Review: Captive by Jex Lane

Posted July 8, 2022 by Kate

Review: Captive by Jex LaneCheck out on Goodreads | Buy on Amazon
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, LGBTQ, Dark Romance, Erotic Romance
Series: Beautiful Monsters
Publisher: Independently Published
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Matthew Callahan has spent seven years struggling against the insatiable hunger for blood consuming him. Unable to stop the vampire inside from preying on humans, he keeps himself confined to a lonely existence.
Everything changes the night he is lured into a trap and taken prisoner by High Lord General Tarrick—a seductive incubus who feeds off sexual energy. Forced into the middle of a war between vampires and incubi, Matthew is used as a weapon against his own kind. Although he's desperate for freedom, he is unable to deny the burning desire drawing him to the incubus general he now calls Master.
Captive is a full-length novel. 117,000 words.
This book contains dark themes, a captured bisexual vampire, and high heat. It is intended for mature audiences.

Captive is a book I have some turmoil about. It was pitched to me as Captive Prince-esque but darker, because it features two enemies (a bisexual vampire and a millennium-old Incubus, and their species have literally been at war forever), one of whom is in captivity. Content warnings were for captivity, torture, violence, starvation and sex with others outside the main “couple.” To be honest… I have 0 issues with any of this. I’m not too squeamish when it comes to my dark romances. And a dark paranormal book?? Sign me the hell up!

Except… Meh. I liked it well enough, but I was bored. I thought it was rather predictable. Matthew (young vampire, very powerful, a vampire/incubus hybrid, supposed to be used as a weapon) was fine. I couldn’t really flesh out his character enough to fully support or care what happens to him. He sustained heavy torture from those on his side, so I pretty much figure he’ll be fine with whatever he goes through.


They fought. They screamed. They begged. They died. And he loved it.
And he hated himself for loving it.


I just found the writing lacking with regard to the characters. Matthew was powerful and intense and whatever, but that never necessary matched with the vibe we got from his perspective, and he often acted like a child with his loyalty/thought processes. The attempt to make him have morals just gave him the personality of a viciously capable, friendly golden retriever. He was also so genuinely timid. We never emotionally connected, it was all physical (… maybe because he was an incubus??? Bad joke lmao).

High Lord General Tarrick (thousands of years old, incubus) was a very weak character, and I mean this personality-wise. I wasn’t impressed with him. He’s cruel, and not in an attractive way. It went on too long for me to forgive, and we never got to see enough from his “good” side. Does he have one?? Can’t say. He didn’t give me a joyful mindfuck, just a headache. The cruelty was… not twisted enough to be interesting and just downright mean. With nothing to hold on to and no attempt at a hint of a redemption for his character, I don’t ship it, I didn’t love to hate him, and I truthfully just wish he’d disappear. There was no chemistry beyond Chapter Two.

I just didn’t connect to this at all. The beginning was hot and the world was interesting with a wide cast of characters, but that good feeling quickly faded with subpar personalities and too many dull scenes with no payoff. That said… I might try to give book two a try. It might get better?? Just get rid of Tarrick and give Matthew some confidence and emotions, please.

Other dark, erotic magical/PNR books you may enjoy…

    

Have you read this? What are your favorite erotic PNR stories? Let me know in the comments down below, I’d love to hear from you!


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