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Broken
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?
159 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2014
5 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Traci L. Slatton
17 books245 followersTraci L. Slatton, author of FALLEN and COLD LIGHT, is a graduate of Yale (84) and Columbia (88). She lives in Manhattan, and her love for Renaissance Italy inspired her historical novel IMMORTAL and her contemporary vampire art history mystery THE BOTTICELLI AFFAIR. FALLEN is the first in a romantic trilogy set during the end times; COLD LIGHT and FAR SHORE further the dystopian tale. DANCING IN THE TABERNACLE is her first book of poetry. She also wrote a sculpture book, THE ART OF LIFE, with her husband. THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE is a bittersweet rom-com that addresses the question: What worlds would you move to be with your soulmate?
Her latest book is a manual for do-it-yourselfers entitled HOW TO WRITE, PUBLISH, AND MARKET YOUR BOOK YOURSELF, A Manual for the courageous and persistent.
For more information please visit http://www.tracilslatton.com
Her latest book is a manual for do-it-yourselfers entitled HOW TO WRITE, PUBLISH, AND MARKET YOUR BOOK YOURSELF, A Manual for the courageous and persistent.
For more information please visit http://www.tracilslatton.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 1, 2014
A fallen angel lives as an Earthbound woman, enjoying the pleasures of the flesh during a tumultuous period of time. Hitler is advancing while Alia lives the life of a free Parisian, making friends with some historical figures of the time. After making friends with a Jewish family, she sees a way back to grace.
This is a very adult book with steamy scenes. There is also non-consensual moments - and Nazis - get the picture?
This book was really a whirlwind of different components. the first third was hot and sweaty and I liked the idea of an angel falling from grace to wind up as free-living Parisian who fed from her partner's aura while love making. Her sexual desire couldn't be satiated, but it was also the time period and the locale which fit. It was acceptable. The next third focused on impending doom with the Nazis rolling in and the rounding up of Jews in France. The final third was filled with emotion - despair, hope, Viva la Resistance!
I didn't expect the end. Nope, didn't see it coming at all. This one little moment in time, when a starving little boy holds Alia's hand in the middle of a Jewish camp, waiting to be deported. That one little boy...
Ties it all together nicely.
This is a very adult book with steamy scenes. There is also non-consensual moments - and Nazis - get the picture?
This book was really a whirlwind of different components. the first third was hot and sweaty and I liked the idea of an angel falling from grace to wind up as free-living Parisian who fed from her partner's aura while love making. Her sexual desire couldn't be satiated, but it was also the time period and the locale which fit. It was acceptable. The next third focused on impending doom with the Nazis rolling in and the rounding up of Jews in France. The final third was filled with emotion - despair, hope, Viva la Resistance!
I didn't expect the end. Nope, didn't see it coming at all. This one little moment in time, when a starving little boy holds Alia's hand in the middle of a Jewish camp, waiting to be deported. That one little boy...
Ties it all together nicely.
September 29, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. No other consideration was offered, expected or received.
When Worldwind sent out the email for this one, I was immediately hooked by the cover (wow!) and the line "Power is pornographic" written on it. The fact that there was a fallen angel involved during World War II just made it even more exciting for me and I was delighted when I finally had a chance to sit down and read it.
It is a really powerful book - it's very interesting to see how things unfurl around her throughout the story, to see how a fallen angel lives - and her "relationship" with the Archangel Michael, as well as the people in her life, was something I enjoyed finding out more about. The story, as a whole, was something you don't see out there and I enjoyed the different point of view on the war itself and how it effected people in France.
Those are the reasons I loved the book and would recommend it to everyone. And now for the reasons that I did not like it ...
Alia. Come sit down with me for a moment. We need to talk. When we start out the story, you were a little boring. I'm not quite sure what you did that made me come to that conclusion, but then you entered the bar, and then the alley and, well, I just wanted to smack you. YOU are a fallen angel having sex with a human, which is forbidden, in an alley. An ALLEY! Words like "perineum" and "décolletage" just seem out of place in that scenario. "There is a stretch in my hip flexor and the deep inner muscle band of my psoas, that alchemical meeting ground of pain and ecstasy, melts. The body ripples and stretches." Really? I'm not really a fan of sex scenes, but this one really seems medical, awkward and uncomfortable. And it gets worse. "I wipe off his spend with my hand and then scrape off my hand on the limestone wall." How utterly lady-like. o_O Later you think "...and the feel of his body, warm and solid, skin over fascia over muscle and bone, causes a hitch in my respiration." Maybe it's just me... *shrugs* I think I would have liked the book a whole lot more if the description of your trysts was just a little more believable.
Favorite line: "I have learned that people keep talking if you let them and silence squeezes forth the juice of the moment."
When Worldwind sent out the email for this one, I was immediately hooked by the cover (wow!) and the line "Power is pornographic" written on it. The fact that there was a fallen angel involved during World War II just made it even more exciting for me and I was delighted when I finally had a chance to sit down and read it.
It is a really powerful book - it's very interesting to see how things unfurl around her throughout the story, to see how a fallen angel lives - and her "relationship" with the Archangel Michael, as well as the people in her life, was something I enjoyed finding out more about. The story, as a whole, was something you don't see out there and I enjoyed the different point of view on the war itself and how it effected people in France.
Those are the reasons I loved the book and would recommend it to everyone. And now for the reasons that I did not like it ...
Alia. Come sit down with me for a moment. We need to talk. When we start out the story, you were a little boring. I'm not quite sure what you did that made me come to that conclusion, but then you entered the bar, and then the alley and, well, I just wanted to smack you. YOU are a fallen angel having sex with a human, which is forbidden, in an alley. An ALLEY! Words like "perineum" and "décolletage" just seem out of place in that scenario. "There is a stretch in my hip flexor and the deep inner muscle band of my psoas, that alchemical meeting ground of pain and ecstasy, melts. The body ripples and stretches." Really? I'm not really a fan of sex scenes, but this one really seems medical, awkward and uncomfortable. And it gets worse. "I wipe off his spend with my hand and then scrape off my hand on the limestone wall." How utterly lady-like. o_O Later you think "...and the feel of his body, warm and solid, skin over fascia over muscle and bone, causes a hitch in my respiration." Maybe it's just me... *shrugs* I think I would have liked the book a whole lot more if the description of your trysts was just a little more believable.
