Review: Captivate by Vanessa Garden

Captivate 
by Vanessa Garden 
Released Date: Published January 1st 2014 by Harlequin TEEN
Series: Submerged Sun #1
Pages: 304
View/Purchase: Goodreads, Amazon 

In a glittering underwater world, nothing is as it seems...

For the past twelve months since her parents’ death, seventeen-year-old Miranda Sun has harboured a dark secret — a secret that has strained the close relationship she once shared with her older sister, Lauren. In an effort to repair this broken bond, Miranda’s grandparents whisk the siblings away on a secluded beach holiday. Except before Miranda gets a chance to confess her life-changing secret, she’s dragged underwater by a mysterious stranger while taking a midnight swim.

Awakening days later, Miranda discovers that she’s being held captive in a glittering underwater city by an arrogant young man named Marko...the King of this underwater civilisation.

Nineteen-year-old Marko intends to marry Miranda in order to keep his crown from falling into the sinister clutches of his half-brother, Damir. There’s only one problem. Miranda is desperate to return home to right things with her sister and she wants nothing to do with Marko. Trying to secure her freedom, Miranda quickly forms an alliance with Robbie — Marko’s personal guard. However, she soon discovers that even underwater, people are hiding dangerous secrets...
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

My Review:

Vanessa Garden has written such a captivating story that has made it to my favorite's list. From the beginning to the very end, I was intrigued and fascinated by the world she has created. I don't think I've read anything like it and that's what made it an amazing read.

Seventeen-year-old Miranda Sun has been haunted by what happened to her parents twelve months ago, ever since then her relationship with her older sister, Lauren, hasn't been easy. When they are sent to live with their grandparents, both girls make amends and try to make things right. But what Miranda wasn't expecting was to be dragged down, under the ocean, by someone incredibly strong that would mark her fate. Drugged and locked in a room, Miranda doesn't know where she is other than she has to marry Marko, King of Miran, a undersea city. Shocked and confused, Miranda wants nothing to do with the malevolent plan that is going to keep her captive. Her guard and the stranger that brought her to Miran in the first place, Robbie, feels bad for her and they form a tight bond. A bond that would bring unhappiness and danger to the both of them.

Marko's only hope is to safe his kingdom from his evil half-brother, Damir, and the destruction that he would bring to his people. To do so he and along with his sister decide to bring a human girl to Miran in order for them to marry and bear a child to protect the crown. What he wasn't expecting to see is a very stubborn girl that refuses to marry him at all. And it is his duty to make her see the good in what she can do if he marries him. 

There were a lot of things that I loved about this book, it's not only suspenseful, but it's also very romantic. Marin is a fascinating place that makes me want to move there! The relationship between Marko and Miranda isn't the best when they first met, they both are very much stubborn and refuse to see each other's side. But the more time they got to spend together, the more secrets are revealed and a whole new world starts to emerged. Vanessa Garden's story is beautifully written that makes the whole experience a lot more enjoyable to read. The ending was not what I was expecting to read, it left me with a bittersweet feeling. I wanted the story to continue, too bad it didn't. But I can't wait to read what happens next. I highly recommend everyone to give this book a try, you will not regret it. 

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

My Rating: