So instead of reviewing each individual book, I'm doing it all here. I have a lot to say.
First of all, kudos to Erica Stevens for making her first book in the series "Captured" available for FREE for Kindle users. I think this is a good way to get readers to start reading a series. Then, by the end of the first book, readers need to buy the rest of the series to find out what happens. Not only is this clever but also a good idea.
Anyway, I downloaded the first book because I noticed it was free. I saw the many good reviews it had gotten and thought I'd give it a try. Granted, once I noticed it was a vampire romance novel I was pretty skeptical on reading it, but after I read further in I noticed how unique the novel really is.
But before I get into plot details and slight spoilers, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by this series.
Now for my in-depth ratings of: *slight spoilers*
PLOT (of entire series): At first glance I assumed this series to be another Twilight after-effect. Vampires, eternal love, relationship complications, etc. As soon as the first novel opens, readers see Aria, the female protagonist, about to be sold off as a blood slave. This concept "blood slave" is unique, not one I have seen in another novel, so far. However, as soon as Aria is sold off (to the prince of the new world kingdom, Braith) an immediate connection is formed between the two characters. About a quarter way into the novel the two are already kissing and confessing love (okay, well I'm not sure if it was a quarter way in or longer). I took this immediate romance as a sign that maybe author Erica Stevens just needed an excuse to write a novel about steamy love scenes and french kissing, but I was wrong.
The further I went into the novel I found that the connection between the two was in fact, special, and I was sad when "troubles" were introduced into their relationship. It turned out to be an intricate adventure for Aria, who needed to escape her status of blood slave and return to her family (the rebel humans). But how could she leave the one she now realized she loved?
In the second book (spoilers ahead) the two are reunited. In a pleasant turn of events, Braith decides he loves Aria too much to return to his home in the palace, to be a "monster" anymore. He decides to join the rebel cause (along with many other significant characters) and stays by her side because, since he has fallen in love with a human, he now sympathizes with and can see the strife an delicate existence of the humans.
Throughout the last two books, alliances are gained, plans made, and a war waged between the ruling vampires and rebel human/ sympathetic vampire cause. In the end, Erica Stevens was able to create a convincing romance (that I as a reader LOVED to read about; I love how possessive and moody Braith is with Aria, I even love how he occasionally loses himself to his "darker side" in order to keep her safe). The plot was believable - as much as a vampire novel set in the distant future can be - and enjoyable to follow through 4 short novels.
The ending to the series wasn't completely fulfilling, but it sufficed.
CHARACTERS: Just as successful as her plot are her characters. Aria comes across as a stubborn, smart, and cunning 17 year old girl who is more mature than her 17 years. She is brave and overall a good main character to read about. Braith, Aria's vampire lover, is the eldest prince of the current Vampire ruler Atticus. Braith is the next in line for the throne and rule of basically an unknown area (Stevens never really gets into how vast the kingdom is, beside mentioning that it's actually based in Pennsylvania). Anyway, Braith is a perfect choice for a male protagonist; he's in a position of power, and is blind. (HOWEVER, something significant happens when Aria enters his life - SPOILER - he is able to see again).
These two primary characters soon form a bond that is incredibly indestructible. Braith is SO possessive of her, he practically won't let anyone touch her, but it's because he's afraid to lose her because he loves her so much. Their loves runs so deep that the two are actually what Stevens defines as a "bloodlink," a special bond between two beings (vampires only....)
Their physical appearances are very apparent, and referenced throughout.
I could honestly say a million things about these two main characters, but I can't in this simple review. They are very dynamic and wonderful to read about. I loved them both throughout, no matter what happened (well, almost).
More characters include Jack/Jericho, Braith's brother, the younger prince. He is actually an advocate for the rebel humans, and lived with them undercover for 6 years before joining their cause completely. He remains a friend and ally throughout the series.
Gideon is also a well-defined character, though not visually (I could never picture him in my head). He is more outspoken than the rest, and I found myself laughing at him from time to time.
Ashby, Braith's brother in law, ended up being one of my FAVORITE characters overall. He is funny and also very in-depth. On the surface, and at first, he is a conceited, luxury-hungry vampire who basks in the high life (the life he is able to create for himself, at least). However, as he befriends Braith and Aria and follows them in their cause, I could see a passionate man and sympathetic vampire. He is the ONLY other character in the novel that can COMPLETELY sympathize with Aria at a few key points - he also has a bloodlink, one with Braith's sister, Melinda. Ashby turns out to be a good companion and friend for everyone involved. He shows emotions that others don't, says what others can't, and gives a good laugh while doing it (sometimes). I can also picture him visually, due to a present physical description that is very necessary for each character. I love Ashby.
Again, there are countless characters that I could talk about, those are the main ones.
ORIGINALITY: So unique! New concepts were brought forth, and I loved it. Some aspects I have seen before, but others were completely new and it was very refreshing. I know vampire novels (since Twilight happened) have been under some scrutiny from the Twilight haters and vampire haters in general. I loved this though, bravo!
OTHER COMMENTS: Erica Stevens desperately needs to get her comma use and proper grammar correct for her next books. Commas were neglected and misused in these novels, and so far this is the only flaw in editing I noticed. A comma also cannot be substituted for a period, which many times I noticed it was. But, after the mention of a name, a comma needs to be used, also.
For example: "I'm sorry, Braith" or "Come with me, Daniel," would be proper. In Stevens' case, she dropped the comma before proper nouns and names. While this is minor, I still noticed it because it's kinda my job to.
Anyway, that concludes my review. Overall, the series earns a 5 out of 5 for excellence. It was so enthralling and engaging that as soon as I finished one book, I was back to buy the next. They were greatly affordable, great to read, and I will be definitely trying out Erica Stevens' other novels.
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![Salvation (The Captive Series Book 4) by [Erica Stevens, Leslie Mitchell G2 Freelance Editing]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41EcRLXXEjL._SY346_.jpg)
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Deborah
Fantastic last in series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 15, 2013