Favorite line: "I have learned that people keep talking if you let them and silence squeezes forth the juice of the moment."
July 31, 2014
Thank you to Parvati Press for providing me with an egalley copy to review.
It’s difficult to write a book about the Holocaust, especially fictional. It’s a subject that leaves a lot of room to explore the human nature and the emotional aspects of it, such as guilt and fear. When I read the summary of this book I thought it would be an interesting approach to the subject, involving an angel into it. But the ambiguity of the short summary must’ve left a little too much room for the imagination to kick in, because the finished product didn’t quite live up to the expectations I had.
My main issue was with the angel Alia herself and the way her character was written. It’s understandable that a fallen angel, once in human form, would indulge themselves in the human pleasures of life, namely intercourse. But for that to be present in almost every single chapter, as well as appearing right in the beginning, it created a rather negative association with Alia for me. She felt a bit too addicted and maniac in that regard and the explanation of her being a fallen angel just didn’t cut it. I’ve heard that German soldiers requested “favors” from girls, so that part between her and the Gestapo wasn’t a surprise for me, but the fact that it was a rather strong staple for this story turned me off as a reader. It wasn’t the emotional, dramatic kind of story that I expected. The beginning sprinkled a dislike for several of the characters, especially Alia and her bullfighter lover Pedro, and once I had those kinds of associations with them it was hard to change.
There were also famous real characters in this book, like Edith Piaff, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Coco Chanel that had their small roles in the story and that I understood, but for them to be shown in the manner that they were contrasted with the association I had with them. The scene with Dali with his lower part of the body naked raised an eyebrow. Perhaps the author did this to juxtapose the different lives people lives, such as Alia and her artistic, lush life with her friends, and those who had to hide and feared for their life. Or maybe it was to show a side to these famous people that could make people wonder whether or not their truly can assume what Dali was like. Those two thoughts were the only reasons why I let that slide because if I had to judge solely on my own emotions then I didn’t enjoy reading about their party lifestyle and the way in which these famous figures were depicted.
Lost potential – that’s what I would describe this book as. It was a simple enough storyline that, if executed well, could’ve drawn so many emotions from the reader. The writing was a plus because the details of horror that were committed were omitted in this story, so it was a much more soft-core kind of novel. But I didn’t have that kind of emotional response. Granted I did feel disgusted more than once throughout the story, but at the end I was left feeling like there could’ve been more. More about Alia’s background and her life before she fell – those few lines about her and Michael didn’t suffice and didn’t answer many questions either. It was more of a rush to get the whole story over with rather than to take time and add in details and establish a connection between the readers and the characters.
It definitely has potential in the latter aspect. I personally didn’t enjoy the main character herself though maybe others will, maybe they’ll find her to be an example of how angels are not that different from humans; who knows? This is a book that tries to offer something new in the area of fiction on the Holocaust, but struggles to scramble through until the end while dragging the reader behind it on a marathon they didn’t necessarily sign up for.
It’s difficult to write a book about the Holocaust, especially fictional. It’s a subject that leaves a lot of room to explore the human nature and the emotional aspects of it, such as guilt and fear. When I read the summary of this book I thought it would be an interesting approach to the subject, involving an angel into it. But the ambiguity of the short summary must’ve left a little too much room for the imagination to kick in, because the finished product didn’t quite live up to the expectations I had.
My main issue was with the angel Alia herself and the way her character was written. It’s understandable that a fallen angel, once in human form, would indulge themselves in the human pleasures of life, namely intercourse. But for that to be present in almost every single chapter, as well as appearing right in the beginning, it created a rather negative association with Alia for me. She felt a bit too addicted and maniac in that regard and the explanation of her being a fallen angel just didn’t cut it. I’ve heard that German soldiers requested “favors” from girls, so that part between her and the Gestapo wasn’t a surprise for me, but the fact that it was a rather strong staple for this story turned me off as a reader. It wasn’t the emotional, dramatic kind of story that I expected. The beginning sprinkled a dislike for several of the characters, especially Alia and her bullfighter lover Pedro, and once I had those kinds of associations with them it was hard to change.
There were also famous real characters in this book, like Edith Piaff, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Coco Chanel that had their small roles in the story and that I understood, but for them to be shown in the manner that they were contrasted with the association I had with them. The scene with Dali with his lower part of the body naked raised an eyebrow. Perhaps the author did this to juxtapose the different lives people lives, such as Alia and her artistic, lush life with her friends, and those who had to hide and feared for their life. Or maybe it was to show a side to these famous people that could make people wonder whether or not their truly can assume what Dali was like. Those two thoughts were the only reasons why I let that slide because if I had to judge solely on my own emotions then I didn’t enjoy reading about their party lifestyle and the way in which these famous figures were depicted.
Lost potential – that’s what I would describe this book as. It was a simple enough storyline that, if executed well, could’ve drawn so many emotions from the reader. The writing was a plus because the details of horror that were committed were omitted in this story, so it was a much more soft-core kind of novel. But I didn’t have that kind of emotional response. Granted I did feel disgusted more than once throughout the story, but at the end I was left feeling like there could’ve been more. More about Alia’s background and her life before she fell – those few lines about her and Michael didn’t suffice and didn’t answer many questions either. It was more of a rush to get the whole story over with rather than to take time and add in details and establish a connection between the readers and the characters.
It definitely has potential in the latter aspect. I personally didn’t enjoy the main character herself though maybe others will, maybe they’ll find her to be an example of how angels are not that different from humans; who knows? This is a book that tries to offer something new in the area of fiction on the Holocaust, but struggles to scramble through until the end while dragging the reader behind it on a marathon they didn’t necessarily sign up for.
