The Taker

By: Alma Katsu

Narrated by: Laurel Lefkow

Length: 14 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

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 thriller, 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.

©2011 Alma Katsu (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

You would end up wanting for more

First time I read a trilogy , after the 3rd book I'm now waiting for the 4th one IF there will be one . Hopes the author writes more books , he's really good ! worth a thousand credit

A must read!

I was impressed with this audiobook, is beautifully written and contains so many details that makes you feel you are watching everything instead of hearing it.
I was so smitten by this book that I even bought the paperback on Amazon.com just because is a must read ... all over again ... many many times.
I loved the characters, each one of them has a story to tell, there should be more to this story! Can't wait for more!
If you don't know what it is about, is a wonderful tale that talks about deep love, lust, obsession, greed, vanity and so many other things ... it will really leave you wanting more of this story.

Loved It.. A Unique Series!!

What did you love best about The Taker?

The story drew me in & kept me wanting more. I not only wanted to see where the future would take Luke & Lanny, but at the same time was captivated by the stories that developed over several centuries (of Adair, Lanore).

What other book might you compare The Taker to and why?

Hard to think of something outside of this series that compares.. It has some "fantasy/paranormal" components, in that most main characters are immortal; so, I suppose it could be compared to a series with vampires, demons, etc., but the characters in the Taker trilogy have unique features that sets them apart. I love fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi, & the author here really creates something that is more a work of literary fiction than the typical sci-fi/fantasy book.

Which character – as performed by Laurel Lefkow – was your favorite?

Lanny.. even though she has faults, she has virtues that make her likable as well.

Who was the most memorable character of The Taker and why?

Adair.. even though so volatile, he has a very complex past. Parts of his story are disturbing, but it's intriguing to see how it all fits together.

Any additional comments?

I'd love to read more by Alma Katsu!

Lacking

This stories premise definitely had potential. What was missing was real character development. As a reader, I felt that I was not drawn into the protagonist's plight, and therefore felt quite ambiguous about her circumstances.

The narration was only adequate.

All in all somewhat of a downer.

Inventive

This novel has parts of various genres and they are woven together beautifully. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy stories, horror, and romance.

Read the next 2 books

I’m re-listening to this again after several years. I remembered that the other 2 books in this trilogy made it worth the wait.

The Taker

Any additional comments?

Audiobook. The characters in The Taker are unlikeable. The commonality is self-indulgence and narcissism. The story is loaded with sex, abuse beyond description. The most worrisome aspect is that the female lead in this story not only uses her sex as a means to an end, or tries to, but seems to take occasion to make excuses for or act the doormat for those that affect the abuse. Sad commentary for the female of our species. All of the characters are obsessed with sex and sexual deviance is a driving factor in the story. Not my cup ‘o tea, but I readily acknowledge that there are many among us who will and have enjoyed living vicariously through the sick minds of characters in books. If you’re not into the brutality of bondage and an evil obsession, the book isn’t for you.

The reader, Laura Lefkow, does a fabulous job. It is a given in the audiobook world, that a reader can make a good story better, and a mediocre story good. I will leave it up to others to decide the category in which The Taker belongs.

Unfinished Book (My First)

Even thinking about this book turns my stomach. The depravity and horror just never seemed to end. The author succeeded in her goal of ensuring the book will be remembered. It haunts me!

Brilliance tainted

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Anyone who loves historical narratives infused with audio pornography.

What was most disappointing about Alma Katsu’s story?

It was a clever narrative, it got me to listen to all three of the trilogy. I kept hoping there would be more substance to the tale but it just kept lingering. Why does a talented author sully their story lines with lurid excruciatingly detailed filth? It's like a comedian who only make people laugh with being vulgar. I'm not a prude, but this series just got worse each book. The end was a spineless disappointment.

Which scene was your favorite?

Only the descriptions of settings. Her ability to contextualize the characters was what kept be listening.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Taker?

All the unnecessary details of the sexual proclivities of the characters. It only weakened any compassion for Lanny. Really? Eroticism and torture lead to love? The entire trilogy could have been reduced to one slightly longer book as each one was a repeat of the last filled with rabbit trails and disappointment.

Any additional comments?

I felt embarrassed that had wasted so many hours and credits listening. The series never had a salient point to it. It had nothing to do with love- it was about obsession.

Good story....

I don't normally read romances. I felt the story was interesting however I didn't like all the sex in the book. Laurel Lefkow did a great job on narration.