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Captivated
Lanu had no family, no home, no freedom. His life an an Oracle was a changeless existence in the Temple. He did not walk or talk or do anything for himself; he had never before removed the blindfold that kept him bound in darkness. Then, he was stolen...by a handsome bandit and his gang of friendly cutthroats.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2019
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190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 26, 2019
4 adorable, funny, and sexy hot stars!
Lanu is an oracle. His gift of sight is triggered by the use of his mouth. He’s been tucked away in a Temple, blind folded and sheltered from the world for as long as he can remember. Needless to say, Lanu is incredibly innocent and ignorant to the ways of life. He’s irresistibly endearing.
The Queen has commissioned bandits to kidnap Lanu. It’s during the journey to the palace that Lanu learns about life on the outside from a group of crude but friendly men. You can imagine how funny that journey turns out to be. Lanu develops a sexual relationship with the leader, Colin. I wouldn’t call their relationship development a slow-burn and I wouldn’t call it ott insta either. It’s more of a coming together out of curiosity, attraction and convenience. But it never felt impersonal. If anything, it was sweet and passionate. And their falling in love was believable. I loved that Lanu had a possessive side. It’s so rare that the innocent one is the possessive one.
I enjoyed the action scenes. I didn’t like the separation period, but I understand it was necessary because we find out about Lanu’s background/heritage. The ending seemed rushed and abrupt. I’d like to think maybe there will be a book 2???
Lanu is an oracle. His gift of sight is triggered by the use of his mouth. He’s been tucked away in a Temple, blind folded and sheltered from the world for as long as he can remember. Needless to say, Lanu is incredibly innocent and ignorant to the ways of life. He’s irresistibly endearing.
The Queen has commissioned bandits to kidnap Lanu. It’s during the journey to the palace that Lanu learns about life on the outside from a group of crude but friendly men. You can imagine how funny that journey turns out to be. Lanu develops a sexual relationship with the leader, Colin. I wouldn’t call their relationship development a slow-burn and I wouldn’t call it ott insta either. It’s more of a coming together out of curiosity, attraction and convenience. But it never felt impersonal. If anything, it was sweet and passionate. And their falling in love was believable. I loved that Lanu had a possessive side. It’s so rare that the innocent one is the possessive one.
I enjoyed the action scenes. I didn’t like the separation period, but I understand it was necessary because we find out about Lanu’s background/heritage. The ending seemed rushed and abrupt. I’d like to think maybe there will be a book 2???
June 29, 2019
Salem Fitzgerald is definitely fast becoming one of my favorite authors. 💙 I have read two books out of three she wrote and both are so amazing. 👏 Oh, Lanu .. My sweet, precious and innocent Lanu ... the world would be a much more beautiful place if everyone was like you. 🥰 Ok, enough fangirling and onto reviewing. 😉
All his life, all Lanu knew was the couch he slept in, the cushion he knelt on and the countless men who came to him for his sights. Being an Oracle, Lanu has the ability to foray into the future but in real life, he was blindfolded all the time and he has never seen all the amazing things he saw in his visions. His life is extremely dull and monotonous but Lanu never knew no other way. Until he was kidnapped by a band of vagabond bandits and suddenly, Lanu’s life has become upside down. There are just so many new things to learn, discover and enjoy. And Colin is definitely one of them. Colin, the chief of the bandits, who is extremely handsome, wild and kind to Lanu’s naïveté. May be life is more than being an Oracle in an unchanging temple. May be Lanu’s destiny is to fall in love and be with one his one true love. If only Colin soon realizes Lanu is the love of his life and more than just a kidnapped Oracle to exchange for bounty money.