January 2, 2015
I received an advance reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Historical fiction, I have to admit is an uncharted territory, I can not go on claiming I am adept at it, I was only able to scratch the surface, and so because of this, I took a challenge to read this book, see if my young love for historical fiction will bloom, did it? Absolutely yes, this book made me want to read tons of historical fiction.
I was engrossed by the fact that it involved fallen angels, to me it was something out of the ordinary. The first few pages engulfed me and got me hooked, not by the premise alone, but because of the majestic way of how it was so well-written, I kid you not, the chosen words were flawless, the description of the scenes were vivid, You will fall in love with how each sentences were written.
The story started off with Alia, a fallen angel who found refuge into the body of a beautiful woman. Using the body for whatever pleasure she wanted and same pleasure she then returns to another. She lived through fornication, bedding different men - and yes sometimes women. At this point I should have stopped reading. It's not that I am a sensitive reader, it is just that books with themes like it, are not really my cup of tea, but then there is also this part of me that is eager to learn how will the story progress and I am glad I was able to get past that stage where I was contemplating on continuing or not. I have learned that yes it contains explicit scenes, but the story did not mainly revolve around it. There was far more beautiful story that was brewing, that was the when the Germans took over Paris and Alia is now presented with the predicament on how to protect all the people she values and loves.
As the story progresses, I noticed that there were quite a few scenes that the book can do without. I was a little undecided if I am liking or hating the fact that i had the barest of idea to where the story is taking me, I guess it felt like the story has been dragging on and I could not find the resolution of it all. Also I badly wanted to see where Alia - being a fallen angel comes into play, well aside from the fact the she can see visions and all that, and she could warn them of the impending harm, I guess this fact that she was once an angel can be dispensed with, I mean the book would have been the same if Alia had been just a normal woman. I just thought the fantasy part of the story did not mix well with the story, if for anything - it was put there to make everything seemed convenient. It was not until the last part that the fact that she was a fallen angel played an important part, however again that ending lacked something I cannot quite put my finger into. It felt like the ending was rushed. \
All in all, I still enjoyed the book and it would not be the last book by the author that I will be reading.
Human beings are complex creatures, caught up in great arcs of cause and effect and poised at the very center of a battle between love and separation.
I was engrossed by the fact that it involved fallen angels, to me it was something out of the ordinary. The first few pages engulfed me and got me hooked, not by the premise alone, but because of the majestic way of how it was so well-written, I kid you not, the chosen words were flawless, the description of the scenes were vivid, You will fall in love with how each sentences were written.
The story started off with Alia, a fallen angel who found refuge into the body of a beautiful woman. Using the body for whatever pleasure she wanted and same pleasure she then returns to another. She lived through fornication, bedding different men - and yes sometimes women. At this point I should have stopped reading. It's not that I am a sensitive reader, it is just that books with themes like it, are not really my cup of tea, but then there is also this part of me that is eager to learn how will the story progress and I am glad I was able to get past that stage where I was contemplating on continuing or not. I have learned that yes it contains explicit scenes, but the story did not mainly revolve around it. There was far more beautiful story that was brewing, that was the when the Germans took over Paris and Alia is now presented with the predicament on how to protect all the people she values and loves.
As the story progresses, I noticed that there were quite a few scenes that the book can do without. I was a little undecided if I am liking or hating the fact that i had the barest of idea to where the story is taking me, I guess it felt like the story has been dragging on and I could not find the resolution of it all. Also I badly wanted to see where Alia - being a fallen angel comes into play, well aside from the fact the she can see visions and all that, and she could warn them of the impending harm, I guess this fact that she was once an angel can be dispensed with, I mean the book would have been the same if Alia had been just a normal woman. I just thought the fantasy part of the story did not mix well with the story, if for anything - it was put there to make everything seemed convenient. It was not until the last part that the fact that she was a fallen angel played an important part, however again that ending lacked something I cannot quite put my finger into. It felt like the ending was rushed. \
All in all, I still enjoyed the book and it would not be the last book by the author that I will be reading.
Human beings are complex creatures, caught up in great arcs of cause and effect and poised at the very center of a battle between love and separation.
August 31, 2014
I’ve always liked reading historical fiction but personally I’ve never liked reading books about WWII. There’s so many atrocities in that war that I usually can’t face a novel set during that time. However, when I read the synopsis of this book, there was just something about it that caught my attention. I don’t know if it’s the idea of a fallen angel living in occupied Paris or if it’s the idea of a novel about a fallen angel in love with two completely different men, but it just felt like I was about to read something special. Although the story was definitely not what I expect, it was truly original. I think it takes a special mind to come up with a story like this one. It shocked me multiple times, brought me to tears, and provided good entertainment.
The main character, Alia, is the fallen angel in question. As a protagonist, she’s not my favorite because her carefree attitude in the beginning of the novel makes us feel like she doesn’t take the war seriously enough. For her, she’s just passing through, telling herself that she’s not affected by the lives of the humans surrounding her. She’s simply using them for her enjoyment since she has no more obligations as a fallen angel. She does eventually redeem herself multiple times throughout the book, since the book is in part her “transformation” from angel to a human.
Pedro and Josef are the two men Alia gets romantically involved with, that have proven time and time again their worth and their ability to sacrifice their lives for the good of the people. Although I can’t really tell you who she ends up choosing without revealing major spoilers I can tell you either man is a worthy choice for any woman (or angel in this case). Traci L. Slatton took a huge risk by adding eroticism to some of the love scenes but personally I think it’s a great way to balance out the horrors of war. These opposites are strange because it’s unexpected but the love story does provide a way to escape into the story without being overwhelmed by the hostility of the occupation.
