Customer Reviews

The Captive (Love Spell romance)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm not ordinarily a reader of paranormal, or futuristic/sci-fi romance novels. I generally read historical or contemporary romance. But this one really caught and held my interest. Referring to the other reviewers, I agree that, yes, Falkon the hero could really have grabbed that controller sooner, and yes, Ashlynne the heroine was a spoiled little rich-girl who treats the enslaved Falkon badly in the beginning...

But the author takes the time to explain why things are the way they are (Falkon is unwillingly attracted to Ashlynne from the beginning, though he hates himself for this - so maybe subconsciously, he doesn't mind so much, being in her 'control'?), and, Ashlynne is made to suffer for being the spoiled little rich-girl she is, about halfway through the story, so I don't understand why other reviewers got down on her so much. I thought the eventual love story between Ashlynne & Falkon was tender; particularly once Ashlynne started to show her intelligence and be less of a spoiled little girl. I loved the hero's change of heart from revenge to forgiveness. This story moved quickly but not at the expense of character development.

I thought I wouldn't like a futuristic romance like THE CAPTIVE, but if I could find a few others like this, I'd like to read more.

This book was a Big disappointment. The Heroine "Ashlynne" is one of the MOST infuriating, spoiled and obnoxious person I've ever read...if you like books with spoiled little girls, them you might like this one.

Falkon is a salve on her planet and lucky for Ashlynne he gets to work on the grounds around her house. Ashlynne follows him around like a bored 8 year old! Falkon wears a slave collar and Ashlynne has a controller, if Falkon doesn't do what Ashlynne wants or if she becomes "upset" she engages the controller and electrocutes Falkon, who drop to the ground writhing in agony.

Falkon gets my "To Stupid to Live" award, he has chances to get the controller away from her but doesn't. Maybe it's all the lost brain cells from the electrocutions. I really wanted to like this book, but it's just that bad!

Amanda Ashley has introduced me to whole new world of romance novels! I've never cared much for sci-fi books, especially in romance. But after the first few pages I was hooked! Action packed all the way and a wonderful ending to a beautiful story! READERS BEWARE: If you can't stand a main character being an obnoxious, stuck up, spoiled brat then this may not be the book for you. Just a warning!

I was wonderfully surprised to discover that this romance novel takes place in a galaxy far far away. It's a great story driven novel, but I love sci-fi romance and am still puzzled why there's nothing on the cover to indicate it's anything other than your usual run of mill trashy romance. But it's not. It's different and I liked it a lot.

SYNOPSIS:
Heroine: Rich chick, sheltered, compliant personality, living in isolation (sure, she's spoiled as they other reviewers complained, but this is the only life she's ever known) on a planet where her dad is in charge and rules with an iron fist. She's promised in a political marriage to a stranger, and on a lark spies on a new slave destined to work in the mines that pay for all her wealth.

Hero: Number 4 is his slave name. He was a military commander, with a family and prestige, until he was injured and taken as a POW. His family was killed in retrubition, and he was sent to die slowly inch by inch on this God forsaken planet, pulling precious crystals from the mine, until he is taken to the master house to be the yard slave.

Heroine Ashlynn follows the slave around unaware of the repurcussions from her sexual curiousity are inflaming Hero Falkon.

Their mine and home are destroyed in an attack that killed everyone except Falkon and Ashlynn. They have an arduous trek overland to a spaceport, escape to the planet of her finacee and eventually make their way back to the mine to free it from those intent on stealing it from Ashlynn. It's a romance novel, so of course they fall in love and have a tame rated G love fest.

What I liked:
LOVED the sci-fi aspect! Unexpected as it was, it was really a backdrop to the story, not the main focus.

Liked the way the charcters bounced back from losing everything they ever loved. They both had guts to even start the process to living again, and to start permitting someone to get close after their tragedies showed great strength of character.

Liked the Rated G aspect.

I liked the epilogue. It's nice when they tie up a story and keep the reader happy.

What I didn't like so much:
I think sometimes Falkon doesn't think. He walked into traps, and really should have taken the controller away from Ashlynn as soon as humanly possible. I also think he should have ransomed her to the finacee, but understand his nobility in denying himself this source of revenue.

Overall it's an enjoyable book, good for the beach, or for killing an afternoon at the park.

