Holly‘s review of Captivated (Phantom Corps, Book 3) by Lauren Dane
Vincenz Fardelle, exiled son of the Supreme Leader of the Imperialist Universe, has spent much of the last ten years working to stop the threat his father poses. But he’s not alone in his quest. Julian Marsters has lost his best friend and countless others in the war and has made vengeance his only goal. In each other, Julian and Vincenz find not only like minds, but kindred spirits.
However unexpected their relationship, everything changes for Vincenz and Julian when Hannah Black comes into their lives. Having been captured and held in near total isolation by imperialist troops, their immediate response is to protect her.
Emotionally shattered but resilient, Hannah rebuilds herself. Because of the warm safety she finds in the arms of Julian—and Vincenz she becomes someone harder, stronger and bent on preventing the Imperialists from harming anyone else.
For the two men, wrestling with their passionate feelings for Hannah is only the beginning. War is about to send all three into harm’s way and an equally dangerous secret could tear them apart.
Another excellent entry in the series.
Hannah, Julian and Vincenz are all damaged in one way it another. Each was beautifully flawed. They filled up the dark places within each other and made a complete package. There can be a lot of pitfalls with a permanent threesome. It’s also a little unbelievable, even in an alternate/futuristic universe. These three made it work, however. I fully believed in them and their relationship.
One of the things that makes this novel work so well is that it’s stretched over a long period of time. When Julian and Vincenz find Hannah she’s been tortured and abused. That isn’t something you can get over in a week or two. Hannah’s recovery was very slow. And even after she was doing much better, she still had setbacks. Still questioned herself and the men. Still had insecurities. I found this to be so realistic. I don’t think the novel would have worked if it Hannah was magically better at the end.
Julian and Vincenz are human. As such, they make mistakes. With each other and with Hannah. There were times when one or both would lash out and say things that really set Hannah back. Again, this was very realistic. As humans, we often say and do things without thinking. Because Hannah had such a rough time before meeting them, her triggers set off deeper feelings and insecurities.
The beautiful thing about the novel, is how much we get to see the three of them grow. In the beginning Hannah is nearly broken. At the end she’s nearly mended. She’ll never be what she was before she was captured and tortured, but she’s stronger for having survived. Julian and Vincenz each had their own demons to battle. And they did. It wasn’t always easy watching them stumble, but the end result was totally worth it.
I really like the direction Dane has taken the overall story arc. This is a series that grows with each book. While I don’t think it’s necessary to read the first two books (the Federation Universes books) I would recommend reading these three Phantom Corps books in order. They can standalone, but the story is so much more rich when experienced in full. A major conflict was resolved in this book..but it also opened up a lot of new ones. I’m anxious to see where (if she plans to continue the series) Dane takes things now.
My heart went out to Hannah in the last book. Watching her heal in this novel was both heartbreaking and wonderful.
4.25 out of 5
***Contest Alert***: Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a signed copy of Mesmerized, the first book in the series (and one of my favorites). Also, be sure to check back later today. Lauren Dane will be guest blogging and giving away a signed copy of Captivated.
Contest ends Sunday, May 6 @ 11:59pm. Please note: you must include a valid email address with your comment to be eligible.
This book is available from Berkley Heat. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Great review. Sounds like a wonderful book. I love the cover.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]co,
Can’t wait to read this book. I love her books.
Sounds Delicious! Can’t wait to read the book!
Sounds Delicious! Can’t wait to read the book!
(whoops, didn’t leave name)
Can’t wait to get home to read. Love her books!
Forgot my email: ae2379@gmail.com
I’m seriously craving this book–though I confess that I’m behind on the series, these characters have intrigued me from the moment they first stepped onto the pages.
