Review: The Stolen Heir is a spin-off series to Holly Black's extremely popular fey centered series Folk of Air. While you can jump into reading this spin-off series, be aware that it does spoil the events of the Folk of Air series. There are returning and important characters from the first series.

  The Stolen Heir has a very different tone when it is compared to the first series. Our narrator, Wren (named in the human realm) or Suren (in the fey realm) is a changeling born to the Court of Teeth as a device for political machinations. She is taken from her human family when she is of age and dragged, abused by her fey parents. Enduring lots of trauma and betrayed several times over, Wren is an internal, highly suspicious character. When is she sought and saved by former friend Prince Oak, they begin a mysterious quest. Wren and Oak dance around one another as their loyalties and alliances shift throughout the story.  

  The plot of The Stolen Heir is much more slow burned and has a fairy tale quality. The ambiance of the book is much grimmer and grittier. Black takes her time in expanding her fey world. I really liked the character of Wren and watching her character grow from a skittish young woman to something much more sinister as the book progresses and her backstory is revealed. While I liked Wren's character arc, I did find myself a little lost about the purpose of the quest and I found the pacing to be slow at times, but things finally clicked in the second half of the story. The last few chapters unveiled some plot twists including one that shocked me. I'm definitely intrigued enough to pick up the second book in this duology. 

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence and disturbing images. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Road of the Lost by Nafisa Azad, Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Barshardoust