Book Review: Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen

Stolen Songbird

by Danielle L. Jensen

Series: The Malediction Trilogy #1

Genre: YA, fantasy

Published April 1st 2014 by Strange Chemistry

Source: Publisher

Purchase: Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Book Depository

Blurb (Goodreads):

For those who have loved Seraphina and Graceling comes another truly fabulous fantasy...

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.

But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its secret leader.

As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever.

My Thoughts:

First, I hoped the book has shorter and more mysterious blurb than what they displayed in Goodreads (and in the back of the book, if they put the same). Thank God I didn't read the entire blurb before requesting it (I knew this would be really good and I just have to read it) because it pretty much summarized the book.


Stolen Songbird was told in Cécile's perspective--a girl with a beautiful voice that was on her way to 'stardom' but has been kidnapped and sold to trolls. Later on the novel, I found out that Tristan, the prince of trolls and who she was bonded to, also have his perspective in some chapters but not as much as Cécile.

The world-building of Trollus was mysterious and realistic enough. When I say 'realistic', I say that I imagined a creepy and dark-looking world where the trolls live as I imagined. Cécile's descriptions about their world and the trolls itself were clear that I feel like I'm really inside their world.

The plot was really good and even though there are similarities with other fantasy novels, Stolen Songbird has it's own attack to the readers. The sequence of the events, the surprises and twists, the strong voice and character of the heroine, the excitement and rush while reading, and the sweet un-annoying romance.

Yes, there is romance. But thank God again because this book didn't turned out like other books that are so-called "fantasy" when everything about the story revolves around the romance. Cécile and Tristan didn't liked each other the moment they met. Would you like someone--a troll, perhaps--you are forced to bond with? Who was one of the reasons why you were kidnapped and brought to trolls? I bet not. But here, their relationship progressed in time with the story. And I loved it the most. I like the right amount of fantasy, of issues, secrets, action, and romance in it. One wasn't too much or too little. The pace was alright as well. All added in right amount and it resulted to a wonderfully written novel.

The only thing I was *quite* disappointed about in Stolen Songbird was I thought (and really looked for) the story has something to do about her voice. She has been described as amazing singer, after all. If I were one of the consciences of Danielle Jensen, I would whisper to her ear that she should've used Cécile's remarkable talent in the story. That would've been more exciting. Not that this wasn't. It is. I just think it would top the amazing work she had.

Stolen Songbird is the type of fantasy novel you would look for. Even the people who like fantasy less would be entertained by this book. It has the right amount of ingredients and would make you ask for more. Exciting, magical, and romantic--I would suggest this book to all of you! Also, if you like Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, you'll like this as well.

Get a chance to win (5 winners!) Stolen Songbird! Giveaway will be posted here on the 15th for the April New Release giveaway hop.  (Ended.)
Win a copy of Stolen Songbird on my Best of 2014 Giveaway!

*Thanks to Caroline and Strange Chemistry for the review e-copy of this book!

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