Stolen: A Letter To My Captor by Lucy Christopher

Genre: Young Adult
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 301
Book Source: Own Purchase

Snyopsis: 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.

My Thoughts:

Stolen was one of the most unique reads I've ever read; disturbing, confusing, complex, thought-provoking and lyrical. Told from Gemma's point of view in the form of a letter to her captor; this unusual format gives the reader an intimate perspective of Gemma's emotions during her captivity. Stolen was unputdownable, I read it in one sitting, reading through until 3am and the story has been on my mind a lot since finishing it.

As an Australian who has spent time in the outback, Lucy Christopher's vivid descriptions of the desert were on the mark, I found myself spellbound by the stark beauty of the setting and Ty's love for the land. I confess that the kindness shown Gemma by Ty while he held her captive, really messed with my head. I can only surmise that Christopher's extraordinary writing elicited a 'reader form' of Stockholm Syndrome. It's far easier to hate a character who is pure evil, as a reader you know what's expected of you. Giving Ty a gentle, intuitive side made me feel unbalanced, it gave the plot and my feelings ... complexity.

I thought the character development was excellent as it has to be when there are really only two characters to focus on. Well, three, if you count the camel who you cannot help but fall in love with. I loved the subtle connection between both Gemma and Ty's experience with being 'Stolen' and the Stolen Generation being removed from their land. Stolen is a haunting and suspenseful read and Lucy Christopher is a new YA voice I thoroughly recommend. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Lucy Christopher was born in Wales but grew up in Australia. Her second novel, Flyaway was published in January 2010. Visit her website to find out more.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win The Sky Is Everywhere OR Mockingjay OR By Fire, By Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.