Girl, Stolen is a new YA thriller by author April Henry.
Cheyenne Wilder is sixteen-years-old and tired. She's waiting, sleepily, in the back seat of her stepmom's car as said-stepmother picks up the prescription that is meant to treat Cheyenne's pneumonia. She begged her stepmom to leave the keys in the car so that she could keep warm during the brief interval.
When Griffin sees the car keys in the expensive car, it is as if the car is beckoning to be stolen. He sees an opportunity to impress his father and create a big payday. He doesn't know that there is a sick girl in the back. He doesn't know that she's blind.
Everything turns from bad to terrifying as Griffin's dad realizes that Cheyenne's father is a rich president of a big company. Soon, Cheyenne faces the reality that she is going to have to somehow fight for her own survival.
Come on, bookworms. Tell me that synopsis doesn't send a chill up your spine. You know it does. At least it did mine. I mean, she is terribly sick AND blind AND kidnapped?! Scary. So, Girl, Stolen definitely swept me and my imagination away into a fast-paced, tense, teeth-grinding start.
Cheyenne's blindness makes her unique and causes an early sympathy and extra dose of suspense. The very thought of this frightening situation, plus the added handicap of not being able to see - wow.
I'll admit there were some moments that Girl, Stolen was a teeny-tiny-bit predictable. I guessed a couple of twists right before they happened. However, Cheyenne is a heroine to root for and the engrossing setup and writing often overshadowed any guess I happened to get right.
For me personally the pages were flying and I found it easy to finish within a two-day period - which is a big deal for a bibliophile that is working and is often sadly deprived of quality book time. Goes to show how lightening fast the pace is, and how determined a junkie bibliophile can be when motivated.
Besides the immediate situation of Cheyenne, we also get wonderful memories of how she became blind and how her mother died, etc. It is sad but emotionally effective and character driven. Made it more than just a thriller.
Girl, Stolen is full of shocks and scares, and a gritty realism that frayed my nerves. It made for a movie-like visual in the mind, and a highly entertaining and taut read.
Any more said and I might slip out some spoilers, so I shall zip my lips now and leave it up to you - the obsessive, insatiable book lover - to find a copy and start reading. :)
On a separate note: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I am thankful for YOU reading my blog and helping to make it so successful this year! I hope you all have a great day gorging on turkey, or whatever food option may be your preference! And I WILL be having a new review up on Friday, so please check back! :)
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