Stolen

Alpha's Control, Book 1

By: Addison Cain

Narrated by: Marcio Catalano

Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

“Startling in its brutality, the Alpha's Claim series is a sensual masterpiece which glorifies in its own unflinching depiction of the most base of human nature.” (Zoe Blake, USA Today best-selling author)

No one will take what’s his....

The commodore stole her off the streets in broad daylight - the first Omega female discovered in Bernard Dome in generations. He took her with violence while none intervened. He broke her, swearing he’d put her back together.

Brenya Perin was ordered to submit.

Bernard Dome is the jewel of Europe, a bastion of art and culture, pleasure and decadence. But life in the city depends on the occupation chosen for you at birth. There is no subversion, no question of who rules. There is no freedom.

And there is no interference from foreign Domes...until a new threat arrives from a distant continent. Shepherd’s right hand man, Jules.

Peace has a price, a price the commodore of Bernard Dome is willing to pay...so long as the rare Omega remains his.

Shepherd’s influence is on the rise. His machinations are subtle, his hands full tending to his recovering mate. Her safety is his priority, and something he’s willing to risk war to assure. Bernard Dome has what he wants, and they will all be dammed if they deny him.

©2017 Addison Cain (P)2018 Addison Cain

Really wanted to love this book but couldnt

I loved the author's previous series Alpha's claim so I have no issue with dark romance. I couldnt wait to listen to this one to hear more about Shepherd and Claire. With all his flaws, I still loved sheperd because beneath all that violence was true love for his Omega. Every time Claire left, I wanted her back with him.

The new Alpha in this story though is another level of disgusting with no redeemable qualities. His violent rapes of the omega and how he and his men treat women were hard to struggle through. the whole scene where we learn what the alphas plan to do with their Beta wives now that Omegas were available and Ansel's public humiliation of his beta wife was absolutely horrific. I told myself this book appeared to be navigating us towards the Omega escaping for good because I can't even imagine wanting to read another story about Bernard Dome. and I got so freaking excited at the end when I thought I was right! The Omega escaped and I just knew she would end up in Shepherd and Claire's dome and hopefully with Jules. But when the last few minutes put the Omega right back in Bernard Dome with the despicable Alpha and characters I can't stomach another minute of I had to give up on this series. there's just no room even for guilty pleasure to endure more of the Omegas mental and physical torture because there is none of the much needed reader release/satisfaction via folks getting what they deserve. I will always want more info on Sheperd and Claire but I refuse to spend any more time in Bernard Dome.

I wish I’d never started this series!

I really hate when authors feel it’s necessary to try and take advantage of readers/listeners. I thought that the Alpha ‘s claim trilogy was Sheppard’s and Claire’s complete story. Since two of the three books were in the Romance package, I was ok spending one credit for the third book that was only 6 hours long. But no, now I’ve spent another credit and their story is still incomplete and now there is another couple with an incomplete story. I’ve like the tale but resent the manipulation of the author and her publisher. Therefore, I guess I just will have to make the good financial decision and make peace with the fact that I won’t ever know how their stories end.
-V from Kansas

Why is Jacques so unlikeable?

I loved the idea of the story, that Shepherd and Claire were going to be involved, all of it. The way it was executed.... I didn't love as much as I had hoped I would. For a story that is supposed to be a romance, I felt almost no fondness for Jacques and it seemed like the narrator took a little while to get the pronunciation down too haha. I just didn't think he had many, if any, redeeming qualities. It's not often that I listen to a book where a rapist knows what he did was wrong, decides he's going to do it again with no qualms about it or excuses at all, and then only doesn't have to because the woman is scared enough to say yes (still rape btw, she's being coerced). I liked Brenya, a lot. I liked that she kept herself from falling into the trap of a warm body and a kind word, that she hasn't allowed Jacques to control her thoughts and heart, yet. I'm sure he will, but I hope that it's only when he earns it and deserves her love because this woman has value other than just being a sex object and until this character understands that I'm going to wish bad things on him! At this point, I would almost rather have Brenya end up with Jules. No, he's not a good guy, but he seems the lesser of two evils somehow. Even Shepherd, whom I hated passionately during his books, was able to redeem himself to some level. He went above and beyond for his love and proved his love for her was real. So far Jacques has done little to nothing for Brenya other than chasing after her when she runs. He has not earned anything, hasn't proven himself, hasn't shown that he can see her as more than a hole. And that makes me despise him a bit. If he can redeem himself in the next book, I'll be happy, but I'm not going to read through 3 whole books just to wait for a guy to stop being a jerk. There better be big things happening in the second book, or I'm out.

Dystopian, Suspense, and Dark

Would you listen to Stolen again? Why?

I'm not certain if I would listen to this book again, as it is outside my preferred genre. I enjoy contemporary romance and this one is more dystopian or futuristic.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I was surprised by the ending, but thought it fit the book.

What about Marcio Catalano’s performance did you like?

Marcio Catalano is an extremely talented narrator and has such depth for characters. I was attracted to this book because of him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I think I was very surprised with their first meeting

That ending....

I don’t even know for sure what happened in the end of this audiobook.... that was a twist if I took the ending correctly... my gosh. If some readers dislike Shepherd, y’all will probably hate Jacques Bernard. I need confirmation bc I’m still confused and in doubt that Jacques would do something like that. That was pretty conniving. I’m interested now. I am anticipating for the next one.

I'm not rooting for this couple.

Give me more Shepard and Claire! Spoilers and venting ahead. Really rooting for Jules! He stood up against the commodore when speaking about the way they treat women. He was kind to her at the "party". He allowed her to mess with their ship and fix it without question. I'm not thrilled with the guy on guy basically rape scenes and references to such. How him and his friend see who can get their guy to shoot the farthest while doing such was not something I was prepared to read. How the treatment of people male and female as basically sex objects to be tossed out was worse than reading the other books because at least you knew they were criminals. These guys act like it's just part of everyday life as it should be. I didn't know they could be bonded to multiple mates at the same time. Rooting for Jules over this couple. He was used by the commodore after making the effort to resist her. Jules deserves better after what happened to his wife and children.

Well cant say I'm not shocked

I knew what I was getting into but I thought this normal hetero book but it turned to be an orgy gay/bi. Male on male,female on bi Male , 2 gay males on 1 female you name it. This author knows no shame or bounds. I think I hate the degeneracy in her books overall. Never again from this author.

Surprised in a bad way

I have read many books with questionable consent but I have to say I was surprised on how far this book went. The way all the male characters treat and rape … yes rape … the women disturbed me. Maybe because the book is still categorized as romance along with the rape is why it rubbed me the wrong way. I love Addison Cain books but not this series/story line. Not one character is likable.

Whew!

What a book! I can not wait for the next part! Lord i don’t know who i love more...Shepard or Jock

Those CLIFFHANGERS!

I LOVE this series. The characters are equally fascinating as they are infuriating. The world Addison Cain has built is incredibly terrifying and yet so intriguing. I mean i kind if want my own Alpha hunky bruting man!