Sunday, April 15, 2012

Book Recommendation - The Taker

It occurred to me recently that I haven't read a book geared toward someone over the age of sixteen in quite some time.

I quickly remedied that and it was definitely worth it.

Of course, because I don't stray too far from my genre, I read a book that contained immortal love, lots of sex, and hot guys. And so, SO much more.

The Taker, by Alma Katsu, is a Gothic tale that takes the concept of immortal love and weaves a dark and seductive tale that crosses the centuries.



(Taken from here)

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. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her . . . despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated. 

Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a Puritan settlement. Consumed as a child by her love for the son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But the price she pays is steep—an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity. And now, two centuries later, the key to her healing and her salvation lies with Dr. Luke Findley.

Part historical novel, part supernatural page-turner, The Taker is an unforgettable tale about the power of unrequited love not only to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, and how each of us is responsible for finding our own path to redemption.

The characters in The Taker are complex and robust, and very human, despite the magical themes in the book. Lanore McIlvrae makes for a very interesting heroine - partly naive and innocent, partly full of lust and seduction. The story itself is a refreshingly unique trip that crosses a few centuries and continents. 


This isn't your typical love story. There are a few scenes that are dark, while others are full of the young hope of true love. There is a historical aspect to it that made the book very intriguing to read as well, especially since portions of it take place during a time when women were second-class citizens. 


It's truly a sexy book, with a dangerous villain who doles out pain as quickly as he would pleasure. The writing style is just as magical, and flawlessly transitions us from one century to another.

So, check out The Taker

You can also read an excerpt from the story here


As always, please leave your thoughts or recommendations in the comments!

18 comments:

  1. Added to my to-read list, after Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Thank you--perfect timing.

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  2. It's official, I'm taking the entire summer off to sit by the pool and read. Done.

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    1. Ooooh, can I join you? Pretty please? That sounds so much better than what I do - which is deal with assholes on a train every day and try to read, lol.

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  3. Sounds good. Thanks. Ive recently read The Discovery of Witches. It was amazing and the first book in a triology. The second book should be coming out soon. Also The Revenants, by Amy Plum, was good!

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  4. Sigh, another one to add to the list. I skipped ahead of my list already and read Daughter of Smoke and Bone - loved it. Thanks for a new obsession, JJ! This one sounds interesting too, but it has to wait till I've at least finished Snuff, which I've been meaning to read since Christmas.

    If you're looking for a book that will completely rip your heart out, read A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. It's technically YA but I dare you to read it and not cry.

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  5. This is the third recommendation I have gotten for this book. It must be amazing. I will be purchasing it for the Kindle tonight!

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  6. The Taker is the best book I've read in years! It's worth putting EVERYTHING else on hold for. So amazing and especially unique.

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  7. Just ordered it. After reading Daughter of Smoke and Bones, (which was AWESOME!) I'm ready for a new one. So cool that it's by a fellow Maine author!

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  8. Totally going to get this on my To-Read list - right after Daughter of Smoke and Bone, which I will start right after I finish all the Game of Thrones books... There are...what? 5 or 6 of those? and they all clock in somewhere around 1000 pages each? (Damn you for getting me started on that series!!!)

    I should be free around Christmas. At least now you know whatto get me.

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  9. Thank God for you all and your book recs - I think you are more powerful than Oprah! If not for you, I wouldn't know WHAT to read.
    Thank you.

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    1. Awww, thank you! I'm just glad I can help. I have to say, the one benefit of public transportation is that I kind of have a couple of hours of forced reading (er, or sleeping) each day.

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  10. I'm in too! I'm going to see if I can get it for Kindle.

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  11. requested it from the library. should get it by thursday

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  12. Something totally different- go get yourself a copy of "Wild". It's a memoir of a woman's solo hike on (1,100 miles) of the pacific crest trail. The best part is you don't have to like memoirs or tales of the outdoors to like it because Cheryl Strayed is a kick-ass writer. And, Reese Witherspoon bought the movie rights and is going to star in it, thus making it well within the 6-degrees of separation of Twilight to merit its mention in the hallowed pixels of Twitardia.

    Full disclosure, Cheryl Strayed is a dear friend of mine. So, I've witnessed the hard work and bit of luck required to "make it" as a writer. But it's so possible. So, Myg, and all you others with that passion- that shit's for real.

    Now, excuse me as I go finish Reckoner, woo hoo!

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  13. This one is next on my list... right after I'm finished with Daughter of Smoke and Bone which I am LOVING btw.

    I actually started this book but paused to read DoSaB... but just the pure fact it's set in Maine makes me want to read!!

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  14. I second Discovery of Witches... It is fantastic!!!! Can't wait for book 2 and the movie adaptation.

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  15. reading it right now. im at chapter 19 where im assuming i get adairs backstory. really want to read more but i have to go to work. great recomendation

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