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Stolen City
Twin thieves attempt to pull off a daring heist in Stolen City, the sophomore fantasy novel from Dauntless author Elisa A. Bonnin.The city of Leithon is under Imperial occupation and Arian Athensor has made it her playground.In stealing magical artifacts for the Resistance, bounding over rooftops to evade Imperial soldiers, and establishing herself as the darling thief of the underground, Arian lives a life wrapped in danger and trained towards survival. She’ll steal anything for the right price, and if she runs fast enough, she can almost escape the fact that her mother is dead, her father is missing, and her brother, Liam, is tamping down a wealth of power in a city that has outlawed magic.But then the mysterious Cavar comes to town with a job for the to steal an artifact capable of ripping the souls from the living--the same artifact that used to hang around the neck of Arian’s mother. Suddenly, her past is no longer buried under adrenaline but intimately tied to the mission at hand, and Arian must face her guilt and pain head-on in order to pull off the heist.As Arian and Cavar infiltrate the strongest fortress in Leithon and Liam joins the Resistance as their resident mage, the twins find themselves embroiled in court politics and family secrets, and the mission becomes more than just another artifact theft. The target is now the Imperial rule, and Arian will go to any length necessary to steal her city back.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2022
16 people are currently reading
2963 people want to read
About the author
Elisa A. Bonnin
9 books153 followersElisa A. Bonnin was born and raised in the Philippines, then moved to the United States to study chemistry and later oceanography. After completing her doctorate, she moved to Germany, where she now works as a scientific writer. A lifelong learner, Elisa is always convinced that she should “maybe take a class in something” and as a result, has amassed an eclectic collection of hobbies. But writing will always be her true love. Publishing a book had been her dream since she was eight years old, and she is thrilled to finally be sharing her epic fantasy stories. She is the author of Dauntless, Stolen City, Lovely Dark and Deep, and her forthcoming novel, The Night King’s Court.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 15, 2022
RECEIVED!! Thank you to Goodreads and Macmillan Publishing for the giveaway!! 💖
I couldn’t follow the story and it was hard to read.
I couldn’t follow the story and it was hard to read.
July 4, 2022
PLEASE tell me we get a follow up book!!!!!!??????
5*
- Autistic rep
- Biracial rep
- Knife-to-throat scene
- Magic
- Heists!!
- Multi-POV
- Ship that made me giggle and scream, I’m obsessed!
Thank you NetGalley, Swoon Reads and Elisa A. Bonnin for providing me with an arc as a member of the author’s street team in exchange for an honest review!
This became one of my favourite books instantly, and I am completely obsessed! If you’re after a book to follow Six of Crows for its magical heists, look no further! I can completely see Stolen City becoming the new Tiktok 'it' book!
Elisa is a master of world building and Stolen City is no exception. The politics and history of Leithon is explained beautifully, showing the cultural and generational trauma caused by the Imperial occupation- however, this never feels 'preachy'. The magic system was intriguing and unique, the characters had limitations, and, for the most part, no one felt overpowered. I would totally read a prequel book about the creation of the Arcanum, Weavers and Venari family, this world is so rich it deserves more books! (Please!)
Arian and Liam's coming of age was satisfying, but it did feel a little rushed towards the end. I'd love to see a follow up book exploring what happens next with Leithon and the characters!
My favourite part of Stolen City was Arian and Cavar by far, the witty writing and tension?! In love! The heists were really fun and subverted my expectations- so good!
I need people to read Stolen City so they can gush over this book with me!
5*
- Autistic rep
- Biracial rep
- Knife-to-throat scene
- Magic
- Heists!!
- Multi-POV
- Ship that made me giggle and scream, I’m obsessed!
Thank you NetGalley, Swoon Reads and Elisa A. Bonnin for providing me with an arc as a member of the author’s street team in exchange for an honest review!
This became one of my favourite books instantly, and I am completely obsessed! If you’re after a book to follow Six of Crows for its magical heists, look no further! I can completely see Stolen City becoming the new Tiktok 'it' book!
Elisa is a master of world building and Stolen City is no exception. The politics and history of Leithon is explained beautifully, showing the cultural and generational trauma caused by the Imperial occupation- however, this never feels 'preachy'. The magic system was intriguing and unique, the characters had limitations, and, for the most part, no one felt overpowered. I would totally read a prequel book about the creation of the Arcanum, Weavers and Venari family, this world is so rich it deserves more books! (Please!)
Arian and Liam's coming of age was satisfying, but it did feel a little rushed towards the end. I'd love to see a follow up book exploring what happens next with Leithon and the characters!
My favourite part of Stolen City was Arian and Cavar by far, the witty writing and tension?! In love! The heists were really fun and subverted my expectations- so good!
I need people to read Stolen City so they can gush over this book with me!
Want to read
October 13, 2021Apparently this is a fantasy book with autistic rep :D
August 11, 2022
I received an eARC of this book from the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is definitely very different from Bonnin's debut, Dauntless, and not quite to my taste. While I appreciated the worldbuilding and themes explored in this story, I felt it lacking the emotion and heart that Dauntless did. For me it was at least because I didn't find myself attached to the characters and I felt we weren't given ample time to really latch onto one. That said, I do think a strong point for this book is the character relationships, which seems to be Bonnin's strongest suit. Pacing-wise, found both the very beginning and the very end to be quite engaging, but the entire middle dragged quite a bit for me. If you like your heist stories to spend a lot of time in the planning phase, you might like this book.
A part of me feels I read this book at the wrong time, so I'm definitely rereading this to see how I feel when it is released.
This book is definitely very different from Bonnin's debut, Dauntless, and not quite to my taste. While I appreciated the worldbuilding and themes explored in this story, I felt it lacking the emotion and heart that Dauntless did. For me it was at least because I didn't find myself attached to the characters and I felt we weren't given ample time to really latch onto one. That said, I do think a strong point for this book is the character relationships, which seems to be Bonnin's strongest suit. Pacing-wise, found both the very beginning and the very end to be quite engaging, but the entire middle dragged quite a bit for me. If you like your heist stories to spend a lot of time in the planning phase, you might like this book.
A part of me feels I read this book at the wrong time, so I'm definitely rereading this to see how I feel when it is released.
September 23, 2022
Stolen City is truly more than a heist story. It’s a story of magic, of family, of choices that make or break your identity, and ultimately a story of revolution.
---
I must say, Stolen City is kind of a slow build. There are multiple characters to know, places to take note of, world-building to follow… But then the story gets going, and suddenly you can’t look away from the page. Reading this book was like that for me, and I loved it!
Stolen City presents itself as a heist story in its early parts, but as you get to know the characters and as you recognize the subplots and see the bigger picture, you realize it’s so much more.
With four different perspectives, talks of imperial occupation and rebellion, forbidden magic, and family secrets, it’s a story that will catch and hold your attention. The writing style seems straightforward, but also poetic at times that you feel the character’s emotions right off the page.
Speaking of the characters, I also quite love the characterizations in this story. We have four characters here with different backstories, different aspirations and fears, motivations, and more. And yet they make the story seem so alive. I loved getting to know them and diving deep into their thoughts and actions. Arian, Liam, Cavar, and Zephyr were all compelling in their own ways and you can’t help but anticipate how they will change the story, how they will reach the end.
As for the political intrigue in this story, I think the author did a wonderful job painting a picture and changing the sceneries for the readers. You think one thing one moment, but you’re hit with a twist the next. You’re rooting for this character one moment, and then you’re not. That’s what it felt like reading this. And I think this is another reason why I got so invested in this story.
The world-building and the magic being mixed with politics also make the story even more riveting. The idea of a place rich in magic but is now forbidden due to the imperial occupation, of an organization of mages, spells, and clans— it was all a great addition to the allure of the book.
