Alma Katsu

On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. Until a mysterious woman arrives in his ER escorted by the police--Lanore McIlvrae is a murder suspect--and Luke's life is changed forever. Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century, when an all-consuming love drove her to pay a steep price--an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity.

Book One of the Taker Trilogy

The Taker

The taker

Anna Ureta

In preparation for the series’ final installment The Descent I decided to re-read the entire series! or rather, re-read book one and read book two for the first time. I read book one last year I think or two summers ago, I can’t remember and had never picked up book two. I tried to pick it up a little while ago but within the first few pages I had no idea what was going on, who the characters were and was struggling to remember the story. Take this as a NOTE – READ THIS SERIES IN ONE GO. You’ll be happier you did, trust me! And let me just say this is by far ONE OF THE MOST MAGICAL series I’ve ever read. You know, aside from Harry Potter and the All Souls Trilogy.

During a midnight shift at the hospital where Dr. Luke Findley works, the last thing he expects to turn up in his small town ER is a young woman being brought in to be questioned for murder. What he doesn’t know that this meeting with Lanore McIlvrae will change his life in ways he can’t imagine. After examining her body to be without wounds, she explains and show him the impossible – that she cannot be wounded or killed. Intrigued and drawn to her, Luke decides to help her escape, and in return she tells him her story. A story that has spanned centuries and is filled with love, betrayal, and alchemy.

I find myself running out of good things to say about books that I love or HIGHLY RECOMMEND. There just aren’t enough good things to say. And before you judge that I give a lot of books 5-6 Hearts – NO. I just don’t read bad books or the books I choose to read aren’t that bad. I have read books that I think, “I have no idea what’s going on…” or “Wow…that was just…not good”. The Taker Series is part of those books that I recommend when someone asks me What books do you recommend? It’s just THAT good!

What really got me into this book and this series was the way the story was told. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before and probably one of the most creative ways of story-telling I’ve come to read.

First we have the present day story, where Luke meets Lanore. The second part is the past; her past, and how she came to be who she is and what she is. This part of the story is told from a FIRST PERSON perspective instead of third, in a memoir like way. And the third part is the story of Adair once again told in THIRD just like the present day. It’s an interesting weave between the POV’s and I think creates DEPTH to the characters and their stories in a way I’ve never read before.

The words and language use is beyond beautiful. Everything flows so well you tend to get lost in it. I often found myself falling asleep, NOT because I was bored, but because of the eloquence of the language was so soothing it acted like a lullaby or a soft song. It was as if I could hear the person or Lanore reading to me.

 The family was given over to seeking and experiencing pleasure, it was as simple as that. Everything about my surroundings was the antithesis of how I was raised and eventually their lack of industry would disgust me, but at first I was seduced by the luxuries I’d had no idea existed. St. Andrew had been a town of homespun linen clothing and raw pine furniture. Now I lived surrounded by finery, each new temptation better than the last. I ate food and drink I had never known existed, wore dresses and gowns made from exotic European fabrics by a professional tailor. I learned to dance and play cards, was given novels to read that would expose me to even more worlds.

I find Lanore’s relationship with the men in her life very interesting. Here’s a girl, with the capacity to love with all her heart, and here are men, who for different reasons, yearn for her love and company. Luke, Jonathan, and Adair all want something different from her, a different form of love that she’s not sure she can give. What I RESPECT and ADMIRE about her is her ability to love unconditionally. However, it is that same ability that often leads her to make poor choices in life…

 He shook his head and backed away a step. “I make sure that the people I bring to Adair’s attention are deserving in their way. And they in to him of their own free will. What’s more, I would never give him someone I claimed to love. Never.”

I standby what I said. The Taker is one of the most magical books I’ve read, and probably one of the few that have moved me as much as it did. This book is one of my most HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED even though it is Historical Fiction with a hint of the Supernatural. I promise you won’t be able to stop turning the page when you pick it up! Hopefully The Reckoning and The Descent are just as good reads! Cross your fingers for me!

6/5 Hearts of Love

Check out the rest of my reviews on my website http://www.akiikomorireading.com

TRUE LOVE CAN LAST AN ETERNITY ... Have you ever loved someone so much that you'd do anything for them? When Dr Luke Findley turns up to his hospital shift in the small town of St Andrews, Maine, he's expecting just another evening of minor injuries and domestic disputes. But instead, Lanore McIlvrae walks into his life - and changes it forever. For Lanny is a woman with a past... Lanny McIlvrae is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. Hers is a story of love and betrayal that defies time and transcends mortality - and cannot end until Lanny's demons are finally put to rest. Her two hundred years on this earth have seen her seduced by both decadence and brutality - but through it all she has stayed true to the one true love of her life. Until now. An unforgettable novel about the power of unrequited love to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, The Taker is an immortal love story on an epic scale...

Siobhán

First I was to say just a little bit about the book cover. So everyone is always saying "Dont judge a book by its cover". However, honestly it usually the cover that makes you pick up the book to start with. If the cover catches your eye you will pick up the book. Most people deny that they judge a book by its cover but we are all guilty of it at some. And this cover is one that would catch your eyes in book store. Its looks really pretty in the picture. However it is simply WOW in person. It just gorgeous. A beautiful design that is enchanting. The design is all embosed and just perfect. And as a bonus it has black edged paper. As I said its just WOW

Now. The Taker is one of those story that grips you from the first chapter. Alma has created a wonder dark and enchanted tale of love and obsession and mixed it with a memorizing story that it very brutal at times.

The story line is just wonderful. The story follows Lanny, a woman who has had a hard life and when she appears into Dr. Luke's life everything changes for him, as this beautiful woman tells him her story of her life. As we read about Lanny's past we are introduced to so many colourful characters. Lanny herself is actually rather easy for me to connect with it. She is selfish at times and her love for Jonathan (the man she loved in her past) is a borderline dangerous obsession for her. However, she is tough and wise and survives through all her tough times. We don't really here alot of Luke as this is mainly a story of Lanny's past. He was likeable although I sometimes didn't want to come back from the past as it was just so mesmerizing. 

The Taker had me shocked at times and smiling at times. And the twist in the plot was a real shock to me. Usually I can figure out a plot really quick. However, I never knew what was coming next for Lanny and the biggest twist had me gasping with shock. I mean proper mouth opened just staring like OMG.

What I truely loved about this was that in most books its all happily ever afters. However, this is a more realistic ending to the story and I loved it. It truely was the most perfect ending. 

If you are looking for a fantastic story that will have you hooked straight away and that it bound to be a bestseller then please as soon as this book is out buy you will not be disappointment. 

Finally just a quick thank you to the publisher for giving me a copy for review. I have never been more grateful for a book as now this is one of my favourite reads and looking forward to more of Alma Katsu's novels.

Kaeli Wolf 

This book, sadly, was not my cup of tea. I loved the writing style but it simply fell short of drawing me into the story. The author jumped back and forth between perspectives and times and places constantly which made it harder for me to follow the story.

Chantale

Not sure if I will bother getting the next book. This book started off good then boring then good for a bit again.

Anna Pinto

I trudged to the end of this book just like the main characters trudged into Maine snow.

Laura

Amber C

Sahi K

Judy McClure

AN IMMORTAL LOVE STORY Have you ever loved someone so much that you'd do anything for them? When Dr Luke Findley turns up to his hospital shift in the small town of St Andrews, Maine, he's expecting just another evening of minor injuries and domestic disputes. But instead, Lanore McIlvrae walks into his life - and changes it forever. For Lanny is a woman with a past... Lanny McIlvrae is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. Hers is a story of love and betrayal that defies time and transcends mortality - but this tale cannot end until Lanny's demons are finally put to rest. Her two hundred years on this earth have seen her seduced by both decadence and brutality - yet through it all she has only ever had one true love in her life. Until now. An unforgettable novel about the power of unrequited love to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, The Taker is an immortal love story on an epic scale...

The Taker Book One of the Taker Trilogy

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