One of the aspects that I truly appreciated is the addition of real historical people in the novel. The author included people like Edith Piaf and Coco Chanel, among many others, in her novel and it added some authenticity to the story. Edith Piaf and Coco are the ones that stood out the most for me because they are among some of my favorite French celebrities. Obviously Edith Piaf’s music will live on forever because of her unique voice and amazing talent, while Coco Chanel is known for revolutionizing women’s fashion and beauty. I could go on and on about Chanel because I’m a huge fan of the fragrances and make-up (I can’t afford the clothes so I must fuss about things that are a little less expensive) but I’m not going to turn this post into a beauty/fashion post. Suffice to say, the author certainly got a thumbs up from me for including these celebrities.
I wasn’t sure where the author was going with her novel near the end, and although I’m still not sure if it’s the perfect ending to the story, I think the conclusion allows the readers to reevaluate human life and to understand why some of us are driven to courageous acts. I don’t think BROKEN is so much about how WWII broke the spirits of so many people but about how some were able to overcome so much and still able to piece themselves back together. It’s obvious the author researched her subject thoroughly because the historical references seem accurate. I’m no historian, but ignoring the fictional elements, the war elements were very realistic. Please note that the book does contain some explicit scenes and some dark themes that are not suitable for everyone, however I do recommend it to anyone in the mood for something dark yet enlightening. BROKEN left me a bit confused because even though I enjoyed it, it’s not your everyday paranormal read. I have nothing to compare it to, and it’s hard to define it, but I guess that’s what makes it so stunning because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read.
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The main character, Alia, is the fallen angel in question. As a protagonist, she’s not my favorite because her carefree attitude in the beginning of the novel makes us feel like she doesn’t take the war seriously enough. For her, she’s just passing through, telling herself that she’s not affected by the lives of the humans surrounding her. She’s simply using them for her enjoyment since she has no more obligations as a fallen angel. She does eventually redeem herself multiple times throughout the book, since the book is in part her “transformation” from angel to a human.
Pedro and Josef are the two men Alia gets romantically involved with, that have proven time and time again their worth and their ability to sacrifice their lives for the good of the people. Although I can’t really tell you who she ends up choosing without revealing major spoilers I can tell you either man is a worthy choice for any woman (or angel in this case). Traci L. Slatton took a huge risk by adding eroticism to some of the love scenes but personally I think it’s a great way to balance out the horrors of war. These opposites are strange because it’s unexpected but the love story does provide a way to escape into the story without being overwhelmed by the hostility of the occupation.
One of the aspects that I truly appreciated is the addition of real historical people in the novel. The author included people like Edith Piaf and Coco Chanel, among many others, in her novel and it added some authenticity to the story. Edith Piaf and Coco are the ones that stood out the most for me because they are among some of my favorite French celebrities. Obviously Edith Piaf’s music will live on forever because of her unique voice and amazing talent, while Coco Chanel is known for revolutionizing women’s fashion and beauty. I could go on and on about Chanel because I’m a huge fan of the fragrances and make-up (I can’t afford the clothes so I must fuss about things that are a little less expensive) but I’m not going to turn this post into a beauty/fashion post. Suffice to say, the author certainly got a thumbs up from me for including these celebrities.
I wasn’t sure where the author was going with her novel near the end, and although I’m still not sure if it’s the perfect ending to the story, I think the conclusion allows the readers to reevaluate human life and to understand why some of us are driven to courageous acts. I don’t think BROKEN is so much about how WWII broke the spirits of so many people but about how some were able to overcome so much and still able to piece themselves back together. It’s obvious the author researched her subject thoroughly because the historical references seem accurate. I’m no historian, but ignoring the fictional elements, the war elements were very realistic. Please note that the book does contain some explicit scenes and some dark themes that are not suitable for everyone, however I do recommend it to anyone in the mood for something dark yet enlightening. BROKEN left me a bit confused because even though I enjoyed it, it’s not your everyday paranormal read. I have nothing to compare it to, and it’s hard to define it, but I guess that’s what makes it so stunning because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read.
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨¨°º©©º°¨¨¨¨¨¨
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
October 16, 2014
Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Broken' by Traci L. Slatton.
The time of 1939-1943 was a time of danger and intrigue in Paris. The German occupation created controls unused to in the city of love. While many Jews perished there were others, those who cared to try and protect them and their rights, who too disappeared never to be heard of again.
In Broken by Traci L. Slatton, we are given a view of the times through the eyes of a fallen angel. Having lost her twin Ariel, Alia makes a choice to become human. Not sure if her choice of times is intentional, she loses herself in lust and fornication. Parties and orgies are the means of her escape from her pain and loneliness. The danger of the times creates an added thrill, and yet she has inner anguish and questions that drag her down. Even in her falling, she is watched over by Archangel Michael. He can see the true nature and is disturbed by the turn of events.
Yet he can only watch, aware just how vulnerable she had made herself. She toys with men and two of her favorite lovers are Pedro a bullfighter, and Josef a musician. She has become very close to her neighbor Suzanne, a young Jewish widow, and her daughter Cecile. Alia soon realizes that she would do anything to ease their pain and fear.
Yet as her lovers both join the resistance and the Nazis come knocking on doors, Alia works hard to find a way to save Suzanne and her daughter. As she moves forward she too becomes a danger, both to them and to herself. As her other friends flee Paris, she must stay and find a way to rescue them, but can she. As torture and pain create those who would do anything to escape the treachery, will betrayal of those closest to her be the end.
While Arch Angel Michael warns her of her doom, she too has visions of how things will be as differing turns are taken. Can she make the right choices and save them all, or is it too late.
Slatton has created characters that seem to leap off the page, and the danger of the time is palpable. The cruelty displayed raises the hair on your neck, and creates a knot in the pit of your stomach. In the beginning you don’t know if you will like Alia, and as the story progresses you begin rooting for her. While she continues her lifestyle, there is so much bravery and pain behind the façade.
The passion and egos of the Parisians depicted is both alarming and bold. Sex, alcohol and drugs are the rules of their group, and their friendships often borders on the absurd.
