Marketing-wise, I think it was absolutely lost on me that The Theft of Sunlight was a sequel or a companion novel or part of a duology in any way. I think because of this fact, some things were somewhat lost on me as I was reading and definitely I would have enjoyed it more if I had a fuller picture of what to expect going in. However, the writing was strong and enjoyable to read! I would recommend this book to any friend who loves YA. I think this book will do wonderfully when it is released and it won't be hard to garner much hype for it!

THORN was one of my favorite reads of 2020, and I was lucky enough to get my hand on an ARC of the sequel, THEFT OF SUNLIGHT. It is every bit as good as THORN but next level in terms of stakes. This is an intricate story that takes on some of the most serious issues in society, such as child trafficking, and is told through a new main character, Rae. (Rae was briefly introduced in the short story at the end of THORN). Her story is carried with an urgency that will have you evaluating the impact you want to have in the world. My teen son is also a huge fan of this series and likes this second installment even more than the first, which he also greatly enjoyed. I have already preordered a copy for my home library!!

This is the second in a series, although knowledge of the first book isn't necessary so long as the reader is familiar with the Goose Girl fairy tale (reading the Wikipedia summary would also provide sufficient background). There's a great deal of good content, world building, and character development but, overall the plot feels overstuffed. There are too many plot lines in general, as well as far too many plot lines that a country girl with no previous court experience is likely to have such a significant role in (particularly a girl who so continuously violates all norms and protocols). While the character isn't a Mary Sue in the least, both her adventures and ongoing employment (from hire onward) have shades of the improbability usually associated with that trope. The cliff hanger conclusion was very well done, as I absolutely have an interest in knowing how the central mystery of the Snatchers is resolved and seeing if 'Bren' reemerges despite having only middling feelings about the book overall.

I've heard amazing things about the Khanani's works so was excited to dive into this story. The settings, characters and plot are unique and engaging enough but I did struggle to finish. I'm pegging it to a "it's me" not the book sort of thing. Something about the lead just didn't pull me in quite as deeply as I'd expected. Either way, I still think fans of the author will find her latest work quite the treat.

Perhaps I should wait to give feedback because I'm still feeling a lot of emotions after finishing this book, but I'm going to try anyways.

4.5 Stars. So this is the sequel to Thorn, but the viewpoint changes and it no longer follows the fairy tale retelling story. These two points made it a tiny bit harder to get into then Thorn, but not much because turns out, I am loving Intisar Khanani (please write more!).

This story focuses on Amraeya, a horse rancher's daughter who becomes an attendant to the princess and helps her search for the snatchers learned of in the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and Rae. Her banter with Bren was so fun. Rae has a turned foot and this book is a great representation of someone who cannot naturally keep up, but doesn't let stop her from accomplishing anything. (Please note: I do not have any physical disabilities and if I am wrong that this is not an accurate representation in any way or is harmful to the portrayal - please correct me).

While I enjoyed Rae as a heroine I would have enjoyed this book even more if we still saw Alyrra's point of view sometimes. When Rae is watching Alyrra and Kestrin I would have enjoyed hearing their points of view, but that's just because I came to love them so much in the first book.

But that ending? My heart - it's torn. On the one hand, that's a very reasonable ending for a book about slavery, but please it can't be a duology as the author states in the acknowledgements! Even if I an intellectually agree that we shouldn't learn what happens to Rae (although I want that story!) you can't leave us hanging with the kingdom and Garrin (who - called it!) and everything else that must be turned upside down. I need at least one more book.

I received this ARC via HarperTeen and Netgalley for an unbiased review.

"...I know what I want. I'll simply have to be patient in order to get there."

Hello everyone~! Let's get into a few quick Q&A's before delving into this world and my thoughts.

1. Can I read this book if I haven't read Thorn or The Bone Knife? Yea....no. You shall be exceedingly confused and miss an amazing door of opportunity to get your feels going when you see familiar characters again in this book because ultimately, they are all in here.

2. Is it a big book? yep!

3. Is there a lot of romance? yes and no. There are aspects of a romance, and I surely fell in love with a male character because he's a hunk, but it isn't the main narrative of the story and I can appreciate that a lot.

4. is it worth reading? You betcha!

Okay! let's get into it!

This book was a journey. Honestly, such a journey.
Having read basically all of Intisar's novels, I knew what I was roughly signing up for... but did I?

This book addresses the dark sides of the court life, which we all can hazard a guess of what those are, with all its plots and machinations.

However, she has tastefully and heartbreakingly addressed things that I haven't come across in YA novels before and it was both amazing and terrifying. My heart was pounding and very little sleep was had.

