Dnf 21%

No. Just no.

When I first read this book I thought, "Oh, another vampire novel". But as the story progressed I guess I grew to like it. Captured centers on a dystopian world where vampires rule the earth and humans are forced to become blood slaves. The protagonist, Arianna is the daughter of rebel leader David. She finds herself captured by the enemy and forced to be auctioned off as a blood slave. She is selected by Braith, the powerful vampire prince who feels a deep connection with her. She is separated from her friend and former beloved Max and invited into the luxurious life as the Prince's blood slave.

Well, the humans vs. vampires bit isn't quite new anymore but I liked the idea of a dystopian setting. Unfortunately, I felt kind of sad about the fact that the humans were not only physically weak, but also mentally weak as well. I mean, Aria couldn't hardly read until Braith taught her. Yes, she was defiant at first but she easily succumbed to Braith's whim -- probably because of their unspoken connection.

Then more than half of the book only explored the growing intimacy between Aria and Braith. I get it, the two of them have a bond. They have a spark. Braith is a charming, sexy vamp with a conscience. Whatever. I wanted to know more about the rebellion and Max's situation.

Finally, near the end of the book Braith's brother Jericho, who was working undercover in the rebellion, came home to share his discoveries. He was surprised to see Aria as a blood slave to his brother knowing how important she was to the rebel cause. They try to talk things over for Braith was reluctant to let his love return to her family.

After a night of fiery passion, Jericho helps Aria and Max escape and return to their home. Poor Braith, betrayed by his lover and his brother seeks vengeance. And that basically sums up the first book. It was good and I liked the writing style but I just wish their could have been more to it than the romance and the brief descriptions of suffering and war.

So at the end of the book all I felt was sheer indifference. Well, that was pretty abrupt. I guess I'll just have to see if Braith and Aria's love affair is worth continuing when I get my hands on the next book.

I really liked this book but I didnt know it wasnt a stand alone and I just dont feel like buying the others at this time... maybe in the future.

Can somebody say "Stockholm syndrome"? (HA!) Just kidding! Kind of. Not really.

Aria finds herself in terrible circumstances one night when she swaps the life of a young child for her own in an effort to save him and ends up getting captured herself (hence the title). She does not regret her choices, but she will find herself hard-pressed to play the role of meek blood slave.

Things take a turn when The Prince claims her as his own and throws the carefully maintained world of human slave-vampire master for a whirl. After this night, nothing will ever be the same for Aria, Braith, or the communities they live in.

I found Aria to be like a mash-up of Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games) and Allison Sekemoto (Blood of Eden). She had Katniss's skills with a bow and arrow and her ability to live off the woods. She also had Allison's warrior spirit and hatred of the vampire and their "pets." She was fierce, and she found herself separated from everyone she had known, forced to trust a vampire for her survival (Just like Allison).

Braith was a very complex character. At first he was highly cold and unfeeling, but I grew to adore him (sometimes) nearly as much as Aria did. Though I still think he's a flaming asshole the grand majority of the time. I don't know exactly what to make of him yet, but I'm sure he will continue to give me indigestion after the final events of this book.

It has been a while since I have read anything strictly vampire-related. There could have been more in the way of world-building when it came to the vampires, more on Braith's past and why he believed vampires had to be masters to be able to live.

But overall, it was very well-done. I can really feel the tension and confusion when it comes to the fight between rebels and vampires, and I'm sure Jack will continue to screw everything up that I have come to accept as fact. One thing is clear, and that is that NOTHING is certain, and NOTHING and NO ONE is who they appear to be.

Almost a 5-star rating, almost! Enjoyed the touch of intimacy without turning into a romance-type novel. Good combo of fantasy with a bit of young adult. Had to buy the 2nd book in the series immediately!

Did this book have an editor? If not, it would have greatly benefitted from one in order to limit the type-o’s as well as work on the continuity and flow. If it did.. well, I dunno what to say.

I loved the story and it certainly kept me reading. However, that being said, I haaaaaated the writing style. I’m all for inner dialogue but pages after pages after pages of inner dialogue, mostly saying the same exact thing? It’s like they’re wanted the characters to seem complex but instead I found myself skipping through parts bc nothing was happening and the inner dialogue was so repetitive. I also found things hard to visualize. The only thing that kept me reading was the actual storyline, which was intriguing and surprising.

I’m going to read the second book, only bc I want to know what happens, but if it reads the same as this one, I doubt I’ll make it through the series.

Hooked!
Onto the next one...