Stolen Songbird (The Malediction Trilogy, #1) in Danielle L. Jensen's Reader Group

May 28, 2014 Irena BookDustMagic rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite

I just found a new favorite book series of mine. Everything that I like in a book, this book has it. And it is killing me that I will have to wait until March for it's sequel but it will be so worth it!

When I say everything, I mean everything: I was laughing, I was swooning, I was nervous, stressed, holding my breath while reading it, releasing it out loud... I liked, I loved, I hated, I was even yelling in my mind at some of the characters...

I have to accentuate that this book left me wondering I just found a new favorite book series of mine. Everything that I like in a book, this book has it. And it is killing me that I will have to wait until March for it's sequel but it will be so worth it!

When I say everything, I mean everything: I was laughing, I was swooning, I was nervous, stressed, holding my breath while reading it, releasing it out loud... I liked, I loved, I hated, I was even yelling in my mind at some of the characters...

I have to accentuate that this book left me wondering about all of the directions this story could develop and I really don't know how I'm gonna stick it out not knowing it until March. I'll just have to. But seriously, if it was released yesterday, it would be the only way I would be okay with.

Let's talk about the characters. The main Character, Cecile; is a kick-ass redhead who is likeable and smart most of the time, but at times she can make some stupid decisions and I can honestly say at time I was afraid of all the wrong directions her decisions could lead us. Wrong for her, other characters and the world itself.

Then there is Tristan. Likeable most of the time but he seemed kind of lost and trough the whole book I can't say I trusted him completely. I still don't. There are 2 more books that need to be released and a lot could happened.

Tristan's father, the King, I didn't like. But there are some side characters that are worse and I hated them!

There are some that don't have a big part in this story, they are side characters but I can see they could became more important, if not maybe the key for the story develop in other books. (view spoiler)

The book is written in two POVs. Cecile's for the most of the book and Tristan's at some chapters. I think the writer did a great job by doing it because it had to be done that way so we could know some things Cecile didn't know, but it still didn't show us everything so we still had to question some things.

All in all, if you like fantasy, specially faerie stories, I say give it a try. I think you will love it! I certainly did! ...more

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Apr 16, 2014 Alicia Batista (Addicted Readers) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adventure, amazing, can-t-wait-for-the-sequel, action, fav-s, dystopia, fantasy, romance, magic, witches

I don't even know where to begin to express my feelings on STOLEN SONGBIRD! It was so high tensed, and had my emotions in an uproar. I was screaming at times, yelling NO, you can't do that you idiot! Then I was chanting, YEAH, go for it, do it!!! This book pulled emotions out of me that I didn't even know I had! And I say that in a totally good way!!!

I absolutely, positively, undoubtedly, LOVED STOLEN SONGBIRD in every way possible!

This book is a perfect example of the reasons why I love books. ...more

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Nov 19, 2014 Avy ❄️ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorites, my-books

Ok, so that was a whirlwind of EMOTION. First off I have to say, I love love loved Cecile's character! She was strong when she needed to be, she didn't cry and whine waiting for someone to rescue her, she made the best of her situation and moved on. She was smart, resourceful, and clever. Jensen created a new twist with Stolen Songbird that made me spend six hours of sitting on my butt cause I couldn't put it down. Great book and I am terrified and excited to start the next one.

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Mar 22, 2014 Errin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, favorites, 2014, fantasy

I was in the mood for fantasy and this ended up being the PERFECT book for my craving. I didn't even realize the page count, I just flew through it and was heartbroken when I finished!

You're probably skeptical because trolls aren't known for being attractive or complex creatures. And how interesting could the setting be it's confined under a mountain? The answer is VERY. The dark, dingy atmosphere of the underground city of Trollus almost felt too real at times. And although some of the trolls a I was in the mood for fantasy and this ended up being the PERFECT book for my craving. I didn't even realize the page count, I just flew through it and was heartbroken when I finished!

You're probably skeptical because trolls aren't known for being attractive or complex creatures. And how interesting could the setting be it's confined under a mountain? The answer is VERY. The dark, dingy atmosphere of the underground city of Trollus almost felt too real at times. And although some of the trolls are hideously marred by physical deformities, outer appearances do not always reveal the truth.

The history of Trollus is shrouded in violence and mystery. Cursed by a witch, the only way for the trolls to release themselves from their subterranean prison is to bond a "prince of night and daughter of day", which is where Cécile and Tristian come in.

Cécile is a likeable heroine. I disagree with those who say Cécile is perfect and that makes her character boring. She's impulsive and made many, many bad decisions. Her intentions were good. Or at least reasonable given that she was under stress after being brutally kidnapped and forced to marry a stranger. She doesn't think of the implications of her actions until afterwards but I can relate to and appreciate that character flaw.

Definitely no instalove between Cécile and Tristan, can't say the same about myself... Tristan is first introduced as a rude, too good looking for words, sarcastic asshole *hearts in my eyes* As the story progresses, you see he's smart, calculative and determined to his cause. He's not the heartless monster Cécile expected. I live for slow-burn romances, especially ones as carefully crafted as this. Their emotional bond is a unique aspect to the story that made their relationship even more special. The way their trust and love arises from an arrangement that started out so ugly is remarkable.

