Name: Stolen Songbird
ISBN: 9781908844965

Danielle L. Jensen

Steve Stone

Malediction Trilogy Book One

Stolen Songbird

Jenny Vuu

Loved the whole fantasy aspect of this novel. Jensen does a wonderful job of reshaping the whole stereotypical view of a troll!

Jasmine

WOW!! This book took me completely by surprise, not at all what I expected!
Completely captivating; held my attention all the way through. I started reading in the middle of night... it's addictive, big mistake. I'm just happy I had a later class and a long commute to my college because I could not put this book down!! Loved the world building, politics, the slow burning relationship, and all the amazing secondary characters. The romance was slow burning but it never felt like it over powered the story or felt forced. While there is a lot of elements you find in most YA fantasies, this one really stood out. There was a uniqueness that kept pulling me in... I absolutely love the dark and imaginative world of Trollus (even though I still hate the name). Onto book 2! So excited need more!!

Savannah Winchell

3.5 ⭐️
She might be my fav comfort read author rn

USA Today bestseller For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain—time enough for their nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophecy has spoken of a union that will set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth than she could have imagined. Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. But if she is to succeed, she must bide her time and find a way to outsmart the clever, fast, and inhumanly strong trolls that hold her captive. But while awaiting the perfect opportunity, Cécile unexpectedly falls for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. Their love gradually changes her perspective, opening her heart to new friends and opening her eyes to the hardships of the enslaved half-troll, half-human creatures of Trollus. As rebellion brews and the political games of Trollus escalate, Cécile becomes more than a trapped father’s daughter. She becomes a princess, a witch, and the hope of a people—someone who has the power to change Trollus forever.

** spoiler alert **
           3.25 ⭐

Not sure what to say about this. It was enjoyable. A bit dramatic with the dying. Both of the main characters almost died, one actually did but somehow became alive again.

Cécile (thank God being a redhead wasn't her only personality trait) dreams to be a singer like her mother. The day before she leaves to live in the city with her mother a douchebag kidnaps her and sells her to trolls who live in a secret city trapped under a mountain. Of course she is forced to marry the troll prince Tristan (why is his name Tristan? 😩)which is supposed to break a curse that trapped them. It doesn't work and they don't allow her to leave. This prince turns out is a half troll and human sympathizer so they form an alliance and he pretends to hate humans. They don't spend much time together but when they do, they pretend to be rude to each other. Somehow she falls in love with him? Kinda out of nowhere. But we find out he liked her from the beginning so at least that makes a little sense. Cécile tries throwing herself at him but he keeps rejecting her. Tristan starts a rebellion against his father. She gets hurt and needs medical help so he smuggles her out. Forgot to mention that he did already help her get out before but she promptly returned.

Steysha

Lila Harrison

i want to say that this book was a 
  great
 book--a total five star read! here comes the big ol' "but", though. being myself, i looked up reviews of books 2 and 3 and saw they were less than superb and that reviews of book 3 mentioned it had a terrible ending. so of course, being the insanely curious type, i went looking for what the ending was. and, naturally, google didn't fail me. learning how this trilogy end second-hand killed me and i dont think i could stand to actually have to read it. im the extremely empathetic and sensitive type and for that reason i just cant do non HEA books. so for that reason im pretty bummed to say i wont be picking up the next 2 books in this trilogy. rip malediction trilogy.

Toni Turner

What kind of cliffhanger....I did not sign up for that. One second I was reading and the next second it was the end and I need more. There better be more. I haven't even checked if there is more. 

So action packed so plot heavy. A slow burning love that started out as hate. I felt so many things reading this one. One of those good books that makes you feel things you've never felt in real life. 

There better me more and my library better have them.

Alexia Cambaling

I absolutely loved this book when I first read it although it definitely was a product of its time and very tonally different from modern-day reads. Looking back on it from when I read it more than a month ago, I suspect a big part of the reason I enjoyed it was because I essentially devoured the book in like a couple of hours or so. If I didn’t, my mileage would probably have varied although I think I’d still enjoy it, just not as much.

I actually went back and read this because I read an e-arc of Dark Shores which I really loved. I realized I have a copy of this book from that Angry Robot Humble Book Bundle a year ago so I decided to give this one a go.

Stolen Songbird revolves around a girl named Cecile. She’s this girl who lives in a village and trains to become a singer in the big city with her mother until one day, she gets kidnapped in order to be a bride for the troll prince. This was because Cecile was supposed to be this prophesied Chosen One who would free Trollus from its curse. This curse prevents the Trolls from leaving their mountain kingdom. The troll prince thankfully isn’t the ugly troll of folklore (although those do exist in their city) but handsome. I feel like this is a pretty common trope in YA- take ugly creatures from folklore and make them pretty.

