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elee2013's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
I liked this, but not as much as the first book. Had a hard time wrapping my head around how everyone just sort of forgives Arik because?? But Matthew is a darling.
I liked this, but not as much as the first book. Had a hard time wrapping my head around how everyone just sort of forgives Arik because?? But Matthew is a darling.
teresab78's review against another edition
4.0
Another enjoyable story
I read book one almost a year ago and also gave it 4 stars. I had a hard time remembering it but I found I didn’t really need to to keep up with this story. I’m glad this is told from Arik’s point of view as I’m sure I wouldn’t have liked him with out seeing his motivations. As it was I could see his character evolution and growth.
I read book one almost a year ago and also gave it 4 stars. I had a hard time remembering it but I found I didn’t really need to to keep up with this story. I’m glad this is told from Arik’s point of view as I’m sure I wouldn’t have liked him with out seeing his motivations. As it was I could see his character evolution and growth.
teereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 stars
This series is just fun to read. It's not too serious, it's easy to read, and not overly complicated if you don't read them as standalones. Arik was an interesting character whose POV we have through the whole book. He's a bit on the morally grey side of things, but we learn why that is and it starts to make sense. I definitely warmed up to his character, especially after what we learn he did for the Kimballs in "The Alpha's Warlock." And we learn about his tragic past and what lead him to working with the Kimballs, and I was definitely eventually rooting for Arik. This was a bit of a slow burn in a way, and the build up and tension made it worth it in the end.
This series is just fun to read. It's not too serious, it's easy to read, and not overly complicated if you don't read them as standalones. Arik was an interesting character whose POV we have through the whole book. He's a bit on the morally grey side of things, but we learn why that is and it starts to make sense. I definitely warmed up to his character, especially after what we learn he did for the Kimballs in "The Alpha's Warlock." And we learn about his tragic past and what lead him to working with the Kimballs, and I was definitely eventually rooting for Arik. This was a bit of a slow burn in a way, and the build up and tension made it worth it in the end.
alsoiread's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Tw // sa
Not as good as first in the series. I really didn't like the part where Matthew was struggling to not be intimate w Arik without his consent. Like why did that need to be in the book? Without it book would've been much better.
Not as good as first in the series. I really didn't like the part where Matthew was struggling to not be intimate w Arik without his consent. Like why did that need to be in the book? Without it book would've been much better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gore, Confinement, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Minor: War
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
I'll admit, I wasn't sure how the story could be spun in such a way that I would like Arik but.. I do! It was done! I love the twists this took and getting to see Nate and Ian being.. Nate and Ian. It's hard to articulate why, but I adore this series so far. It's fun but also compelling and I'm here for it.
re-read: HOW HAD I FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE COFFEE MUGS?!
re-read: HOW HAD I FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE COFFEE MUGS?!
casadilla12's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
books_and_cha's review against another edition
2.0
I picked up Captive Mate as soon as I was done with The Alpha's Warlock. Remember how I said I wanted more of whatever The Alpha's Warlock was doing? Yeah, well Captive Mate was a whole other ball game.
The difference lay primarily in the main characters. Both Nate and Arik have been through a lot, but they've reacted to it in different ways. Arik isn't above manipulating or hurting others (physically and emotionally) to keep himself safe. Moreover, when Nate entered the Armitage pack, he was Ian's mate - even if he wasn't completely trusted, he had a place in the pack. Arik isn't that privileged - he's a prisoner who cast a love spell on the pack leader. His life is valued only in conjunction with Matthew's, which leads to a lot of hostile interactions with Matthew, Nate, and Ian on one side, and Arik alone on the other. For most of this book, we're inside the head of a villain, and it takes time for him to stop being a villain.
Throughout this entire book, I understood where Arik was coming from, but I couldn't empathize with him. His past, everything that he's been through, justifies his distrust and even, to a certain extent, some of his manipulations. That being said, because he saw all the characters I cared about in the previous book as his enemy in this one, that made it hard for me to connect emotionally.
The romance was okay. I didn't really care much for either character. I liked the sweet turn their romance took once most of the conflict was resolved, but I expected more emotional development beforehand. I expected Matthew to break down Arik's walls and he did, but not the way I expected.
All that being said, I did think Grayson did a good job of creating a layered character like Arik. I didn't like Arik, but he felt better developed than Nate and Ian had in the first book. The plot was not as exciting as in the first book, but it wasn't slow or draggy either.
To sum up, this book was not as fun as the first: too much angst, problematic (read spoilers), and left me feeling unsatisfied.
The difference lay primarily in the main characters. Both Nate and Arik have been through a lot, but they've reacted to it in different ways. Arik isn't above manipulating or hurting others (physically and emotionally) to keep himself safe. Moreover, when Nate entered the Armitage pack, he was Ian's mate - even if he wasn't completely trusted, he had a place in the pack. Arik isn't that privileged - he's a prisoner who cast a love spell on the pack leader. His life is valued only in conjunction with Matthew's, which leads to a lot of hostile interactions with Matthew, Nate, and Ian on one side, and Arik alone on the other. For most of this book, we're inside the head of a villain, and it takes time for him to stop being a villain.
Throughout this entire book, I understood where Arik was coming from, but I couldn't empathize with him. His past, everything that he's been through, justifies his distrust and even, to a certain extent, some of his manipulations. That being said, because he saw all the characters I cared about in the previous book as his enemy in this one, that made it hard for me to connect emotionally.
