The Stolen Heir Duology, #1
The Stolen Heir
by Holly Black
Contents
Prologue
Overview
Wren, a foster child with uncanny cold-blue traits, is claimed by faerie nobles as Suren, their changeling daughter. They reveal her monstrous glamour, provoking her human family’s horror. To prevent their deaths, Wren leaves with them. Two years later she briefly reappears traumatized, offering a haunting hint of captivity and escape.
Summary
A toddler is found in an alley, blue with cold and knowing only the name Wren. Growing up in foster care, Wren remains cold-hardy, blue-tinged, and unusually strong, cherished by her family but always different.
At nine, three fae intruders—Lady Nore, Lord Jarel, and Bogdana—enter Wren’s room. They declare Wren is Suren, their changeling child, and reveal her fae appearance beneath a glamour. Terrified yet obedient, Wren begs to stay, but the fae take her to confront her human parents.
Seeing Wren’s unveiled form, her parents and sister recoil in fear. When Wren pleads, Lord Jarel threatens to kill them if she refuses to come. To save her family, Wren agrees to leave, believing herself unloved, and Bogdana carries her away.
Two years later, Wren is found walking along a highway, salt-stiff and scarred. Traumatized and feral, she refuses to speak or identify herself. As authorities turn their backs, she disappears again, leaving only traces of her ordeal.
Who Appears
- Wren (Suren)Foster child with blue-tinged skin; revealed as fae changeling; coerced to leave to protect her human family.
- Lord JarelFae noble claiming paternity; reveals Wren’s true form; threatens her family to force compliance.
- Lady NoreFae noble claiming maternity; coldly asserts Wren’s destiny; strikes Wren and supports coercion.
- BogdanaStorm hag with clawlike nails; handles Wren, both menacing and oddly gentle; carries her away.
- Wren’s fatherTerrified human parent; rejects transformed Wren and demands the intruders remove her.
- Wren’s motherHorrified human parent; clings to Rebecca and cannot acknowledge Wren.
- RebeccaWren’s adoptive sister; awakens, recoils in fear, and seeks protection with their mother.
- PasserbyFinds toddler Wren in an alley and brings her to safety.
- Police officerFinds Wren two years later on a highway; cannot get her to speak before she vanishes.