Review: Captivating
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 1, 2010
Originally posted at: [...]Nitara knows her purpose in life is to be a Breeder--to bring new life and help repopulate the Earth. Her whole life has been in service to the Goddess, preparing to entice and seduce the man who will take her innocence, give her his seed, and become a sacrifice. The Temple has been Nitara's existence, and now it is time to become the woman she has been trained to be. Nitara and the other young woman chosen to be Breeders have been led to believe that the sacrifices are mere animals, drugged to remain docile and aroused until the ritual of the Sacrifice, then killed by the hand of their Breeder. But Nitara questions the ritual, especially after meeting Akaash, the Wanderer captured to be her "sacrifice".Nitara discovers that her doubts are well placed, as she finds Akaash to be intelligent, strong and attractive. Her doubts lead her to follow the family curse, and she chooses to help Akaash escape and journey with him--and his bonded lover Dhatri--into the Wasteland, leaving all she knows behind. Can Nitara escape her fate, and save Akaash in the process? Will Akaash still desire Nitara once reunited with Dhatri? Can Nitara accept Dhatri as her lover, along with Akaash?Nitara is a wonderful character -- strong and determined not to just follow along a course she feels is wrong. I loved the interaction she had with Akaash, learning to see him as more than just a means to an end. I found her courage, and her need to do what is right in spite of any consequences, to be a refreshing light in the darkness of this future society. Nitara uses her intelligence to find another way of life, one that will ultimately save many from dying needlessly.Akaash is a warrior, strong and determined to find a way out of his predicament, although he knows his clan will shun him for his capture. But he is determined to escape and return to Dhatri, his lover. I loved the fact that Akaash held firm to his beliefs and his determination to survive, even while he was held captive--it showed an inner strength, one that would serve well in the Wasteland. I was fascinated by the interaction between the virginal Nitara and the captive warrior Akaash -- it was some of the hottest action I've read, and without any touching between them.The Wasteland is a harsh and unforgiving place, and Nitara is ill-equipped to deal with it. This is where Akaash and Dhatri shine -- both are strong and protective of Nitara, and through them she learns what it means to be in a true loving relationship. Do these three have a happy ever after? It's a hard-won happiness, and well worth reading.