Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, SciFi, Post-Apocalyptic.
"Ravenous" (Book 1)- Click Here
"Taken Over" (Book 2)- Click Here
"Reclamation" (Book 3)- Click Here
by Erica A. Stevens
Penned Series: Captive Series, The Survivor Chronicles, The Ravening Series, The Kindred Series,
AND as her Adult pen name alter ego,
Brenda K. Davies: Vampire Awakenings Series and A Stolen Heart.
My Thoughts: Amazing Series from Beginning to End!!
Oh this series was a ride my favorite by far was the first book "Ravenous", which sucked me in! You'll understand that sad pun when you read the book. Erica Stevens writes in such a detailed way that pulls you into the moment urging a reader to feel the characters adrenaline filled emotions and actions. Ugh this series is just crazy think "War of the Worlds" meets "Oblivion" ironically both Tom Cruise movies, so let's also say "Independence Day" as well, plus some kind of vampire movies too and then make all the characters about 18 trying to survive, one word . . . Intense!
The story is told from the main character's perspective, Bethany, who expounds on her emotions and the situations she finds herself in. When first introduced Bethany is shopping and then the world around her stops. From there she frantically searches for another person who isn't frozen. Surprisingly the only other person she finds is the boy who has stayed away from her the most, his name is Cade. He had been her childhood friend but after his parents deaths, Cade distanced himself and Bethany never knew why. Especially since she always got along with Cade and when he looks at her, Bethany can't help but feel things she's never felt before. With Cade's help she finds not only her sister, Abbey, but also her older brother Aiden and a classmate Jenna; Oh yeah her boyfriend Bret which proves to add a bit of drama to Bethany's love life. The group is immediately faced with having to run from creatures that seek to capture and destroy. They have to trust and work together to survive every second or it's certain death.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series. I was looking for a good "End of the Earth" type read during this July 4th weekend and Erica Stevens delivered. The way the stories are written there isn't much dialogue, but there is a ton of action. Bethany has a lot to tell a reader and as you follower her journey you find no matter how tragic it gets you stick with it for her. As a female heroine Bethany is unique because she is known to have real weaknesses such as claustrophobia, anxiety and holds in her emotions. However, what makes her great is how she pushes through her worst nightmares to survive, not just exist but live, that's true strength. Cade on the other hand is well, he's something. I'd like to say he's what he needed to be for the story. (I don't wanna spoil anything) But I wasn't expecting the whole soulmate thing. That's all I'll spill. Personally I felt the story went to far into the paranormal once you know what the aliens do, but the story is so good and you're too invested at that point that you know you have to read on even when the story seems to go a little wacky. However, I will applaud Erica on how she decided to split perspectives in the third book after chapter 11; It definitely helped the plot giving two sides to enhance the story more than if readers were only given Bethany's perspective. So if you are looking for a series about humans having to hide while looking for ways to survive from aliens who had subtly infiltrated our world then out right took it from us when we least expected it, this series would be great to try. As long as you're okay with aliens, crying, the idea of bloodshed and massacres, as well as the hope for humanity in the face of overwhelming odds.
Now be forewarned listed below are each books descriptions none are too revealing BUT still read at your own risk. I dare ya!
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**Note: These books contain some language, violence, and sexual situations. Recommended for ages 15+.**
"Ravenous" (Book 1)
Price: $0 FREE (at time of post)
Published Date & Page Count: May 30, 2013. pages 236.
Published Date & Page Count: May 30, 2013. pages 236.
Book Link: Click Here
Listed Rating: 
. 1
Price I Paid: $0 (got it FREE on June 24, 2013)
My Rating:
Description:
The world didn’t end with a bang, didn’t go out in a ball of fire and fury. Nor did it end in ice, but in some strange way, ice was the end; or maybe it was the beginning of something more.
Bethany is stunned and horrified when she finds herself suddenly alone in a world that was alive only moments before. Terrified, she flees into the streets of her town, looking for answers, and desperate to reach her family. Panicked, she is nearly captured by the monsters hunting her until Cade steps in to rescue her. Dark and distant, most people in school are wary of Cade, yet oddly fascinated by him. They had been close as children, but it has been years since Bethany has had any real contact with Cade. Inexplicably drawn to his dark presence, Bethany finds herself torn between her growing desire for Cade, and her boyfriend, Bret’s, unwavering love.
As their situation becomes even more perilous Bethany struggles to come to terms with her past, her terrifying new reality, and her growing love for a boy that is powerful, mysterious, and deadly.
