Ok, so, this was book 10 of 12 in my 12 Books Recommended by 12 Friends, from Sara R-S.

From the very beginning it reminded me a LOT of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, both in subject manner and how it hopped around in the timeline. I liked that book, but I didn't love it as it was a bit too navel-gazing for me. This time, the subject matter was more off-putting because good grief, almost every character has sex with almost anything that moves. I was grossed out pretty early on

Spoiler

I'm sorry, but arranging and witnessinh someone's gang-rape and then taking their battered self into your room because you're soooooo attracted to them you need to have sex with them DESPITE THEM HAVING A PERFORATED BOWEL is NOT! SEXY! OR FLATTERING! I can't believe I have to say this.

....and it didn't get any better from there, gross-wise. I didn't really feel attached to any of the characters. Luke was a kind person but kind of flat. And when it comes all the way down to it, I think Lanny is a hideous nickname. *snort* I guess this just wasn't my book. I did get on Goodreads and read spoiler reviews to find out what happens in the other two books, which allows me to not subject myself to them. This book definitely sounded like it could be my kinda thing, and it probably would have felt more fresh and creative if I'd read it before Addie LaRue (it was published first!). I'm glad I gave it a shot.

This book doesn’t start you off gently we are took straight in to a shocking storyline when Dr Luke is at work and Lanny is brought in to be checked over as she is covered in blood and has just admitted to murder so as you can tell quite a quick start. Although Lanny has admitted to murder there is something about her character which intrigued me and for some reason I didn’t feel as if she was a cold blooded murderer.

The beginning part of the book swaps between the current day and 1809 when Lanny was a child we get to see what she was like as a child and then as the book moves along and we see Lanny grow up there is a point in her life where she meets Adair the book then takes another turn and we get to see how Adair became the person he is. As you can tell there is a lot that happens in this book and there are lots of jumping from different characters and different decades but it all moves along so smoothly. Each of the characters are developed very well especially Lanny being our main character her story is told in first person narrative so we really get a first hand take of her thoughts and feelings all the way through her journey.

This is a dark book and at times it made for hard reading through some pretty horrific chapters but having said that it still gave you the urge to keep reading to see what on earth happens next. This is far from a light hearted read that I am used to and yet I couldn’t put it down there was something going on in each chapter with twists and turns occurring under our noses. I think this is a fantastic debut novel for Alma Katsu I am looking forward to reading her sequel The Reckoning to see where she takes her characters next

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

It was Ok.
The novel could have been a lot better though.
If you took 200 pages out of the book, the story would've felt smoother and less boring at times. Scenes were constantly dragged out and the "Present Day" story needed more details.

Overall, I liked the concept and was curious about how the story would unfold. This kept me reading when I was debating if I should stop reading.

The story was incredibly sad and depressing. Very rare moments of happiness.
Her obsession with "Johnathon" was a little overboard. I mean, she had many instances and a crap load of time to get over her lust-love with him. I really wished there was some action in the novel.

I read an excerpt of the 2nd novel, which makes me think there is some action involved. Yay! Debating on whether I will read the next book.

Wow, What a book. I loved every word of it.

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.

4.5/5

The Taker is absolutely mesmerizing! Full review to be posted on the blog before the end of the week. http://fadeintofantasy.com

I finished it in a day and I really felt bad bad after I read this. How could a book make you feel so depressed??
I felt sorry towards Jonathan, his life has taken without any warning and Lanore, after a thousand years didn't get the love she deserved... It's just tragic and the scene where Lanore finally taking Jonathan's immortality in the woods really broke my heart..

This book pretends to have an air of mystery, but the plot is transparent. I do not enjoy novels that contain their own spoilers.