Title: The Taker
Author: Alma Katsu | Website
Available: 9/6/11
Genre: Historical/Paranormal
Reading Level: Adult
Source: Publisher
Description from Goodreads:
True love can last an eternity . . . but immortality comes at a price. . . .
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.
My thoughts:
The Taker is told in both modern time as well as with the help of flashbacks. There are even flashbacks within the flashbacks. I was initially drawn to this title because of my love of historical novels. Paranormal elements are still so rare in historical novels, and I was excited to see how Alma Katsu used the historical setting and paranormal elements together. I also must admit this book turned out to be not at all like I had expected. After seeing so much about the epic romance it contained, I expected something a little more swoon worthy and was completely surprised by how dark and disturbing a large majority of the story was. This isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy The Taker. I did very much so. It just ended up being nothing like I had anticipated when I started reading.
This is a tale that will bring on so many emotions and is most definitely not for the faint of heart. Even though I found some parts difficult to read, I still became completely invested in Lanore's story of her past and extremely curious about how Luke would factor into her future. I kept telling myself just one more page as I read deep into the night. I couldn’t tear myself away.
The writing in The Taker flowed so beautifully even when paired with a cast that seemed almost deranged at times. This is unlike anything else I have ever read. I don’t want to give much away in my review. I feel the synopsis is vague for a reason. This is a book that is meant to be read with only a brief idea of what to expect. Part of the pleasure is uncovering the secrets, scandal and drama while reading. I’d recommend The Taker, but please keep in mind it does contain violence and sexual situations some may find difficult to read about.
My Rating:
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