Let's get into my own iterations of the plot:

Rae knows that life is unfair.
Life is hard.
People are merciless.
Having lived with a disability since birth she has seen the looks of pity, the looks of mockery, and the constant sneers of derision which follows in her wake.
However, being a somewhat sheltered country girl made her forget the ruthlessness of humanity.
Until...a loved one disappears. Rae is awoken to the bitterness of life.
When she is invited to the capital and life takes her into the Royal Court.
She becomes a spectacle.
But no one knows that Rae has a purpose.
You may sneer.
You may even underestimate her.
But Rae is a warrior.
Maybe not of swords and spears,
But she will protect those she loves.
Snatchers beware, Rae will not be trifled with.
With a soul of iron and a resolve of steel.
Rae may be made to courtesy...but she will never kneel.

This book for me sits at 3.5-4/ 5 stars (leaning more towards the 4).

Let me tell you why.

Delving into this novel, I loved the way the author sucks you into her world however, I felt that at moments this fluctuated as the novel went on. The beginning was tastefully described, I could see the market stalls, smell the earth and see the vegetables that were selling.

However, the descriptions soon became a bit more abstract and scarce and I found myself completely at loss as to how I ought to envision the town, the palace, and even the apartment complexes.

Therefore, to describe the capital and the town (which the character spends a great deal of time in) I had to literally imagine the setting of the live-action Disney movie Aladdin in my head because I felt that it wasn't particularly described in-depth and I had a hard time envisioning it.

The beginning/ first half of the book was sloooow, but I tell you lovelies, the moment Bren comes into the game, I. WAS. SOLD!!! Ahhhhhh BREN! NEW BOOK BOYFRIEND ALERT!

He's kind of amazing and I'm trying not to make this whole review about him but DANG! I LOVE HIM! I want more!

I had moments where I just kept imagining that moment in Tangled, the bit where Rapunzel is like, "I even met someone." and her 'mother' is like, "oh yes! a wanted thief, I'm so proud!" haha but honestly the second part of this book is action-packed and worth every second after BREN comes in.

When I think of all the insanities our poor heroine goes through, I swear I felt like having panic attacks, time and again. Rae is strong and the love she has for her family, even stronger. She is pushed and challenged beyond words and limits. But Rae is honestly such an amazingly strong character.

That ending was brutal because now I have to wait for a while until I get myself the next book. I actually NEED that book more than words can describe.

I think I'll stop there for now because I don't want to steal the thunder you'll feel when experience when getting your hands on this book and the awesomeness that this is.

Stay awesome my lovelies!
Emmeline (The Book Herald)
follow me for more reviews <3

In 2014, I read Intisar Khanani's Thorn and loved it. A retelling of the famous Goose Girl fairy tale in which Alyrra is the endangered princess. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Intisar Kahanani, and The Theft of Sunlight was another example of how easily I fall into the worlds she creates.

Set in the same world as Thorn, Theft of Sunlight features Rae, daughter of a horse rancher. Alyrra, the betrayed princess turned goose girl, is now about to marry the prince. But although Alyrra plays an important role, she is not the protagonist this time.

Rae, who limps as a result of a club foot, has come to the palace to visit her cousin and been drafted into becoming an attendant to Alyrra. Rae agrees because she has a purpose of her own--finding out who is behind the stealing of children and selling them into slavery.

Despite the handicap of a club foot, Rae pursues the dangerous task of discovering the how and the who behind the thefts of children. Another one of Khanani's wonderful female protagonists, Rae is defined by courage and persistence.

Danger and suspense keep the pace quick. Who to trust? How deep is the conspiracy?

My only problem--waiting for the next book. Recommended!

I'm reviewing this early since the publication date is so far away, but will mention it again in March, 2021.

NetGalley/Harper Teen
YA/Fantasy. March 23, 2020. Print length: 528 pages that absolutely flew by!

Excellent teen fantasy, very timely theme. The story is well written, if a little formulaic,very well paced. Should be very successfull.

**I received this book from netgalley in exchange for a review**

"Sometimes, when you think things are finished, they are only just beginning."†

I was SUPER excited for this book because I really enjoyed Thorn and I LOVED The Bone Knife... So, of course, my biggest disappointment was that there was so little of Stonemane (from TBK) in this. I was really thinking he was going to be a major player in this book. I was SO pumped to learn more about this capricious fae lord with black hair and “infinite eyes”† (MY ~TYPE~)... Tragically, he was only in a few scenes. We did get to see a lot of Kestrin and Alyrra, though, which I love! I am such a sucker for previous protagonists playing major roles in indirect sequels.

I really enjoyed Rae as a protagonist, but there were a few too many damsel-in-distress moments for my liking. I will admit that she always worked to fix her circumstances, but she also always ended up having to basically give up because she physically couldn’t change them. I would have loved to have seen her find her power in other ways.

The romance in this book is kind of nonexistent, but very clearly hinted at. I found that Rae and this character had zero chemistry, so I'm really hoping the sequel steps it up a notch. (Which, after that cliffhanger, I'm sure it will).

†check against final text