Stolen - Lucy Christopher

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Bibliography: 

Christopher, L (2014). Stolen. Radiant Heart Publishing. 

Plot Summary: 

Sixteen-year-old Gemma, a British city-dweller, is abducted while on vacation with her parents and taken to the Australian outback, where she soon realizes that escape attempts are futile, and in time she learns that her captor is not as despicable as she first believed.

Critical Analysis:

I had to give this book five stars for several reasons. One of the reasons is because it was so fantastically well written. Beautiful, touching, heart breaking and real. Christopher doesn't spare on the details both good and bad. Never before have I felt a book to be so real, so gritty and tangible.

This book is a journey into the world of Stockholm Syndrome and the craft of Christopher's skill left even me, feeling the effects of this baffling psychological problem.

If you're looking for action and suspense in this book - you won't find it. Yet I personally found the strength of the characters and the outback itself was strong enough to carry this story without needing a great deal of edge-of-your-seat intensity. The mental intensity was enough for me. 

Review Excerpt: 

Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

An emotionally raw thriller…a haunting account of captivity and the power of relationships.

Booklist

A complex psychological study that is also a tribute to the hypnotic beauty of the Outback.

Kirkus Review

From its compelling opening, the novel delivers taut suspense and a riveting plot in a haunting setting.

Connections:

Setting of the Australian Outback

A unit on interpersonal relationships

Adventure - Kidnapping and Abuse