The Theft of Sunlight (Dauntless Path, 2)
“A vivid masterpiece.” — Nadine Brandes, author of Romanov and Fawkes
“A beautifully written, fantastical page-turner.” — Kirkus Reviews
"Deeply engaging and piercing. An illustration that courage and strength can be found in unexpected places and in unexpected people." — Nafiza Azad, author of The Candle and the Flame
Perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and Sorcery of Thorns, this exhilarating, page-turning fantasy will pull readers into a lush and stunning world where nothing—and no one—can be trusted.
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.
Praise for Intisar Khanani’s Thorn:
“Set in a dark and dangerous world. Well-written and dramatically told, teens will find much to love in a novel in which the princess grows to become a force to be reckoned with.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“Khanani beautifully crafts Alyrra’s quiet but clear journey of self-definition." —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
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Community Reviews
The Theft of Sunlight brings readers back on to the Dauntless Path with a compelling protagonist and plot that keeps developing.
Good Storytelling & Momentum
If you read my review of Thorn, you might remember that I had mixed feelings about it. I loved some of the themes within the story, such as revenge, justice, and abuse against women. It was a good story, and I felt the plot took too long to develop.
With Theft of Sunlight, I did not feel that way at all. The story had a strong opening, referencing the snatchers briefly touched upon in the first novel. In her village, the little sister of Rae’s friend was snatched, and no amount of magic could find her.
So, while visiting her cousin in the Palace City, she decides she is investigating to see if the crown knows anything about the Snatchers.
This connects her to the Princess, Alyrra, who had her share of adventures in Thorn as the Goose Girl. It was fantastic to see the story strongly reference the previous novel and connect. My initial impression of the novel was that it would be its own story set in the same world, but seeing the connection highlights some of the character growth from the previous novel, the magic, and fantasy, highlighting how different the two narratives are.
Theft of Sunlight also develops both stories without losing its momentum. At over 500 pages, the story does not feel long or dragged out. Right from the beginning, the story is about the middle- and lower-class children being kidnapped and sold away from home. The plot clear, and the mystery Rae is trying to solve unravels in pieces, keeping the reader engaged.
A Different Narrative
What also makes Theft of Sunlight a good book is the narrative. Rae’s voice is so different from Alyrra’s. She is a strong-willed intelligent individual who grew up loved by her family and friends all her life. What also sets her apart from Alyrra is her disability.
Rae was born with a clubbed foot, but she does not let that slow her down at all. She is not one to bow her head to thieves or abusers, sticking her nose into the dark crevices of the palace to do what is right. Her resilience, her compassion, her intelligence, and wit make her such a compelling character.
The fact that she bonds with Alyrra and finds an ally in the palace also allows the reader to see how far Alyrra has come. The reader sees the distinction between their characterizations which makes the reader also appreciate Thorn a little more.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Theft of Sunlight is a fantastic story. The pacing never falters, and Rae’s personality draws the reader in. Her need to solve the mystery keeps the reader engaged up until the jaw-dropping finale.
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The author did a great job writing a character with a disability. Rae doesn’t let her club foot slow her down.
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for their next YA fantasy read!
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