DNF Review: Broken by Traci L. Slatton

Broken
Author: Traci Slatton
Reviewer: Una
Rating: DNF

What I’m Talking About:

Broken is the latest release by Traci Slatton. I was intrigued by the premise, but unfortunately I did not care for the book.  Between the contrast of flowery, romantic language and the atrocities of this time period, along with the overt sexual scenes and innuendoes side-by-side with political/historical discussions, I was never able to get into the story and ended up not finishing it.

The novel is told from the point of view of the fallen angel Aria.  Since it is told in first person present, I felt as if I was being told what was going on rather than allowing me to experience the journey with the characters.  But what really made me uncomfortable was the flowery language.  Broken reads with a heavy romantic essence, which contrasts with the ugliness of the events. The novel was further stifled in its flow due to the characters discussions regarding the war, politics, and current events.  However these discussions were entwined with sexual non sequiturs taking form in either innuendoes or actions.  These sexual overtures added to my discomfort while the discussions left me disinterested and bored.

I did not think that this story would be rainbows and roses.  The history and horrors of this time period are understood enough that I didn’t think I would be spared the ugly realities of war – especially considering the characters and their plight.  But I didn’t think I would the story would contain such graphic detail.  The rape that occurs at the 50% mark was not something I was expecting, and it was overly graphic.  My stomach was just as nauseated as the character’s.  This moment was awful enough, but knowing that these forced interludes continued throughout the book, and that the character tries to find respite in another, was distasteful to me.  Though it seems the ongoing rape affects the character, the fact that she tries to continue as if it did not happen, bothers me greatly.  Especially when a few pages later, it seems this character is most happily engaging in sexual intercourse and firmly in denial.

At the 67% mark, my stomach turned so much, I could not continue reading.  There is yet another graphic scene; the torture of a man and the introduction of another rape.  Maybe others can read this without the disgust and horror I experienced, but I do not see how this can be described as a love story.  What people experienced during this time in history was horrifying, and though I know of the atrocities committed, I do not wish to relive them in graphic detail.

My Rating:  DNF: Did Not Finish

About the Book:

Power is pornographic

Can love sustain light when the forces of evil close in?

Paris, 1939-1942. A fallen angel is trapped in the web of German Occupation. The deadly noose of Nazi control grows ever tighter, ensnaring her and two of her lovers, a bullfighter and a musician working in the fledgling Resistance. Can she save them and the Jewish widow and her child that she has come to love, or will betrayal take them all?

Release Date: September 5, 2014
Publisher: Pavarti Press
ISBN: #978-0986061165
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (159 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author

Purchase Info:
Broken