Book Review: The Bane by Keary Taylor

The Bane by Keary Taylor

Series: The Eden Trilogy #1

Genre: YA Apocalyptic

Publication Date: June 6, 2011

Publisher: Independently Published

Format: ebook

Pages: 352

Source: Received for review via Netgalley

Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won't stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction.

Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn't need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time.

Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind.

The Bane is The Terminator meets The Walking Dead with a heart-twisting romance.

Previously published as Eden, due to reader demand it has been revamped and rereleased as The Bane: book one in The Eden Trilogy. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

I'll admit, I was definitely hesitant to read this book at first, despite the fact that I requested this on NetGalley. I know that the whole apocalypse angle is one that needs to be approached carefully. And naturally, I'm weary of independently published books--I'm never really sure what to expect. But the concept sounded interesting, so I jumped in. I really am glad I did. Taylor has created a great book with a non-stop plot and fleshed out characters.

Though she blacks out quite a lot, Eve is a pretty tough girl. Okay, really tough. And she's always eager to throw herself into dangerous situations (if she thinks it will be beneficial to those around her). I'm not saying she's perfect. There were quite a few things about her that annoyed me, but all in all, I enjoyed being inside of her head. I liked that alongside the boy dilemma, she faced a moral dilemma. She knew that trying to juggle 2 guys wasn't right and she told both of them there could be no fraternizing until she made a decision. Avian and West are both great guys, and I was legitimately unsure at times who she was going to pick. There were different things about both boys that made Eve like them and I wasn't sure which she actually loved. I was pleased with her decision.

I think everything in this story was really thought-out. The characters' histories, the plot, the Banes. It was definitely an interesting world and I loved seeing how different the people in other areas lived.

And what good would an apocalypse be without some action? I really only like action when it is written well. Otherwise, my eyes just kind of skim the words and my brain floats off to a faraway land of unicorns and daffodils. Taylor writes some pretty epic stuff. The kind of action that carries the weight of the world on its shoulder, the kind with tension and fear and blood. There were certainly no unicorns or daffodils in my head while reading this.

Basically, this is a book that I enjoyed and I think you will too--if you're not completely worn out by apocalyptic and dystopian books.