Review: The best vampire book I've read in a long time.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 5, 2012
The beginning of Stolen takes place in different times, catching the reader up to speed on Jenda and her upbringing. Some people may consider it a slow start, but I feel all of the background information works perfectly. Jenda is pretty lucky. She has an awesome family and the best friend a girl could wish for. That is, until Soborgne goes missing. Time elapses and Soborgne is not found. A memorial service is held which sends Jenda into an endless grief. So many novel and movies gloss over the grieving process. Catherine Stovall allows you to feel Jenda's pain. It is deep, intense, and cuts her to the core. In mainstream media when your best friend dies you are sad for a day, and then you go back to school like all is well. But who gets over a tragic loss so easily? The nearly paralyzing depression that she feels is much more believable.The magical way in which Jenda builds her world (and what she is really doing when she builds her world) gives an air of mysticism and another dimension to the story. The cover captures her world perfectly. I don't want to spoil it any further, so if you want to learn how and why she builds her world, you'll have to read it.We all know this is a vampire novel, so now, let's get to the vampires!Matteo is a very charming, handsome vampire(I know, character trait). He feels an indescribable pull toward Jenda and he is continuously fighting between the man and monster within him.Belle is a cold, unfeeling serial killer. Being a vampire is the least terrifying thing about her. Her disregard for life consumed her long before her heart stopped beating. We learn her story and how it brought Jenda to her current situation.Stolen brings about a new way of turning people. It still fits with other vampire lore, but it isn't such a cookie-cutter procedure. Things can go wrong.The descriptions are vivid and intriguing. I cannot wait to read the next installment in the Requiem for Humanity series. This was honestly one of the best vampire books I have read in I can't remember how long.