Customer Reviews

Captive

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am terribly disappointed with this book. I previously read two books (The Game, Conqueror)of the same author and they were excellent. But this one is far below the standard she set there. The plot is weak and insipid, but my main problem was with the charactors. The heroine keeps throwing herself to the hero, but he is dead set about her being a spy and treats her spitefully even after she repeatedly saved and helped him. I wish she has some pride and dignity. They both are careless, thoughtless and reckless and do stupid things that put themselves and others in danger. The book keeps saying she is smart and intelligent, but when confronted with crisis, all she does is to yell at her slave and throw a tantrum then rush out to do something rash without any consideration of the consequences. And she has no idea how to deal with her adversary, she is constantly outwitted.

I generally like the author's writing and I think she is talented, when she is good, she is very good. But I wish I never read this one, it made me want to tear it apart at times.

I thought this book could have been awesome, except for Alexandra, the main character. She is supposedly an expert on the time period she's been transported to, but if she is, this leaves me wondering what people call 'expert'. All Alexandra is good for is saying OHMYGOD and panting. Seriously, any crisis comes along, and it's PANT PANT OHMYGOD PANT.

She has this attitude of waiting around for things to happen for her, and when she finally does take action, she does something so completely stupid and hare-brained it would have gotten anyone else killed at least fifteen times before the end of the book.

Furthermore, Xavier, the hero, doesn't even think she's trustworthy. He'll certainly hop in the sack with her though. If there was a sequal, I'd guess he'd jump off a bridge because he couldn't stand her anymore. I certainly couldn't.

Overall, I think the concept had potential, but Alexandra just ruined it.

This book was enjoyable enough to keep your interest, but Alexandra's "ohmygods" do irritate sometimes. Alexandra falls in love with Xavier before she even meets him and gets to know his personality. Time travel books usually don't intrigue me, but this one was good. However, during a time of slavery in Tripoli, Alexandra did not use a whole lot of sense and did not think about possible consequences to some of her escapades. I was disappointed to find out Xavier continues to think she is a spy. I plan to read the sequel to find out if he changes his opinion and find out more about her handsome servant in the harem, Murad, and his descendent (possibly?), Joseph.

I was surprised how good this book was. The reviews were mixed and I only bought it because I needed another book to complete my four books for three sale.

I really enjoyed this. Their is history that is interesting and the time travel was handled very well. The characters were terrific and if you can get past the OHmygod-you can really love Alexandra.

This was great escape reading and fans of time travel should really love the book.

I read this book when it was first published, and reordered it as my original copy has disappeared. Reader's reviews on this book were mixed: the most obvious flaws in the book are that the heroine is a scholar on naval warfare, but seems to be incapable of putting this knowledge to use when she finds herself transported back in time to her favorite period in history, and her overuse of the expression "ohmygod!" But, remember, when you read a time travel you are suspending your disbelief anyway, so I wouldn't let that keep me from reading this fine swashbuckler! The book is fast paced, has a fine secondary cast of characters, provides interesting historical details and exploration of a time and place (the Barbary Coast in the era of the famous pirates -- early 1800s) that is generally ignored by romance writers. To paraphrase what another reviewer wrote, the fact that the heroine is very human and and doesn't always know what to do in a given situation, and frequently makes incorrect decisions just makes her more endearing to me. If you like your heroines and heroes to be perfect, this is not the book for you -- but if you don't mind some rough edges on both, and want to try a different time period, I think you will enjoy "Captive."

This is one of the better romance novels I've read - most of them are so formulaic and predictable nowadays I just read the beginning and the end. I started "Captive" before going to bed thinking that I just need half an hour to "predict" the book - I ended up staying up until 5:30am to finish it! What I liked most about this book is it's originality - married heroes and heroines (to other people!) are rare in romances and I was not the least bored by the hundrum details that I normally skip - testimony to the power of the writer I guess. In all, a refreshing read.

A very original story and strong characters. The plot moves smoothly, except for one scene at the end that may seem unrealistic to some. But, overall this is a suspenseful, exciting and feel-good novel. My thanx to Mrs. Joyce for a good read!

CAPTIVE ONE MY VERY FIRST NOVAL THAT I HAVE READ BY BRENDA JOYCE.I ENJOYED THE TIME TRAVEL EXPERIANCE,THE STORY LINE WAS CLEVER AND KEPT ME ON MY SEAT THE WHOLE TIME.BRENDA KEPT ME GUESSING ON WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.THIS BOOK WAS FULL OF ADVENTURE,FANTASY AND EXCITEMENT.I RATE THIS BOOK 4 STARS AND ON A SCALE FROM 1 TO 10,I WOULD GIVE THIS ONE A 9.IF YOU GET A CHANCE,TRY THIS ONE ON FOR SIZE.I REALLY THINK YOU WILL ENJOY IT!

This is one of those books I keep on my bookshelf and after I've read a few stinkers and need a good read, I pick it up and read it again. I've read this book several times because I know I'm in for a good read. It was my first time travel I've read, though I've only read a few, and it is also one of my favorite all time historical romance novels. I am unable to put it down when I read it and it seems to get better each time. A truly wonderful love story between Xavier and Alex. Read it! You won't be disappointed.

One of Brenda Joyce's best, up to the Francesca Cahill novels! I love the challenge in the relationship; when Xavier finds out Alex is not the person he thinks she is, it's not "That's okay, I'll love you anyway." There is a lot of distrust, yet having to work together and respect each other in spite of that.

It's true to an extent that she's a little annoying with the whining and the panic, but after she's done panting, she thinks on her feet and flies into action. She's no feminazi "I can do it all by myself" kind of heroine, and that humanness in her makes her one of my favourites.