Overall, this was a riveting read that thoroughly surprised me. If you’re looking for a book with politics, and family secrets, and magic, give Stolen City a try now!
A big thank you to Xpresso Tours, as well as to Swoon Reads, for including me in the blog tour!
Exact rating: 4.5/5
---
I must say, Stolen City is kind of a slow build. There are multiple characters to know, places to take note of, world-building to follow… But then the story gets going, and suddenly you can’t look away from the page. Reading this book was like that for me, and I loved it!
Stolen City presents itself as a heist story in its early parts, but as you get to know the characters and as you recognize the subplots and see the bigger picture, you realize it’s so much more.
With four different perspectives, talks of imperial occupation and rebellion, forbidden magic, and family secrets, it’s a story that will catch and hold your attention. The writing style seems straightforward, but also poetic at times that you feel the character’s emotions right off the page.
Speaking of the characters, I also quite love the characterizations in this story. We have four characters here with different backstories, different aspirations and fears, motivations, and more. And yet they make the story seem so alive. I loved getting to know them and diving deep into their thoughts and actions. Arian, Liam, Cavar, and Zephyr were all compelling in their own ways and you can’t help but anticipate how they will change the story, how they will reach the end.
As for the political intrigue in this story, I think the author did a wonderful job painting a picture and changing the sceneries for the readers. You think one thing one moment, but you’re hit with a twist the next. You’re rooting for this character one moment, and then you’re not. That’s what it felt like reading this. And I think this is another reason why I got so invested in this story.
The world-building and the magic being mixed with politics also make the story even more riveting. The idea of a place rich in magic but is now forbidden due to the imperial occupation, of an organization of mages, spells, and clans— it was all a great addition to the allure of the book.
Overall, this was a riveting read that thoroughly surprised me. If you’re looking for a book with politics, and family secrets, and magic, give Stolen City a try now!
A big thank you to Xpresso Tours, as well as to Swoon Reads, for including me in the blog tour!
Exact rating: 4.5/5
November 5, 2022
This was such a good fantasy - a couple of times, I wished I could skip work to continue reading! 😊 I especially loved the characters, who each had a deep, detailed history, and also a couple of reveals/twists which took me by surprise. I’m really hoping there will be a sequel!
Read
April 13, 2023I'm really not sure where this one went wrong. Between the cover and the heist, I totally thought I would love it. But honestly, the only reason i even finished it was because it was my only entertainment on a plane. Otherwise it would've been a DNF.
I really think my main problem here was the characters. They were all a bit too bland. It felt like the author tried to build them into loveable archetypes, but failed along the way. The only ones I semi-liked were Zephyr and Kaolin, and neither of them got much page time. Even they were boring though.
I think the other problem was the sheer scale. While I love epic fantasies with massive scales, it didn't work for this one. It had too many moving parts and characters and schemes to keep track of, and none of it meshed very well together.
I requested both The Stolen City and Dauntless the minute they were on Netgalley, and now that I've read this one, I'm way less enthused for Dauntless. Here's to hoping it's better.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
I really think my main problem here was the characters. They were all a bit too bland. It felt like the author tried to build them into loveable archetypes, but failed along the way. The only ones I semi-liked were Zephyr and Kaolin, and neither of them got much page time. Even they were boring though.
I think the other problem was the sheer scale. While I love epic fantasies with massive scales, it didn't work for this one. It had too many moving parts and characters and schemes to keep track of, and none of it meshed very well together.
I requested both The Stolen City and Dauntless the minute they were on Netgalley, and now that I've read this one, I'm way less enthused for Dauntless. Here's to hoping it's better.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
June 23, 2023
Rating - 2.5/5
There's much to like and get hooked on the story. It started strong, and the very little world-building we got was interesting, but I wish there was more of that. Even with multiple POVs, all characters sounded the same and lacked depth, so it was difficult to care. And towards the end, it felt like I was reading about overpowered MCs battling each other in a Shonen anime.
There's much to like and get hooked on the story. It started strong, and the very little world-building we got was interesting, but I wish there was more of that. Even with multiple POVs, all characters sounded the same and lacked depth, so it was difficult to care. And towards the end, it felt like I was reading about overpowered MCs battling each other in a Shonen anime.
September 23, 2022
Quick Stats
Age Rating: 13+
Over All: 4 stars
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Special thanks to FierceReads and NetGalley for an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions reflected in this review are my own.
The first few chapters of this book focus on a futuristic world built in towering skyscrapers. That, paired with the cover, made me assume it was going to be scifi—but it was definitely high fantasy. The magic system, yes, but also just the vibes.
Think: magic, rag tag team, heist plot, revenge, political subterfuge.
And yes, it is as good as it sounds.
Stolen City is narrated through four (third person) POVs, Arian, Liam, Cavar, and Zephyr. I’m always hesitant when books go over two POV characters, because I often find it confusing or generally less engaging, but I enjoyed every POV and they were different enough that I never got their voices muddled. Each character gave their own unique and necessary viewpoint to the story.
The plot was equally engaging—fast paced and twisty. There were a few reveals that I saw coming from early on, but others completely caught me off guard in the best way. I do wish the heist aspect had been played into a little more, mostly because I’m a sucker for that trope, but I think there was room for more building of tension in that regard.
My only other complaint was in the world building. The Leithonian magic system was well developed, as was the political climate of the world and its relations to the other nations. The tribal clans of the Weavers were also well developed, but I am still highly confused on what, exactly, the Weavers themselves are. They’re…spies? Who think the fate of the world is there responsibility? What are their motives? Do they or do they not have magic of their own? Every mention of the Weavers just confused me more.
In the start of the book, alongside the cover, there is a lot of emphasis of a world based on towering skyscrapers (think Rebel by Marie Lu), but after those first few chapters, the skyscraper and similar layout of the city is almost never mentioned, nor is it relevant. On occasion there would be a throwaway mention, and I’d get confused as I remembered this city is set up very very oddly. Due to the lack of explanation to how these skyscrapers interacted with the story itself, I often found myself trying and failing to picture any sort of landscape, terrain, or map of the world.
I enjoyed the book as a whole. It was fast, sweeping, and intriguing. It was open-ended, and while the ending was satisfying, I’d love to return to the world of Stolen City and see what everyone—especially Liam—are up to. I enjoyed Elisa A. Bonnin’s writing and I’m excited to pick up her debut next!
Age Rating: 13+
Over All: 4 stars
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Special thanks to FierceReads and NetGalley for an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions reflected in this review are my own.
The first few chapters of this book focus on a futuristic world built in towering skyscrapers. That, paired with the cover, made me assume it was going to be scifi—but it was definitely high fantasy. The magic system, yes, but also just the vibes.
Think: magic, rag tag team, heist plot, revenge, political subterfuge.
And yes, it is as good as it sounds.
Stolen City is narrated through four (third person) POVs, Arian, Liam, Cavar, and Zephyr. I’m always hesitant when books go over two POV characters, because I often find it confusing or generally less engaging, but I enjoyed every POV and they were different enough that I never got their voices muddled. Each character gave their own unique and necessary viewpoint to the story.
The plot was equally engaging—fast paced and twisty. There were a few reveals that I saw coming from early on, but others completely caught me off guard in the best way. I do wish the heist aspect had been played into a little more, mostly because I’m a sucker for that trope, but I think there was room for more building of tension in that regard.
My only other complaint was in the world building. The Leithonian magic system was well developed, as was the political climate of the world and its relations to the other nations. The tribal clans of the Weavers were also well developed, but I am still highly confused on what, exactly, the Weavers themselves are. They’re…spies? Who think the fate of the world is there responsibility? What are their motives? Do they or do they not have magic of their own? Every mention of the Weavers just confused me more.
