Taken by Fate (The Alpha Territories Book 1) by Shannon Mayer

Plucked out of the Collector’s Pens, auctioned off to a vampire contingent, and sent across the ocean to the Alpha Territories was not exactly how I planned to spend my week.

Actually, scratch that. I had planned the first bit. But I was supposed to be sold to the werewolves so I could save my friend from a fate worse than death. Instead, the bloodsuckers have me and so far? It’s not going great. I’ve been shoved into a corset and made to look like an extra on the cast of Bridgerton, all to take part in the Harvest Games—think The Bachelor set in the 1800s, but the men are all vampires, and then add a decidedly terrifying Squid Games element to the mix.

No problem.

My goal—besides keeping the number of holes in my body to the current norm—is more than surviving. It is escaping the inescapable, finding my way to the werewolf territory, and getting Jordan back.

Cue the political strife.

Armed with nothing more than a super sharp hairpin, my questionable charm, and an irrational amount of optimism plans to get both me and my bestie out alive are in full swing.

Until the General of the Vampire Army and his molten eyes light me on fire and leave me wondering if escape is what I want after all.

Maybe one extra set of holes wouldn’t be the worst thing ever…

My Review

This futuristic paranormal fantasy story has historical charm and a storyline that will make you think this is the vampire version of “The Hunger Games“. It is political, intriguing, and angsty. It has a little forbidden romance between Sienna and Dominic and a lot of chemistry. I was immediately interested in the map and the first few chapters and quickly got sucked into this otherworld. Each character has a purpose, and their banter is fabulous. I love the story’s premise and can’t wait to see what happens next. 

I love the detailed map at the beginning of the book. Sienna has let herself be captured to have an attempt to save her like a younger brother friend, Jordan. It has been a while since the paranormal was outed in her world. Sienna is feisty and sweet and dreams of a particular creature. I love the way everything is described in this book. 

Dominic is a general for the Crown Prince’s vampire army. He finds himself at the auction. But he is a prince himself as he admits his heritage. He seems mesmerized by Sienna’s fire and rebellion and can’t help but make a deal for her, buying her at the auction. I don’t think she wants to be owned by the vampires. 

The harvest games sound like a “Hunger Games” competition to win favor with a group of male vampires and save their lives. The author has completely captivated me with this point. I can’t wait to see what happens to Sienna, what she does, and how Dominic is affected. 

The dual pov is fantastic, and this book is as angsty as it is intriguing. Dominic seems to have a connection with Sienna, which makes him very hot and bothered, much to his disadvantage. Amongst the dress and finery, we get glimpses of more human nature from both the General and the Duchess. But this feels and reads like a vampire version of “The Hunger Games” but with a more mature feel.

This story gets entirely too political as we take on more of Dominic’s view and the sibling rivalry that seems to be taking place. Sienna isn’t precisely human, and Dominic is in the position of his choice to protect those he loves most. He is still fighting his attraction to Sienna, but I can’t wait till he gives in, as it will be so hot. Finally, they start to burn up the pages just before all the secrets are revealed. 

The end of this story doesn’t go according to plan, and now I’m dying to know what’s next for Sienna, Dominic, and Will. 

If you would like to read Taken by Fate by Shannon Mayer, you can find this on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you like this book, you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories Vampire, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.