If you enjoy heat and passion with erotica and danger you will find this to your liking. It is riddled with bits of history and twisted into a paranormal tale, full of greed, romance and a beauty that shines through in the form of Cecile. Her character seems to break the pall that surrounds Alia and helps her move beyond the darkness of her soul.
There is a deadly menace as well, creeping forward and devouring all that is pure and innocent. Inexorably the Jews are hunted and their supporters as well. The times were horrible for so many, leaving broken homes and families in the wake of Germany’s fury.
The time of 1939-1943 was a time of danger and intrigue in Paris. The German occupation created controls unused to in the city of love. While many Jews perished there were others, those who cared to try and protect them and their rights, who too disappeared never to be heard of again.
In Broken by Traci L. Slatton, we are given a view of the times through the eyes of a fallen angel. Having lost her twin Ariel, Alia makes a choice to become human. Not sure if her choice of times is intentional, she loses herself in lust and fornication. Parties and orgies are the means of her escape from her pain and loneliness. The danger of the times creates an added thrill, and yet she has inner anguish and questions that drag her down. Even in her falling, she is watched over by Archangel Michael. He can see the true nature and is disturbed by the turn of events.
Yet he can only watch, aware just how vulnerable she had made herself. She toys with men and two of her favorite lovers are Pedro a bullfighter, and Josef a musician. She has become very close to her neighbor Suzanne, a young Jewish widow, and her daughter Cecile. Alia soon realizes that she would do anything to ease their pain and fear.
Yet as her lovers both join the resistance and the Nazis come knocking on doors, Alia works hard to find a way to save Suzanne and her daughter. As she moves forward she too becomes a danger, both to them and to herself. As her other friends flee Paris, she must stay and find a way to rescue them, but can she. As torture and pain create those who would do anything to escape the treachery, will betrayal of those closest to her be the end.
While Arch Angel Michael warns her of her doom, she too has visions of how things will be as differing turns are taken. Can she make the right choices and save them all, or is it too late.
Slatton has created characters that seem to leap off the page, and the danger of the time is palpable. The cruelty displayed raises the hair on your neck, and creates a knot in the pit of your stomach. In the beginning you don’t know if you will like Alia, and as the story progresses you begin rooting for her. While she continues her lifestyle, there is so much bravery and pain behind the façade.
The passion and egos of the Parisians depicted is both alarming and bold. Sex, alcohol and drugs are the rules of their group, and their friendships often borders on the absurd.
If you enjoy heat and passion with erotica and danger you will find this to your liking. It is riddled with bits of history and twisted into a paranormal tale, full of greed, romance and a beauty that shines through in the form of Cecile. Her character seems to break the pall that surrounds Alia and helps her move beyond the darkness of her soul.
There is a deadly menace as well, creeping forward and devouring all that is pure and innocent. Inexorably the Jews are hunted and their supporters as well. The times were horrible for so many, leaving broken homes and families in the wake of Germany’s fury.
August 21, 2014
Hitler is terrorizing the world and his current stop is Paris, home to many ethnic groups, a melting pot for the arts and those who live the Bohemian lifestyle of excess. In their midst is a fallen angel who makes it her mission to keep those she loves safe from the future visions she has seen, no matter what it takes. Broken by Traci L. Slatton is a dark tale of pain, loss and a love strong enough to risk everything to save those who need saving the most. Will it also be a form of redemption for Alia, angel who has fallen from the graces of Heaven?
Alia has been returned to Earth, taking on a human form. A poet who writes from the depths of her soul, Alia is living a life of open and casual sex, excessive drinking and rubbing elbows with others in the arts. When she befriends a young Jewish girl and her widowed mother, life takes on a different meaning for Alia as she faces the losses of her past and the unspeakable horrors innocents are facing under the growing regime Hitler has spewed across borders. A fragile resistance is spreading and lives that are dear to her will be lost if she doesn’t take action. How does one choose who will live and who will die and believe that choice will be for the best? Can she survive her choice? Will the occupying troops force her hand?
Don’t expect a normal run-of-the-mill fallen angel tale that zooms on past, settle in for a deep thinking read to savor and get lost in. Traci L. Slatton has added her own artistic touch as she paints a deeply moving and unique tale filled with dark drama as we are invited to feel Alia’s feelings, hear her thoughts and see the world through her eyes as the scenery changes with each detailed page. Ms. Slatton has taken on a dark time in history and brought it to life through her characters and her words, lavish with intense prose and emotion. The essence of this era, the atmospheric way it is presented is like a trip back in time to another country, another way of thinking. If you enjoy a tale that feels like a piece of sculpture with its defined lines and solid feel, Broken is a dark tale that will draw you in and rattle your senses as it refuses to let you go. We all like different types of art, modern, Renaissance, whatever, but when a piece of art hits you, no matter the medium, it draws you in and stays with you long after you’ve finished viewing it, standing in awe of the artist’s talents. That is how I feel about Traci L. Slatton’s work, a little different, very deep and memorable.
Publication Date: September 5, 2014
Publisher: Parvati Press
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Available from: Amazon
Alia has been returned to Earth, taking on a human form. A poet who writes from the depths of her soul, Alia is living a life of open and casual sex, excessive drinking and rubbing elbows with others in the arts. When she befriends a young Jewish girl and her widowed mother, life takes on a different meaning for Alia as she faces the losses of her past and the unspeakable horrors innocents are facing under the growing regime Hitler has spewed across borders. A fragile resistance is spreading and lives that are dear to her will be lost if she doesn’t take action. How does one choose who will live and who will die and believe that choice will be for the best? Can she survive her choice? Will the occupying troops force her hand?
