Reviews

Captured by the Dark Commander by Ellie Pond

alafour's review

adventurous fast-paced

2.75

the beginning of the book seemed rushed like it was written last or something. during the fight scene with the princess it was confusing because the descriptions were not that great. Once they are on the ship it seems to be better written. Plot is decent, and spice is spicy.

tallyhotel's review

4.0

Well, I'm hooked!

I can't wait for Book 2...because that cliffhanger was unfair! I mean, we knew it was coming for a good part of the book, but damn. I was hoping they would find a way around it.

The book was good. The spice was boiling hot. I can't wait for the additions in the later books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

unlawful_sea's review

4.0

4 Overall

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. I don’t really read reverse harems because they don’t really interest me and a lot of the times they have just sex scenes and no plot but I got this free by one of Amazon’s Stuff Your Kindle events and figures “why not.”

The story line was great. The world building pretty good. I just skipped some of the “extra.” I wish the second was out already. I want to know what happens next.

bpriceu14's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Has some good points, ends with a good set up for the next book. But I should have DNFed the book. Started out good, nice plot line had some good flow, but then it got choppy and the plot seemed to have gotten lost. At one point I questioned if a chapter was in the right spot because it didn't follow what was in the previous chapter.

trouble's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I had gotten this book during “Stuff your kindle day” and I’m glad I had gotten the opportunity to be able to read this book. I haven’t been able to put it down since I started reading it. This is a reverse harem with a female main character. Annabelle was kidnapped from her college dorm by the Dark Commander, Nico. He knew it was against the rules but he couldn’t help himself, one look at her and he knew he HAD to have her. Not only for himself but for his dome, she would be the first unattached human female that was turned into a mermaid, because of a gene she has.

mepayne15's review

4.0

I was expecting this book to be so much different than it was. It was by no means bad, the story line that it did have was great! There just seemed to be a ton of smut that outweighed the storyline. Normally, I would love that, but with this book, it almost seemed like too much.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

timap's review

4.0

Annabelle, the initially human female lead, is studying alone at college over the holidays. When Nico, the primary male mer lead, and his subordinates kidnap her, she’s furious and scared, especially when he bites her and tells her she’ll die if she doesn’t bite him back. Then he advises her she’s going to turn into a mermaid, he’s her mate, and she’ll need to choose at least one other mate. Oh, and that his brother, Holter, another mer male she’s attracted to, is considered genetically inappropriate to be an additional mate. Forced into a situation where she’s got minimal control, Annabelle focuses on gaining as much knowledge as she can to give herself the best chance of escape, whilst attempting to ignore her rampaging mermaid hormones.

Meanwhile, Castor, a third male mer lead and Nico’s best friend, who promised to share a mate with him, is trying to balance his obligations against the upheaval Nico has caused, though he understands better once he meets Annabelle!

This story is quadruple POV, well written, and a fast paced first part of a trilogy that ends in a cliffhanger. I enjoyed Annabelle’s combination of logically angry at her situation and considering how she could get free and home, and her hormonal swings and libido increase. I appreciated that she didn’t just submit to Nico’s demands but plotted against him. I enjoyed Holter’s gentle care for Annabelle and his commitment to both her and Nico, especially his historical antipathy for Castor and I’m curious to see how that works out in the rest of the trilogy. I appreciated Nico’s strategic commitment to improving his species’ situation, even if that was at Annabelle’s expense. I enjoyed the character development and the slow building of the relationships. I found the intimate scenes erotic, though I wasn’t necessarily comfortable with Nico’s initial approaches to Annabelle, and that might be triggering for some. I am genuinely looking forward to the rest of the trilogy because I want to see Castor and Holter and Annabelle relationships resolve. I’m also hoping for some serious Nico grovel.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

haintoric's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Thank you sm to Ellie Pond for sending me a copy to review! 

At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this but after the 50% mark I couldn’t put it down! And after that ending I honestly cannot wait for the next book! 

At the start I was really confused but thankfully as soon as it was explained to the FMC I completely understood what was going on. I absolutely love the concept of mates where the female gets to choose rather than fate choosing. It was really refreshing. And of course the spice was amazing! 

Overall I would really highly recommend for people looking for a quick and easy fantasy romance which is on the darker side. I will definitely be reading the next book when it comes out. This was nearly a 4 stars but I bumped it down to a 3 just because it took me a little while to get into. 

tropes:
- mates (not fated) 
- reverse harem 
- enemies to lovers