The Theft of Sunlight

By Author / Illustrator

Intisar Khanani

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Hot Key Books

ISBN

9781471410376

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

24-06-2021

Synopsis

The wonderful sequel to the fairytale-inspired fantasy THORN by an exciting new author.'A dark, Middle-Eastern influenced retelling about dangerous secrets, false identities, delicious court intrigue and justice.' - culturefly.co.uk on THORNChildren have been disappearing from across Menaiya for longer than Amraeya ni Ansarim can remember. When her friend's sister is snatched, Rae knows she can't look away any longer - even if that means seeking answers from the royal court, where her country upbringing and clubfoot will only invite ridicule.Yet at court she discovers an ally in the foreign princess, who recruits her as an attendant. So Rae begins to seek answers in the dark city streets, finding unexpected help in a thief with secrets of his own. But treachery runs deep, and the more Rae uncovers, the more she endangers the kingdom itself. Praise for THORN:\"A quietly profound and beautiful fairytale retelling that I'll be recommending for years.\" - S. A. Chakraborty, author of City of Brass 'Well-written and dramatically told, teens will find much to love in a novel in which the princess grows to become a force to be reckoned with.\" -School Library Journal (starred review)\"Immersive and captivating...[will] draw in fans of fantasy and slow-burn romance.\" - Kirkus Reviews

Reviews

The Theft of Sunlight is a thrilling, gripping and entertaining story that was borne out of a re telling of The Goose Girl, Thorn, of which I also highly recommend. Rae lives a happy life in the village of Sheltershorn with her family and friends until a child is snatched from them. She is horrified to discover that more isn't being done to stop the snatchers. When Rae is given the opportunity to attend princess Alyrra at the royal court she is willing to endure ridicule for her upbringing and disability to find out who is taking these children. Rae confides with the Alyrra and with her help and blessing begins the dangerous task of finding out who is snatching the children from across the kingdom. What dangers will she face? Will her findings not only put herself in danger but the royal family as well? Will the Red Hawk along with Bren become allies and help her in this quest for truth and doing what is right?

This story is a spiders web of magic, secrets and lies, of betrayal and trust, family and loyalty. The author has managed to successfully immerse the reader into her world through her wonderful writing and by adding new characters and revisiting old ones from Thorn.

With well written and engaging pages that delve into, amongst other things, human trafficking/slavery and how people of society ignore what is going on around them, the book is easily suitable for the mature 11+ reader. I believe it would also be great for book clubs/ intervention groups as there are many avenues for discussion and debate.

I'm looking forward to the next part of the story as I need to follow Rae into the realms of the unknown. How will she get out of the situation she now finds herself in?

400 pages / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian