Review: Ugh!
Rating: 1 out of 5
Date: 07 11, 2012
Dear sweet baby Jesus this was awful! I was not a real believer in the Devil's Roses book one; however, I believe in giving a series at least two books before totally deciding to give up on it. Unfortunatly, "Bane" was just plain awful. The characterizations were rushed, the story line was convoluted and to put it simply it was a 'hot mess.'I purchased books 1-3 at the same time. However, after reading this book, I immediately returned book 3 without reading it. Initially when I began reading "Bane" I was confused trying to figure out what it had to do with book one. Then, when Aimee's character was reintroduced I began gaining some understanding. This story is about Ari a girl who lived in New Mexico with her Uncle who she adored. He adopted her as a baby when her mother died and asked him to protect her. She is happy and well adjusted until she begins getting sick and her hands begin burning. With her touch, she is able to change the course or people's lives including her Uncle's and that of her own.After changing her live, Ari finds herself on the street as a druggie, prostitute, and abused teen. She is rescued and taken into the home of a witch named, Lydia. Lydia is loving and kind and with the help of her witch ghost nurse Ari back to health. Also living at Lydia's home is a band of misfit teens including shapeshifters, vampries and various other undead. One of the problems I had with this book is that within a few pages, Ari is suddenly in love with a shapeshifter Lucas. It was hard developing any real emotional attachment for their relationship because it was built basically on a few looks.Next, let's talk about the convoluted plot. It was simply all over the place. Ari has the memories of two different Ari's, the first well adjusted one and the second abused one. Then, in the story there are more Ari's. Ms. Brown uses sexual and drug abuse like it is nothing more than a garnish on a tray of appetizers (far less appealing). I was disgusted because it really did not add anything meaningful to the plot.I will admit that I was not a fan of how Brown mocks the bible and religion and it is admittedly because I am a Christian. I just found all of the postering and references to fallen angels to be less than idealic and more satanic. In short, I hated this book. Sorry, but the truth is the truth. Read it for yourself and decide. However, I have had enough of the roses. Life is too short to read bad books.