert and the lack of anything out there made me sick to my stomach. I felt Gemma’s need to escape, but I also felt her terror of not knowing where to go and feeling so trapped by the vast open space.
Ty, her captor, is no doubt terrifying because he is definitely unhinged. He has long obsessed over Gemma and he plans to keep her with him forever. However, Lucy Christopher allows a glimpse into his past and brings his vulnerabilities to the surface which, in turn, allowed me to sympathize with him to a certain degree. It was conflicting because, on one hand, he’s so messed up and he was wrong to take Gemma, but on the other, I was able to somewhat understand his motives.
Make no mistake, there would be no sympathizing with anyone’s captors in real life, but as far as Stolen goes, I loved that Lucy Christopher didn’t have a clear definition of right and wrong. This book stressed me out, yes, but it also made me think about reasoning and intentions.
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About Stephanie
Wow. I’ve heard of this book and I’ve come to the conclusion that I will either love it or hate it. I don’t think there is any middle ground, but I’m glad you enjoyed it despite its nightmarish aspects. I can understand it being a little difficult to read. I might read it. We shall see. Great review, Steph!
Oh, the moral grays! What fun!
I’ve been wanting to read this for how many years too except I always got distracted by other books. For me, characters who stand on the border of right and wrong are more interesting characters. But in this case, I think Ty is definitely in the wrong. Still, he IS intriguing. I can’t wait to meet him :D
Lovely review, Steph :D
@ A Discombobulated Balladry
Steph, WOW.
This review. This book. This… WOW.
I’ve seen this book around, but never had a strong desire to read and… well, when you post this? And the idea that she gives this insight into the motives of ‘bad guy’, too, without, well, justifying his actions. THAT has my interest.
AMAZING REVIEW ♥
I love books that make you question your assumptions (like sympathizing with a kidnapper). I’ve heard really great things about this one!
This book was recently brought to my attention and it does sound fascinating. The fact that the blurb notes that Gemma is right near her parents when it happens makes it even more terrifying I think. That and the setting also sounds horrible. I do like deep insights into characterization, especially of people you’re supposed to dislike, so this does sound like a really interesting read.