***Sale ends June 9th*** The bundle edition of the first four books in the bestselling Captive Series will be on sale for a limited time only. Book 5 in the series, Redemption, is a spinoff standalone novel that will be released on June 10th, 2014. Book 1, Captured. 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. 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. Aria is determined to hate the prince, 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. Book 2, Renegade. Though she is free of the palace, rescued from her position as a blood slave, Aria is haunted by the memories of Braith, the prince that betrayed her and shattered her heart. Every day is a struggle to get through, and the only solace she is able to find is with Max, her best friend, and fellow captive. Aria slowly begins to salvage the broken parts of her wounded spirit by throwing herself into the wonder of the woods she had so greatly missed. Her world is thrown into a tailspin again though when a marauding group of vampires destroy the caves she had found temporary shelter in. Scattered about the forest, seeking to stay hidden and find her family, Aria is stunned when Braith, the monster that savaged her heart, reappears. Book 3, Refugee. Whispers, rumors, and horror stories abound about The Barrens and the strange creatures that lurk within them. Determined to find the remaining vampires that stood against his father in the war, Braith knows that it’s dangerous to enter the inhospitable land, but that they must if they are to have a chance at gaining allies to help overthrow the king. Aria is fearful of entering into the land she’s heard nothing but cautionary tales about, but she’s determined to help Braith locate the vampires that may help them with their cause. She is fascinated and amazed by the world they uncover within. However, the more immersed they become in a world that she doesn’t entirely understand, the more she realizes that it won’t be the war, or even the king that will eventually tear her and Braith apart. It will be her. Book 4, Salvation. Imprisoned by Caleb and at the mercy of the king, Aria is determined not to let them break her. However, the more atrocities she witnesses, the more she realizes there are some horrors no one can withstand, and sometimes survival isn’t always the best option. Tormented by the loss of Aria, Braith is forced to choose between his need to rescue her, and the impending rebel war he’s been chosen to lead. Fighting against the darkness which threatens to drag him into its tempting depths, Braith struggles not to become like the one thing he hates the most, his father. Faced with their own separate challenges, Aria and Braith must come to terms with who they are, what they want, and the likelihood that they can never be together as the inevitable war looms on the horizon. A war that all of them will fight but not all of them will survive. Mature YA/New Adult. These books contain some language, violence, and sexual situations. Recommended for ages 16+. Edited by Leslie Mitchell. Cover art by ebook launch.
Erica Stevens is the author of the Captive Series, Coven Series, Kindred Series, Fire & Ice Series, Ravening Series, and the Survivor Chronicles. She enjoys writing young adult, new adult, romance, horror, and science fiction. She also writes adult paranormal romance and historical romance under the pen name, Brenda K. Davies. When not out with friends and family, she is at home with her husband, son, dogs, cat, and horse.
So I spent ALL day yesterday re-reading ALL of the first FOUR full length books in this series (which I had read a long time ago and since forgotten all small details) in preparation of reading books five through seven...
...only to realize that book five is NOT about the same couple as books one through four and that I pretty much didn't need to read them all over again to "get in the zone."
Oh well, at least I enjoyed them all again.
If you like a good YA/NA vampire book with a good connection, great story, but very little steam, this is a good series.
Well for the first sequel of the book, it was really good, I'd give that 4 stars... But moving forward to the 2nd and 3rd part of the sequel, the story dragged on... There was way too much and too long conversations that I really can do without. It made my interest on the story slowly drift off. I needed to get off the boredom! I had to pause reading and divert myself with something interesting....
But even with the in-between reading diversions, I hate to say this, but yeah, I resorted to skimming on some of the pages because it was really just too boring with those tedious conversations! Which isn't really a good thing to do cause then I'd get all confused on the next scene, then I'd had to backtrack. :D
The 4th and final book of Aria and Braith's story, was good. One of those I'd call: "I liked it but not loved it."
I did love the characters though... Aria is brought up a fighter, a rebel agains't the vampire, and she can shoot an arrow and never miss a target... she is fast and she can jump from tree to tree or rooftops, whatever is there for her to go higher with.... And she is also sweet and the part that I appreciate most, despite her tough exterior, she is quite feminine emotionally, since I find she easily tear up. (Not being sexes here ;) ).
Braith, he reminded me of Wrath in Black Dagger Brotherhood... but only cause they are both blind and powerful, and also heir to the thrown, or the King of vamps. ;) But, Wrath is still the best! Not saying I don't love Braith, cause I do. He is too the perfect alpha... and he would do anything and everything to protect Aria.
The world building was interesting.
