Captured

The Captive Series, Book 1

By: Erica Stevens

Narrated by: Luci Christian

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2012 Eric Stevens (P)2013 Podium Publishing

Has more depth than most

I just felt like this book had more depth than most Vampire/Paranormal books. It didn't rely on sex as the hook. It had a full plot & gave the view of both protagonists. I don't want you to think there wasn't any sex but it just wasn't the overwhelming plot. It was a paranormal romance rather than pure sex. Cudos to the author for actually writing a story.

I love a sexy paranormal romance but IMO the trend has gone too far and most books in this genre have taken the plot out of books...no depth to them -- much to the reader's loss. Rather like a recipe that was good to begin with but the author decided to add an extra cup of sugar to it to sweeten it more. However, that additional sugar didn't enhance the recipe...only made it sickly sweet ruining a great recipe. Thankfully, this author didn't add that extra sugar. I look forward to the other books in the series.

Couldn’t stop listening

I no joke could not stop listening, I was hooked. It’s was just the escape I needed.

Overall okay

I liked the story in the beginning but the more I got into the characters the more frustrating the story line got. He is suppose to be over 900 years old but acts like the 17 year old here. With the time spent with Ariana he still let's deceit and lies fill his mind instead of being understanding like her. He wasn't completely honest but expects total loyalty and trust. With the cliffhanger end, I'm on to the next book... Hopefully he will get his head out of his butt and really think and take action for what he wants rather than obligations and feeding his hatred.

Good

This story started out slow, but it got better as it progressed. I liked it.

Get to the point already!!

If you like extended inner monologues from the main character that go way beyond the time flow of the setting, then this is the book for you. Good storyline and narration, but the lengthy inner conversations of the main character was a bit too much! It doesn't take away from story, but had me yelling "spit it out already!" Also liked the preview of the next book at the end

Was decent

Would have gotten a higher rating but please stop making 17yr olds the love interest of 500yr old creatures ruined a lot for me. Mild spice which is a good thing, BECAUSE SHE'S 17. Plot was decent world building was probably the best thing.

Pleasantly surprised

Would you listen to Captured again? Why?

No but only because I typically don't listen to books more than once, even if I really like them.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Captured?

Hard to say without spoilers, but it's a scene close to the end of the book. Very intense and romantic.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it sure was, it felt like watching a movie, super hooked and just wanting to know what happened next. It was hard to stop listening and get out of the car on several occasions.

Any additional comments?

There are only a few things I did not like about this book. Sometimes the internal monologue was a bit too dramatic for my taste, which also slowed the story. Then the descriptions, I could point out words the author seems to use a lot throughout the book, like 'realize' or 'realization', 'glare', and 'clenched fists' were definitely very prominent. Overall though, I think the story is amazing, full of the type of conflict and tension that keeps you hooked, and I liked the characters, could connect to them, and was intrigued by them, so to me, that made it worth the listen. Can't wait for the next one!

Loved the book... but the narrator

I actually read a couple of the books from this series a few years ago and fell in love. I recently started to listen to audio books and noticed I could upgrade the books I already and decided to upgrade this series. I was truly disappointed because the narrator, though she tried, it was a total BUST in my opinion. I even listened to 'Renegade' to try and give her a second chance but nope, just as bad as the first. I'm so friggin' disappointed that these audio books don't have a better narrator. But the books are wonderful, I plan to read the rest though.

Wasn’t sure at first but...

Began listening because I wanted a book to pass the time on a long drive. Actually thought several times about not finishing but the story drew me in. The narration is different, not really the type I listen too ( telling about the characters versus being one of them) but I listened and now that I’m done I’m looking for book 2.

Music

If you could sum up Captured in three words, what would they be?

I felt the music at the beginning was over powering the reader. Once the music stopped, it was easier to hear all of what was being said. LOVED the book!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Captured?

Aria's determination not to be a coward was my most memorable moment(s) in the book.

Have you listened to any of Luci Christian’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never listened to Luci Christian's performances before.