In the start of the book, alongside the cover, there is a lot of emphasis of a world based on towering skyscrapers (think Rebel by Marie Lu), but after those first few chapters, the skyscraper and similar layout of the city is almost never mentioned, nor is it relevant. On occasion there would be a throwaway mention, and I’d get confused as I remembered this city is set up very very oddly. Due to the lack of explanation to how these skyscrapers interacted with the story itself, I often found myself trying and failing to picture any sort of landscape, terrain, or map of the world.
I enjoyed the book as a whole. It was fast, sweeping, and intriguing. It was open-ended, and while the ending was satisfying, I’d love to return to the world of Stolen City and see what everyone—especially Liam—are up to. I enjoyed Elisa A. Bonnin’s writing and I’m excited to pick up her debut next!
August 31, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
Stolen City follows twins Arian and Liam, magic wielders who are recruited by the mysterious Cavar to execute a dangerous heist.
This is a fast-paced, engaging heist novel set in a fantasy world. We follow four different POV characters, and though the book is short enough that it's hard to feel genuinely attached to all of them, Bonnin does present her world and characters with such precision that they are easy to immediately feel immersed in. Even so, I wouldn't have been upset with another 50 pages of world- and character-building.
Though Stolen City and Bonnin's debut novel, Dauntless, are vastly different in terms of content and tone, both novels are equally masterfully executed, and I am excited to see what she has in store next (I also would not be mad at another Stolen City novel 👀👀)
Stolen City follows twins Arian and Liam, magic wielders who are recruited by the mysterious Cavar to execute a dangerous heist.
This is a fast-paced, engaging heist novel set in a fantasy world. We follow four different POV characters, and though the book is short enough that it's hard to feel genuinely attached to all of them, Bonnin does present her world and characters with such precision that they are easy to immediately feel immersed in. Even so, I wouldn't have been upset with another 50 pages of world- and character-building.
Though Stolen City and Bonnin's debut novel, Dauntless, are vastly different in terms of content and tone, both novels are equally masterfully executed, and I am excited to see what she has in store next (I also would not be mad at another Stolen City novel 👀👀)
April 21, 2023
So, I received this book in a giveaway, so I figured it's fair to give it an honest review. Took me a while to read it, but that's more down to my reading slump than anything else.
Overall, I loved the characters and enjoyed the heist but I found myself really invested in the back stories. It's definitely a story set firmly in the present, but I struggled with investing too much in Leithon as I didn't see much insight into the city before the occupation.
I would have liked to see more of the world itself, but it's a heist novel and the heist itself was really well done. While I had fun, I think I was left with more questions and so I hope there's a sequel or prequel, or any more additions to the series.
Although, I can say I'd definitely read it again. I also really enjoyed the shortness of each chapter, because damn that always makes it easier to read.
Overall, I loved the characters and enjoyed the heist but I found myself really invested in the back stories. It's definitely a story set firmly in the present, but I struggled with investing too much in Leithon as I didn't see much insight into the city before the occupation.
I would have liked to see more of the world itself, but it's a heist novel and the heist itself was really well done. While I had fun, I think I was left with more questions and so I hope there's a sequel or prequel, or any more additions to the series.
Although, I can say I'd definitely read it again. I also really enjoyed the shortness of each chapter, because damn that always makes it easier to read.
September 10, 2022
4.5 rtc
September 24, 2022
⭐⭐⭐.5
Thank you to Fierce Reads and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I love a good heist novel. Who doesn’t? There’s so much potential when it comes to meeting the characters involved, the planning, and holding out for that great execution at the end. Stolen City is one of those novels, artfully combining its story with a unique urban fantasy setting.
A big element of heist novels is plotting out the heist itself, and the pace of this novel definitely reflects that. I’d tend to recommend this book more to those who would prefer a slower-paced novel, as this one does take some time to set things up. But as a result, you have a rich story and world to become immersed in.
The characters’ motivations and interactions with each other were really well-done as well. But this book also included a lot of perspectives, which I personally thought made the book a little more complicated than it needed to be in terms of telling the story and character development. This tends to be a preference for me, however – other readers may not mind this.
Overall, Stolen City was a solid sophomore novel. This is not only a good pick for readers who enjoy Grishaverse, but also urban fantasy series like Renegades.
CW:
Thank you to Fierce Reads and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I love a good heist novel. Who doesn’t? There’s so much potential when it comes to meeting the characters involved, the planning, and holding out for that great execution at the end. Stolen City is one of those novels, artfully combining its story with a unique urban fantasy setting.
A big element of heist novels is plotting out the heist itself, and the pace of this novel definitely reflects that. I’d tend to recommend this book more to those who would prefer a slower-paced novel, as this one does take some time to set things up. But as a result, you have a rich story and world to become immersed in.
The characters’ motivations and interactions with each other were really well-done as well. But this book also included a lot of perspectives, which I personally thought made the book a little more complicated than it needed to be in terms of telling the story and character development. This tends to be a preference for me, however – other readers may not mind this.
Overall, Stolen City was a solid sophomore novel. This is not only a good pick for readers who enjoy Grishaverse, but also urban fantasy series like Renegades.
CW:
February 23, 2023
🌆🌇☀️Stolen City☀️🌇🌆
Arian Athensor is hiding in the city of Leithon, which is under imperial occupation. With her brother Liam, the two carry out dangerous tasks, hidden from prying eyes. When Cavar comes with his accomplice Linna to Leithon, he has a job for Arian and Liam. This heist could either help them reclaim the city that was taken from them or cause them to lose everything they have left. Arian poses as Cavar's servant as they enter the heart of the city. Old alliances, betrayals, heists, and magic will ensue in an adventure to free Leithon.
*Every single person in this world can view a work of literature and have completely different thoughts and opinions. My opinion is not meant to offend you. If you do not want to see a review criticising your favourite book (or a book you enjoyed), then I recommend not proceeding with reading this review.
Despite the fact that the synopsis makes this book sound exciting, when I finished it, all I could think about was how bland it was. It felt like a hobbling of generic fantasy tropes in a static story. There wasn't anything I really hated, but there was also nothing I really liked. I thought that the author's writing and characters felt like they were barely scratching the surface. I was unsure because the way the characters' backstories and emotions were written were ones that I would normally love, but for some reason I felt nothing for them or their journey.
It felt like I was in a sluggish haze reading this, with barely anything happening. The worldbuilding is very light, mentioning terms and throwing them out there without fully explaining. When certain terms were explained, I wanted them to be connected to other parts of the world to make them feel more vivid and real. The romance made me feel uncomfortable because, in my opinion, it didn't have to be there. It felt as though characters with absolutely no chemistry were being shoved towards each other when it honestly didn't have to happen. Zephr felt exactly like Arian, Liam felt exactly like Cavar, and in the end, all the perspectives felt like they came from the same voice.
I just couldn't feel the emotions of the characters or an inkling of excitement while reading. I do believe that the author's other works might be ones that I will enjoy.
🆗PLOT
⛔CHARACTERS
⛔PLOT TWIST
Arian Athensor is hiding in the city of Leithon, which is under imperial occupation. With her brother Liam, the two carry out dangerous tasks, hidden from prying eyes. When Cavar comes with his accomplice Linna to Leithon, he has a job for Arian and Liam. This heist could either help them reclaim the city that was taken from them or cause them to lose everything they have left. Arian poses as Cavar's servant as they enter the heart of the city. Old alliances, betrayals, heists, and magic will ensue in an adventure to free Leithon.