Don’t expect a normal run-of-the-mill fallen angel tale that zooms on past, settle in for a deep thinking read to savor and get lost in. Traci L. Slatton has added her own artistic touch as she paints a deeply moving and unique tale filled with dark drama as we are invited to feel Alia’s feelings, hear her thoughts and see the world through her eyes as the scenery changes with each detailed page. Ms. Slatton has taken on a dark time in history and brought it to life through her characters and her words, lavish with intense prose and emotion. The essence of this era, the atmospheric way it is presented is like a trip back in time to another country, another way of thinking. If you enjoy a tale that feels like a piece of sculpture with its defined lines and solid feel, Broken is a dark tale that will draw you in and rattle your senses as it refuses to let you go. We all like different types of art, modern, Renaissance, whatever, but when a piece of art hits you, no matter the medium, it draws you in and stays with you long after you’ve finished viewing it, standing in awe of the artist’s talents. That is how I feel about Traci L. Slatton’s work, a little different, very deep and memorable.
Publication Date: September 5, 2014
Publisher: Parvati Press
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Available from: Amazon
October 2, 2014
Originally posted on Drunk On Pop
This is book is not my cup of tea. This is not a book that I would have ever picked up for myself. It is historical fiction (which I normally avoid) and there is far more sex and other erotic things than I would have liked in a book about nazis. With that said, I cannot deny how well written this book is, and I cannot pretend that I didn’t like it, because I did. I very much liked it. The story flowed exceptionally well and I felt so strongly for all of the characters – whether that be hatred, love, sympathy, or a mix of all three. This is an incredibly dark story – as it should be. There is no way to take what Hitler and his army did and make it airy and light.
There was too much french in the book for me. There were several words and phrases that I had absolutely no idea what they meant, and several of those times I felt as though these words and phrases were possibly important in relation to the events happening in the story. As I said, there was also too much sex for my taste. I mean, I read 50 Shades of Grey (though that sex was incredibly boring to read) so it’s not the existence of sex that bothered me, so much as I felt the story was strong enough to stand on its own. The word pussy also really grosses me out, I don’t know why. There were some moments where the sexual acts were incredibly necessary, so I will not consider this a negative so much as a personal preference. I also felt as though the fallen angel bit was unnecessary as well. Traci L. Slatton did such a wonderful job of telling this story that I almost would have preferred it if Alia were just a normal girl. The story would have been completely different, though, as many events and major plot points existed because of her “gift”. I suppose what I am trying to say is that because this was already so out of the box for me, I would have preferred it to JUST be historical fiction and to have left the erotica and paranormal aspects out of it. Again, personal preferences.
After seeing how wonderful of a write Traci is, I am very much interested in reading some of her other books. I felt like the ending happened much faster than I was ready for and I would have preferred to find out what happened to the other characters. With that said, the ending tied together the other aspects of the book that I wasn’t incredibly fond of (the whole angel thing) and it made sense. So while, like I said, it wasn’t “my cup of tea” it was very well thought out and executed wonderfully.
PLEASE NOTE: I received a free ARC (advanced reader’s copy) of this book from the author, Traci L. Slatton, and Worldwind Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions held within this review are my own thoughts and feelings and do not reflect upon anyone else.
For more reviews like this one, visit my blog Drunk On Pop!
This is book is not my cup of tea. This is not a book that I would have ever picked up for myself. It is historical fiction (which I normally avoid) and there is far more sex and other erotic things than I would have liked in a book about nazis. With that said, I cannot deny how well written this book is, and I cannot pretend that I didn’t like it, because I did. I very much liked it. The story flowed exceptionally well and I felt so strongly for all of the characters – whether that be hatred, love, sympathy, or a mix of all three. This is an incredibly dark story – as it should be. There is no way to take what Hitler and his army did and make it airy and light.
There was too much french in the book for me. There were several words and phrases that I had absolutely no idea what they meant, and several of those times I felt as though these words and phrases were possibly important in relation to the events happening in the story. As I said, there was also too much sex for my taste. I mean, I read 50 Shades of Grey (though that sex was incredibly boring to read) so it’s not the existence of sex that bothered me, so much as I felt the story was strong enough to stand on its own. The word pussy also really grosses me out, I don’t know why. There were some moments where the sexual acts were incredibly necessary, so I will not consider this a negative so much as a personal preference. I also felt as though the fallen angel bit was unnecessary as well. Traci L. Slatton did such a wonderful job of telling this story that I almost would have preferred it if Alia were just a normal girl. The story would have been completely different, though, as many events and major plot points existed because of her “gift”. I suppose what I am trying to say is that because this was already so out of the box for me, I would have preferred it to JUST be historical fiction and to have left the erotica and paranormal aspects out of it. Again, personal preferences.
After seeing how wonderful of a write Traci is, I am very much interested in reading some of her other books. I felt like the ending happened much faster than I was ready for and I would have preferred to find out what happened to the other characters. With that said, the ending tied together the other aspects of the book that I wasn’t incredibly fond of (the whole angel thing) and it made sense. So while, like I said, it wasn’t “my cup of tea” it was very well thought out and executed wonderfully.
PLEASE NOTE: I received a free ARC (advanced reader’s copy) of this book from the author, Traci L. Slatton, and Worldwind Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions held within this review are my own thoughts and feelings and do not reflect upon anyone else.
For more reviews like this one, visit my blog Drunk On Pop!
September 7, 2014
4.25 stars
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 5, 2014
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?
~~~~~~~~~
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--BROKEN is an historical, fictionalized, paranormal storyline that focuses on a fallen angel known as Alia. In the weeks and months leading up to the Nazi occupation of Paris, France during WW II, Alia and her Bohemian friends party like no one is watching. Alia is a watcher-a fallen angel who can see what humans cannot-and a being who absorbs the essence and energy from the people around her.
The storyline is awash in a considerable amount of historical fact and fiction. Beginning in 1939 Alia and her friends take full advantage of the Paris night life and everything it has to offer-plenty of alcohol, plenty of sex and a lifestyle acquainted with the rich, the famous and the infamous. But all too soon, the once fabled Fuhrer and his Nazi party take control of Paris while Alia and her friends must take refuge before their true identities and heritage are revealed.