Politics are very prominent but not so complicated that you would lose interest. It's all interconnected with history and magic, more precisely how much magic runs through one's veins. It's written well enough that you are comfortably immersed in this complex world. The specific details why the witch trapped the trolls remains unclear and there are still secrets left to uncover. My mind was constantly circling back to who the witch could be. (view spoiler) I'm completely torn up about the end. If there's one thing I disliked, it's the amount of waiting I still have to do for the sequel. But this is a phenomenal start to a promising trilogy!
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Apr 29, 2014 Dina rated it it was amazing

Tell me, can you describe a troll? Yeah, according to the myth, they're big, fat, smelly, dumb, ugly, slow, dirty... and so on. But when I'm done reading this book, it wiped off my perceptions and a troll turned out to be the opposite! They're beutiful, clean, speak beautifully, smart, even can do magic, but yet manipulating...hey, nobody's perfect rite?
I found the story was unpredictable, and I like the way they speak since the story's setting was historical era in France. Yes they call the lad ...more

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Nov 26, 2014 Amanda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Amazing troll book!!!

I absolutely loved this book! I really can't think of one thing that I didn't like about it. Cecile's character was strong and courageous and completely unselfish, I also loved that she was smart about her actions because in a lot of books the heroine tries to be brave but is stupid about it. I also loved that I got to know Tristan and even though at the beginning I wasn't sure about him he definitely grew in this story and I loved him! I love the city of Trollus and the des ...more

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Mar 29, 2014 Billie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fell-in-love, swoon-worthy

This book...this book ..this book asgdjdjfkcncudndmyebdavj!!! Yes! I was lost for words! It's been a long time since I have a major book hangover over a book, a fantasy YA book to be exact.

I was more than grateful when my friends Rachmi and Melly invited me into buddy reading this book. I tell you, this one's a gem! It was un-put-downable ... once I started flipping the pages, I felt the thrill, magic and adventure that were all compressed into written words. It was amazing how the author put This book...this book ..this book asgdjdjfkcncudndmyebdavj!!! Yes! I was lost for words! It's been a long time since I have a major book hangover over a book, a fantasy YA book to be exact.

I was more than grateful when my friends Rachmi and Melly invited me into buddy reading this book. I tell you, this one's a gem! It was un-put-downable ... once I started flipping the pages, I felt the thrill, magic and adventure that were all compressed into written words. It was amazing how the author put everything together! It was everything I wanted and more.

I love the characters! Specially the heroine , Cecile ! I admired how she was tranformed from a scared sixteen year old farm girl into a strong willed brave princess of Trollus. Well, who won't be scared when you are kidnapped, sold and forced to be married to a Troll Prince?!

Poor Cecile must have to endure being locked up or being constantly on the watch-list ?! Because the bonding makes her and Tristan one. That makes her Tristan's weak spot...and makes her the target of Tristan's enemies?

Left no choice but to stay than flee. Cecile begun to get to know Trollus and gain few friends and possible allies...and enemies? Soon she learned the history and the complicated Politics around the full blooded and half blood Trolls. She also witnessed the cruelty , oppression and the unfair set of laws around Trollus...which lead to a brewing rebellion against the King!

I love how the author created Trollus... Specially the Tree! It was magical and its stability powered by Tristan's magic was the only thing that holds Trollus from getting crushed!

I know, it's a great responsibility for our Prince! To protect both his people... his kind, and same time earn the trust of the slaves to help him pursue his carefully laid plans... Until Cecile.. And that's when everything gets interesting!

Being the hopeless romantic that Me ... I was giddy with anticipation with Tristan-Cecile moments! Yes, they fought..a lot of snarks, which I find rather entertaining! But I know deep beneath ...something ..something is blossoming! *swoon* It's only a matter of time before these two finally spill it out! And when that moment came? In the midst of danger & desperation , I was teary eyed! I would WANT them to be together! But not everything is as simple as that. Cecile must choose and Tristan was left with no choice. Arrrgh!

“To hell with duty. I came for you – I came because I was afraid you weren’t going to make it. I came because I couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to you.”

The ending nearly killed me! I was not even breathing?! My heart was pounding so hard and all I can mutter was ..Nooooooooooooo!!! That letter from Tristan, broke my heart into pieces and left me with a book hangover I am afraid I can't recover!

Overall, I fell in love with this book ! I am so desperate to read the sequel! But to wait till Spring 2015? Ms.Danielle Jensen, I beg you ....make the days move quickly!

For my full review ( with possible spoilers !) , please check out http://sparklingpinkpages.blogspot.co... ...more

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Jul 04, 2014 Pili rated it it was amazing

I loved this one even more on the second time! Now I'm very much ready to start Hidden Huntress readalong!! ...more

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Apr 29, 2014 Amanda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal-romance, favorites, fantasy, young-adult, own, beauty-and-the-beast, goblins, fae

Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen is everything I wanted in a book. It has Trolls (view spoiler)[who are actually fae (hide spoiler)] and a headstrong girl who is kidnapped to marry the Troll Prince ~~like the rape of the Sabine women~~. Cécile is preparing herself for her journey to the city to join her absent mother as a professional singer and actress, but the night before on her way home to her going away party and shifty guy named Luc meets her and kidnaps her. She finds herself taken under

...more

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Aug 19, 2014 HeidiTH rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pn-romance, young-adult, favorites, series, adventure, historical-pn-romance, fantasy, clean-christian

Great Book!

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Nov 19, 2014 Amanda Rose rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-books

Where do I begin? This book starts right off the bat which is something I really appreciate in a book. I had to slow down to read this book because I really wanted to enjoy it. It was like nothing I've ever read before. Trolls? Marriage bonds? Witches? It was like reading a new classic fairy tale. All the characters are so interesting and unique. I loved every page of this book! I can't wait for the next one! ...more

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