BOOK REVIEW: THE STOLEN KINGDOM

"There's no glory in being king if your people don't stand with you."

~The Stolen Kingdom, Jillian Boehme~

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It's finally my turn today for the blog tour of The Stolen Kingdom by Jillian Boehme!! I would like to thank TBR&BEYOND TOURS for this e-ARC. My review is completely unbiased and in no way influenced by anything.

BOOK COVER

You can also find the review to this book on my bookstagram!

BOOK SYNOPSIS

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.

REVIEW

“Making mistakes doesn’t mean you aren’t going to be good at something.”

The Stolen Kingdom, Jillian Boehme

When I first signed up for this book tour and got to see the cover, I was sitting on the edge in excitement for reading this. But (a very stretched and long but to say), this book did not quite sit well with me unfortunately. I don't mean to say it was utterly disappointing, just that the plot didn't have the effect I was expecting it to have. I will point out what I felt lacking without giving out any kind of spoiler about the story.

The story progresses using dual perspectives of Maralyth, a vintner’s daughter with magic in her blood and a secret royal lineage, and Alac, the second son of the present king who finds himself concernedly drawn in towards the magic he has despised for a large part of his life. Although this interesting enough, the story was too fast-paced and wasn't really grand with use of words. For most part it felt as if info was being dumped infront of us without much proper planning. And the magic in the world was abundant and endless, without any restrictions on the amount of usage. Without any constraints, it takes away all the spark of adding magic in the story.

Maybe this book could have been portrayed better if it wasn't a standalone. Maybe. There were so many potential characters who were left untouched, with no deeper insight for their motives. The plot felt superficial at best. My only respite was that the romance between the lead characters, Maralyth and Alac, wasn't forced out. It fruited gradually in the story with them being supportive of each other and as an escape, though momentary, from their assigned roles. It was a sweet, cosy and feel good romance; no complain regarding this.

There were some good parts undeniably, but it gets too stretched out it in middle along with the other problems I've pointed out above. Overall, this is your standard YA fiction with some good characters and a fast moving plot. It could be fairly enjoyable if we look past its certain lackings.

RATINGS: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5

HERE ARE SOME QUOTES FROM THE BOOK WHICH I LOVED

AND HERE'S A MOODBOARD DEDICATE TO IT

HERE ARE THE BOOK LINKS FOR 'THE STOLEN KINGDOM':

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53205978-the-stolen-kingdom Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Kingdom-Jillian-Boehme/dp/1250298822/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EJ54O6UO93BD&dchild=1&keywords=the+stolen+kingdom+jillian+boehme&qid=1609970031&sprefix=The+Stolen+Kingdom+by+Jillian+Boehme%2Caps%2C606&sr=8-1 Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-stolen-kingdom-jillian-boehme/1136889508?ean=9781250298829 Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Stolen-Kingdom-Jillian-Boehme/9781250298829 Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-stolen-kingdom/9781250298829-item.html?ikwid=The+Stolen+Kingdom+by+Jillian+Boehme&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=f29a9572054e9329a2e3d47800408e0a IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/search/book?keys=the+stolen+kingdom ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jillian is known to the online writing community as Authoress, hostess of Miss Snark’s First Victim, a blog for aspiring authors.

In real life, she holds a degree in Music Education, sings with the Nashville Symphony Chorus, and homeschools her remaining youngster-at-home.

She’s still crazy in love with her husband of more than thirty years and is happy to be surrounded by family and friends amid the rolling knolls of Middle Tennessee.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.jillianboehme.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillianBoehme

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillian.boehme/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7234281.Jillian_Boehme

TOUR SCHEDULE

There are many other amazing bloggers and bookstagrammers who are also a part of this tour. Check out their works and show them some love too: https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2021/02/10/tour-schedule-the-stolen-kingdom-by-jillian-boehme/