The characters aren’t that bad. Cecile’s husband, Tristan, isn’t really an abusive asshole who she falls for despite that. Mainly, he’s really just apathetic and cold and in general, more focused on his rebellion against his father. Which does make sense. I did like that they took the time to get to know each other before falling in love and I really appreciated the slow burn. Also, I liked how the chosen one trope is kind of inverted in this one when Cecile fails to set them free from their curse immediately after she married Tristan.

I liked the setting and I think it’s quite creative in the way it’s set up. There’s lore and a reason for the things that happen in this world and I really enjoyed reading about the world-building. I wish there was more on their history, but what was given to us was pretty good and detailed so I won’t complain about that too much.

The plot also moves fast- or at least it did for me so much so that I devoured the book in like, a couple of hours. It’s very easy to read and the writing is quite solid for a debut novel (and it gets stronger in Dark Shores!). I enjoyed the rebellion plot and I felt that the way it ended was on a realistic note. It’s not a happy one, but it is a hopeful one which sets up the sequels nicely.

Overall, I did enjoy it quite a bit and sometimes it’s fun to look at an author’s previous work after loving their new releases. Would I read the sequels? Probably. For now, the only way I can get them is through digital copies so I might buy it when I get the chance.

Erin Moon Eric Michael Summerer

Elodia

*3.5
I really liked this! It was fun and I really liked the romance. However, there were parts in the middle that felt too long and unnecessary. Other than that I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

Alejandra

Karleigh McCarville

Ok gotta set the mood here. Turn off the lights, light some candles, put on some music..... oooh Tristan. OH sorry *clears throat* let me start again.

This book was amazing, it quickly made it way not only to my number one book of 2015 (I know it's only June, but I highly doubt there will be anything to top this) but my number one book of all time. I actually bought this book quite a while ago after being told about it, then I picked it up read chapter one and then put it down again. Now I am kicking myself for that because I could have lived in this world, know these characters a lot sooner than I did. 

I don't even know where to start with this review, I know that there is no way I will be able to give this book the 5 star review that it deserves but I'm going to try.

Danielle Jensen did an amazing job developing this unique magical world with some of the most unique and amazing characters that I have ever read about. Not only were we trapped in a city under a mountain but aside from the couple humans, we are dealing with trolls. When I read the summary for this book my first thought was of the Labyrinth, which is one of my all-time favourite movies. So here I was thinking that I was going to encounter ugly trolls, running around on shaggy sheepdogs trying to help a human girl. In Stolen Songbird we have our mix of disfigured trolls, and some of the most beautiful trolls that you didn't know existed. 

Following our main character Cecil, who is kidnapped and sold to the troll king to be married off to the prince of Trollus in order to break a spell that was placed on the town 500 years ago by a witch. This is where we meet Tristan. Oh my god, Tristan, I want a Tristan. Tristan was a great character, very complex and hard to read, very loyal, and he has some of the greatest sarcasm I have ever heard from a character. Now if we could get Tristan, Raffe and Penryn from Angelfall in the same room I think I would die laughing just listening to them banter with each other. One can wish, right? 

Being married to a troll would be absolutely terrifying especially if not only a day before you didn't even know they existed. But Cecil and Tristan aren't just married, they are bonded. (view spoiler)[Danielle Jensen created this amazing way that people get married in the town of Trollus, by the light of the moon, and with liquid as sweet as honey, you are bonded with your mate. From that day forward you can feel everything that your partner feels and vice versa. How amazing would that be to know how your partner feels. (hide spoiler)]

When the bonding fails, and the spell isn't broken, it is chaos. Everyone thinks that the kingdom has failed, and they hate Cecil (because who likes humans anyway, right?) but, the entire town is asked to wait and see if maybe it just needs to take time. In that time, we learn about the resistance and just how much the half-bloods are depending on Cecil to be their saviour. Not only is Cecil feeling the weight of many half-bloods depending on her but she is mixed up with her growing feelings for a Troll.

I absolutely loved everything about this book from the descriptive world, to the amazing character development and surprising the romance/relationships that develop in this book. I usually don't like relationships and find that they get in the way of the story but this one was amazing, and every time they were just about to kiss my heart would flutter for them. 

I quickly ordered the second in the series and can not wait to sit down and read it (probably in one sitting)

Patricia Santos

Opinião do blogue Chaise Longue: http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.pt...

