Exquisite Captive

Exquisite Captive

By Heather Demetrios

Published on October 7th 201
Published by Balzer+Bray
Source: Publisher

Forced to obey her master.
Compelled to help her enemy.
Determined to free herself.

Nalia is a jinni of tremendous ancient power, the only survivor of a coup that killed nearly everyone she loved. Stuffed into a bottle and sold by a slave trader, she’s now in hiding on the dark caravan, the lucrative jinni slave trade between Arjinna and Earth, where jinn are forced to grant wishes and obey their human masters’ every command. She’d give almost anything to be free of the golden shackles that bind her to Malek, her handsome, cruel master, and his lavish Hollywood lifestyle.

Enter Raif, the enigmatic leader of Arjinna’s revolution and Nalia’s sworn enemy. He promises to free Nalia from her master so that she can return to her ravaged homeland and free her imprisoned brother—all for an unbearably high price. Nalia’s not sure she can trust him, but Raif’s her only hope of escape. With her enemies on the hunt, Earth has become more perilous than ever for Nalia. There’s just one catch: for Raif’s unbinding magic to work, Nalia must gain possession of her bottle…and convince the dangerously persuasive Malek that she truly loves him. Battling a dark past and harboring a terrible secret, Nalia soon realizes her freedom may come at a price too terrible to pay: but how far is she willing to go for it?

Inspired by Arabian Nights, EXQUISITE CAPTIVE brings to life a deliciously seductive world where a wish can be a curse and shadows are sometimes safer than the light.

Wow, what an unexpected intense book!  I anticipate a book about jinni (or genies how I know them to be) to be light-hearted and even a bit fluffy.... think Aladdin.  That and I Dream of Genie are the extent of my jinni knowledge.  Whoa.  This book was gritty, intense, and the world building was as exstensive as a high fantasy novel.  (Which I suppose it was....).

Nalia is the kind of character that you want to root for.  She is in an awful situation and has done some terrible things in the past.  She is trying to do better, to be better, but doesn't think she deserves another chance.  She is flawed but has glimmers of the character she is going to become (and that character is FIERCE).  She has so much going on in her life (the problems are piling up) and two love interests (it is not what you think love triangle haters- do not fear this book!).

I think the "romance" in this book was unexpected and awesome.  To explain why it was unexpected.... well I would ruin some major plot points.  But trust me, it is well worth reading.  This author does NOT disappoint with the lovey dovey stuff, but it also doesn't overshadow the strength and battles of the main character.

I am so excited for this series.  It is SO different from what is out there.  I mean SO SO different.  Fans of fantasy, mythology, history, and adventure would love to sink their teeth (snickers) into this epic story.

My one warning:  this book is young adult- but it covers MANY mature themes:  drugs, alcohol, sex, rape, prostitution, slavery, war, murder, the list goes on.... I would NOT recommend this book to young teens.  It is an excellent book- but it hits some very serious themes that might be too much for younger readers.