Book Review: The Bane (Eden #1) by Keary Taylor

Summary: 
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.

Release Date: March 5, 2013
Age Group: YA
Source: NetGalley

Review:
I've only read one of Keary Taylor's other novels, What I Didn't Say (read my review here) but comparing The Bane to What I Didn't Say is like comparing apples and oranges.  Both are YA novels, but completely different from each other.  

The Bane is a neat mix of sci-fi and dystopian fiction.  I had a little bit of trouble figuring out the history of the Evolution, as Taylor does not reveal all the details right away, but I liked the mystery element to the story.  And the premise of the world, the Bane and the humans, was very unique and quite terrifying. 

It took me a while to start liking Eve.  I admired her from the beginning, but she's not a very endearing character.  Side note: Are any female leads in YA dystopia in touch with their feelings?  They don't really have time to get emotional---being so busy trying to survive day-to-day, you know?

My one complaint about The Bane is that the story moved slowly for much of the book.  Now that I'm a mother to a toddler, I really need my books to grab me in the first few pages or I lose interest quickly.   It takes me so much longer to read a book than it used to, that it's easy for me to forget plot points in between reading sessions.  So I think I would have enjoyed this book even more had it been a little shorter or if it had really taken off at the beginning.  

I loved the love triangle in The Bane.  It was definitely a slow build, but I loved how Taylor resolved the conflict there.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the next book in the series.  



2 comments:

  1. yeah i agree. i'm like you, i have to have 'connection' in the earlier pages or else, it would be DNF.

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  2. Aw, sorry to hear that it moved slowly at first and it took a bit to understand the world, those are things that turn me off and make me not finish. Thanks for review though and glad to know there are other things that make it enjoyable.
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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