Review: The Taker by Alma Katsu

Title: The Taker
Author: Alma Katsu
Release Date: April 14th, 2011
Number of Pages: 467
Format: Hardcover(UK)
Summary:When A & E doctor Luke Findley turns up to his shift at his hospital job in the small town of St Andrews, Maine, he’s expecting just another evening of minor injuries and domestic disputes. But instead, Lanore McIvrae walks into his life- and changes it forever. For Lanore – Lanny – is a woman with a past .

The Taker is a story of magic, passion, survival, betrayal and sex.

*Be aware that this is NOT a YOUNG ADULT NOVEL.*

Dr Luke Findley expects his nightshift at Aroostock County Hospital to be like any other; scrapes, bumps, bruises, maybe a little domestic abuse. What he doesn't expect to see in the small town of St. Andrews is Lanny McIlvrae. Lanny is brought to the hospital by the police, claiming that she's killed a man and left him in the woods. Desperate for help, Lanny reaches out to Luke but he's hesitant. In order to convince him she tells him her life story, a story that takes place in St.Andrews during the year 1809.

I have to hand it to Alma Katsu, she truly wrote a debut novel that captured my attention before i even pried open the cover. The summary is promising and the story is as well. The cover is gorgeous and dark, very fitting for the mood in the novel. The story is very mysterious, Gothic and quite intriguing. Lanny's character is best described as being "desperate for love". She's madly in love with a handsome man named Jonathan, someone she has grown up with and loved since a child. She's hauled into the hospital by police, drenched in blood, and desperately seeks help from Luke. In order to convince him she decides to tell him her life story. Of course, Luke isn't quick to believe her, it's obvious he holds some scepticism about Lanny. Is she telling the truth? It's hard to tell, really. Luke doesn't have anything good going on for him either. Both his parents have passed away and he's a miserable divorcee. A man with nothing much going for him. There, of course, were other characters but none as fascinating as Lanny and Luke, our mains. I say any reader would be crazy not to give this debut novel a try, Alma will no doubt suck you into her intriguing world in The Taker.

The Taker by Alma Katsu will be released in the US and Canada on September 6th, 2011 with a different cover.

Rating:

5 Cupcakes

Posted in: adult fiction,alma katsu,fantasy,gothic,paranormal,Review,romance