OK, I didn't have the problem with the spoiled brat thing. That was what she was and her life had made her that way. She didn't know any different and the author was able to have her character grow. Yes he could have got the controller from her several times but I felt he didn't have a big incentive. As he explains it, almost like he subconsciously enjoyed her threats. Since she is only 17, you can understand her bratty-ness and fear and growth. I felt the characters grew and connected with one another. OK, that is the good part of the book, probably the first 1/2 or slightly less.

Slight spoiler********
So what is so, so frustrating is the escape and recapture, escape and recapture, escape and recapture, and always with NO way out! First escape, pure luck, then there was the native forest people's capture of them which seemed misplaced, then the second time in the brig, OK, that was the only escape that I agree with but not much. Then the next recapture, just pure stupidity, really. How do they escape then, contrived. And then, yet again, another capture and then the last freedom which seems to be a ridiculous fight since the odds were overwhelming against him. I sit and shake my head. He could have brought re-enforcements at this point but no... what was the author thinking with all the enslavements and escapes? At a few points I was actually bored with reading more about the jail cell and food, and thinking,'not again'. And the "Oh, what must be happening to him?", thoughts. cripes! Probably 1/3 of the book was boring due to this.

If it weren't for me groaning every time the collars were put back on and an impossible jailing happened again and again, the background story and the growth of the characters and the attraction that builds between them, would have been good. PART of it was good. I did read it through and I liked the end... mostly. There is a little switch at the end, and the guy learns how to forgive. I became detached from the characters about 1/2 way through and didn't really get back to connecting with them again til the end.

Over all so, so and I would never re-read it. I would never suggest this to a friend though I don't think it is bad, it isn't good.

Based on the other reviews I read on here, I thought this book was going to be terrible. However, I thought it was pretty good. It may not be the best book I have ever read, but I have read it multiple times. The main character, Ashlynne, can be a snob and just plain witchy at times, but I didn't feel that detracted from the story, but actually enhanced it.

There was a natural progression to the story, nothing felt forced or that it was there simply to move the story along. If you enjoyed any other Amanda Ashley works, I think you will enjoy this novel as well. I barely noticed they were in the future or space at all, it was merely a backdrop to the story, not the center piece. So if you are worried that you wouldn't like a "space" story, don't fret.

I recommend this to everyone. Give it a shot, the world won't end if you don't like it.

I read this book after reading all of the horrible reviews I saw about the heroine. Because that's what seems to be people's biggest issue with the book, I will adress that. I have been known to be VERY harsh on the heroines I read about, but the heroine of this one wasn't that bad. Yes, she was immature and obnoxious and at times, annoying enough to want to strangle, but who wouldn't be in they were pampered and spoiled form the time they were a baby? But, even though she was all of those things, she was not malicious. Although I was ready to snatch that dang controller from her hand myself and slap her across the head with it, you could tell that she was a brat who was just handling things the only way she knew how: by throwing a temper tantrum. However, the audience got to see her grow and become a reasonable, kind, determined human being. In the book, she experienced a life changing event and fortunately, it made her grow up. Although I had a problem with the abrupt profession of love, I felt that the book flowed well. And althought the heroine could be a little irritating, it wasn't bad enought to ruin the book. The one complaint I have is that even when the hero was trying to be nice and the heroine snapped at him, he didn't just leave her alone to be miserable; instead, he coddled her and was patient even when she spit in his face. I felt that the heroine needed to learn a lesson, and the hero coddling her just like her parents did didn't help.
Would I recommend this book? Yes
WARNING: Even if you find yourself looking for a cliff to push the heroine off of, just remember that it does get better and she learns her lesson. Happy reading :)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. This books gets you involved with the characters and grabs you right off the start. No boring, sluggish beginnings in this one.

Amanda Ashley takes her readers through another exciting adventure, with steamy romance and a charming heroine, wonderful hero, and sexual tension to carry all the way through. It's a book you will absolutely love, and enjoy again and again - this a book for readers who love multi-faceted heroines who really come into their own.

I was looking through the reviews, and I noticed this book. I picked it up, because I normally like Amanda Ashley, but I didn't like this book. I tried to read the whole thing, because I had paid for it, but it was very difficult to keep my attention on the book. I really had no sympathy for the main female character. She acted like a spoiled brat, with no redeeming qaulities. I couldn't understand the guy's motivation for liking her. Even in the end, she acts like a pain. It is not the worst book I have ever read, hence the two stars, but I wouldn't recommend it.