Review: Renegade (The Captive #2) by Erica Stevens

Though she is free of the palace, rescued from her position as a blood slave, Aria is haunted by the memories of her time spent within the fortress, tormented by memories of Braith, the prince that betrayed her and shattered her heart. Every day is a struggle to get through, and the only solace she is able to find is with Max, her best friend, and fellow captive. Though Max does not understand her bond to Braith, he knows some of what she endured, and helps to ease some of the tattered pieces of her soul. Aria slowly begins to salvage the broken parts of her wounded spirit by throwing herself into the wonder of the woods she had so greatly missed, and the secure and reassuring love that Max freely gives her. Her world is thrown into a tailspin again though when a marauding group of vampires destroy the caves she had found temporary shelter in. Scattered about the forest, seeking to stay hidden and find her family, Aria is stunned when Braith, the monster that savaged her heart, reappears. Stunned by his sudden arrival in her world, Arianna is uncertain if he has come to recapture her, or to kill her for daring to escape.

Book 2 of 4 in The Captive Series

New Adult. This book contains some language, violence, and sexual situations. Recommended for ages sixteen and up.

Overall Rating:  4.5 Rockin’ ★★★★☆

Life can never be the same for Aria.  She feels lost and betrayed by Braith, the one her heart cannot forget.  Braith cannot overcome his sense of loss and has vowed to hunt down Aria and return her to the palace. This is their story and it becomes a three way battle when Max, Aria’s childhood BFF wants her for himself.
Max cannot understand how Aria could feel for one of the monsters that has enslaved their people.  He can relate however to the things that Aria experienced at the hands of the vampires and he offers her comfort.  Even with Max soothing her heart, she cannot let go of Braith and the feelings she has for him.  Max believes that time will heal her hurt and she will turn to him and except him as her mate.  What he did not expect was the reappearance of Braith in their lives, searching for Aria in their forest.
Ari cannot believe that Braith is hunting her!  Is he there to punish and return her to the palace?   Or does he feel the way she does? The only way to find out is to read this attention-grabbing book for the answers.

Hero: Max 4.5 stars
Heroine: Aria 4.5 stars
Plot:  4.5 stars
Steam Level:  4.5 stars
Cliffhanger:  Yes

Would I recommend this book:  Yes. This is the next installment of the Captive series and takes the relationship between Braith and Aria to the next step! Wow, what a next step!

Would I recommend this author:  Yes.  The author proves that your enemy can be your one true love in this remarkable book.  I can’t wait to read the next installment of Braith and Aria’s story to find out where the author will take them!

***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***