*Every single person in this world can view a work of literature and have completely different thoughts and opinions. My opinion is not meant to offend you. If you do not want to see a review criticising your favourite book (or a book you enjoyed), then I recommend not proceeding with reading this review.
Despite the fact that the synopsis makes this book sound exciting, when I finished it, all I could think about was how bland it was. It felt like a hobbling of generic fantasy tropes in a static story. There wasn't anything I really hated, but there was also nothing I really liked. I thought that the author's writing and characters felt like they were barely scratching the surface. I was unsure because the way the characters' backstories and emotions were written were ones that I would normally love, but for some reason I felt nothing for them or their journey.
It felt like I was in a sluggish haze reading this, with barely anything happening. The worldbuilding is very light, mentioning terms and throwing them out there without fully explaining. When certain terms were explained, I wanted them to be connected to other parts of the world to make them feel more vivid and real. The romance made me feel uncomfortable because, in my opinion, it didn't have to be there. It felt as though characters with absolutely no chemistry were being shoved towards each other when it honestly didn't have to happen. Zephr felt exactly like Arian, Liam felt exactly like Cavar, and in the end, all the perspectives felt like they came from the same voice.
I just couldn't feel the emotions of the characters or an inkling of excitement while reading. I do believe that the author's other works might be ones that I will enjoy.
🆗PLOT
⛔CHARACTERS
⛔PLOT TWIST
August 9, 2022
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars!
I LOVED Dauntless by Bonnin, so I was excited to request and receive this one. Also, the cover? Like STUNNING. The premise of this speaks to me, especially when dealing with thievery, heists, magic, and the everpresent consequences of imperialism. While it was a bit difficult to stay focused on the plot with FOUR different POVs, it all connected well toward the end of the novel. I particularly like how morally gray the characters all were, as they all grappled with moral decisions and how their decisions can have a larger impact on their actions and the ramifications of them Zephyr's betrayal arc, Liam's dark magic, Carvar's change in ideas, and Arian accepting who she was made interesting plot points, and I like how there wasn't a right or wrong answer for most of their decisions.
The lore is really interesting too, but I think there needed to be more explanation for it. There is a LOT of lore and world building in the novel, and while it leaves itself open for more books at the end, I think some of the message and the plot was lost because the world building was not fleshed out enough. I wanted to learn more about the weavers, and the clans, and the empire, and imperial and all of that, and I think it would have made the story more developed and potent in its message.
I LOVED Dauntless by Bonnin, so I was excited to request and receive this one. Also, the cover? Like STUNNING. The premise of this speaks to me, especially when dealing with thievery, heists, magic, and the everpresent consequences of imperialism. While it was a bit difficult to stay focused on the plot with FOUR different POVs, it all connected well toward the end of the novel. I particularly like how morally gray the characters all were, as they all grappled with moral decisions and how their decisions can have a larger impact on their actions and the ramifications of them Zephyr's betrayal arc, Liam's dark magic, Carvar's change in ideas, and Arian accepting who she was made interesting plot points, and I like how there wasn't a right or wrong answer for most of their decisions.
The lore is really interesting too, but I think there needed to be more explanation for it. There is a LOT of lore and world building in the novel, and while it leaves itself open for more books at the end, I think some of the message and the plot was lost because the world building was not fleshed out enough. I wanted to learn more about the weavers, and the clans, and the empire, and imperial and all of that, and I think it would have made the story more developed and potent in its message.
May 16, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A heist book filled with magic.
We have a brother and sister relationship filled with building tension, a romance which seems to have no future and a city overtaken.
I liked the morally grey characters but the underpinning sense of duty and loyalty.
Bookstagram
A heist book filled with magic.
We have a brother and sister relationship filled with building tension, a romance which seems to have no future and a city overtaken.
I liked the morally grey characters but the underpinning sense of duty and loyalty.
"But you are helping the cause. You and your brother both. You're taking magical artifacts out of the hands of Imperials."
Arian raised one hand, making a vague gesture. "It's good money. And sticking it to the Empire's a bonus, sure. But I'm not in this to be a hero."
Bookstagram
September 23, 2022
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars.
Stolen City is a heist novel told in multiple POV, which centers around City of Leithon that is under an Imperial rule. The new regime forbids magic and kill people with magical background, which makes it hard for the twin siblings, Arian and Liam, to navigate this world as they are both mages, the latter being the only one properly trained and the former being the one who wants nothing to do with magic. With their combined skills, they cemented a reputation of infiltrating even the heavily secured buildings in their multiple heist jobs. Having heard of the twins and by the will of his mother, Cavar offered them a job to steal (or more appropriately, take back) a magical artifact which can doom the world as they know it when put into the wrong hands.
Just last month, I have also made an ARC review for Bonnin’s debut novel DAUNTLESS, which I absolutely loved that I became an instant fan. It was glorious to think that I didn’t have to wait too long to read another book from her again. The moment I started this book, I was already able to point out how this differs from her debut novel, but how it also had some similarities. What I’m sure of though is there’s something about Bonnin’s books that are just captivating. I was easily pulled into the story as it premises a broken city under occupation with the main characters as thieves hired to infiltrate a highly secured institution. From that, my brain reeled on all the possibilities and politicking. Bonnin’s writing is gorgeous and her characters are significantly complex plagued with one of the biggest conundrums in life: cementing and holding on to one’s identity in a world that perpetually breaks it. I loved how it evoked meaningful questions and pondering on my end.
Just like her previous book, this one is highly adventurous, although with less battle scenes and more schemes. Her vivid and seamless writing with a noticeable snark is not lost on me. In fact, I did become a fan of her books because of how easy and entertaining it is to read. Throughout the book, it managed to deliver the suspense, mystery, edge-of-the-seat revelation and heart-wrenching scenes that are noteworthy. However, at some point, I did want some more. I think that the worldbuilding is good, however, so much was said about how the invasion of Empire affected Arian and Liam’s family that there was little to no mention on what happened to the people of Leithon, especially the ones who don’t possess magical affinity, how have they been affected. I also felt detached from the city they want to reclaim, as not much information about the pre-occupation was provided, only that there were monarchs and that magic was encouraged. I think this was also the reason why it was hard for me to delineate the purpose and goals of the Resistance. What artifacts are they stealing and how did it help the cause? The revolutionary themes in this book is a far cry from what I expected, it being a work of a hero instead of a collective pursuit.
I think what Bonnin has to a T was her characters. I loved the sibling relationship between Arian and Liam. The way their words turn scathing at times, but the love and loyalty will always be there. Arian is a thrill-seeker who revels in the face of danger. She’s pragmatic who deeply cares for her brother, her anchor in the world she keeps running away from. In this book, we see her grow from a girl trying to survive the present while escaping the ghosts of her past to someone finally acknowledging her responsibility and reclaiming her purpose. While I loved Arian dearly, I resonated more with Liam, my cute powerful nerd mage. He works so hard on his magic training and perfecting his craft even when everything fell apart. It’s like he runs his life by fulfilling a mission. I strongly related to him in such a way he craved validation, to a point that it has become a string tying his identity, goals and perceived purpose and is then constantly in danger of snapping. His warring emotions were just so raw and evocative that I can’t help but sympathize. As for the other characters, Cavar and Zephyr I really don’t have much thoughts about them. Cavar being the foreigner, with his own culture and family background outside of Leithon that is integral to the plot but him being a Weaver was just generally used as a think piece for the twins to revisit and know more about the Weaver side of their ancestry. Unfortunately, the romance in this book didn’t really interest me. I think it was dry and underdeveloped. On another note, Zephyr’s moral dilemma was painful to read. I keep reminding myself she was a child, and that’s fine. But as the story progresses, I can never overlook the fact that she’s part of the empire’s machinery for its fascist endeavors. Not to mention falling in love with *it’s a spoiler i’m sorry i can’t say, the only thing i can say is FUCK?!*
If you’re a fan of YA magical heist novels with endearing sibling relationship, this one’s for you!
