Captured

Ruins of Playa Azul #1

by H.R. Savage

I was raised in a world full of more death than life, surrounded by the blood-curdling violence and nauseating stench of zombies.

And twenty years after the Outbreak, it doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.

After a devastating loss rocks my little group of survivors, I’m forced to venture out of my comfort zone in an attempt to find help—straight into the impenetrable walls of El Castillo.

But The Knights don’t take kindly to my mission, and when their leader, Gunner, captures me, everything spirals out of control. My captor suddenly becomes my ally as we’re thrust into a war of Gunner’s own making.

A war that threatens not only his people, but my own.


NOTE: True to an apocalyptic world, CAPTURED has dark scenes that may trigger some readers. However, it is not a Stockholm Syndrome Romance.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Zombies, Romance, Dystopia, Apocalyptic, Horror, Fantasy

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2020

About the author

Author H.R. Savage started reading romance at an age that made her father cringe as she tried to hide the cover behind her hands. She technically finished writing her first book in Junior High, where it mysteriously disappeared in a reformatting incident. Due to the encouragement of her English teachers at her small town school in La Verne, California, she never lost her love for the art. Now a woman who swears by the power of coffee, Chinese food, and wine (not necessarily in that order), she decided it was time to create stories from the characters in her head.



When she isn’t writing, outlining, or pinning pictures of hot ‘character inspirations’ on Pinterest™, she is spending time with her three beautiful children and handsome husband.

Reviews

[Ashleyjo · Rating 2 out of 5]

20 years after the zombie apocalypse….

Female MC is a mix of bad and good. She’s strong and independent. Caring toward children and has a leave no man behind attitude. Brave. Capable. Yet, her attitude toward her best friend makes no sense. The second she meets the MMC, her best friend just becomes some babysitter she orders around like he’s a slice of burnt toast. She’s cold and unfeeling toward him. It made me not respect her character and become as uninvested in her as she was in the well-being of her lifelong best friend. Her impulsive nature also didn’t match the survival training her father supposedly instilled in her. Knowing how to fight is as much mental as physical - we see her physical side, but the mental is incongruent.

The male MC is okay. The author doesn’t flesh him out enough for me to get invested. His lack of plan at the end makes him even weaker. No plan beyond where they stand at the end? Ehhh, hardly sounds like the MMC that built and maintained such a refuge in the first place.

The plot surrounding the sanctuary is weak. If the bad guy wanted it and/or revenge…and it was as easily destroyed as it was in the end…. Why would he wait so long to do it? If as armed as the first encounter portrayed, the bad guy was capable of just overrunning them at any time. Why now?

Vi was a secondary character that was confusing. She starts off being portrayed as a the community vixen, but then turns into this Harley Quinn type…ehh, it didn’t work for me. Felt forced in there.

I liked the author’s timing and pacing. I liked the premise of the story, but I think the characters, plot, and world needed a lot of work to get past a 2 -2 1/2 star read. A few editing issues, but it didn’t distract. An author with potential, but this story needs its gears tightened.

I finished it, but I just have no interest to even see where they end up after the cliffhanger~

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captured was my first book by H.R. Savage and definitely not my last. Since I'm a sucker for anything Zombies and I love Romance this checked all my boxes. Thea is a young woman raised in the New World twenty years after the Outbreak. I liked Thea, she's strong, confident and can take care of herself but she's not perfect and makes impulsive decisions that have consequences. Gunner was awesome too, although he was hard on her when they first meet it's totally understandable. He has people depending on him and he wants to keep them safe. Thea was an unknown to him and she was trying to steal from them. Their chemistry was awesome and I loved how he softened her a little and they made a great team. My only complaint was that I didn't like what she did to Jason, she knew by keeping silent she was leading him on. My heart broke for him, after waiting for years to be with her again she chose Gunner. I really hope he gets a happy ending. I can't wait for book 2.

[Nanu · Rating 1 out of 5]

I dnf'd halfway through.
So... The whole smoking is sexy, ew. But that's personal.
What made me dnf is the way it's written. Every time something is going on she looks at Gunner and he's staring at her and it's so intense.
Seriously, they are in a life or death situation and she looks at him and the whole tension of the scene is gone because suddenly the rest doesn't matter (or that's how I read it anyways).
Maybe it's just my mood 🤷‍♀️
The whole surviving in a zombie apocalypse and picking up stray children seems interesting enough. But I don't see the chemistry between these two nor do I like the mc much.
Also, I wanted zombies, and they only showed up twice.

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for some post-apocalyptic Zombie fiction and this definitely fit the bill I found it to be well written and easy to engage with, the female protagonist I found to be likeable and very capable. Set twenty years after the outbreak and humanity are living in pockets banding together for safety. Thea resides in the small town of Playa Azul with her father a few others and a parcel of kids they've collected from harm. Over the years her dad has taught her everything he can about survival and staying alive in this harsh new world. When a scavenging mission goes wrong Thea again loses someone dear to her but there is no time to grieve as one of their own is very ill and needs antibiotics, with no time to waste and desperate Thea decides to attempt to sneak into El Castillo the compound of The Knights.

This is where Thea encounters Gunner The Knights leader and he's not exactly pleased to see her imagining her to be a spy: they don't exactly lay out the welcome wagon but when Gunner discovers just why Thea has infiltrated their walls he wants to help, obviously suspicious but without much choice, Thea agrees to an escort home.

So this is a story of survival and the beauty of human compassion it's also the exact opposite and showcases what happens when barriers break down civility is lost and survival instincts take over turning man into beasts. This one was action-packed from the get-go there's a potential looming war that is threatening Gunner's home and people from an age-old grudge and Thea is now caught firmly in the middle of it, unrequited feelings, an emerging romance, Zombies, danger and a whole load of community. The romance felt believable and the sentiment was sincere and I did believe in Gunner and Thea's emerging bond.

There were a couple of things that dropped my rating down slightly the first being that this was sole POV (Thea's) I think this was a missed opportunity and though Thea felt fully fleshed I didn't feel this way about some of the other characters. Gunner himself was a bit of an enigma and his lack of voice contributed to that. Also, the world-building could have been elaborated on more as we didn't really touch on any of the whys and what-nots maybe that will be explored going forward but it did feel like a blatant discrepancy in the narrative.

I liked both Gunner and Thea but did feel Thea could be a bit irresponsible and impulsive she never seemed to consider past the moment her acting in the now creating issues her inability to accept that she can't save everyone putting herself and everyone around her in danger. so this has an open-ended finish ready for book two to continue but it's not a major cliffhanger. I will definitely be reading the next in the series and I have no issues recommending this.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/

[Sherron · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[ZARIA (Sheldon Cooper lover) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, for the action and for the heroine. I really liked her. She was independent fierce and brave.
Hero was just bland and there was no spark between them ...

I was raised in a world full of more death than life, surrounded by the blood-curdling violence and nauseating stench of zombies.

And twenty years after the Outbreak, it doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.

After a devastating loss rocks my little group of survivors, I’m forced to venture out of my comfort zone in an attempt to find help—straight into the impenetrable walls of El Castillo.
But The Knights don’t take kindly to my mission, and when their leader, Gunner, captures me, everything spirals out of control. My captor suddenly becomes my ally as we’re thrust into a war of Gunner’s own making.

A war that threatens not only his people, but my own.

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oops! I did it again. I found another apocalyptic book that has started a new hunger in me. This time with zombies. I am so excited to be excited once again for this genre. It is truly the best. (I took a several month hiatus because I lost my fire for all things apocalyptic thanks to Covid). But that fire is back all thanks to a couple new to me authors.

Savage wrote an incredible zombie apocalypse romance that ripped right into my my gut with it’s strong emotional feels. One minute I was all smiles, then the next I had tears falling as my heart was shredded. I can only imagine what is in store for these amazing characters as they take on their next journey.

Seriously, who is this lady?? And what else of hers can I gobble up? I stopped around 60% in when the tears were coming to give me a breather from the hurt and to track Savage and her books down.

These characters, this story and that romance gets all the stars from me!! 5 Stars!!

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good!

But, it had a few too many apocalypse tropes all happening at one. However, I will still read book 2.

See my next weekly wrap up on my booktube for more details.

3.5 stars
2 on the spice scale

CW: SA (not by mains), loss of parent loss of child (not MCs child, but child death), violence, zombies.

[TP · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main problem I had with this book was that the female lead always told us about her grand feelings for this and that but she didn’t act accordingly.
For example Gavin.
Well, when I raise a child and it gets sick, I am at his side and spend time with and care for him.
She never does those thinks, her attention towards others is sparsely sprinkled here and there. All side characters spend whole days with the children, care for their imminent well being and practically act as her babysitter and caretakers for the people she supposedly loves with all her heart and tells us she takes care of. How tho is never revealed. She obviously doesn’t even have the time to do so, with our heroine being constantly occupied moping her own feelings and suffering, it is exhausting to read. She is all pretty words but no actions to back that up, besides her medicine run.
Or another example is, the way she wants to help those women, but as soon as they are out of sight, they are completely forgotten. Never mentioned again. She doesn’t plan to free them or how to care for them, or to house them after the supposedly rescue she promised. Nothing.
And that is sloppy work.

Basically, she treats her supposedly best friend like an annoying nuisance because he loves her. The children her supposedly family that are her whole world, are only side factors that aren’t even part of the story or worth her time. They look more like Accessoires that are there to make her look like a good character.

Then those inconsistencies throughout the book. Sound travels and attracts Zombies, yet sometimes they simply talk out of the plots inconvenience when outside of the encampment and it doesn’t attract any zombies, but when the plot deems it necessary the sound matters. They sometimes even seem to be able to see tiny expressions on faces despite it being supposedly dark. And another thing that bothered me, being in a smaller unimportant coastal town, for over 20 years of the zombie attack, where the bloody hell do all the freshies come from? When apparently the low population saved them and we have only three fractions of living people mentioned by the author and none of them are missing any humans! And the list goes on and on, actions and reasonings that don’t make much sense.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing and editing was high quality in the ARC version of the manuscript, with no typos that I found and well made sentences. The characterization was competent, with the heroine especially being a vibrant, sympathetic character. I believe that the whole novel, or at least most of it, is from her Point of View. Therefore, the characterization of the hero and other minor characters were not as vibrant as that of the heroine. The development of the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine was natural and organic. They had good chemistry. The plot and pacing was tight and exciting, and the stakes were very, very high in this story, which I tend to prefer in my romance novels. There was some angst and drama on the part of the heroine, which I tolerated reasonably well. This novel used the Enemies to Lovers trope. *Trigger Warning* There is a somewhat graphic scene in here where the heroine is sexually assaulted by the villain. Steer clear if that is a trigger for you. *End Trigger Warning* The characterization and development of the romantic relationship were both four stars. The world building, plot and pacing were also four stars. However, I gave this novel a three star combined rating because of the ending. This novel did not end on a Happy Ever After ending. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, which I did not realize or I would not have read the book. There are few things that will make me uninterested in a story or author faster than a cliffhanger ending. I recommend this story to fans of post-apocalyptic romances who do not mind cliffhanger endings or the potential trigger elements I mentioned above. I am not interested in reading the next book in the series because of the cliffhanger ending, and I do not plan to buy myself a keeper copy, for the same reason.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been in a bit of a reading lull where I'll hit the 50-60% mark and skip to another book. Rinse and repeat.

I can't even recall whether I came across this; whether on my Kindle or through here, but the cover and title captured my attention. I am so glad I discovered this because Captured was a finish in a day, stay up way too late kind of story. I loved it. Ms. Savage is a new author for me, but she's got a new fan now. The story starts off with a bang and there's absolutely no boring, lag, or filler time. It really felt like each word and thought was carefully crafted so the reader can't help not stop reading.

Thea and Gunner. Both equivalently selfless, courageous, and yet carry the weight of the world because of their leadership roles. I would say their introduction to each other was less than ideal, but, as Thea will later say, 'I understand.', I did too. Perhaps some will find what Gunner did off-putting, but if one considers the circumstances, I think it'll be less egregious.

Speaking of Gunner.. my word. This guy though, just give this a read. He and Thea are perfect together. Despite the short time frame, I totally get it. When you don't know what is going to happen the next day, let alone next hour, making the best of time is definitely more important. I really felt for Thea and I think Ms. Savage did a really great job evoking empathy from the reader. My heart hurt for her and anyone who has dealt with loss can relate to some of the moments in here. There was a lot of emotions going on in here, but so well done that it didn't feel over-the-top and contrived.

This book ends on a cliffhanger but a good cliffhanger, if that makes sense. It clearly wrapped up the primary story so it didn't feel like 'I'm gonna chop this one book to two'. I'm so happy that Thea and Gunner's story will continue because I want to see how their relationship will further develop. I will say though, I also loved the community of characters. They were active, important members of the story and I wouldn't be surprised if Vi or even some of the Knights' got their own stories. I would totally be down for that.

I am so looking forward to book two and truly can't recommend this story enough.

[Kelly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are an apocalyptic fan, then this is a must read! This is a “zombie” book but it is much more than that. What I really enjoyed is that the story is 20 years after the outbreak and it is so much more about the overall survival than fighting the zombies at outbreak. The zombies are a threat but humans are much more cruel. Humans are calculating and cunning where the zombies react purely on instinct. Survival is all the nuances of what you will do to actually live. Thea is the MC and she is the one person you definitely want to have on your side. She is fierce and will do the craziest things to be sure you are safe and healthy. She struggles greatly with trying to keep her group safe. As if the apocalypse isn’t tragic enough on its own, she experiences great loss. While coping with this madness, she may have met her match when she is captured by Gunner while breaking into his compound. People do crazy things to keep their family safe and Gunner is no exception. When he decides to help Thea, they run into many more problems from another group that is the lowest of low of humanity.
“Because in a world where fleeing is survival, you don't run away. You run headfirst into danger if it means saving someone’s life. And you learned that from him. Why?”...”Because, Gunner, someone has to.”
“Just days ago I wanted to destroy you,” …. “Yet here I am now, determined to make sure you don’t destroy yourself.”
This book has all the feels that will twist you up over and over again. H.R. Savage is a new author for me and now I am completely hooked. I can’t wait for more, I need to know what happens next!

[Lorrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read any zombie books in awhile so this was a nice change of pace from all the romance, although there is some romance in it. I found Thea to be a tiny bit annoying because she made some thoughtless choices that put her in danger. I liked her and Gunner though and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Rinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Started off good but at around 60% the fmc became unlikable and she only got worse

[Reader03 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first book with two strong leaders from two different communities who find commonality and love. I voluntarily received this book for an honest review.

[Samantha Waldow · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been 20 years since the outbreak. Thea had to grow up fast to stay alive. It was just her dad and herself at the beginning.  Then they started finding kids that were alone. Thea is now in charge of the group. She decides to leave to look for medicine. This is how she meets Gunner. He is the leader of the Knights. He runs and lives at a compound that has electricity and supplies. Loved how fast oaced this is. I couldn't put this book down. This has great twists, action and even romance during an apocalypse. I can't wait for the next book since this ended with a cliffhanger. 

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! I dont typically read zombie books, but I'm so glad I tried this one. Nonstop action, a badass heroine, and steam? Count me in!

[Eleanor Merry · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't nearly enough quality post-apoc romances out there and it was such a relief to find this! Thea is a heroine I enjoyed. Though she's pretty independant and badass, she is still very much real and flawed. Her relationship and how it develops with Gunner again is raw and real, which means it isn't always pretty!
The post-apoc aspect was well done, its obvious the author did their research on some things and what it might be like 20+ years after such an event
Fast paced and left me wanting more. Highly recommend.

[Neisha Exeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It’s not a book that I would usually read but once I started reading I was hooked. The characters are wonderful and I enjoyed every single minute of this book. I am super excited for the next book in this series. Great book and highly recommended.

[Tortuga Miranda m · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of The Walking Dead so I was greatly surprised to find a book that had me hooked like the Walking Dead did. The Characters are so great and strong. The story is captivating and so full of action. I enjoyed the book so much.

[Jacqui Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of TWD, this book will hold you captive. It's been 20 years since the outbreak began. The struggle to find food and safety leads to many adventures for Thea, the lead character, some good, some not so good. When she gains access to a known self sustained compound, she doesn't expect to find its handsome leader Gunner nor expect the help the community provides.
This is a fast moving story that will keep you turning the page.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zombies are not my normal read, that said this books was better than expected. Well written and thought out. I enjoyed both the h and H as well as the storyline.

[Joleen Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was like watching an awesome show like the Walking Dead in my head. I was able to imagine all the scenes and the people clearly as if I was there. I enjoyed the characters and seeing how they dealt with the struggles they were faced with. Can’t wait to see what happens as they move to their new destination

[Shelly Wygant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thea has only know life since the outbreak. "I was raised in a world full of more death than life, surrounded by the blood-curdling violence and nauseating stench of zombies." She is faced with many tough decisions. During one of those she meets Gunner. Instead of enemies they become allies.

This story is great because each chapter is non stop action. There is never a dull moment and plenty of times you will be holding your breath waiting to see what happens. I loved Gunner and Thea, both strong willed. There were plenty of villains to hate in this story also. As Gunner, Thea and the members of El Castillo battle the freshies and the Moonlighters will they win the battle? During this can Gunner and Thea find a love between them?

The last two chapter had me holding my breath and hoping for a good ending. It does end in a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the next one.

[Lori Caprio Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was well written and held me captive as j read trying to figure out what was going to happen next. Gunner and Vi lead us on a challenging fight to save their kind and overcome obstacles ar every turn.

[Linda Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A country destroyed by a disease and people just trying to survive is where we find Thea, Gunner, Jason and the rest. When Thea loses someone she loves she vows to find medicine to help a boy who may not make it and that is where she meets Gunner but that not the end of her misery she discovers there are more people that need help. As the author described the story you can what the characters feel and it really hooks you.

[C bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked


The book moved along at a good pace. I liked Thea, strong, resourceful. Gunner, not bad I liked him as well. Loved Vi. What i did not like, it ends with a cliffhanger.

[Anne in VA · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good post apocalyptic book and I had high hopes for this, especially after reading the first few pages. The problem I had with this was that I didn't like Thea. In the beginning, she seemed strong, smart and pragmatic, which I loved, but within a few pages, she became a completely different type of character---the typical hot-headed TSTL female lead romance character I hate. One prime example: in the beginning of the story, Thea stresses about how important silence is in this world in order to hear anything and everything....and yet a few chapters later, she's walking down the street trying to chat up the guy. WTF?! I was ready to quit right then, mainly because that was the second time I had to wonder how this chick had survived so long. I also find it strange that a woman who claims a child is like her own son, yet visits him only twice while he's in his sickbed. Just didn't jive with me. It was a struggle to finish because Thea annoyed me that much, but I did finish it. I have no interest in reading more from this series if Thea is the main character.

[MissClo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tbh I’m surprised I actually finished this book. I picked it on a whim when I got an email with books that were on sale and though “dystopian romance? Why not!”

Here’s what I liked:

The book is dark and loved characters die and their lives are gritty and dull as you’d expect from a zombie apocalypse. I find most books in this genre romanticise it and don’t focus on the actual awfulness of what life would be like.

What didn’t work for me:

The FMC. She’s genuinely TSTL. She wants space and wants air so escapes a camp where she’s fully protected. Gets caught and becomes a victim of SA. Are you kidding me?

The relationship wasn’t convincing. And poor Jason. That guy doesn’t do a single thing wrong but is constantly treated like shit. If I were him, I would have told the FMC stfu and left her stupid ass.