Elaine White's Life in Books

*This review will be identical to the review included in The Torsere Trilogy*

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Book – Capture (Torsere #1)
Author – Annabelle Jacobs
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages - 200

Movie Potential – ★★★★★
Ease of reading – very easy to read and follow.
Would I read it again – YES!


** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine


Right off the bat, this story was fantastic! We entered into it, right in the middle of the action and yet, I never felt as if I'd been dropped into a story I didn't understand or couldn't follow. As the story began to build, from a problem that Ryneq and his sister Cerylea faced with the safety of their kingdom, we're gradually given all the information we need. History, characters and the location are all explained in appropriate dips of information that are placed in the perfect place, so that we learn everything as and when we need to know it.

The idea of the dragons and their riders being linked to each other through a tattoo granted to them at birth is really unique. I've read a lot of dragon stories, but none that have taken such a unique and intriguing direction before.

The characters of the story – Nykin and Ryneq – are brilliant. They both have their flaws and their strengths, but they're both brave and strong in their own ways. Their chemistry is so obvious, right from the start, but in an understated way. The way they interact with each other and look at each other, even Ryneq's jealousy over Fealon is wonderful. It all builds so well, until you begin to wonder how they haven't noticed each other and their chemistry before. But, in another way, you're glad they didn't, because this is a much better way for them to bond and grow with each other.

What's really wonderful is that it isn't just the humans who have a bond. Nykin's bond with his dragon Fimor is beautiful. The dragon is almost like a father-figure to him, guiding and teaching him, even correcting him when his young head gets too many bright ideas. The love and care they have for each other never feels wrong or misplaced or ridiculous. Fimor is as much of a main character as Nykin and Ryneq.

Even the Elves and Ryneq's sister Cerylea are great characters. As small as they are, in terms of the overall story, they have a lot of influence, even when not in the scene. The same can be said for the torturers Hatak and Seran. Every character has their place and appropriate recognition – from Selene, to Eldin and the dragon riders, Morkryn, the Athisi and the Rodethians. Faelon and Avelor, for not having a big part, were actually my favourite of the side-characters.

The world building itself it incredible. From the dragons, the Eyrie, the feud with the Athisi and Rodethians and the incredible talents of Elven magic, there was nothing that felt out of place, odd or uncomfortable. With the modern speech and concepts, there was enough familiarity that the fantasy world itself began to weave into place over time and offer a sense of having been there before. In terms of other books that it may be similar to, I can only say it's not like anything else, but that the concepts are as familiar and fantasy-like as Game of Thrones, R. Cooper's The Winter Prince and even a little like C.N. Faust's Age of Waking Death series.

I don't want to say too much, to ruin the story or give spoilers, so all I'll say is that I laughed, I cringed, I cried and the torture scenes got to me. I almost couldn't believe that Nykin would do what he did, to save Ryneq and to get him back, but on the other hand, it was believable because their chemistry was palpable right from the start.

On the downside – there's not much to say. There were a few small errors in editing (missing full stops, missing quotation marks etc) but the issues are so small that they're not really important. The only time it jarred the reading was when quotation marks were missing or in the wrong place. There were also a few instances of the dragon conversations, which were normally in italics, not being in italics. That may it a little confusing as to whether it was Nykin or Fimor who was talking.

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Overall, I have to say that Capture was a great introduction to the Torsere world. It had enough drama, romance and storyline to make me lose track of time and stay desperate for more. There was never a time when I got to the end of a chapter or scene that I felt comfortable putting it down for any reason. I always knew something bad was coming, something good would happen in the midst of the chaos, and that I'd regret putting it down for one second. Right until the last page, there was something important happening.

I can't wait to see what else is in store for Ryneq and Nykin.

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FAVOURITE QUOTE

“Nykin finally looked back at Ryneq again, with everything else he wasn't saying written all over his face. I need you to do this. Ryneq's heart stuttered. “I've done what I came here to do. Please don't make it all for nothing.”

“He'd just survived an interrogation with one of the most ruthless soldiers he'd ever met, and yet he couldn't handle a little gentle teasing from his own King.”