OMG! If you still don’t know it by now by my fangirling, I looooooooved Lanu, who’s so innocent, sweet and kind. 😁😍 He’s just one in a million. 🥰 The things he did and sacrificed for love!!! Man, that was just sooooo romantic. 💜 And Colin, oh the wild and kind Colin, how he took care of Lanu and introduced him to so many new things including the pleasure of flesh. 😏 He looks callous and uncaring on the cover but the guy is a big softie and a romantic. I loved how Lanu has become a man from a naive child. And the world building and the storyline and the plot twists!!! 😱 That’s very impressive world building and story telling. I couldn’t get enough of these two. And well, the sex was scorching! 😁🔥🔥🔥 I do demand a sequel although we did get our happily ever after. ☺️ I’m not done with Lanu and Colin yet. They made me cry, they made me laugh and they made my heart ache and go “awwwwwww” a lot. 🥰 Loved it to the moon and back! Already can’t wait for another book from Salem Fitzgerald. 😉
4.75 you are my home and I’ll always find my way back to you stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
All his life, all Lanu knew was the couch he slept in, the cushion he knelt on and the countless men who came to him for his sights. Being an Oracle, Lanu has the ability to foray into the future but in real life, he was blindfolded all the time and he has never seen all the amazing things he saw in his visions. His life is extremely dull and monotonous but Lanu never knew no other way. Until he was kidnapped by a band of vagabond bandits and suddenly, Lanu’s life has become upside down. There are just so many new things to learn, discover and enjoy. And Colin is definitely one of them. Colin, the chief of the bandits, who is extremely handsome, wild and kind to Lanu’s naïveté. May be life is more than being an Oracle in an unchanging temple. May be Lanu’s destiny is to fall in love and be with one his one true love. If only Colin soon realizes Lanu is the love of his life and more than just a kidnapped Oracle to exchange for bounty money.
OMG! If you still don’t know it by now by my fangirling, I looooooooved Lanu, who’s so innocent, sweet and kind. 😁😍 He’s just one in a million. 🥰 The things he did and sacrificed for love!!! Man, that was just sooooo romantic. 💜 And Colin, oh the wild and kind Colin, how he took care of Lanu and introduced him to so many new things including the pleasure of flesh. 😏 He looks callous and uncaring on the cover but the guy is a big softie and a romantic. I loved how Lanu has become a man from a naive child. And the world building and the storyline and the plot twists!!! 😱 That’s very impressive world building and story telling. I couldn’t get enough of these two. And well, the sex was scorching! 😁🔥🔥🔥 I do demand a sequel although we did get our happily ever after. ☺️ I’m not done with Lanu and Colin yet. They made me cry, they made me laugh and they made my heart ache and go “awwwwwww” a lot. 🥰 Loved it to the moon and back! Already can’t wait for another book from Salem Fitzgerald. 😉
4.75 you are my home and I’ll always find my way back to you stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
September 17, 2022
✅ Quick and easy read
✅🆗 Smut
🆗 Characters
🆗 World-building
🆗❌ Plot
❌Insta-lust
DNF at 30%
Lanu has spent the last 12 years as an oracle and a recluse. He’s been blindfolded for the last 12 years, has spent his whole days either kneeling on his cushion or lying on his couch… Now get ready for the “WTF did I just read” part… He needs to taste a man’s sperm to get a vision of said man’s future. Yeah, you read that right. Sperm. That’s how his oracle power works. So he’s basically giving blowjobs to anyone who wants a glimpse of their future. It’s the only life he’s known so he doesn’t even realize how fucked up that is. For him, life is all about sucking off men, having people wash him and taking care of his every need, eating bland gruel, and being in the dark, and I mean literally in the dark because he never removes his blindfold.
All changes though when he gets kidnapped by a group of hired thugs who have been paid by the queen of a neighboring country to kidnap the prophet/oracle and bring him to her castle. The tough guys and fragile Lanu couldn’t be more different from each other and it did create some funny moments. Lanu’s blatant honesty and cluelessness made me smile at first and I found it kind of cute. He is just so delightfully innocent, and it was really amusing to watch him learn about the “true world” and what sex is… But then it just became insta-lust and I lost my interest in this story.
Lanu went from being a shy, recluse man who never interacted with anyone besides the men he would suck to get visions to a sex-driven horny teenager that can’t get enough sex and shamelessly asks for it. He never even had an erection before he got kidnapped, then he learned about sex and the fact that ejaculation is actually very pleasant, tries it and he’s lost to his newfound lust. I’m all in for him finding himself, getting bolder and taking control of his life, making his own choices, and realizing that there’s more to life than the Sight, but it’s just so sudden, it was weird. The fact that he’s also all innocent when it comes to sex gives us the feeling that he’s a young teenager, and I almost felt like Colin was taking advantage of it… Lanu even felt childlike at times because he’s so naïve and the mix of childlike behavior and crude sex was kind of awkward. Even though he said that he wanted to wait until Lanu was ready, he just told him that he wanted to be inside him the day after Lanu experienced his first orgasm, even though he clearly knew that Lanu didn’t realize fully what it involves to have sex.
