Forbidden Captive by Ashley Earley is a romance fantasy set in a magical realm inhabited by Vikings and shapeshifters. The story follows Zyra, a werewolf determined to prove her worth, who seizes an opportunity to assist her people by capturing a Viking wandering through their lands. This Viking turns out to be Riker, the disgraced Prince of the Vikings, who claims he is seeking refuge from his father, a bloodthirsty man willing to wage war to expand his territory. Despite Riker's warnings going unheeded, he saves Zyra during their mission to return him home. Riker desperately seeks an oracle to learn how to thwart his father's plans, which starts to earn Zyra's trust. As they work together, their bond strengthens, evolving from mutual respect and understanding into romantic feelings. However, their love faces challenges, including lies, betrayals, and rejection.

Forbidden Captive is a captivating tale that elevates the concept of forbidden love. Zyra and Riker grapple with their duties and instincts in pursuit of their relationship. I appreciate how they engaged in conversations about each other's species, realizing that much of what they knew was shaped by misconceptions. Ashley Earley has thoughtfully crafted this world, complete with its own languages, traditions, and maps of unexplored regions like the Annarr, which adds to the story's intrigue. The themes of belonging and acceptance resonate throughout, as Zyra feels alienated from other shapeshifters due to an ancient tale of a werewolf's betrayal. She desperately seeks acceptance, mirroring Riker's own struggles with being rejected for actions he did not commit. The narrative takes a surprising turn toward the end, revealing major secrets that will leave readers in shock. Overall, this is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in fantasy novels about forbidden love and heart-wrenching betrayals.

Forbidden Captive by Ashley Earley follows the journey of Riker, the Viking prince of Sandire, who is on the run, and Zyra, a shapeshifter striving for recognition among her kind. In this world, Vikings view shapeshifters as unruly animals and often kill them in ritual sacrifices, while shapeshifters are known to attack Vikings on sight. Both groups avoid each other's territories at all costs. When Zyra discovers Riker sneaking into Waylria, the land of shapeshifters, she is taken aback but manages to restrain him and bring him in as a prisoner. Riker claims he is on a mission to warn the shapeshifters of the Viking king's greed and evil plans to attack. However, Haiden, the chief of the shapeshifters, does not believe Riker's claims and instead assigns Zyra, along with two other shapeshifters, the task of returning him alive to Sandire, where his father will execute him for treason. Their journey does not go as planned, as Riker and Zyra begin to develop feelings for each other. They learn from an oracle that they may be the only ones with the power to stop their realm from impending doom.

Forbidden Captive is the first book in the Legends and Predators series, and it lays an intriguing foundation for future installments. Ashley Earley introduces readers to a captivating cast of characters and a mysterious world with a rich history. The story explores familiar themes of love, acceptance, prejudice, and survival. What made this book stand out was its memorable storyline, which was dynamic with unique characters facing emotional and complicated challenges. Riker and Zyra's relationship is beautifully portrayed as they struggle to resist their feelings for one another, but fate seems to have other plans for them. They trust each other and have developed a bond that I hope will continue to grow in the series. The narrative is engaging, with a smooth flow and unexpected plot twists that keep readers captivated. I am thoroughly invested in Riker and Zyra's love story and eager to read more about these characters. Great work!