Traci L. Slatton has written a storyline that is extensively detailed in both WWII and Holocaust history as well as religious overtones and Christian beliefs. Not only does a fallen angel find herself at the mercy of the Nazi party but she discovers that she is fallible to the party demands.
The numerous secondary characters are Bohemian and aristocratic in nature-almost Bourgeoisie. Their artistic lifestyle sets the backdrop for a group of people (both famous and unknown) who believe they are excluded from the incoming hell only to realize, sometimes too late, that no one is safe from the storm. While Europe prepares for war, Alia and her friends wax philosophical the finer points of religion, politics and the Nazi Party. With the introduction of some real-life famous characters and artistes of the twentieth century the storyline spun in a decidedly different direction.
One concern is the paranormal aspect of the storyline and the lack of any real connection to the actual premise. The supernatural element is secondary and does not add anything to the overall plot-it does not play a significant or important role in the overall presentation. Alia is a fallen angel whose human façade enjoys the pleasures of the flesh.
Traci L Slatton is an amazing writer whose storylines are infinitely detailed with both fact and fiction; fantasy and reality. Her style of writing is intense; the historical research impressive; and the overall premise is a flight into the fantastic and unconventional.
Copy supplied by the author.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 5, 2014
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?
~~~~~~~~~
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--BROKEN is an historical, fictionalized, paranormal storyline that focuses on a fallen angel known as Alia. In the weeks and months leading up to the Nazi occupation of Paris, France during WW II, Alia and her Bohemian friends party like no one is watching. Alia is a watcher-a fallen angel who can see what humans cannot-and a being who absorbs the essence and energy from the people around her.
The storyline is awash in a considerable amount of historical fact and fiction. Beginning in 1939 Alia and her friends take full advantage of the Paris night life and everything it has to offer-plenty of alcohol, plenty of sex and a lifestyle acquainted with the rich, the famous and the infamous. But all too soon, the once fabled Fuhrer and his Nazi party take control of Paris while Alia and her friends must take refuge before their true identities and heritage are revealed.
Traci L. Slatton has written a storyline that is extensively detailed in both WWII and Holocaust history as well as religious overtones and Christian beliefs. Not only does a fallen angel find herself at the mercy of the Nazi party but she discovers that she is fallible to the party demands.
The numerous secondary characters are Bohemian and aristocratic in nature-almost Bourgeoisie. Their artistic lifestyle sets the backdrop for a group of people (both famous and unknown) who believe they are excluded from the incoming hell only to realize, sometimes too late, that no one is safe from the storm. While Europe prepares for war, Alia and her friends wax philosophical the finer points of religion, politics and the Nazi Party. With the introduction of some real-life famous characters and artistes of the twentieth century the storyline spun in a decidedly different direction.
One concern is the paranormal aspect of the storyline and the lack of any real connection to the actual premise. The supernatural element is secondary and does not add anything to the overall plot-it does not play a significant or important role in the overall presentation. Alia is a fallen angel whose human façade enjoys the pleasures of the flesh.
Traci L Slatton is an amazing writer whose storylines are infinitely detailed with both fact and fiction; fantasy and reality. Her style of writing is intense; the historical research impressive; and the overall premise is a flight into the fantastic and unconventional.
Copy supplied by the author.
August 1, 2018
Review originally posted on Ctrl, Alt, Books!
Thank you so much Traci L. Slatton for giving me the opportunity to read and review your latest novel, BROKEN. I was not sure what to expect after reviewing the synopsis but I soon found myself immersed in this novel and fell in love with all the characters.
Alia is a fallen angel who finds herself living in Paris right before the Nazis take over the lands. She finds herself grieving over the lost of her child, Ariel. She indulges in human activities and enjoys the light that humans provide. She is fond of men's company and often finds herself in the arms of the fierce Spanish bullfighter, Pedro. Alia's neighbor Suzanne and her child, Cecile, easily become very close during these hard times. Alia falls in love with her neighbors as if they were her own family. Suzanne's younger brother, Josef tries to escape on a ship called the St. Louis, but was turned away. Together Alia and her friends try and survive the harsh times and Alia does what she must to protect those who are close to her.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down until the very end. I really enjoyed reading about the fallen angel Alia and how she lived her life as a human. She sacrificed so much in the name of love. This story was had many elements to it. Sometimes it was fun and care free, other times it was sexy with steamy romance and a lot of the time it was suspenseful and it left you wondering when were the hidden Jews going to be found. I highly recommend this book and although it is not something that I would normally pick up and read, I can't describe how much I love this book. Thanks again Traci for writing such an amazing novel and I can't wait to read more of your works!
5/5
~Layna
Thank you so much Traci L. Slatton for giving me the opportunity to read and review your latest novel, BROKEN. I was not sure what to expect after reviewing the synopsis but I soon found myself immersed in this novel and fell in love with all the characters.
Alia is a fallen angel who finds herself living in Paris right before the Nazis take over the lands. She finds herself grieving over the lost of her child, Ariel. She indulges in human activities and enjoys the light that humans provide. She is fond of men's company and often finds herself in the arms of the fierce Spanish bullfighter, Pedro. Alia's neighbor Suzanne and her child, Cecile, easily become very close during these hard times. Alia falls in love with her neighbors as if they were her own family. Suzanne's younger brother, Josef tries to escape on a ship called the St. Louis, but was turned away. Together Alia and her friends try and survive the harsh times and Alia does what she must to protect those who are close to her.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down until the very end. I really enjoyed reading about the fallen angel Alia and how she lived her life as a human. She sacrificed so much in the name of love. This story was had many elements to it. Sometimes it was fun and care free, other times it was sexy with steamy romance and a lot of the time it was suspenseful and it left you wondering when were the hidden Jews going to be found. I highly recommend this book and although it is not something that I would normally pick up and read, I can't describe how much I love this book. Thanks again Traci for writing such an amazing novel and I can't wait to read more of your works!