Colin and his group are likable and funny, they are simple and a little rough in their ways, but they are not bad people. I have to say though that except Colin, we don’t get to know much of the other guys and they all felt interchangeable at some point. I’m not even sure who has which accent and which name is associated with which character for some of them. The way they interact and talk was also bugging me at times. I do love banter, but the way they talk just puts me off.
While this book is not too bad and it is a quick and easy read, not much has happened so far besides Lanu learning about sex, and being obsessed with it, and the gang camping and waiting for… something? I’m not sure why they are still at their camp and why they haven’t started their trek to the palace yet, maybe I missed this piece of information.
Overall, while being entertained, I am not really invested in the story because besides the romance part that we can see coming already, I still don’t see what the main plot/endgame is. They say that it’s all about delivering Lanu to the queen, but that’s not what’s been happening so far! That and the insta-lust/insta-sex-obsession also just killed it for me.
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✅🆗 Smut
🆗 Characters
🆗 World-building
🆗❌ Plot
❌Insta-lust
DNF at 30%
Lanu has spent the last 12 years as an oracle and a recluse. He’s been blindfolded for the last 12 years, has spent his whole days either kneeling on his cushion or lying on his couch… Now get ready for the “WTF did I just read” part… He needs to taste a man’s sperm to get a vision of said man’s future. Yeah, you read that right. Sperm. That’s how his oracle power works. So he’s basically giving blowjobs to anyone who wants a glimpse of their future. It’s the only life he’s known so he doesn’t even realize how fucked up that is. For him, life is all about sucking off men, having people wash him and taking care of his every need, eating bland gruel, and being in the dark, and I mean literally in the dark because he never removes his blindfold.
All changes though when he gets kidnapped by a group of hired thugs who have been paid by the queen of a neighboring country to kidnap the prophet/oracle and bring him to her castle. The tough guys and fragile Lanu couldn’t be more different from each other and it did create some funny moments. Lanu’s blatant honesty and cluelessness made me smile at first and I found it kind of cute. He is just so delightfully innocent, and it was really amusing to watch him learn about the “true world” and what sex is… But then it just became insta-lust and I lost my interest in this story.
Lanu went from being a shy, recluse man who never interacted with anyone besides the men he would suck to get visions to a sex-driven horny teenager that can’t get enough sex and shamelessly asks for it. He never even had an erection before he got kidnapped, then he learned about sex and the fact that ejaculation is actually very pleasant, tries it and he’s lost to his newfound lust. I’m all in for him finding himself, getting bolder and taking control of his life, making his own choices, and realizing that there’s more to life than the Sight, but it’s just so sudden, it was weird. The fact that he’s also all innocent when it comes to sex gives us the feeling that he’s a young teenager, and I almost felt like Colin was taking advantage of it… Lanu even felt childlike at times because he’s so naïve and the mix of childlike behavior and crude sex was kind of awkward. Even though he said that he wanted to wait until Lanu was ready, he just told him that he wanted to be inside him the day after Lanu experienced his first orgasm, even though he clearly knew that Lanu didn’t realize fully what it involves to have sex.
Colin and his group are likable and funny, they are simple and a little rough in their ways, but they are not bad people. I have to say though that except Colin, we don’t get to know much of the other guys and they all felt interchangeable at some point. I’m not even sure who has which accent and which name is associated with which character for some of them. The way they interact and talk was also bugging me at times. I do love banter, but the way they talk just puts me off.
While this book is not too bad and it is a quick and easy read, not much has happened so far besides Lanu learning about sex, and being obsessed with it, and the gang camping and waiting for… something? I’m not sure why they are still at their camp and why they haven’t started their trek to the palace yet, maybe I missed this piece of information.
Overall, while being entertained, I am not really invested in the story because besides the romance part that we can see coming already, I still don’t see what the main plot/endgame is. They say that it’s all about delivering Lanu to the queen, but that’s not what’s been happening so far! That and the insta-lust/insta-sex-obsession also just killed it for me.
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August 7, 2019
I actually ridiculously enjoyed this until 70%.
Lanu hasn’t had much of a conventional life. Working as an oracle comes with a couple of pretty horrible job requirements. Not that he knows any different. Until the day he is captured by some bandits.