(aside: erm…isn’t Insatiable the first of the Phantom Corps series? Mind you, I’d love to get my hands on Mesmerized but…jes’ sayin’)
Haven’t started that series yet, so this would be the perfect opportunity!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kanya 🙂
kanyachhetATyahooDOTca
I’ve been waiting for this book! I got my library to order all of this series including ‘Relentless’ & ‘Undercover'(the 2 federation chronicles books). I would be honored to have an autographed copy of one.:-) leamei1981@yahoo.com
Thanks for the great review. Can’t wait to read this book. It sounds amazing. Thanks for the giveaway.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
this is 1 for my tbr list, they look like they have to go though with their lives in an different way then they though, i have to catch up on the series. it would b an honour to have an autographed 1
I have loved every book that I’ve read by Lauren. I’ve read all the snipets that Lauren has put out and I can’t wait to read the book. lorimeehan1@aol com
I haven’t read Phantom Corp yet but it’s on my TBR pile. I can’t wait to meet Hannah, Julian and Vincenz. Totally excited for this book. Thanks.
kidsue99@yahoo.com
These sounds awesome, I’ve been wanting to read these! Thanks for the review and chance to start the series! lfacchini(at)tampabay.rr.com
I haven’t had the chance to read Mesmerized yet, but I absolutely love the cover – all of them are gorgeous!
greetings, Melanie
booksforalleternity at gmail dot com
Haven’t started this series yet.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
Looks like a very good book. I will have to check it out with the rest of the series.
annagensini@gmail.com
Sounds good. The only Lauren Dane book I have read was Never Enough and I loved it, not to mention the cover. LOL.
patoct@yahoo.com
I’d love to win the first in the series and what gorgeous covers!!
catslady5(at)aol.com
Great review. Sounds like a wonderful book
student.caprino[at]gmail[com]
I loved Lauren’s Brown sibling series, so it would be great to start another of her series.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
Love the author. Would like to read the series in order.
Thanks for the contest.
ldwrncpn@comcast.net
I haven’t read this series yet, but this third book makes me curious as hell. Not to mention those yummy cover..
smile_1773@yahoo.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ooh, sounds interesting!
Diana
ISRAEL2 at hotmail dot com
I love Lauren Dane’s books, and I know she can write the best menage scene ever! But not just the sexy time, her characters are great and well written too
Thanks for the giveaway!
Ren
sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com
Sounds like a series I should check out!
tsukishine at gmail.com
Love the review. Looks like I’m going to be adding Lauren Dane to my list of new authors I’ve read this year. Definitely going out to get this book & then I’ll read Lauren’s other books. Hmmmm, I’ve read alot of books in the past months & I’d have to say that the my heroine/hero that really touched me was Anastasia & Christian from the Shades of Gray series. Talk about rip your heart out; feel their struggles, etc.
This sounds great. I haven’t read any of these, so I’d love to win the first book.
Jen(at)delux(dot)com
Hot love it congrats on the book and great reviews whoo
Ty for the prizes
Kimh
kimehak@yahoo
Well, this sucks–I left a comment early this morning (as in, before 8am my time) that didn’t make it *grumpy*
The comment was that I love these books and that I would love to get a copy of Mesmerized but that the first book in the series was actually Insatiable
Thank you, ladies!
AL,
I saw your comment. When I came to respond it wasn’t here, so I thought you deleted it. I bet it got spammed. I’ll check.
Ref. Insatiable: that’s the 3rd book of the Federation Universes series. Mesmerized is technically the 1st of the Phantom Corps books.
Hey, Holly!
But but… I just checked Lauren’s website–it says book 1 phantom corps for Insatiable on the books by series tab
Semantics..
😛
This is a new author to me but I would love a chance to read her book.
mojostables@yahoo.com
Sounds good. I have not read any of Lauren’s books yet.
gmapeony@yahoo.com
Gmapeony
I love Lauren’s books. She always make you feel as if you are part of the story. Winning one of her signed books would call for a happy dance.
vevinamaeve@gmail.com
I haven’t read anything by this author yet, but it sounds good.
I haven’t had a chance to start this series yet, so thanks for the chance to read Piper and Andrei’s story.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
I haven’t read any of Lauren’s books. They sure look good. Will have to add them to my list.
lovesthemets@yahoo.com
Karen T.
My eyes always be freeze when I see your book covers.
Really great abs! 😀
And of course, it’s a really nice start, to read a book.
The entire series looks amazing. Love the covers, of course.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I haven’t started this series yet but it sounds really good. I’ve been wanting to read a futuristic series for some time now!
spav05(AT)gmail(DOT)com