The world didn’t end with a bang, didn’t go out in a ball of fire and fury. Nor did it end in ice, but in some strange way, ice was the end; or maybe it was the beginning of something more.
Bethany is stunned and horrified when she finds herself suddenly alone in a world that was alive only moments before. Terrified, she flees into the streets of her town, looking for answers, and desperate to reach her family. Panicked, she is nearly captured by the monsters hunting her until Cade steps in to rescue her. Dark and distant, most people in school are wary of Cade, yet oddly fascinated by him. They had been close as children, but it has been years since Bethany has had any real contact with Cade. Inexplicably drawn to his dark presence, Bethany finds herself torn between her growing desire for Cade, and her boyfriend, Bret’s, unwavering love.
As their situation becomes even more perilous Bethany struggles to come to terms with her past, her terrifying new reality, and her growing love for a boy that is powerful, mysterious, and deadly.
"Taken Over" (Book 2)
Presented with an opportunity to uncover the secret that Dr. Bishop feels her blood holds, and why she is different than the rest of the survivors, Bethany strikes out on a mission. With a small group of fellow survivors, Bethany is determined to gather the supplies necessary to discover what help she may be for humanity.
Though she is haunted by memories of those she’s lost, Bethany refuses to give up hope that one day they might be able to regain some semblance of their former lives. Though chances of that are looking smaller and smaller as they are confronted with new, and even deadlier creatures looking for only one thing; the destruction of the human race.
"Reclamation" (Book 3)
Price: $2.99 (at time of post)
Published Date & Page Count: May 24, 2013. pages 246.
Book Link: Click Here
Listed Rating: . 6
Price I Paid: $0.99 on January 20, 2014
My Rating:
Description:
Devastated by the loss of Cade, struggling to survive in a world she no longer knows, Bethany is determined to exact revenge upon the aliens that have shredded her life, and the lives of her family and friends. Presented with an opportunity to uncover the secret that Dr. Bishop feels her blood holds, and why she is different than the rest of the survivors, Bethany strikes out on a mission. With a small group of fellow survivors, Bethany is determined to gather the supplies necessary to discover what help she may be for humanity.
Though she is haunted by memories of those she’s lost, Bethany refuses to give up hope that one day they might be able to regain some semblance of their former lives. Though chances of that are looking smaller and smaller as they are confronted with new, and even deadlier creatures looking for only one thing; the destruction of the human race.
"Reclamation" (Book 3)
Price: $2.99 (at time of post)
Published Date & Page Count: January 26, 2014. pages 250.
Published Date & Page Count: January 26, 2014. pages 250.
Book Link: Click Here
Listed Rating: . 8
Price I Paid: $0 (won a copy on June 27, 2015)
My Rating:
Description:
Hunted by alien enemies and desperate to survive the invasion, Bethany and Cade are forced into situations they never imagined were possible. As danger seems to lurk around every corner and new people enter their lives, they discover that not everything is what it seems, and that sometimes the answers they seek may lie in the last place they ever thought to look.
In order to survive, they all must make a choice, continue to hide or make a stand. But all choices have consequences and those consequences lead to roads they never thought they'd travel. Roads that may very well divide them in the end.
Sacrifices will be made, not everyone will survive, and through it all there is one question driving them all, who will prevail... mankind or the aliens?
Hunted by alien enemies and desperate to survive the invasion, Bethany and Cade are forced into situations they never imagined were possible. As danger seems to lurk around every corner and new people enter their lives, they discover that not everything is what it seems, and that sometimes the answers they seek may lie in the last place they ever thought to look.
In order to survive, they all must make a choice, continue to hide or make a stand. But all choices have consequences and those consequences lead to roads they never thought they'd travel. Roads that may very well divide them in the end.
Sacrifices will be made, not everyone will survive, and through it all there is one question driving them all, who will prevail... mankind or the aliens?
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Erica Stevens
Though Erica Stevens is a pen name I created in memory of two friends, I actually do live in Mass with my amazing husband. I was born in New York and moved to Mass as a child. I spent my time growing up between NY and Mass, so I have some interesting times when sports games roll around. I was fortunate enough to marry my best friend over three years ago, and I don't know what I'd do without him. I have a large, crazy, fun loving family that just loves to laugh. My parents can always make me smile and are the strongest people I know. I have an older brother and sister, and a younger sister, who have blessed me with many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. I am nowhere near as old as the great nieces and nephews make me sound. I love to read and have wanted to be a writer since I was nine years old.
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