Lanu is delightfully innocent and naïve, and it was great fun and adorably amusing to watch him learn about the world and sex. I loved how bold he gets the more he learns and how determined he becomes to make his own choices.
Colin and his band sound like a mixture between Cornish pirates and Scottish Highland rogues which made me grin broadly, even if it seems somehow wrong, but, in their simple and rough ways, they are a really likeable bunch.
And Colin and Lanu slowly falling for each other without either acknowledging the fact (Lanu has no idea whatsoever, while Colin won’t let himself look too deeply because he can’t see a future for them) is funny and sweet and pretty hot as such!
While the author gets her MCs and their romance very right (how can you resist a ‘captive falling in love with captor’ plot???), things start to derail at two thirds into the book.
Once Lanu is ‘delivered’ at the Palace, the plot train starts to accelerate like mad. I just saw events swooshing by rather than being dealt with in detail. And then we take a huge detour into the mountains where we find out about Lanu’s heritage – and let me tell you, that WAS a huge surprise and came pretty much out of the blue.
There are some hints of the paranormal before that, but I can’t believe where the author takes this. And how sweet, trustful Lanu shows a side of himself that is very very different.
Not that Colin and his band are in any way taken aback by this, or that Colin and Lanu talk about it. It just IS. (And that wasn’t enough for me!)
The freight train plot races through right until the end, and I wished Salem Fitzgerald had simply taken the time and written at least one more book detailing all these later events rather than rushing through them. It seems such a wasted opportunity.
However, if you’re into this kind of trope you will enjoy this book, I think, as long as you get prepared for a whirlwind last 30%!
Lanu hasn’t had much of a conventional life. Working as an oracle comes with a couple of pretty horrible job requirements. Not that he knows any different. Until the day he is captured by some bandits.
Lanu is delightfully innocent and naïve, and it was great fun and adorably amusing to watch him learn about the world and sex. I loved how bold he gets the more he learns and how determined he becomes to make his own choices.
Colin and his band sound like a mixture between Cornish pirates and Scottish Highland rogues which made me grin broadly, even if it seems somehow wrong, but, in their simple and rough ways, they are a really likeable bunch.
And Colin and Lanu slowly falling for each other without either acknowledging the fact (Lanu has no idea whatsoever, while Colin won’t let himself look too deeply because he can’t see a future for them) is funny and sweet and pretty hot as such!
While the author gets her MCs and their romance very right (how can you resist a ‘captive falling in love with captor’ plot???), things start to derail at two thirds into the book.
Once Lanu is ‘delivered’ at the Palace, the plot train starts to accelerate like mad. I just saw events swooshing by rather than being dealt with in detail. And then we take a huge detour into the mountains where we find out about Lanu’s heritage – and let me tell you, that WAS a huge surprise and came pretty much out of the blue.
There are some hints of the paranormal before that, but I can’t believe where the author takes this. And how sweet, trustful Lanu shows a side of himself that is very very different.
Not that Colin and his band are in any way taken aback by this, or that Colin and Lanu talk about it. It just IS. (And that wasn’t enough for me!)
The freight train plot races through right until the end, and I wished Salem Fitzgerald had simply taken the time and written at least one more book detailing all these later events rather than rushing through them. It seems such a wasted opportunity.
However, if you’re into this kind of trope you will enjoy this book, I think, as long as you get prepared for a whirlwind last 30%!
January 11, 2020
4 sweet Lanu and adorable Colin stars! ;)
It's a really enjoyable, swashbuckling story packed with action, adventures, and crazy, adorable bandits (I especially loved Brick!). The main MCs, Colin and Lanu were so cute together. Lanu, an oracle/slave who's never known outside world is stolen by Colin, the leader of a hired band of bandits.
The plot is interesting, funny and quite smooth - it reads quickly and Lanu's learning of new things (eating, cooking, washing, walking!) and, expecially, exploring his newly discovered sexuality were heart-warming and I couldn't stop grinning to myself reading it all :)
But... Then happened something. And that something has totallay changed my perspective and my opinion of the book :(
I don't even know how to explain it. But, fortunately, my friend Ariana has found perfect words to describe it in her review. You can find it here and I agree with everything she says.
Still, I'd recommend this read to those of you who enjoy good banter, coarse bandits and sweet, affectionate MCs.
It's a really enjoyable, swashbuckling story packed with action, adventures, and crazy, adorable bandits (I especially loved Brick!). The main MCs, Colin and Lanu were so cute together. Lanu, an oracle/slave who's never known outside world is stolen by Colin, the leader of a hired band of bandits.
The plot is interesting, funny and quite smooth - it reads quickly and Lanu's learning of new things (eating, cooking, washing, walking!) and, expecially, exploring his newly discovered sexuality were heart-warming and I couldn't stop grinning to myself reading it all :)
But... Then happened something. And that something has totallay changed my perspective and my opinion of the book :(
I don't even know how to explain it. But, fortunately, my friend Ariana has found perfect words to describe it in her review. You can find it here and I agree with everything she says.
Still, I'd recommend this read to those of you who enjoy good banter, coarse bandits and sweet, affectionate MCs.
January 2, 2021
4 stars
Definitely a good read! I just feel like there was a couple things left unfinished.
Definitely a good read! I just feel like there was a couple things left unfinished.
November 17, 2019
The first 2/3 of this was delicious. The way Lanu goes from sheltered, imprisoned Oracle to his own man because of Colin and his men is wonderful to read. But when they deliver Lanu to the Queen the story shifts. It’s goes into overdrive. The wonderful slow burn we have in the beginning is replaced by an author who is just gunning it to the finish line, tying up loose ends and trying to get the lovers back together again.
Don’t get me wrong, this last third was still interesting but it lacked the finesse of the first. I found myself skimming. And the actual ending was very abrupt. It kind of felt like something you would see in a comedy movie. Very odd.
But this book is well worth reading. Great story. Great world building. A sweet romance and a whole lot of gory bloodshed on the side.
Don’t get me wrong, this last third was still interesting but it lacked the finesse of the first. I found myself skimming. And the actual ending was very abrupt. It kind of felt like something you would see in a comedy movie. Very odd.
But this book is well worth reading. Great story. Great world building. A sweet romance and a whole lot of gory bloodshed on the side.
Want to read
August 5, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/5/2019)! 🎁
dnf
July 1, 2019DNF @31%
I read a review for this and had super high expectations and was eager to start. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to be as captivated as my fellow reviewer ☹️
It started off well, intriguing and mysterious. Then Colin and his bandits turn up and I feel like we ended up a different century or something. Then it was several chapters of nothing much happening.
Sorry, I’m just...not as captivated as I expected to be 😕
I read a review for this and had super high expectations and was eager to start. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to be as captivated as my fellow reviewer ☹️
It started off well, intriguing and mysterious. Then Colin and his bandits turn up and I feel like we ended up a different century or something. Then it was several chapters of nothing much happening.
Sorry, I’m just...not as captivated as I expected to be 😕
June 27, 2019
4 what did I just read stars
I try to judge books based on others in their category. In this case I am not quite sure what else to compare it to. I think I might give it 3 - 3.5 stars if I viewed it as smut, or fantasy, or MM romance, or anything else. However I was just so delighted with the oddness of it all, smiled all the way through, and even spent time thinking about the Kumari of Kathmandu, so that is surely worth the bump up.
Lanu is the Oracle for his country. He lives a very secluded life in a temple and has no desires unmet. Of course this is because he has effectively no desires. He has no free will and makes no decisions at all. Then he is stolen by a band of men at the request of a different country that also want him as their Oracle. Most of the book takes place on their journey from one country to the other. Along the way Lanu experiences many new things and talks about them as a child might. Bluntly and with awe. He has zero filters. The kidnappers are mostly quite nice to him although there are some moments where they do take advantage of his innocence. Given that they are a ribald, violent, and non-PC group his education is somewhat skewed. One thing he learns a lot about is sex.
While living in the temple Lanu had contact with "seed" but he has no concept of sex. He has no idea how babies are made. Several of the men find him attractive and make lewd suggestions. The leader puts his foot down and insists on consent. But given they are kidnapping him can he truly consent? This thought did not trouble the men so when Lanu does consent he finds he likes doing sex. A lot. There is a lot of sex. More sex than I needed to read about. But I can not complain that it was too much sex for the plot as it does genuinely move the story forward and there is emotional growth and thoughts of what constitutes sex and when is it acceptable.
This is a romance though so Lanu falls for his sex partner. He does not really understand it at first but I still found the whole thing quite sweet. I was definitely pulling for him to get his heart's desire. I was not looking forward to the time when he has to leave the men but he clearly does. Unlike most books the separation makes sense and the results also fit well into the story arc and add to Lanu's understanding of the world and his place in it. I liked the way things were resolved and found the ending satisfactory although what is effectively the epilogue left me a bit cold.
I will certainly look into other books by this author :)
I try to judge books based on others in their category. In this case I am not quite sure what else to compare it to. I think I might give it 3 - 3.5 stars if I viewed it as smut, or fantasy, or MM romance, or anything else. However I was just so delighted with the oddness of it all, smiled all the way through, and even spent time thinking about the Kumari of Kathmandu, so that is surely worth the bump up.
Lanu is the Oracle for his country. He lives a very secluded life in a temple and has no desires unmet. Of course this is because he has effectively no desires. He has no free will and makes no decisions at all. Then he is stolen by a band of men at the request of a different country that also want him as their Oracle. Most of the book takes place on their journey from one country to the other. Along the way Lanu experiences many new things and talks about them as a child might. Bluntly and with awe. He has zero filters. The kidnappers are mostly quite nice to him although there are some moments where they do take advantage of his innocence. Given that they are a ribald, violent, and non-PC group his education is somewhat skewed. One thing he learns a lot about is sex.
While living in the temple Lanu had contact with "seed" but he has no concept of sex. He has no idea how babies are made. Several of the men find him attractive and make lewd suggestions. The leader puts his foot down and insists on consent. But given they are kidnapping him can he truly consent? This thought did not trouble the men so when Lanu does consent he finds he likes doing sex. A lot. There is a lot of sex. More sex than I needed to read about. But I can not complain that it was too much sex for the plot as it does genuinely move the story forward and there is emotional growth and thoughts of what constitutes sex and when is it acceptable.
This is a romance though so Lanu falls for his sex partner. He does not really understand it at first but I still found the whole thing quite sweet. I was definitely pulling for him to get his heart's desire. I was not looking forward to the time when he has to leave the men but he clearly does. Unlike most books the separation makes sense and the results also fit well into the story arc and add to Lanu's understanding of the world and his place in it. I liked the way things were resolved and found the ending satisfactory although what is effectively the epilogue left me a bit cold.
I will certainly look into other books by this author :)
June 25, 2019
5 stars for Lanu alone
August 11, 2019
3 and 1/2 Stars. I loved the relationship between Lanu and Colin. It was sweet and sexy and fun to read. The way the characters interacted with each other is what made the book for me. The plot didn’t excite me.
November 15, 2019
Una novela de aventuras en un mundo imaginario super entretenida con unos personajes inolvidables, tanto MC como secundarios,(si hay que ponerle algún pero es que para ser bandidos son un poco buenos de más, pero se perdona.
Lo devoré de una sentada.
Lo devoré de una sentada.
read-did-not-finish
October 31, 2020DNF
Every review says that the action/plot doesn't really happen until 70% into the book. I'm not investing my time.
This book starts off with Lanu, the oracle, being forced to blow men. You see, that's how he gets his oracle sight. He needs male seed. So, he's locked away and blindfolded in a room where he's only allowed to weave a tapestry and suck dick. He can't walk and he doesn't realize that being forced to perform oral sex and a bad thing.
So, Colin and his gang kidnap Lanu for someone and they're on a journey to deliver him to that person. While they are waiting at camp, Lanu beings to learn how to walk and how sex is for pleasure. And he's probably going to get with Colin.
The whole beginning with the gang of kidnappers reads like a naïve child learning about sex for the first time while men take advantage of him. It's not sexy to me.
Every review says that the action/plot doesn't really happen until 70% into the book. I'm not investing my time.
This book starts off with Lanu, the oracle, being forced to blow men. You see, that's how he gets his oracle sight. He needs male seed. So, he's locked away and blindfolded in a room where he's only allowed to weave a tapestry and suck dick. He can't walk and he doesn't realize that being forced to perform oral sex and a bad thing.
So, Colin and his gang kidnap Lanu for someone and they're on a journey to deliver him to that person. While they are waiting at camp, Lanu beings to learn how to walk and how sex is for pleasure. And he's probably going to get with Colin.
The whole beginning with the gang of kidnappers reads like a naïve child learning about sex for the first time while men take advantage of him. It's not sexy to me.
January 9, 2020
I thought the concept of this book was fantastic, however I struggled with the first 50% because it was so sex heavy. While I love a good sex scene, I need the plot to keep developing and a bit more variety in the sex. Maybe this author's writing just isn't for me, but I did enjoy the story we were told when Lanu and Colin weren't obsessively banging each other. The story began to develop in the second half as Colin and the gang had to cross lands to deliver Lanu to the Queen and sex was a bit more sparse between them. I truly enjoyed the portion of the story that Lanu spent without Colin as I believe this time allowed him to develop himself without Colin there to guide him.
Overall:
This was a 3 Star Book for me, I struggled to get through the first 50% but once things started to pick up in the second half, I began to enjoy the story a bit more. I believe Captivated had a brilliant concept with the kin of the dragons, however the plot focused on this concept very little and dragged on a bit as Colin and the gang ever so slowly made their way to the Queen. I enjoyed reading this and I'm glad I didn't DNF it early on, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I would've liked.
April 23, 2022
This wouldn't been a whole Lotta better if it weren't for the blowjob part and the cheating part also I feel like I'm reading a completely different story when I reach the third act cuz so much is happening in there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2019
4.5 stars
June 17, 2020
4.5 stars
Lanu is an Oracle, and has never had, or been able, to do anything for himself. He only has to lie on his pillow in the dark with his blindfold on, or kneel when men visit him for a prediction of the future. He has no memory of his time before the Temple. One day, he is stolen from the Temple by a gang of thieves for hire, and Lanu is exposed to an entirely new world.
Lanu has to learn everything, including how to walk and eat regular food. I liked how patient everyone was with him, especially Colin. They didn't make him feel like a burden, even though they had to do things differently around him. Of course, they were getting paid to deliver him to their contractor, so that may have had something to do with it.
I did have some issues, such as Lanu's heritage came almost out of nowhere, with only a couple of the vaguest of hints as to what it could be.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. Be warned, though, there is lots of sex. Lots and lots of sex. Told in singular POV from Lanu's perspective.
Lanu is an Oracle, and has never had, or been able, to do anything for himself. He only has to lie on his pillow in the dark with his blindfold on, or kneel when men visit him for a prediction of the future. He has no memory of his time before the Temple. One day, he is stolen from the Temple by a gang of thieves for hire, and Lanu is exposed to an entirely new world.
Lanu has to learn everything, including how to walk and eat regular food. I liked how patient everyone was with him, especially Colin. They didn't make him feel like a burden, even though they had to do things differently around him. Of course, they were getting paid to deliver him to their contractor, so that may have had something to do with it.
I did have some issues, such as Lanu's heritage came almost out of nowhere, with only a couple of the vaguest of hints as to what it could be.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. Be warned, though, there is lots of sex. Lots and lots of sex. Told in singular POV from Lanu's perspective.
did-not-finish
January 1, 2020DNF @ 30%
13.0% : Hmm... I don't know what to think after the second chapter. This is very different from The Conqueror, which I loved. I'm annoyed at the way Colin and his gang talk. Like it's making me not take them seriously... Oh well, pressing on.
30.0% : I can't. This book is not for me. I have nothing against teenage innocence when it comes to sex, but Lanu's childlike behavior and comprehension are pulling me out of the story. I also dislike the band of thieves, their dynamic, and how they talk. I'm usually a fan of banter and sarcasm, but for some reason, I find this annoying to no end.
Sorry, book, you're going on my DNF shelf.
13.0% : Hmm... I don't know what to think after the second chapter. This is very different from The Conqueror, which I loved. I'm annoyed at the way Colin and his gang talk. Like it's making me not take them seriously... Oh well, pressing on.
30.0% : I can't. This book is not for me. I have nothing against teenage innocence when it comes to sex, but Lanu's childlike behavior and comprehension are pulling me out of the story. I also dislike the band of thieves, their dynamic, and how they talk. I'm usually a fan of banter and sarcasm, but for some reason, I find this annoying to no end.
Sorry, book, you're going on my DNF shelf.
