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readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes (often?) trilogies feel unnecessary to me, the second and third books just a rehash of the same scenario from the first book, but The Taker trilogy is a pleasant exception. Each book is different, and while themes are repeated, the plot points are always fresh. This trilogy may be fluffy romantic fun, but it's not in any way predictable.
At the end of The Taker, Lanny trapped her master and maker Adair behind a brick wall in a basement. She thought once she was free of his control, she would be able to be happy with her childhood love Jonathan, but their love fizzled quickly and she's spent the intervening years mostly alone. Now as The Reckoning begins, two hundred years have passed, and somehow Adair has escaped his prison.
How can Lanny hide from someone who can track her from anywhere in the world? Like it or not, she and Adair are inextricably connected, and he will not stop until he has exacted his revenge. The suspense in this book builds and builds, and we also get some valuable back story as the narrative jumps back and forth through time.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
At the end of The Taker, Lanny trapped her master and maker Adair behind a brick wall in a basement. She thought once she was free of his control, she would be able to be happy with her childhood love Jonathan, but their love fizzled quickly and she's spent the intervening years mostly alone. Now as The Reckoning begins, two hundred years have passed, and somehow Adair has escaped his prison.
How can Lanny hide from someone who can track her from anywhere in the world? Like it or not, she and Adair are inextricably connected, and he will not stop until he has exacted his revenge. The suspense in this book builds and builds, and we also get some valuable back story as the narrative jumps back and forth through time.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
laviskrg's review against another edition
1.0
Possibly the worst book I have ever read (well, read around 65 % of it because I simply cannot molest myself anymore).
Badly written.
No plot whatsoever.
Stupid characters.
Desperate attempts of making Adair seem all lovey dovey when in fact he remains a paedophile and a rapist.
Bullshit choice of well-known cities with ZERO description. Just because you mention Montjuic doesn't mean you have any fucking connection to Barcelona.
Horribly written, actually.
Everything is told, not shown and this is done in the utmost condescending and unnerving way.
Endless repetition and filler.
This book is burn worthy and I thoroughly regret having spent money on this trilogy.
Badly written.
No plot whatsoever.
Stupid characters.
Desperate attempts of making Adair seem all lovey dovey when in fact he remains a paedophile and a rapist.
Bullshit choice of well-known cities with ZERO description. Just because you mention Montjuic doesn't mean you have any fucking connection to Barcelona.
Horribly written, actually.
Everything is told, not shown and this is done in the utmost condescending and unnerving way.
Endless repetition and filler.
This book is burn worthy and I thoroughly regret having spent money on this trilogy.
rosekk's review against another edition
5.0
I want the next one. This second.
I find reading this series very strange, because Alma Katsu doesn't write at all like others, so this series doesn't work at all like books of the same genre. The "bad boy" of the piece is really genuinely bad - and you really do hate him & love him at the same time - he's evil but at other times you sympathize with him. It's so strange. Even the structure of the story doesn't work quite as well as others.
I find reading this series very strange, because Alma Katsu doesn't write at all like others, so this series doesn't work at all like books of the same genre. The "bad boy" of the piece is really genuinely bad - and you really do hate him & love him at the same time - he's evil but at other times you sympathize with him. It's so strange. Even the structure of the story doesn't work quite as well as others.
meganmreads's review against another edition
5.0
I won this book via Goodreads First Reads Program. In exchange, I’m providing an honest review.
The Reckoning was absolutely amazing. If I could give it more than 5 stars on a scale of 1 to 5, I would! I loved The Taker and was so intrigued by the entire concept of immortality and the histories of the people involved. The Reckoning picks up where The Taker left off. Alma Katsu has created a wonderful story with characters who grow and change and remain interesting. The character development in this novel is incredible.
The Reckoning has turned my previous opinions of the characters upside down. In The Taker, I felt as though I understood Lanore. I felt her love for Jonathan. I felt her fear of Adair and shared her hatred of him. In The Reckoning, however, I begin to feel sympathy for Adair and found myself hating him in some parts and loving him in others. I felt like I developed a new level of understanding for each of the characters. Alma Katsu has twisted my gut and heart with her characters and I’m deeply invested in their stories. When I finished The Taker, I loved it, yet wondered where the story would go. I did not expect the sequel to be as amazing as it was, nor change my feelings for the characters as much as it has.
The Reckoning is well written, suspenseful, thoughtful, heart wrenching, and interesting. It’s not just about immortality or love or fear. It’s about all of these things wrapped up together in a twisted tale. Questions of love and loneliness and magic and society and God and sex and the breaking of hearts are all apparent and all addressed in this book. I could gush forever about the characters in this book and how well developed and deep and interesting each one of them can be. This series is intelligent, thought provoking, and deep.