The supporting cast and characters were alright. I couldn't really say who amongst them stands out the most for me. It could just be cause "they talk too much!" LOL. I like a man with a few words and more action!!!!
I did enjoy the climatic action scenes. Then there was a "supposedly" twist on the story... but because the story felt stretched, I was already guessing what it was and I wasn't far from wrong.
This is a vampire and human love story on a dystopian setting where the vampire rules and humans are mere slaves and food.
I think this series would have been awesome if you cut all unnecessary. That is just my opinion. :D But for only $0.99 cents and I got the complete series bundle, I really can't complain... ;)
I thought I had outgrown vampires. I hadn’t read a Vampire novel since I read Dracula as a teenager, and I had no inclination to do so now, in spite of their renewed popularity, until my daughter, teacher and mother of two of my three grandchildren, convinced me to read Captured, the first novel in The Captive Series, and in a matter of weeks, I had read the whole series of five books! My daughter was always a book ahead of me, so there was plenty of teasing and debating about what would happen! I liked the way Erica created a credible future world in which Vampires rule over humans with extreme cruelty and tyranny. I felt empathy from page one with Aria, the free-spirited and brave human blood slave, who is the daughter of the rebel leader. She is captured by the ruling vampires and taken by Braith, a Vampire Prince and heir to the throne (and Byronic hero in disguise!) All the characters come alive because they have different facets, including flaws and virtues, and they all develop throughout the novel, along with their changing circumstances. The story is intriguing, original, and well planned and drawn out, including family feuds, secrets, and lots of action. Eventually, no-one was as good or bad as they seemed, and there are plenty of twists and turns, and surprises, to keep me hooked to the end of the series. I enjoyed the unusual and sweet romance between the young human and the vampire, including a lot of tension, and obstacles to be overcome, but no explicit sex, although there were some violent and gory scenes especially between the violent and bloodthirsty vampires. I will certainly be reading another sequel if there is one! I’m glad I read this collection, because it is a well-written and enjoyable read. It also reminded me of my (almost) forgotten teenage interest in these supernatural creatures.
4.5 stars. I love this type of fantasy story with a vampire and human love interest and found it very enjoyable . I loved all the relationships in the book and I am glad there will be some spin offs with other characters. Braith was gorgeous. I enjoyed the world building a lot. There was a little repetition at some points in the book where the heroine debates situations, but nothing too annoying and as these were written as 4 separate books this is probably the reason for that. I originally read the first book Captured which was free and couldn't get it out of my head so eventually bought the package of four books. Aria is part of a human resistance to the vampires who have taken over and reduced humans to slaves. She is captured and made the pet of Braith a vampire Prince. I thought the romance built beautifully. Throughout the whole series Aria grows and shows an independent spirit. I was worried she was going to be a silly girl who got herself into situations she needed rescuing from, but actually she grew into a capable heroine, lethal with a bow and arrow.
Captured (The Captive #1) - 5 stars What a book! I loved it from the moment it started. The tension building up and the ending was amazing
Renegade (The Captive #2) - 4.5 stars I liked how the story progressed. There were some surprising parts throughout and getting more in depth answers into the way everything happened was interesting.
Refugee (The Captive #3) - 3 stars Interesting tale but this one stretched out for me a bit. Also, it seemed the Braith was controlling even around arias family and aria cried through most of it. I was expecting a stronger presence from her
Salvation (The Captive #4) - 4 stars I liked this book better than the third one. The fight scenes and progression of the story was a lot smoother. Good ending to the series.
I came across this series while searching for a quick easy read to start my summer. It took less than a week. There is some redundancy that seemed to just take up space. It was fairly predictable, having the common theme of a young dominant vampire and a feisty female with an inseparable bond. I wasn't left with a "gotta recommend this series" feeling. Nonetheless, it held my interest as the young part of me enjoys lighthearted vampire fantasies with a happy ending. There is some language and sexual content but nothing explicit.
I had no idea the exquisite pleasure I will derive from this series, but Braith and Aria pulled me in and held me captive for the entirety of these four books. This is a story of love that is unexpected, a taboo, but it germinated and bloomed for all to see. There were many trials and tribulations on the path to this true love, Braith and his love prevailed though.
In fact I think I want more of this couple. I will read Jack's story though, and maybe William, Max and Daniel one day. This was an awesome read for me. Love it.
Overall 3.5 stars This series is very entertaining, is about vampires and it has some things are just common with other books but, as always there is something entertaining, the characters are likable, you can connect with them and is action pack journey toward a ver happy ending and the promise of far more with the secondary characters. Hihly recommended