The Stolen Heir Summary
The Stolen Heir is a short story by Holly Black, the acclaimed author of young adult fantasy novels such as The Cruel Prince and The Folk of the Air series. The story was originally published in the anthology, My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories, and is a dark and twisted retelling of the classic fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
The story follows the young prince, Casimir, who is tasked with uncovering the secret of the twelve princesses who disappear every night and return with worn-out shoes. Casimir is determined to solve the mystery, and with the help of a mysterious young woman named Tala, he discovers that the princesses are not simply going out to dance, but are actually visiting the kingdom of the dead.
As Casimir delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes that the princesses are being held captive by a powerful sorceress who is using them to fuel her dark magic. With Tala's help, Casimir is able to confront the sorceress and rescue the princesses, but not without facing terrible danger and making a difficult sacrifice.
The Stolen Heir is a gripping and atmospheric tale that showcases Black's skill at crafting dark and complex fantasy worlds. The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are well-drawn and multi-dimensional, particularly the brave and resourceful Tala.
The story also explores themes of sacrifice, duty, and the power of love. Casimir is torn between his duty as a prince and his growing feelings for Tala, and must ultimately make a choice between the two. The resolution of the story is bittersweet, and leaves the reader with a sense of the cost of true love.
Overall, The Stolen Heir is a fantastic short story that will appeal to fans of Holly Black's other work, as well as anyone who enjoys dark and atmospheric fantasy. It is a testament to Black's talent as a writer, and a reminder of why she is considered one of the best authors in the genre.
