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Sunday, August 28, 2011

The Taker by Alma Katsu: An Intriguing Tale of Immortality

I first saw this book mentioned in a newsletter, where it was recommended for fans of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.  Since that book wowed me last year, this little hook got my attention pretty quickly.  Thanks to Samantha at Simon and Schuster, I received a copy of The Taker by Alma Katsu a few weeks ago and eagerly dove into it.  


First of all, this is a book about immortal beings that aren't vampires.  The mix of magic, alchemy, and the unknown are intriguing and kept me  glued to the pages.  The story of Lanore McIlvrae was fascinating.  Lanore is brought into a small town hospital late one night, covered in blood.  She has said she murdered a man in the woods.  While in the emergency room, she begins to tell her tale to Dr. Luke Findley, a man struggling to comes to terms with the recent loss of his mother and the break up of his marriage.  


Lanore's story is a bit hard for Luke to believe; yet he is quickly pulled into her web.  She claims to have lived in this same small town 200 years before, and as the book progresses, shares her story with Luke as they are on the run from the authorities.  Lanore's story is about her life-long love for Jonathan St. Andrew, and how that love brings about cataclysmic changes to both of their lives.  Lanore's story is also intertwined with the mysterious tale of Adair, a young man who takes Lanore's life into his hands and weaves a world around her that she cannot escape.  


I don't want to give anything away in this book!  It is well written and a refreshing change from tales of vampires.  This is a tale of immortality that has a twist.  It's the first in a trilogy, and while there are many unanswered questions, the end of the book is done very well and does not leave you hanging.  It's a perfect read to get you into the mood for Halloween, dark nights, and cool weather.  Lanore's relationship with Jonathan certainly is a great beginning for book club discussions; this is a book you will want to talk about with your friends.  


This book will be available September 6th at your local bookstores.  

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