3.5 stars.
Stolen City is a heist novel told in multiple POV, which centers around City of Leithon that is under an Imperial rule. The new regime forbids magic and kill people with magical background, which makes it hard for the twin siblings, Arian and Liam, to navigate this world as they are both mages, the latter being the only one properly trained and the former being the one who wants nothing to do with magic. With their combined skills, they cemented a reputation of infiltrating even the heavily secured buildings in their multiple heist jobs. Having heard of the twins and by the will of his mother, Cavar offered them a job to steal (or more appropriately, take back) a magical artifact which can doom the world as they know it when put into the wrong hands.
Just last month, I have also made an ARC review for Bonnin’s debut novel DAUNTLESS, which I absolutely loved that I became an instant fan. It was glorious to think that I didn’t have to wait too long to read another book from her again. The moment I started this book, I was already able to point out how this differs from her debut novel, but how it also had some similarities. What I’m sure of though is there’s something about Bonnin’s books that are just captivating. I was easily pulled into the story as it premises a broken city under occupation with the main characters as thieves hired to infiltrate a highly secured institution. From that, my brain reeled on all the possibilities and politicking. Bonnin’s writing is gorgeous and her characters are significantly complex plagued with one of the biggest conundrums in life: cementing and holding on to one’s identity in a world that perpetually breaks it. I loved how it evoked meaningful questions and pondering on my end.
Just like her previous book, this one is highly adventurous, although with less battle scenes and more schemes. Her vivid and seamless writing with a noticeable snark is not lost on me. In fact, I did become a fan of her books because of how easy and entertaining it is to read. Throughout the book, it managed to deliver the suspense, mystery, edge-of-the-seat revelation and heart-wrenching scenes that are noteworthy. However, at some point, I did want some more. I think that the worldbuilding is good, however, so much was said about how the invasion of Empire affected Arian and Liam’s family that there was little to no mention on what happened to the people of Leithon, especially the ones who don’t possess magical affinity, how have they been affected. I also felt detached from the city they want to reclaim, as not much information about the pre-occupation was provided, only that there were monarchs and that magic was encouraged. I think this was also the reason why it was hard for me to delineate the purpose and goals of the Resistance. What artifacts are they stealing and how did it help the cause? The revolutionary themes in this book is a far cry from what I expected, it being a work of a hero instead of a collective pursuit.
I think what Bonnin has to a T was her characters. I loved the sibling relationship between Arian and Liam. The way their words turn scathing at times, but the love and loyalty will always be there. Arian is a thrill-seeker who revels in the face of danger. She’s pragmatic who deeply cares for her brother, her anchor in the world she keeps running away from. In this book, we see her grow from a girl trying to survive the present while escaping the ghosts of her past to someone finally acknowledging her responsibility and reclaiming her purpose. While I loved Arian dearly, I resonated more with Liam, my cute powerful nerd mage. He works so hard on his magic training and perfecting his craft even when everything fell apart. It’s like he runs his life by fulfilling a mission. I strongly related to him in such a way he craved validation, to a point that it has become a string tying his identity, goals and perceived purpose and is then constantly in danger of snapping. His warring emotions were just so raw and evocative that I can’t help but sympathize. As for the other characters, Cavar and Zephyr I really don’t have much thoughts about them. Cavar being the foreigner, with his own culture and family background outside of Leithon that is integral to the plot but him being a Weaver was just generally used as a think piece for the twins to revisit and know more about the Weaver side of their ancestry. Unfortunately, the romance in this book didn’t really interest me. I think it was dry and underdeveloped. On another note, Zephyr’s moral dilemma was painful to read. I keep reminding myself she was a child, and that’s fine. But as the story progresses, I can never overlook the fact that she’s part of the empire’s machinery for its fascist endeavors. Not to mention falling in love with *it’s a spoiler i’m sorry i can’t say, the only thing i can say is FUCK?!*
If you’re a fan of YA magical heist novels with endearing sibling relationship, this one’s for you!
August 17, 2022
I was lucky enough to have received an E-Arc of this book and I was NOT disappointed by what I read. I’m going to try to not spoil things in my review but I will be mentioning a few characters that aren’t named specifically in the book’s description.
This is a story of magic, colonization, and the lengths people will go to for those that they love. The characters in this story are all driven by fear, for themselves or the ones they love, loyalty, for their city and it’s people, and responsibility, either for their desire to run from it or accept it. All of these emotions drive the characters down different paths that converge together in the best way imaginable.
The four POV’s that Elisa established in this novel were all very different and unique. I could feel each specific character’s emotions, understand their actions through their mindset, and found myself falling in love with these characters because of it.
The twins, Arian the master thief, and Liam that last mage of Arcanum, had very contrasting personalities but were still in tune with one another enough to gauge each others reactions and feelings. Their arc’s in the story were incredible to witness as they pushed past their own fear of failure in an effort to create change.
Zephyr, a Knight turned traitor, is a prime example of what someone will do for the people they love. Although she was outwardly hated by those around her, she never backed down from a fight. Without giving too much away… I’m very excited to see more of her storyline with a certain someone should we get a sequel.
Cavar, the Weaver of the Wastes, was probably my FAVORITE character but I’m also biased towards cute, sarcastic boys who like to steal artifacts and hearts. He’s smart, captivating and all around a joy to read about. I trusted/fell in love with him from the moment Arian met Cavar.
The world building in this novel was incredible. I ate up every little bit of it from the descriptions of the Leithon itself, to talk of the Wastes/Empire, and all of the discussion about magic and how it worked in the world. The way magic was used in this story almost gave me a sci-fi feeling to it and I’ve always loved when magic almost sounds like technology instead of fantasy.
There is very little in the way of romance, and while that would usually upset me (I’m a big romance reader) this did not. Any more than what we were given would have felt like a distraction from the plot and what we DID receive was perfect for any readers who like a good slow burn. With that in mind, I REALLY HOPE Y’ALL HAVE PREORDERED I WANT A SEQUEL.
Overall this book was MORE than I expected. The twins POV’s I anticipated but the addition of Zephyr and Cavar was a delightful surprise. All four of these characters, their different experiences, and thoughts worked so well together and I ended up loving the book from start to finish. I’d recommend this to anyone who loved Elisa’s world building from her first book and anyone who loves heists and fantasy.
This is a story of magic, colonization, and the lengths people will go to for those that they love. The characters in this story are all driven by fear, for themselves or the ones they love, loyalty, for their city and it’s people, and responsibility, either for their desire to run from it or accept it. All of these emotions drive the characters down different paths that converge together in the best way imaginable.
The four POV’s that Elisa established in this novel were all very different and unique. I could feel each specific character’s emotions, understand their actions through their mindset, and found myself falling in love with these characters because of it.
The twins, Arian the master thief, and Liam that last mage of Arcanum, had very contrasting personalities but were still in tune with one another enough to gauge each others reactions and feelings. Their arc’s in the story were incredible to witness as they pushed past their own fear of failure in an effort to create change.
Zephyr, a Knight turned traitor, is a prime example of what someone will do for the people they love. Although she was outwardly hated by those around her, she never backed down from a fight. Without giving too much away… I’m very excited to see more of her storyline with a certain someone should we get a sequel.
Cavar, the Weaver of the Wastes, was probably my FAVORITE character but I’m also biased towards cute, sarcastic boys who like to steal artifacts and hearts. He’s smart, captivating and all around a joy to read about. I trusted/fell in love with him from the moment Arian met Cavar.
