I finally finished this book! It has been so hard trying to find time to read these past few weeks. If you weren’t aware, my fiance and I are currently in the process of buying a house! And at the same time, I’m also unfortunately dealing with some medical issues and too many doctors appointments. Oh and this week is the week of Passover.

I’m a little busy. So trying to read has been pretty difficult. But, I finally found time to finish this amazing book and I’m so desperate for more!

The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani
Published: March 23, 2021
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 528
Rating:
Goodreads

I did not choose this fate. But I will not walk away from it.

Children have been disappearing from across Menaiya for longer than Amraeya ni Ansarim can remember. When her friend’s sister is snatched, Rae knows she can’t look away any longer – even if that means seeking answers from the royal court, where her country upbringing and clubfoot will only invite ridicule.

Yet the court holds its share of surprises. There she discovers an ally in the foreign princess, who recruits her as an attendant. Armed with the princess’s support, Rae seeks answers in the dark city streets, finding unexpected help in a rough-around-the-edges street thief with secrets of his own. But treachery runs deep, and the more Rae uncovers, the more she endangers the kingdom itself.

The Theft of Sunlight is the spin-off sequel of Thorn and while you don’t have to read Thorn to enjoy this book, it’s definitely recommended! If you haven’t read Thorn, feel free to check out my spoiler-free review here!

Jumping in, this book picks up right where we left off with Alyrra, who has regained her rightful place as princess and the future queen. Rae, the daughter of a horse-breeder, lives out in the country with her family and their biggest secret: her sister, Niya, has magic. All children with magical abilities are to be reported to the Circle, a council of mages, to be trained and owned by the kingdom, but Niya remains at home. At the same time, children are being snatched from families and while some are recovered, their memories have been wiped and there are no leads as to who is kidnapping and selling children.

After her friends younger sister has been kidnapped, Rae is asked by her cousin, Ramella, and her husband, Filadon, to join them at court for the wedding season. Rae accepts with a mission to find her friend’s sister and our journey begins!

I adore this series, I adore this world, I adore everything about these books. They are just so well written and I love how intricate and complex the storylines are. One big problem I have with books is that I easily forget everything that happens in them, so reading sequels is very difficult for me at times. But with this book, we are given a great rundown of the original story of Thorn, told what is currently going on, and seamlessly brought back into this magical world.

Rae is a great contrast to Alyrra too, which makes their scenes and interactions that much more fun. Alyrra tends to be calm, thinks rationally, and while tough as nails, tends to utilize her brain and words more than her fists. Meanwhile, Rae is just as tough, but she’s happy to learn how to fight if it means she has the freedom she’s accustomed to. She’s much more outspoken than Alyrra and doesn’t sit on the sidelines waiting for things to happen, she’s a woman of action.

And when it comes to locating the missing children, Rae is already on it. I honestly loved this plot point as it was briefly mentioned in the first book, but we weren’t given a lot of details, but as we move along in this book, we get to find out more and more of what’s going on. The mystery of these disappearances and who gains to benefit from them honestly kept me guessing. And while I had some suspicions of what was going on, I genuinely did not expect what was going on. I’m so ready for book 2!

I cannot recommend this series enough – if you like magical retellings, beautiful writing, realistic and relatable characters, disability representation, and a fun magical mystery, then you need to pick up these books. I am so in love with them if I could, I would purchase everyone a copy! But alas, I will be buying copies for myself and enjoying these gorgeous books. I’m tempted to re-read them already.

If this book sounds interesting to you, be sure to grab a copy of Thorn and The Theft of Sunlight! And if you’ve already read them, then be sure to check out Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron or her new upcoming YA book, This Poison Heart!