Ao contrário de muitos autores, Danielle L. Jensen não cresceu a imaginar um futuro onde passasse horas a escrever, apesar de ser uma leitora ávida mas, depois de ter tirado um Bacharelato em Comércio e passado os seis anos seguintes a trabalhar nas indústrias de gás e óleo, por causa da sugestão de um colega, Danielle atirou-se a aventura de escrever.
Em 2006 começou a escrever o seu primeiro livro em segredo e terminou-o em 2008. Passou os anos seguintes a tentar publicá-lo enquanto tirava um Bacharelato em Artes Inglesas, e por causa de um revés acabou a servir as mesas num bar de desporto. Mas o seu golpe de fé deu frutos e, finalmente, o seu primeiro livro ganhou uma editora, e pouco mais de um ano depois, chega as livrarias. Stolen Songbird sairá em Abril deste ano.
Este livro tinha todos os ingredientes para me agradar, isso era certo. O que eu não sabia, era que estava prestes a descobrir um novo amor literário. Danielle L. Jensen enfeitiça-nos de imediato com este seu conto de fadas, tanto belo como tenebroso, que nos leva para um mundo amaldiçoado e esquecido, prestes a ser mudado para sempre. Com uma escrita encantatória e poderosa, Danielle faz uma estreia fabulosa com este seu Stolen Songbird, uma fantasia que nos deixará rendidos com a sua complexa obscuridade, e que não perde a doçura de uma história de encantar. Início de uma trilogia que promete reconquistar-nos página a página e amarrar-nos a cada momento, este é o livro que qualquer sonhador irá adorar.
Repleta de magia, esta história é uma teia de intrigas, amores proibidos e esperança, em que nada acontece como seria de esperar, em que a nossa imaginação é levada ao limite e cada momento serve para nos enfeitiçar. Mais do que uma história de príncipes e maldições, este é um conto sobre um povo aprisionado, não só num local onde o sol nunca entra, mas nas trevas dos seus preconceitos e natureza vil, que forma uma corte de injustiças e manipulações, onde os fortes subjugam os fracos, onde a ganância se sobrepõe a justiça e as intrigas são infinitas. Ora deformados, ora belos, estes trolls estão divididos naqueles que procuram a libertação da maldição e os que querem libertar-se das amarras da escravatura e, para todos, a chave é a mesma. Vilões ou heróis, estes trolls e a sua caverna no fundo da montanha, são o ponto central de uma trama complexa, cheia de segredos e ilusões, beleza e trevas, lendas e promessas.
Ricamente construído, este mundo floresce através de um enredo a que não falta política, magia e romance. Com um equilíbrio perfeito entre o bem e o mal, luz e escuridão, esta narrativa vai-nos apaixonando, primeiro devido à sua essência de conto de fadas, depois pela sua complexidade e detalhes que a transformam não só na luta de um povo, mas nos seus sonhos bem como os de uma cantora e um príncipe. Pois neste enredo intricado, onde reviravoltas nos sustém a respiração, onde tanto nos sentimos assoberbados pela dor como pela felicidade, onde a magia é malévola e benevolente, onde o amor nasce da desconfiança e do ódio para florescer em confiança e aceitação, onde o a liberdade depende da união e de acreditar, são os sonhos de todos os géneros e feitios, os doces e os perversos, que construem esta história.
Tão cativantes quanto a sua história, os personagens são um tesouro inquestionável. Cécile, a corajosa, impulsiva e apaixonada ave canora que é retirada do seu mundo para salvar um em que se sente presa, é uma protagonista que não é uma heroína. É uma jovem que cresce, que comete erros e aprende com eles, que sabe pedir desculpa, que acredita e luta até ao fim mesmo quando tudo parece perdido. Tristan, o príncipe misterioso, arrogante e agrilhoado a um passado que odeia, que vai aprendendo a ouvir o coração e que nem tudo é preto e branco. Marc, o leal, o desfigurado, o doce, presente a todas horas e desfeito pela dor. Cada um deles, e todos os outros, tornam este livro mais do que ele parece.
Uma estreia colossal de uma autora que promete marcar todos os que a lerem, Stolen Songbird é a fantasia que faltava, é a história que irá arrebatar cada leitor. E a boa notícia, é que ainda agora começou.

Karolina 

Elena M.

USA Today bestsellerFor five centuries, a witch's curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain-time enough for their nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophecy has spoken of a union that will set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth than she could have imagined.Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. But if she is to succeed, she must bide her time and find a way to outsmart the clever, fast, and inhumanly strong trolls that hold her captive. But while awaiting the perfect opportunity, Cécile unexpectedly falls for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. Their love gradually changes her perspective, opening her heart to new friends and opening her eyes to the hardships of the enslaved half-troll, half-human creatures of Trollus. As rebellion brews and the political games of Trollus escalate, Cécile becomes more than a trapped father's daughter. She becomes a princess, a witch, and the hope of a people-someone who has the power to change Trollus forever.

Anniposa melody 

Danielle L Jensen

USA Today bestseller and finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards for best debut.For five centuries, a witch's curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain--time enough for their magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophecy has spoken of a union that will set the trolls free, and when Cécile is stolen away to fulfill it, she enters a world that is both magical and deadly.Cécile has only one goal after being bonded to the prince of the trolls: escape. Except while awaiting the perfect opportunity, she discovers there is more to the mysterious crown prince than anyone realizes.As rebellion brews and the political games escalate, Cécile becomes more than a farmer's daughter. She becomes the hope of a people--someone who has the power to change Trollus forever.A YA fantasy full of magic, romance, and intrigue that is perfect for fans of Elise Kova's Air Awakens series!

Stolen Songbird Malediction Trilogy Book One