The world building in this novel was incredible. I ate up every little bit of it from the descriptions of the Leithon itself, to talk of the Wastes/Empire, and all of the discussion about magic and how it worked in the world. The way magic was used in this story almost gave me a sci-fi feeling to it and I’ve always loved when magic almost sounds like technology instead of fantasy.
There is very little in the way of romance, and while that would usually upset me (I’m a big romance reader) this did not. Any more than what we were given would have felt like a distraction from the plot and what we DID receive was perfect for any readers who like a good slow burn. With that in mind, I REALLY HOPE Y’ALL HAVE PREORDERED I WANT A SEQUEL.
Overall this book was MORE than I expected. The twins POV’s I anticipated but the addition of Zephyr and Cavar was a delightful surprise. All four of these characters, their different experiences, and thoughts worked so well together and I ended up loving the book from start to finish. I’d recommend this to anyone who loved Elisa’s world building from her first book and anyone who loves heists and fantasy.
September 23, 2022
Thank you to netgalley and swoon reads for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Stolen City is told in four different points of view.
Cavar – Who is a weaver that has come to Leithon to find a star that is important to his group. Cavar hires Arian and Liam to help him get the star back to his people and into safe hands before someone else figures out how to use it and cause harm to the entire city.
Arian – Who is a thief who lives in Leithon and who know how to get around the city undetected. She has a twin and together they have pulled off some of the cities most well known heists. She ends up working with Cavar to attempt to steal the star his group wants before it falls into the wrong hands.
Liam – Arian’s twin brother who has magical abilities and is able to help the heists go off perfectly. With his magical abilities Liam realizes that he can do far more for the revolution thats happening and possible help protect others.
Zephyr – Liam’s ex-girlfriend, has betrayed they city supposedly in order to protect those she loves. Is now one of the people in charge of protecting the Bastion (castle like structure for the city.
Together these four different points of view help put together what has happened in the past in Leithon and what is currently happening now as the city is about to burst with revolution. Not only is a revolution about to happen, but there is also a heist planned that could have multiple of the characters we are following dead, or worse imprisoned.
Overall I couldn’t read this book fast enough. I had to know what was going to happen next. If Arian and Cavar were going to be able to convince them to work together in the tense situations they ended up getting involved in. They had to keep up appearances and play a part that wasn’t easy, especially as time went on and they got closer to the time to pull off the heist in one of the most secure places that Arian had ever tried to get into. Not only that though, they were also dealing with women else who they didn’t even know existed and had to stay safe from the revolution. All of this at once made for an extremely action-packed story that had so many moving parts that all came together to help make an amazing ending.
I’m not going to spoil anything or say how the heist ends up going. But what I will say is that I would love to see more of this world with either a book two, or with some companion novels showing what everyone else gets up to after that ending.
Stolen City is told in four different points of view.
Cavar – Who is a weaver that has come to Leithon to find a star that is important to his group. Cavar hires Arian and Liam to help him get the star back to his people and into safe hands before someone else figures out how to use it and cause harm to the entire city.
Arian – Who is a thief who lives in Leithon and who know how to get around the city undetected. She has a twin and together they have pulled off some of the cities most well known heists. She ends up working with Cavar to attempt to steal the star his group wants before it falls into the wrong hands.
Liam – Arian’s twin brother who has magical abilities and is able to help the heists go off perfectly. With his magical abilities Liam realizes that he can do far more for the revolution thats happening and possible help protect others.
Zephyr – Liam’s ex-girlfriend, has betrayed they city supposedly in order to protect those she loves. Is now one of the people in charge of protecting the Bastion (castle like structure for the city.
Together these four different points of view help put together what has happened in the past in Leithon and what is currently happening now as the city is about to burst with revolution. Not only is a revolution about to happen, but there is also a heist planned that could have multiple of the characters we are following dead, or worse imprisoned.
Overall I couldn’t read this book fast enough. I had to know what was going to happen next. If Arian and Cavar were going to be able to convince them to work together in the tense situations they ended up getting involved in. They had to keep up appearances and play a part that wasn’t easy, especially as time went on and they got closer to the time to pull off the heist in one of the most secure places that Arian had ever tried to get into. Not only that though, they were also dealing with women else who they didn’t even know existed and had to stay safe from the revolution. All of this at once made for an extremely action-packed story that had so many moving parts that all came together to help make an amazing ending.
I’m not going to spoil anything or say how the heist ends up going. But what I will say is that I would love to see more of this world with either a book two, or with some companion novels showing what everyone else gets up to after that ending.
July 16, 2025
Read: July 2nd - July 14th
Format: Physical Book
Rating: 4 stars
Twin Arian and Liam Athensor live in a city occupied by the Empire, but they show their resistance by stealing back magical artifacts. Then a man from the Weavers, an organization that manipulates the happenings of the world, approaches them with their most dangerous job yet: break into the impenetrable Bastion and steal back a soul-sealing artifact that once belonged to their mother. While Arian joins the Weaver to infiltrate the Bastion, Liam must help the underground Resistance in return for their help. But there are darker threats lurking beneath the surface, and as the past and secrets begin catching up with the twins, they'll have to delve deeper into themselves if they wish to survive. Even if that means surrendering the parts they value the most.
Looking at this book's performance, I am genuinely saddened because I'm pretty sure we're not getting the sequel v_v First thing I did upon completing was coming to look if there was one, but nope.
It's unfortunate, because this was a really fun book. It took me a bit to get into, but once I did, I found myself really enjoying it. The characters just worked for me. Especially Cavar for some reason. I adored him every time he was on the page. I also really liked Kaolin??? I dunno, something about those two just hit sweet spots.
Bonnin also just had FUN with the magic. Was it explained intricately? Nah. But was it super fun to imagine happening? Heck yeah. And now that the magic has really started to roll by the end, I really want to see how it can further be used. Gaaaah, I want a book 2 😭
I loved all the various politics and family secrets going on, and how that developed all the different characters. Liam especially had interesting developments that started relatively early on and kept building upon itself.
Also, I loved watching one of the relationships start to bloom and the two be silly together 👌🏼
Although I did greatly enjoy, I did take a bit to get invested, and the pacing could be randomly really quick at times, hence 4 stars. But this is definitely a series I'd love to continue. Unfortunately, don't think I'm going to get to 😔
Format: Physical Book
Rating: 4 stars
Twin Arian and Liam Athensor live in a city occupied by the Empire, but they show their resistance by stealing back magical artifacts. Then a man from the Weavers, an organization that manipulates the happenings of the world, approaches them with their most dangerous job yet: break into the impenetrable Bastion and steal back a soul-sealing artifact that once belonged to their mother. While Arian joins the Weaver to infiltrate the Bastion, Liam must help the underground Resistance in return for their help. But there are darker threats lurking beneath the surface, and as the past and secrets begin catching up with the twins, they'll have to delve deeper into themselves if they wish to survive. Even if that means surrendering the parts they value the most.
Looking at this book's performance, I am genuinely saddened because I'm pretty sure we're not getting the sequel v_v First thing I did upon completing was coming to look if there was one, but nope.
It's unfortunate, because this was a really fun book. It took me a bit to get into, but once I did, I found myself really enjoying it. The characters just worked for me. Especially Cavar for some reason. I adored him every time he was on the page. I also really liked Kaolin??? I dunno, something about those two just hit sweet spots.
Bonnin also just had FUN with the magic. Was it explained intricately? Nah. But was it super fun to imagine happening? Heck yeah. And now that the magic has really started to roll by the end, I really want to see how it can further be used. Gaaaah, I want a book 2 😭
I loved all the various politics and family secrets going on, and how that developed all the different characters. Liam especially had interesting developments that started relatively early on and kept building upon itself.
