Stealing Thunder Audiobook By Alina Boyden cover art

Stealing Thunder

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Stealing Thunder

By: Alina Boyden
Narrated by: Deepti Gupta, Alina Boyden
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Protecting her identity means life or death in this immersive epic fantasy inspired by the Mughal Empire.

In a different life, under a different name, Razia Khan was raised to be the crown prince of Nizam, the most powerful kingdom in Daryastan. Born with the soul of a woman, she ran away at a young age to escape her father’s hatred and live life true to herself.

Among the hijras of Bikampur, Razia finds sisterhood and discovers a new purpose in life. By day she’s one of her dera’s finest dancers and by night its most profitable thief. But when her latest target leads her to cross paths with Arjun Agnivansha, prince of Bikampur, it is she who has something stolen.

An immediate connection with the prince changes Razia’s life forever, and she finds herself embroiled in a dangerous political war. The stakes are greater than any heist she’s ever performed. When the battle brings her face-to-face with her father, Razia has the chance to reclaim everything she lost...and save her prince.

©2020 Alina Boyden (P)2020 Penguin Audio Dragons & Mythical Creatures Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Royalty Mythology

Critic reviews

"Stealing Thunder was immersive from the very first page. Razia is everything you want in a protagonist." (Peter V. Brett, New York Times best-selling author)

"This is an epic fantasy for our time, beautifully written, considerately composed, and very important in many ways. Highly recommended." (Seanan McGuire, New York Times best-selling author)

"Stealing Thunder draws you in with its richly-detailed worldbuilding and hooks you with gripping action and suspense, but the biggest appeal is the book’s themes of politics, family, and identity. This is the kind of book you’ll want to share with people, so buy multiple copies." (Rob Hart, author of The Warehouse)

Captivating Story • Riveting Fantasy World • Strong Protagonist • Complex Hero • Delightful Adventure • Powerful Romance
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Razia was such an amazing and strong character. Loved the dragons and that the book was part heist, part adventure and full of romance. I haven’t read any books in this type of setting, so I really enjoyed that and loved the fantasy aspect. I also loved Razia’s sisters and would love to know more about them as well.

Such a great story!

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I really enjoyed this low fantasy all the way through. There's no magic other than flying creatures similar to dragons or griffins, with riders forming a strong bond with them and using them in combat. The world-building is pretty good, if limited in scope. But it's the human story at the novel's centre that reels the reader in and makes for a great ride! I loved seeing a trans woman in such a strong leading role in a fantasy novel!

Trigger warnings for transphobia and mentions of child SA. What especially lowers my rating is the strange apologist redemption arc of the character responsible for that.

Fantastic story

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As a Trans Women with a un accepting family i felt this so much. Also, the way Razzah explains climbing was such a nice suprise as i am a rock climber IRL and it just made her so much more relateable to me.

Relatable

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This book does an excellent job of conveying a trans woman's experience. Also, it has dragons!

fabulous!

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A tad long-winded at times, but ultimately a delightful and riveting story fraught with anxiety and courage in equal measure. A splendid fantasy world encompasses (and insightfully depicts) deeper real-world issues in a powerful and poignant way. I'll definitely be recommending this book to friends and family.
Ultimately, it does exactly what all great stories do - puts you into the shoes of another person and allows you to experience the world through their eyes and with their thoughts and feelings. And in this case in particular, it's an experience more people in the world today would benefit from having. Thankfully, it's an immensely enjoyable experience.

A thrilling and beautiful tale

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Instantly loved the MC. Pretty brilliant and humble for someone born rich. Some of the parts of the book were darker then I care for. I suppose it’s unavoidable given the subject and the culture the book is based in. Liked the ending a lot and hope this isn’t the last on the subject by this author.

Very colorful world

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I absolutely loved this story, to the point after reading it I decided to enjoy it again. I can't wait to read the sequel once I'm done again.

I love Razia as a protagonist and seeing all of her different talents from over her life come into play in order to carve a life for her. I also loved her relationship with Arjun which honestly I wish we spent a little more time with.

Which I think is my only real complaint, that I wanted more. Would've liked more glimpses into her upbringing, more time seeing this deep love Arjun & her have, more of seeing her spend time in court. But, these are things I can look past.

Over all, I really did enjoy this book. And the fact I want to read again right after finishing, is what elevates this for me.

One of my new favorites

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I got this book to honor Pride Month and glad I did. Not sure how this was a historical fiction, not much history and very fairy tale like. I could not remember if the author ever said what era it was suppose to be. I know some of the Royal names were real but not the people. Still the narrator was excellent and the story enjoyable.

Enjoyable read

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Stealing Thunder is an amazing novel, but before I get into that I have to make a special mention of the fantastic narration performed by Deepti Gupta. Her performance brought Razia, Arjun, and the rest of the cast to life. Listening to her tell me this beautiful story is an experience I'll not soon forget.

The story itself is similar amazing. Told from the perspective of Razia, the protagonist, hero, and a trans woman like myself, this tale captivated me from beginning to end. Fantastical elements aside, there were so many moments throughout that were relatable to my experience of transness on an almost visceral level.

Razia's story is my own, a story of constantly striving to prove herself and her identity to the world in the face of relentless doubt and insults, of sparing no thought to anything but giving all of herself to care for and protect her loved ones, of finally being able to grow beyond the internalized trauma of having spent your whole life being told you are worthless and a freak just for the way you were born (that everyone else always mischaracterizes as a choice).

It's really an incredible journey.

Amazing story performed by a wonderful narrator

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I'm downloading the sequel now, and will jump on anything else Alina Boyden writes!

Incredible

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