I cannot wait for the next book in this trilogy. I recommend these books to anyone interested in a twisted, somewhat dark tale involving immortality and life. I can’t imagine anyone NOT loving this series. Alma Katsu earned my respect with the first book in the trilogy. This sequel has skyrocketed her from an author I like to one of my favorite authors, now. I cannot wait to see what else she writes and see how this particular story ends.
http://meganm922.blogspot.com/2012/06/reviewthe-reckoning-by-alma-katsu.html
The Reckoning was absolutely amazing. If I could give it more than 5 stars on a scale of 1 to 5, I would! I loved The Taker and was so intrigued by the entire concept of immortality and the histories of the people involved. The Reckoning picks up where The Taker left off. Alma Katsu has created a wonderful story with characters who grow and change and remain interesting. The character development in this novel is incredible.
The Reckoning has turned my previous opinions of the characters upside down. In The Taker, I felt as though I understood Lanore. I felt her love for Jonathan. I felt her fear of Adair and shared her hatred of him. In The Reckoning, however, I begin to feel sympathy for Adair and found myself hating him in some parts and loving him in others. I felt like I developed a new level of understanding for each of the characters. Alma Katsu has twisted my gut and heart with her characters and I’m deeply invested in their stories. When I finished The Taker, I loved it, yet wondered where the story would go. I did not expect the sequel to be as amazing as it was, nor change my feelings for the characters as much as it has.
The Reckoning is well written, suspenseful, thoughtful, heart wrenching, and interesting. It’s not just about immortality or love or fear. It’s about all of these things wrapped up together in a twisted tale. Questions of love and loneliness and magic and society and God and sex and the breaking of hearts are all apparent and all addressed in this book. I could gush forever about the characters in this book and how well developed and deep and interesting each one of them can be. This series is intelligent, thought provoking, and deep.
I cannot wait for the next book in this trilogy. I recommend these books to anyone interested in a twisted, somewhat dark tale involving immortality and life. I can’t imagine anyone NOT loving this series. Alma Katsu earned my respect with the first book in the trilogy. This sequel has skyrocketed her from an author I like to one of my favorite authors, now. I cannot wait to see what else she writes and see how this particular story ends.
http://meganm922.blogspot.com/2012/06/reviewthe-reckoning-by-alma-katsu.html
ac223's review against another edition
3.0
Lanore and Johnathon imprisoned Adair 200 years ago in order to escape his tyranny. It's now 2010, only a few short months after Johnathon succeeded in having Lanore end his long life, and Adair is free. Without Johnathon, and only herself to rely on she she makes the decision to leave Luke, because any mortal connected to her wouldn't stand a chance facing Adair. She ends up turning to a few other immortals hoping they will have more knowledge of how to escape Adair, since they all spent more time with him than her few short years. Adair wants nothing more than to find Lanore, but his emotions involving her change from seeking revenge, to just seeking her. While he is determined to find her, she is determined not to be found.
***Spoilers***
Adair is so single minded in his pursuit of Lanore, that he reanimates Johnathon for any information he may have of her whereabouts. Johnathon refuses to help him in anyway, until he confesses that he has no intent of harming her. Adair is in love with Lanore, and wants the opportunity to prove it to her. In the end Tilde, and Alejandro betray Lanore, trapping her and turning her over to Adair. He rapes her as soon as he sees her, breaking his promise to Johnathon, and ruining his chances of winning her love. After a few months together, he allows her to leave, and tells her that he wants her to love him, but she has to choose to do so.
***Spoilers***
Adair is so single minded in his pursuit of Lanore, that he reanimates Johnathon for any information he may have of her whereabouts. Johnathon refuses to help him in anyway, until he confesses that he has no intent of harming her. Adair is in love with Lanore, and wants the opportunity to prove it to her. In the end Tilde, and Alejandro betray Lanore, trapping her and turning her over to Adair. He rapes her as soon as he sees her, breaking his promise to Johnathon, and ruining his chances of winning her love. After a few months together, he allows her to leave, and tells her that he wants her to love him, but she has to choose to do so.
vcb182's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A solid middle installation to the trilogy. Definitely a lot of explanation and information, which is expected in the middle of trilogy, but I did find myself getting a little bored. The writing is so beautiful though, so it wasn’t too difficult to sally forth and complete it. Gonna take a small break before competing the series, to let my brain rest from all the info jumbling around in my brain, but looking forward to the conclusion “The Descent” nonetheless 😀
hooksbookswanderlust's review against another edition
4.0
Love these books, can't wait for the last one!