Also, I loved watching one of the relationships start to bloom and the two be silly together 👌🏼
Although I did greatly enjoy, I did take a bit to get invested, and the pacing could be randomly really quick at times, hence 4 stars. But this is definitely a series I'd love to continue. Unfortunately, don't think I'm going to get to 😔
September 12, 2022
3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Elisa A. Bonnin delivers another solid stand-alone fantasy within the span of a year with Stolen City. While it’s very different from her debut, Dauntless, I like that it allowed her to avoid being pigeonholed into one “type” of story. While I found this story slightly less captivating than its predecessor, it still has a lot to offer.
I really liked the themes explored here, particularly about the impacts of colonization, and how fear can drive you to extreme measures. Despite it being fictional, you get the sense that the characters are fighting back against an imperialist threat not unlike those we’ve seen in our world, which makes it relatable.
The characters are where I feel the narrative may have been spread a bit thin. Multi-perspective narratives were also a part of Bonnin’s prior book, but having four of them was a bit much, and I feel the development suffered a bit for it. The relationship between the twins, Arian and Liam, is strong, and Bonnin is great at drawing other relationships between characters. But it’s a bit harder to get a sense for who they are individually.
The pacing also suffers a bit, with the middle lagging after a solid start, then picking up towards the end. But it does feel earned, as there’s meticulous planning to be done, and the payoff is ultimately there.
Despite any personal issues I had, I found this to be a pretty solid sophomore effort overall, and can’t wait to see what Elisa A. Bonnin releases next. If you’re a fan of YA fantasy heist stories, you’ll enjoy this one.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Elisa A. Bonnin delivers another solid stand-alone fantasy within the span of a year with Stolen City. While it’s very different from her debut, Dauntless, I like that it allowed her to avoid being pigeonholed into one “type” of story. While I found this story slightly less captivating than its predecessor, it still has a lot to offer.
I really liked the themes explored here, particularly about the impacts of colonization, and how fear can drive you to extreme measures. Despite it being fictional, you get the sense that the characters are fighting back against an imperialist threat not unlike those we’ve seen in our world, which makes it relatable.
The characters are where I feel the narrative may have been spread a bit thin. Multi-perspective narratives were also a part of Bonnin’s prior book, but having four of them was a bit much, and I feel the development suffered a bit for it. The relationship between the twins, Arian and Liam, is strong, and Bonnin is great at drawing other relationships between characters. But it’s a bit harder to get a sense for who they are individually.
The pacing also suffers a bit, with the middle lagging after a solid start, then picking up towards the end. But it does feel earned, as there’s meticulous planning to be done, and the payoff is ultimately there.
Despite any personal issues I had, I found this to be a pretty solid sophomore effort overall, and can’t wait to see what Elisa A. Bonnin releases next. If you’re a fan of YA fantasy heist stories, you’ll enjoy this one.
October 16, 2024
This book was amazing! I loved reading it and always missed it when school had me reading something else.
Character:
The development of these characters was beyond amazing. The trama they had to face, the trials and demons of their past and present... all of it was outstanding and genius.
All the characters were easy to relate to or to understand where they were coming from. You know who they are, and what they want.
+1 ⭐️
World:
The world was well thought out, and there was a LOT that went into the planning, I could tell.
The Magic system was incredibly well thought out, and nothing was overly powered. There were limitations and rules, which made it all the more real.
The world itself, the country, the city, the lands, all of it were amazing, and strong. There were enough rules, political and social, to make it seem real, to make it seem tangible.
+1 ⭐️
Plot:
Okay, the ending I could see from a MILE away, but only PART of the ending. I have to admit, the author did an incredible job twisting the story enough to hide the truth, but still gave you the clues to figure it out. I feel like the plot itself was unique, and amazingly strong. No plot holes that I could see, and that in-and-of itself deserves a star. All of this was amazing. I loved the plot, and how it kept me going in the story.
+1 ⭐️
Writing style:
I loved the writing stile. It flowed, and shifted. I love how the author shifted points of veiw so smoothly, making it seem natural.
+1 ⭐️
Over all enjoyment:
I FREAKING LOVED THIS STORY!!!! I highly recommend this book.
Not only did it have an enthralling start, but an incredible finish as well.
+1 ⭐️
Character:
The development of these characters was beyond amazing. The trama they had to face, the trials and demons of their past and present... all of it was outstanding and genius.
All the characters were easy to relate to or to understand where they were coming from. You know who they are, and what they want.
+1 ⭐️
World:
The world was well thought out, and there was a LOT that went into the planning, I could tell.
The Magic system was incredibly well thought out, and nothing was overly powered. There were limitations and rules, which made it all the more real.
The world itself, the country, the city, the lands, all of it were amazing, and strong. There were enough rules, political and social, to make it seem real, to make it seem tangible.
+1 ⭐️
Plot:
Okay, the ending I could see from a MILE away, but only PART of the ending. I have to admit, the author did an incredible job twisting the story enough to hide the truth, but still gave you the clues to figure it out. I feel like the plot itself was unique, and amazingly strong. No plot holes that I could see, and that in-and-of itself deserves a star. All of this was amazing. I loved the plot, and how it kept me going in the story.
+1 ⭐️
Writing style:
I loved the writing stile. It flowed, and shifted. I love how the author shifted points of veiw so smoothly, making it seem natural.
+1 ⭐️
Over all enjoyment:
I FREAKING LOVED THIS STORY!!!! I highly recommend this book.
Not only did it have an enthralling start, but an incredible finish as well.
+1 ⭐️
September 21, 2022
Tension is guaranteed in this fast-paced tale about a heist, unjust rule, and magic.
Arian and Liam are twins and one of the most talented pair of thieves in the resistance. By stealing magical artifacts, they hope to someday end Imperial rule, but they also are more than happy to take up jobs, when a little money is involved. When they are approached by Cavar, a once royal guard gone traitor, to steal a certain artifact, things shift into high-gear.
This is a fun read with quite a few surprises and exciting moments. The world building is very well done as Leithon becomes a rich city, which pops from the page. Even the political background, culture, and life is described enough to make the surroundings understandable and vibrant. This created a wonderful backdrop for the magic, fight scenes, and chases, which kept the plot moving and the read entertaining. Plus, a heist with all of its difficulties and tension is always a treat.
The four main characters each share their own points of view as the chapters switch between each one. The name is presented at the beginning to help keep confusion at a minimum, but it still took a bit to get into the flow of all four of them. Arian and Cavar both held quite a bit of personality, making them easy to connect with right away, while the other two, although also fun to root for, just never hooked me quite as much. Each of them had their own problems to overcome, though, and added richness to the tale. It will be fun to see where the next book in the series goes from here. I received a DRC and enjoyed the adventure.
Arian and Liam are twins and one of the most talented pair of thieves in the resistance. By stealing magical artifacts, they hope to someday end Imperial rule, but they also are more than happy to take up jobs, when a little money is involved. When they are approached by Cavar, a once royal guard gone traitor, to steal a certain artifact, things shift into high-gear.
This is a fun read with quite a few surprises and exciting moments. The world building is very well done as Leithon becomes a rich city, which pops from the page. Even the political background, culture, and life is described enough to make the surroundings understandable and vibrant. This created a wonderful backdrop for the magic, fight scenes, and chases, which kept the plot moving and the read entertaining. Plus, a heist with all of its difficulties and tension is always a treat.