December 27, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this the first 70 percent of this. It was good and I enjoyed watching the growth of the main character and development of his relationships with the bandits. The last 25 percent was too much happening with a lot of plot just gushing forth and at a quick pace. It almost felt seperate to what happened in the first 70 percent of the book. I think it would have been better if the last 30 percent was made into a second book or something. It felt like the author rushed everything in that last 30 percent.
A note to my future self mostly : I would reread this as I enjoyed it immensly..but would most likely stop at around the 70 percent mark. Loved the characters.
A note to my future self mostly : I would reread this as I enjoyed it immensly..but would most likely stop at around the 70 percent mark. Loved the characters.
October 2, 2020
I was captivated. I almost didn't believe the reviews for this novel, but they were right. It was a real pleasure. Lanu, sheltered, different, and mystical, is kidnapped by rogue bandits for a pretty purse from a queen in a distant land. Their journey there was one of hijinks, growth, new experiences, and although I was doubtful at first, a deep abiding love that held it's excitement, innocence and warmth till the last chapter. A surprisingly, delightful read from a little known author. Pick it up and you won't put down until the story ends.
January 23, 2021
This Book!
I really, really enjoyed this book. First time reading this author, it won't be last. I enjoyed this book so much! So unique and engaging! Wonderful story and imagination!
I really, really enjoyed this book. First time reading this author, it won't be last. I enjoyed this book so much! So unique and engaging! Wonderful story and imagination!
August 24, 2019
This was delightful. Lanu is a fascinating character and it was wonderful watching him explore the world.
November 4, 2019
Probably one of my favourite reads this year, I was hooked from the moment I started reading to the last page.
The characters are the heart of this book, not just the main pair of Lanu and Colin although they're lovely but the whole cast to those who only showed up for a chapter or two. Writing is beautiful and each is developed so wonderfully, I just wanted to know more.
It has a really interesting plot line as well although I won't go too deep into it as spoilers, however was rather unexpected but I loved it and how fitting it was to the story.
I could happily read another book just exploring these characters and this world, it's such a fascinating read and I loved every moment.
This is basically a 4.5 dropped to a 4 as its just missing something to reach that 5 stars for me and I think It's that I would have liked to have explored more of the fantasy aspect as we only really got to fully explore that for the last few chapters.
The characters are the heart of this book, not just the main pair of Lanu and Colin although they're lovely but the whole cast to those who only showed up for a chapter or two. Writing is beautiful and each is developed so wonderfully, I just wanted to know more.
It has a really interesting plot line as well although I won't go too deep into it as spoilers, however was rather unexpected but I loved it and how fitting it was to the story.
I could happily read another book just exploring these characters and this world, it's such a fascinating read and I loved every moment.
This is basically a 4.5 dropped to a 4 as its just missing something to reach that 5 stars for me and I think It's that I would have liked to have explored more of the fantasy aspect as we only really got to fully explore that for the last few chapters.
May 15, 2022
I absolutely loved this book and I would like to reread it (and read the other books this author wrote) as soon as possible, but they are not found on Amazon :-(((( I borrowed this one on KU quite some time ago, but accidentally returned it after reading. When I now tried to purchase it, was informed that it's not available and with my most recent sync it has vanished from my Kindle *sobs*. Does anybody know how to get hold of this author's books???? HELP !!!
August 4, 2019
Absolutely Brilliant
This was unexpected in the best way possible. The short blurb did not do this story justice, I loved the innocence of the Oracle and enjoyed seeing him learn from his roguish band of kidnappers. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up reading well into the wee hours and finished it in one sitting. I'm most certainly going to read more from this author.
This was unexpected in the best way possible. The short blurb did not do this story justice, I loved the innocence of the Oracle and enjoyed seeing him learn from his roguish band of kidnappers. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up reading well into the wee hours and finished it in one sitting. I'm most certainly going to read more from this author.
lost-interest
January 1, 2020Lost interest @ 32%
Started reading this a couple of weeks ago, but apparently my Kindle hadn’t registered it.
Started reading this a couple of weeks ago, but apparently my Kindle hadn’t registered it.
March 26, 2020
What the hell, I didn't expect that. This book sure took me for a ride.
May 2, 2020
A bit too much porn, but a very fast read with an interesting plot idea.
July 28, 2020
1 dick sucking oracle here - for your weirdly romantic, gentle yet black clawed heart.
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