Spoiler
For instance, when Arik emotionally attacks Nate about what Nate's father did to him, calling him helpless and weak for being able to stop the abuse, that crossed a line that I wasn't ready to forgive. Also, it just sounded hypocritical from a rape survivor. What if Nate had said that Arik was weak for not being able to stop Parker? Or his other rapists? Plus, instead of treating it like the emotional abuse that it was, Arik never apologizes. Rather it's Nate who later says he's trying to forgive Arik and apologizes for suppressing Arik's magic, even though Arik literally treats everyone around him as either a weapon or something he can dispose of when he first enters the pack.The romance was okay. I didn't really care much for either character. I liked the sweet turn their romance took once most of the conflict was resolved, but I expected more emotional development beforehand. I expected Matthew to break down Arik's walls and he did, but not the way I expected.
Spoiler
There's also a really problematic moment when Matthew is interrogating Arik and he threatens rape. Never mind that he doesn't carry it out, never mind that Arik was a hostile prisoner, you don't rape people. Matthew's justification is that he'll do anything for his pack, but is that a justification? Is there any justification for rape? No. Basically, Grayson needs to be more sensitive to the issue of sexual assault. This moment just makes any further trust in Arik and Matthew's relationship bogus.All that being said, I did think Grayson did a good job of creating a layered character like Arik. I didn't like Arik, but he felt better developed than Nate and Ian had in the first book. The plot was not as exciting as in the first book, but it wasn't slow or draggy either.
To sum up, this book was not as fun as the first: too much angst, problematic (read spoilers), and left me feeling unsatisfied.
jacqueleenthereadingqueen's review against another edition
4.0
I was having a super hard time getting oriented to this book when it started because I couldn't recall a ton of details from the first book [b:The Alpha's Warlock|51940349|The Alpha's Warlock (Mismatched Mates #1)|Eliot Grayson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1583030802l/51940349._SY75_.jpg|76538977]. I read it back in March and I've probably read 100 books since then and there was apparently a lot going on in that one. I gave it 4 stars though so I know I enjoyed it which is why I finally picked up book 2.
Arik and Matthew started out as a lie. Arik is a shaman and uses his magic to force Matthew to fall in love with him. It mimics a mating bond. Unfortunately for Arik, he isn't immune to all parts of his own spell. The two need to be together in order not to feel sick. Matthew needs Arik's touch to keep himself from going on alpha on him. It's a delicate balance and after all the time spent together Arik starts to see how Matthew is different from any of the alphas he has ever had the displeasure of meeting. Matthew is kind and caring. No matter how much the "bond" makes him want Arik he refuses to take him against his will.
Arik doesn't know what to do with a person like Matthew. He has no experience with genuine good men. Finally he decides it's time for him to make his escape, but he cannot leave without letting Matthew go. It wouldn't be fair to a man like Matthew to die pining away for a liar like him. This is where finally, FINALLY, Arik makes a good decision. I wanted to scream YES! see everyone he is not all bad!! But of course then Arik takes off and joins up with the Kimball pack. Yes you heard that right, the pack he previously lived with and attacked Matthews pack with. Back to dumb moves I see. At least this time he decided to give Matthew a heads up.
Arik was really hard headed. Matthew was so open and honest with him about everything he was feeling, even after the spell was lifted and he still kept his head in the sand. He had such low self esteem he couldn't interpret how Matthew was basically telling him he loved him still. His mind always went the wrong direction. This in turn led Matthew to believe Arik was ambivalent to his feelings and didn't return them. It literally took until 90% in for Matthew to break and just lay it all out there in plain English so no misunderstanding could be possible. It was a good thing too because Arik needed it.
The book kinda ended abruptly after they cemented their relationship. I would have liked a bit more to the epilogue. I also am so super curious about the Vampire and Dor, well MOSTLY Dor. I hope he gets a book soon.
Arik and Matthew started out as a lie. Arik is a shaman and uses his magic to force Matthew to fall in love with him. It mimics a mating bond. Unfortunately for Arik, he isn't immune to all parts of his own spell. The two need to be together in order not to feel sick. Matthew needs Arik's touch to keep himself from going on alpha on him. It's a delicate balance and after all the time spent together Arik starts to see how Matthew is different from any of the alphas he has ever had the displeasure of meeting. Matthew is kind and caring. No matter how much the "bond" makes him want Arik he refuses to take him against his will.
Arik doesn't know what to do with a person like Matthew. He has no experience with genuine good men. Finally he decides it's time for him to make his escape, but he cannot leave without letting Matthew go. It wouldn't be fair to a man like Matthew to die pining away for a liar like him. This is where finally, FINALLY, Arik makes a good decision. I wanted to scream YES! see everyone he is not all bad!! But of course then Arik takes off and joins up with the Kimball pack. Yes you heard that right, the pack he previously lived with and attacked Matthews pack with. Back to dumb moves I see. At least this time he decided to give Matthew a heads up.
Arik was really hard headed. Matthew was so open and honest with him about everything he was feeling, even after the spell was lifted and he still kept his head in the sand. He had such low self esteem he couldn't interpret how Matthew was basically telling him he loved him still. His mind always went the wrong direction. This in turn led Matthew to believe Arik was ambivalent to his feelings and didn't return them. It literally took until 90% in for Matthew to break and just lay it all out there in plain English so no misunderstanding could be possible. It was a good thing too because Arik needed it.
The book kinda ended abruptly after they cemented their relationship. I would have liked a bit more to the epilogue. I also am so super curious about the Vampire and Dor, well MOSTLY Dor. I hope he gets a book soon.
fishreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Murder, and Confinement
Minor: Abandonment and Rape