Captive

By: Aimée Carter

Narrated by: Lameece Issaq

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The truth can set her free.

For the past two months, Kitty Doe's life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, in a hostile meritocracy on the verge of revolution, Kitty sees her frustration grow as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoat rebels she is secretly supporting keep her in the dark more than ever. But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she's accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape. As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she'll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in - but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?

©2013 Aimée Carter (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Kitty is a shallow, stupid heroine - SPOILERS

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Maybe. I would say it's entertaining if you have nothing else to listen to. The writing style is fantastic, the storytelling decent, and the performance excellent. But the heroine is lacking. She is not a strong lead character. She's obsessed with her personal relationship and can't see past it to the larger issues going on in the book. She makes selfish decisions and can't see it's not all about her. She never gets that people are fighting for their lives and she's in a position to do something about it but won't because of her boyfriend. I think the author was trying to create a sense of modesty/humbleness but it just comes off as self-centered shallowness. For heaven's sake, the battle for everything is going down and she takes a bath and has sex with her boyfriend! Then she gets mad because Knox is fighting instead of helping her. Really?!!I found this book so annoying and shallow that if it wasn't the end of the book when the ludicrous scene happened, I would have shut it off. May as well finish the last half hour...

I actually went back after writing this review and lowered the stars...I think I was too generous the first time with two...

(And I hate to talk like this - usually I am not so picky, but this book really was terrible, just because of Kitty.)

What could Aimée Carter have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I would like to have seen Kitty develop, to mature. Since the point of the book seems to center on a revolution developing against the Hart family, it would be nice to see her begin to understand her role and accept it, becoming a strong heroine character instead of a useless, whiny, selfish pawn.

Realistic portrayal of a headstrong teen

I enjoyed the story but spent most of the book wanting to yell at the main character for being impulsive, headstrong and thoughtless. She frustrated me in ways that made me feel like I should call my mother and apologise.

Loved it!!

Such a wonderful story. Kitty is a very likable character. Don't know whether to love or hate Knox. I couldn't get enough. Can't wait until the next book Queen!!

Better than the first one but....

I am sorry I could not get behind Benjie and Kitty. I know that they are it but I accept only because we are told so. There is no character development there. See if you were to tell me that Kitty ended up with Knox , I would believe it more easily. You can see the relationship building all through the book

Great Genre Series

I love this specific, first person female protagonist dystopian trilogy genre as my candy listening. This one is towards the top of the pile so far.

Doesn't live up to the first book

The first book in this series, "Pawn", was great; fresh, fast, and unpredictable. "Captive" moves along but I found myself bored and annoyed by characters that are no longer engaging. These are "young adult" novels and, as so often happens, the characters are interesting only so long as the plot provides a challenge and lots of action. The author has not sustained that in the second book of this series. The characters are now whiney and dull, the plot is completely transparent. I'm not sure I'll be able to finish listening.

As excellent as the first.

Keeping consistent with book one, the storyline was excellent. Even more so, the details of the characters, both current and new, were vivid. Additionally, the depiction of each location used created such a mental picture it was beyond easy to envision. I listened to book two via audio, as opposed to reading book one, and I enjoyed it still the same. Ms. Carter is an exceptional writer and storyteller, and I continue to look forward to everything else she has to offer!

Maddening but full of twists and turns

Would you try another book from Aimée Carter and/or Lameece Issaq?

yes I just started book 3 which is already much better than this one.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Captive?

When you discover Kitty's parentage

Was Captive worth the listening time?

Only to get to the next book - you definitely need to background

Ungley

Would you listen to Captive again? Why?

No, This is a dark book but a good one. I did not enjoy the places of the mind this book took me. I didn't like any of the persons but Grayson and Benny. All the same I will buy the next one. What can I say. Must see what happens.

What does Lameece Issaq bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I doubt I would have stayed with the book.

Really? Character is so stubborn to the point of idiocy.

I loved the first book. Creative idea, characters and twists. But the author has relied on one character flaw to the point of me literally yelling "REALLY?!?" at my audio book as it played.
Lila/Kitty is so obstinate to the point of being an idiot. She will not trust anyone - not even as they save her life again and again. She will not listen to anyone - except her own foolish notions - and it puts her and her loved ones in mortal peril continuously.
Quite frankly, it's now beyond unbelievable and annoying. It now making me flat out angry. I'm supposed to believe this woman is somehow lovable and special when everything she does proves what an idiot she is?
The author had something here, but she made her lead character way too one-dimensional.
I wondered after the first book how this series wasn't more popular- like Mockingjay. But now I know.
I will not be finishing this series. The lead character is so annoying now that, quite frankly, I'm angry at these books and the author.
What a waste.