The four main characters each share their own points of view as the chapters switch between each one. The name is presented at the beginning to help keep confusion at a minimum, but it still took a bit to get into the flow of all four of them. Arian and Cavar both held quite a bit of personality, making them easy to connect with right away, while the other two, although also fun to root for, just never hooked me quite as much. Each of them had their own problems to overcome, though, and added richness to the tale. It will be fun to see where the next book in the series goes from here. I received a DRC and enjoyed the adventure.
November 23, 2024
What’s in Stolen City?
🪄High-stake heist
🪄Revolution
🪄Politics and betrayal
🪄Family secrets
🪄Outlawed magic
This is a standalone fantasy novel that follows twin thieves Arian and Liam as they navigate life after the death of their mother and fall of Leithon to the hands of the Imperial Empire.
Arian and Liam are living in the outskirts of Leithon, along with other former Leithonans, and surviving by being the infamous thief of the underground.
Their paths crossed with Cavar when he offered the twins a job to steal a magical artifact that has the ability to save or destroy Leithon. With it comes a fueled heist filled with intrigue, revolution, and curveballs that will uncover more than just what the twins are expecting.
I enjoyed the thrill as the characters prepare for the heist and even when they establish their disguise within the Imperial ranks. Arian and Liam are auto-favorites as their sibling dynamics is realistic - none is perfect and both are suffering from anger issues and trauma after seeing their mother killed.
The talk about revolution and resistance is something that I always enjoy and in this one, the presence of the Underground amped up the intrigue of the story especially with how they will manage to overthrow the Empire.
Magic system is a bit confusing at the start since there’s minimal discussion of it but when Arian finally understood her role, everything about the arcane magic is what carried the story in my honest opinion.
++ there’s a playlist dedicated to the twins and Cavar and Zephyr at the end of the book, too 😉
🪄High-stake heist
🪄Revolution
🪄Politics and betrayal
🪄Family secrets
🪄Outlawed magic
This is a standalone fantasy novel that follows twin thieves Arian and Liam as they navigate life after the death of their mother and fall of Leithon to the hands of the Imperial Empire.
Arian and Liam are living in the outskirts of Leithon, along with other former Leithonans, and surviving by being the infamous thief of the underground.
Their paths crossed with Cavar when he offered the twins a job to steal a magical artifact that has the ability to save or destroy Leithon. With it comes a fueled heist filled with intrigue, revolution, and curveballs that will uncover more than just what the twins are expecting.
I enjoyed the thrill as the characters prepare for the heist and even when they establish their disguise within the Imperial ranks. Arian and Liam are auto-favorites as their sibling dynamics is realistic - none is perfect and both are suffering from anger issues and trauma after seeing their mother killed.
The talk about revolution and resistance is something that I always enjoy and in this one, the presence of the Underground amped up the intrigue of the story especially with how they will manage to overthrow the Empire.
Magic system is a bit confusing at the start since there’s minimal discussion of it but when Arian finally understood her role, everything about the arcane magic is what carried the story in my honest opinion.
++ there’s a playlist dedicated to the twins and Cavar and Zephyr at the end of the book, too 😉
September 20, 2022
Disclaimer: I was given an eARC as part of a street team for this book to give my honest review.
"Luck in the face of danger"
I loved it. Over and over again, I thought I had figured out what was happening and every time I ended up being taken by surprise.
It did have a couple gut punch moments. One that just always gets me is siblings being part of something bigger and how that all effects them.
I loved the unwilling chosen one, it's not used enough.
For her sophomore novel, I honestly am hooked on Elisa's writing and desperately want more both in this world, and other worlds she creates.
I started this last night and finished it tonight so it was hard to put down. Once the ball got rolling, I didn't want to stop.
"We'd rather die in the fire than live without facing it."
"Luck in the face of danger"
I loved it. Over and over again, I thought I had figured out what was happening and every time I ended up being taken by surprise.
It did have a couple gut punch moments. One that just always gets me is siblings being part of something bigger and how that all effects them.
I loved the unwilling chosen one, it's not used enough.
For her sophomore novel, I honestly am hooked on Elisa's writing and desperately want more both in this world, and other worlds she creates.
I started this last night and finished it tonight so it was hard to put down. Once the ball got rolling, I didn't want to stop.
"We'd rather die in the fire than live without facing it."
December 26, 2023
Disclaimer: I was given an eARC as part of a street team for this book to give my honest review and promote this book.
"Luck in the face of danger"
I loved it. Over and over again, I thought I had figured out what was happening and every time I ended up being taken by surprise.
It did have a couple gut punch moments. One that just always gets me is siblings being part of something bigger and how that all effects them.
I loved the unwilling chosen one, it's not used enough.
For her sophomore novel, I honestly am hooked on Elisa's writing and desperately want more both in this world, and other worlds she creates.
I started this last night and finished it tonight so it was hard to put down. Once the ball got rolling, I didn't want to stop.
"We'd rather die in the fire than live without facing it."
"Luck in the face of danger"
I loved it. Over and over again, I thought I had figured out what was happening and every time I ended up being taken by surprise.
It did have a couple gut punch moments. One that just always gets me is siblings being part of something bigger and how that all effects them.
I loved the unwilling chosen one, it's not used enough.
For her sophomore novel, I honestly am hooked on Elisa's writing and desperately want more both in this world, and other worlds she creates.
I started this last night and finished it tonight so it was hard to put down. Once the ball got rolling, I didn't want to stop.
"We'd rather die in the fire than live without facing it."
September 27, 2022
I thought Bonnin's previous novel DAUNTLESS was impressive and that her writing couldn't get any better, but STOLEN CITY really blew me out of the water with the carefully woven intricacies of the storyline. The realism in her characters' flaws struck me, making me connect deeply with all of the point-of-view-characters in different but equally compelling ways. While a heist with political undercurrents wouldn't typically interest me, Bonnin's character-driven style sucked me into the plot. STOLEN CITY is an adventure that I plan to go on again and again through rereading.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC of STOLEN CITY via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are strictly my own.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC of STOLEN CITY via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are strictly my own.
October 1, 2022
2.5
This is honestly much more it's not the book it's me thing I suppose. I had some shit happen this week and had to go to the ER so after that it was pretty hard for me to focus on the audiobook, which I was already midway through. I feel like I couldn't really connect to any part of the story or characters. I didn't hate it, I just didn't love it either. Also, I feel like the cover gives much more of a sci-fi vibe and I kinda expected it to be more sci-fi when in fact it's straight-up fantasy. This is not a problem for me but it does kind of feel like false advertising. I forced myself to finish it yesterday so that I can be done.
This is honestly much more it's not the book it's me thing I suppose. I had some shit happen this week and had to go to the ER so after that it was pretty hard for me to focus on the audiobook, which I was already midway through. I feel like I couldn't really connect to any part of the story or characters. I didn't hate it, I just didn't love it either. Also, I feel like the cover gives much more of a sci-fi vibe and I kinda expected it to be more sci-fi when in fact it's straight-up fantasy. This is not a problem for me but it does kind of feel like false advertising. I forced myself to finish it yesterday so that I can be done.
September 19, 2023
i’m honestly shocked that this book has such a low rating, because i was completely hooked from start to finish. admittedly, it has a slower pace, but i thoroughly enjoyed the political intrigue and character studies.
however, and maybe it’s just cause of how much i loved this book, but i really did want more from it. more time to sit with the characters and watch them grow, and especially more time to develop their relationships with each other. there was such a great basis for so many relationships, but i feel like it stopped just before anything could actually really happen.
⪼ 4.5 stars.
however, and maybe it’s just cause of how much i loved this book, but i really did want more from it. more time to sit with the characters and watch them grow, and especially more time to develop their relationships with each other. there was such a great basis for so many relationships, but i feel like it stopped just before anything could actually really happen.
⪼ 4.5 stars.
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