Taken

A Comfort Story Not A Thriller

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I was slightly disappointed.

What does Adam Verner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His performance was wonderful. I listened to him for over 12 hours, and it never got old.

Any additional comments?

This is NOT a thriller - it's only like a very very long hurt/comfort story without any of the hurt actually written in. It's all created in the mind of the reader - like Alfred Hitchcock, or the monster in Jaws, you don't get the details, just that something mega bad happened to the heroine.

It's about a rich girl who was kidnapped at age 16. It's now 11 years later, and she's escaped and has latched onto someone she believes can help her adapt and ease back into real life. This is no girl, she's a grown woman who has problems, but is not a drooling on the floor/nightmares kind of person. She is a very practical and intelligent survivor.

I spent the first 1/3 of the book asking myself "Why are these people making her problems their problems?" and "Who's gonna pay for this?" and "Surely the police are going to believe that she was a conspirator at some point?". Then I just let it go, and said, it's part of the cannon, just believe that the world is aligned thusly.

I read a couple other Henderson novels, and I like her Christian characters, but I missed that this is not a suspense novel. I kept waiting for bullets to fly etc, but after about the 6 hour mark, I signed and resigned myself to the fact that this was probably just a book about emotions. I finished the book and enjoyed it, but it's not my usual cup of tea. Plus, for a 'romance', there was zero and I do mean zero stuff of romance, no longing looks, no denial or self or passionate longings, just a couple of quiet discussions about "Not having an 11:30 moment to regret". They acted honorably, but not like people who are falling in love.

8 people found this helpful

2.5 Boring Most Of The Time

This is my second try at a book from Dee Anderson and definitely my last. Lots of people love Dee's style of very clean christian writing but the style is not for me.

From the back cover blurb and the reputation of the author, I expected this book to be exciting and suspenseful. I was disappointed. The pace was extremely slow and there was no excitement at all. The only reason I kept reading was to see what would happen. And nothing did, at least not "on stage." All the excitement was behind the scenes. We never find out what happened to Shannon while she was in captivity, how exactly she got free, what was in her diaries, etc. All we get is the POV of the retired cop who tells us what Shannon is thinking, how she's going to act. what will happen long-term. There are no surprises and the story line is a bit unrealistic. Shannon shows no fear, just anxiety. She's extremely sure of herself, which I find strange from a victim. She does not fear retribution. And besides that, she takes her photos to an art dealer and finds out she is an instant millionaire. How believable is that? The book is at least 100 pages too long. The author could have eliminated all the descriptions of what and then they ate, which seemed to be all the time, and left out descriptions of setting. What happened to the conflict in the story? Everything goes so smoothly, it's boring and noneventful. I hate to give a poor review, but I was extremely surprised by the lack of many elements of a good book in this one. I kept waiting for something to happen and nothing did.

Adam Verner's skillful narration of the book was the only reason I finished the book.

9 people found this helpful

Good Story but don't expect a thrill ride.

Dee Henderson is a very good author over all. This is a story that can help an average individual understand the reprecussions of abuse on a large scale. Do not expect this story to move fast because you will be greatly disappointed. Shannon's story of captivity for 11 years is difficult to comprehend, but the author addresses her story with great compassion and sensitivity toward her time of recovering a life again. This story also speaks to how God is a rock to lean on during times of trial and shifting sands. Matthew Dayne is a sensitive man that understands from his own daughter's story how difficult it is to put away a troubled past. Not that I am criticizing the author here, but as a single woman I want to know who she based Matthew's character on and how can I get his number. The other characters we meet in this story are also men of great sensitivity and character. I do have to wonder after a while how many men out there are really like this? And where can I meet them? But seriously, this is a well rounded novel and I appreciated the story very much. as for the narrator Adam Verner, I found his narration to be over all fine. I do not know if Mr. Verner read this book specifically intending the gentle controlled emotional tone in production. To a certain extent it fits with the story because every time Matthew speaks to Shannon he is trying not to give off a lot of emotion. But I do think some may find that emotional control to be annoying by the end of the book. Some may call it a monotone and emotionally neutral speaking voice . As a result , others may find it difficult to stay awake for the audiobook. Make sure you listen to the sample and ask yourself if you can handle that same effect for 12 plus hours. I give this story an overall 4 stars. I will look up other Dee Henderson books in the future but I do hope if Adam is narrating that he shows more emotion in other books.

7 people found this helpful

How bad could it be?

This story was the SLOWEST I have ever suffered through. I would have given up if I hadn't been driving cross country and needed the distraction. It was "As the world turns" meets "Snow White." In fact not even that good. Drags on and on and on and on..... The characters were less than believable and the narrator so syrupy it was even less believable. I wanted to meet the bad guys!

2 people found this helpful

TAKEN by surprise!

Another fabulous book by Dee Henderson which fans will enjoy. The narrator does an admirable job, even with the few voice mix-ups. The story is full of details which paint the picture well. Less details would leave holes in the reader's overall comprehension and imagination. Turn on TAKEN and set the cruise control for an enjoyable ride with Shannon and Matthew.

2 people found this helpful

Great book

Enjoyed the book. No disturbing details in plot only enough to get your own imagination running and many splashes of Gods brilliance in how he can use what's bad for our good.

2 people found this helpful

Well Done

I thoroughly enjoy a well written and well narrated Christian novel. This one was great! A good mystery. Kept me coming back for more with each chapter. My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that the narrator spoke the whole time in a soft almost child therapist like voice. This works for much of the book, but I preyer a a stronger voice. Overall this was excellent and I will read more from this author!

2 people found this helpful

10x better than the written book.

i love this author but this book was dry and a bit blah. MUCH better listened to! Adam Verner did a brilliant job.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful author and narrator!

This is the second time I've listened to Taken. I love that Dee Henderson's books are Faith based. Not only that but full of mystery and suspense. I lose myself in them until the very end, not wanting them to be finished but wanting to know the end results. Adam Verner is a pleasure to listen to..

3 people found this helpful

Robin W.

Great read. Narrator wasn't the best but still good. I do recommend this book and author.

1 person found this helpful