Captured by Erica Stevens
Series: The Captive #1
Published by Indie
Published on: June 17, 2012
Genres: Dystopian, New Adult
Pages: 170
Format: eBook
Source: Freebie
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Blood Slave.
Captured, taken from her beloved family and woods, Aria’s biggest fear is not the imminent death facing her, but that she will be chosen as a blood slave for a member of the ruling vampire race. No matter what becomes of her though, Aria knows that she must keep her identity hidden from the monsters imprisoning her. She has already been branded a member of the rebellion, but the vampires do not know the true depth of her involvement with it, and they must never know. Though hoping for death, Aria’s world is turned upside down when a vampire named Braith steps forward to claim her. He delays her execution, but Aria knows it’s only a matter of time before he drains her, and destroys her. Especially once she learns his true identity as a prince within the royal family; the same royal family that started the war that ultimately brought down humankind, reducing them to nothing more than servants and slaves. Aria is determined to hate the prince, determined not to give into him in anyway, but his strange kindness, and surprising gentleness astonish her. Torn between her loyalties to the rebellion, and her growing love for her greatest enemy, Aria struggles to decide between everything she has ever known, and a love she never dreamed of finding.
This book contains some language, violence, and sexual situations. Recommended for ages sixteen and up.
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A couple of people recommended this series recently as featuring their favorite vampire. I am usually up for a good vampire romance so I went looking. And then found out that this book had been sitting in my tbr pile for three years. Yes, I am kicking myself because I couldn’t put it down. I am not going to say it’s perfect, because it’s got a major cliffhanger and I am not a fan of those, AND I think there is going to be a love triangle. Not a fan of that, unless it’s done exactly right.That remains to be seen, and as I have bought the next book, I will probably be finding out sooner, rather than later. Sooner, because I can’t wait to dive right back into this series even though I finished this one today.
Vampires and humans fought a war about a hundred years back. Humans did not win and now they are servants and blood slaves to the vampires. All except for a group of rebels that live in the forest that surrounds the royal family’s castle and town. I am not sure where this takes place as it’s not mentioned, nor is it mentioned if there are more vampires elsewhere. So the book has a dystopian feel to it right off the bat. Aria is seventeen, and the daughter of the leader of the rebels. She is a warrior and a hunter, and lives in extreme poverty in the forest or caves. There’s never enough to eat, the people stay filthy, but have one goal and that’s to bring down the vampire race. Aria has now been kidnapped by the vampires after a raid on her people. She is put up for auction and ends up being bought by Braith, the oldest son of the king. He doesn’t understand why he wants her, just that he does. On Aria’s part, she’s scared to death, but is not the type to bow to anyone. She is defiant at every turn, feisty as they come, and I really liked her character. Braith is, of course, extremely handsome, and to Aria, very kind. He also has a big secret. A fellow rebel, Max, was also taken with Aria and he has been bought also by a female vampire. He vows to save Aria.
This ended up a real page turner for me, not because of a lot of action, rather because of the two main characters and their interactions, Aria, as the captive, and Braith, as the captor. Of course there are other characters featured. Jealous human serving girls that don’t understand why Aria is being treated so well, a brother of Braith’s that is the epitome of evil, and another brother that just might be a traitor. So there is some castle intrigue going on, but like I said, it’s mostly about Aria and her plot to escape, and Braith’s inner struggle with how he feels about Aria. There’s laws about getting involved with a blood slave, so he has to be very careful with his feelings. The king is a piece of work, and he wouldn’t hesitate to punish his son and kill Aria if he thought he loved a lowly blood slave. What none of them know is, who Aria really is, because she certainly could be used as a pawn in the war against the rebels.
Bottom line, this was a great read for me, and I can’t wait to read the next one. Recommended to mature young adults to adults. No actual sex scenes, but a couple come close. Seven books are already released, so no waiting for the next book, always a good thing! One last thing, it’s a freebie.
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The Captive Series
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I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Let’s hope the love triangle will not deter you for continuing to enjoy the rest of the books!
We will see how the second one goes. If it isn’t as good as the first I won’t continue the series. I got part ways into it and had to put it down because of others that I had to read. Thanks!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Captured by Erica Stevens (@Mollykatie112, @EricaStevens)
Not a huge Dystopian lover as they are hit or miss with me but I like the vampire take on this so I am going to put it on my list. 🙂
It’s certainly a different take on both the vampire thing and the dystopian thing as well.And you can’t beat free!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Captured by Erica Stevens (@Mollykatie112, @EricaStevens)
I’ve heard great things about this series, so glad you are trying it and loving it!
Thanks,I really did enjoy it!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Captured by Erica Stevens (@Mollykatie112, @EricaStevens)
haha! Yes, I’ve done that when someone recommends a book and yep, there it is already on the pile. 🙂
Glad it was pretty good and worth continuing the series even with the cliffhanger. I confess I love the tension in a captive style romance. Bummer about the triangle though. Maybe it will peater out by the next book.
Yeah, I don’t think it’s a really serious triangle, at least not yet. It was a good read, I thought 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Captured by Erica Stevens (@Mollykatie112, @EricaStevens)
Ohh great review this is actually the first time I heard about this book plus I absolutely love a good vampire romance as well. And this one looks and sounds utterly fantastic and right up my alley. Thank you for your awesome post.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Captured by Erica Stevens (@Mollykatie112, @EricaStevens)
This sounds good..eep..you keep adding books to my list. And ones I might never have discovered on my own!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #220 – 4th of July Weekend
That’s the fun of trying lots of indie writers. There’s some really good ones out there 🙂 At the moment, most of my favorite authors are indie now that I think about it. 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Captured by Erica Stevens (@Mollykatie112, @EricaStevens)
Oh this sounds good! You had me so curious about this one and then tell me it’s free? You know me too well. Yes, I have it and hope to get to it soon… despite the cliffie. LOL
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
I hope you like it then! I will be interested to hear if you enjoy it or not 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Obsession by Jennifer Armentrout (@Mollykatie112, @JLArmentrout, @entangledpub)
I enjoy a good vampire romance, although I haven’t read any vampire romances in a while. I don’t mind love triangles when done well, but if not done well they annoy me. the dystopian vampire genre combination sounds interesting with how vampires now rule. Sounds like there is some intrigue and interesting characters as well in this one. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Advice: How to Make the Most of a Blog Tour
Thank you! I tend to read a lot of vampire romances though not as many since I started reading so many shifter books.I did really enjoy this and it’s free!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Obsession by Jennifer Armentrout (@Mollykatie112, @JLArmentrout, @entangledpub)
I clicked over to Amazon to snap this one up, Lorna, only to find I’d one-clicked it TWO years ago. 😉 This sounds like a fascinating story with the MC’s being very well developed. I like that in a story. And from the looks of reviews, the entire series seems well written. I’ll have to move this one up in the queue. 😉 I’m very curious about what Aria is…
Yes, it’s got a lot of good reviews doesn’t it? I think the reason it stayed in my tbr pile is because of the cover-I would look at it and see a rose and just ignore it. I really enjoyed this one. I hope you do too Brandee!
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review and Giveaway: Hound’s Bite by E.J. Stevens (@Mollykatie112, @EJStevens)