Review: The Taker – Alma Katsu

“The language was so vivid and the world so easily imagined, it was as if  my eyes were trying to find the imagined world in place of my reality.”- Miss Remmers

Release Date: September 6th, 2011
Publisher: Gallery Books
Challenges: 75+

“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.”

Talk about a captivating read! I was hesitate to starting this novel at the beginning of the day – I really didn’t know what it was about and I hadn’t heard a lot about it. Little did I know by the end of 2nd period I would not only addicted but completely enthralled – no engrossed in the world that Katsu has created.

The periods of the day went by so quickly and I’m thankful that the majority of my students were at least content with their books. I no sooner sat down to read and then realized that the bell was about to ring (no worries, I did get up between every chapter to make sure students were all awake ). I’ve never really experienced anything like it. I read through my lunch and my plan period. I stayed after school to read. I read while I waited for our pizza to be done (and picked up). When I drove home I found my eyes weary (possibly from reading all day) and it was hard to concentrate when all I wanted was to return to the world of Lanore. I know this sound ridiculous (completely) but the language was so vivid and the world so easily imagined, it was as if (when I wasn’t reading) my eyes were trying to find the imagined world in place of my reality. It really was a once in a lifetime experience and from a book so unexpected.

Enough with my raving, here’s my review. The characters were superb and the plot fantastic. Even when we broke off for a couple of chapters to read Adair’s story (a story I was seriously contemplating skipping over – thankfully I didn’t), I found myself completely thrown into the book. Little else mattered. I didn’t eat. I could hardly speak. It was like Katsu’s imagined world was momentarily my reality. I did struggle a bit going between third person limited omniscient and first person – but I see why it was done and it was probably done for the better.

Guys, I’m not kidding. This book was amazing. I feel like all of the books I’ve read recently have been phenomenal.  I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump since the last readathon but this was perfect! I’m starting “Of Poseidon” tonight.

When I was telling my students about this book, because of course they ask what has me so enamored, I said it was part Puritan rebel story and part fantastical immortal story. I will say that there is an abundance of allusions to sex but nothing overly graphic and, somehow through Katsu’s writing, I bought it. I went from completely disgusted (much like Lanore) to mild compliance. It didn’t bother me and I think my mature readers will love it. I will definitely be requesting this book be bought by the school librarian.

Rating:

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To the FTC, with love: Review Copy from Publisher