5/5
~Layna
August 1, 2018
Thank you so much Traci L. Slatton for giving me the opportunity to read and review your latest novel, BROKEN. I was not sure what to expect after reviewing the synopsis but I soon found myself immersed in this novel and fell in love with all the characters.
Alia is a fallen angel who finds herself living in Paris right before the Nazis take over the lands. She finds herself grieving over the lost of her child, Ariel. She indulges in human activities and enjoys the light that humans provide. She is fond of men's company and often finds herself in the arms of the fierce Spanish bullfighter, Pedro. Alia's neighbor Suzanne and her child, Cecile, easily become very close during these hard times. Alia falls in love with her neighbors as if they were her own family. Suzanne's younger brother, Josef tries to escape on a ship called the St. Louis, but was turned away. Together Alia and her friends try and survive the harsh times and Alia does what she must to protect those who are close to her.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down until the very end. I really enjoyed reading about the fallen angel Alia and how she lived her life as a human. She sacrificed so much in the name of love. This story was had many elements to it. Sometimes it was fun and care free, other times it was sexy with steamy romance and a lot of the time it was suspenseful and it left you wondering when were the hidden Jews going to be found. I highly recommend this book and although it is not something that I would normally pick up and read, I can't describe how much I love this book. Thanks again Traci for writing such an amazing novel and I can't wait to read more of your works!
5/5 Crescents
~Layna
Alia is a fallen angel who finds herself living in Paris right before the Nazis take over the lands. She finds herself grieving over the lost of her child, Ariel. She indulges in human activities and enjoys the light that humans provide. She is fond of men's company and often finds herself in the arms of the fierce Spanish bullfighter, Pedro. Alia's neighbor Suzanne and her child, Cecile, easily become very close during these hard times. Alia falls in love with her neighbors as if they were her own family. Suzanne's younger brother, Josef tries to escape on a ship called the St. Louis, but was turned away. Together Alia and her friends try and survive the harsh times and Alia does what she must to protect those who are close to her.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down until the very end. I really enjoyed reading about the fallen angel Alia and how she lived her life as a human. She sacrificed so much in the name of love. This story was had many elements to it. Sometimes it was fun and care free, other times it was sexy with steamy romance and a lot of the time it was suspenseful and it left you wondering when were the hidden Jews going to be found. I highly recommend this book and although it is not something that I would normally pick up and read, I can't describe how much I love this book. Thanks again Traci for writing such an amazing novel and I can't wait to read more of your works!
5/5 Crescents
~Layna
September 22, 2014
When I first read the blurb for Broken, I wasn't sure I was going to like the book. It is a paranormal story written during World War II in the occupation of France by the nazis. Alia is a fallen angel who takes advantage of sexual liberties and steals poetry written by the man whose home she took over when she fell.
Minus: The paranormal aspect of the story honestly doesn't serve much purpose other than to give an easy answer to the ending. The angel Michael shows up at the beginning of the story and doesn't play much role until the end when he ties the end in a nice, neat little bow. The ending was disappointing to me for that very reason, especially since she set the ending to have a non-paranormal ending early in the book. The author uses the term "perineum" for what I assume to mean "mons". The perineum is the flesh between the anus and the vaginal opening. No one could curl their fingers around a perineum. The incorrect usage pulled me out of the story twice. The use of "penis" in the sex scenes pulled me out as well. Anatomical wordage doesn't make me think of sexy time. Then again, I have anatomical knowledge that I use on a daily basis.
Plus: The author does an amazing job waltzing us through a very difficult, heavy period in time. Like the French of the time period, they go through life without worry until the roundups happened and pulled the Jews from their homes. The characterization and dialogue are excellent. The story is very well written and the cast of characters and the history included were definitely interesting.
As long as you are not expecting a typical paranormal story, Broken will not disappoint. If you enjoy World War II historical, this is definitely worth a read.
Minus: The paranormal aspect of the story honestly doesn't serve much purpose other than to give an easy answer to the ending. The angel Michael shows up at the beginning of the story and doesn't play much role until the end when he ties the end in a nice, neat little bow. The ending was disappointing to me for that very reason, especially since she set the ending to have a non-paranormal ending early in the book. The author uses the term "perineum" for what I assume to mean "mons". The perineum is the flesh between the anus and the vaginal opening. No one could curl their fingers around a perineum. The incorrect usage pulled me out of the story twice. The use of "penis" in the sex scenes pulled me out as well. Anatomical wordage doesn't make me think of sexy time. Then again, I have anatomical knowledge that I use on a daily basis.
Plus: The author does an amazing job waltzing us through a very difficult, heavy period in time. Like the French of the time period, they go through life without worry until the roundups happened and pulled the Jews from their homes. The characterization and dialogue are excellent. The story is very well written and the cast of characters and the history included were definitely interesting.
As long as you are not expecting a typical paranormal story, Broken will not disappoint. If you enjoy World War II historical, this is definitely worth a read.
October 1, 2014
I thought this book was wonderfully written. I grew quite attached to the protagonist Alia a fallen angel. This was a very interesting take on the time it was set in ( during WW2 ) a time when there is so much death, hate and destruction how does a fallen angel feel alive? Feel anything. The sex in the book bothered some reviewers, an angel shouldn't be doing those kinds of things appears to be the opinion. I think it was vital to the story. It is the way she connects, the way she feels in touch with something, with someone. I can't imagine the story without it.
Her quest to protect her neighbour and the neighbours daughter brings danger in the form of a horrible sick nazi coming into her life. With lovers and love despite the hellish world during the holocaust Alia and her story is a great read. I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed real life people such as Coco Chanel and Edith Piaff being entwined into the story. I was concerned that the story would be religious or preachy in some way because of it being about an Angel but this was not at all the case. It was about Alia and her time on earth. I liked it and recommend it.
Her quest to protect her neighbour and the neighbours daughter brings danger in the form of a horrible sick nazi coming into her life. With lovers and love despite the hellish world during the holocaust Alia and her story is a great read. I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed real life people such as Coco Chanel and Edith Piaff being entwined into the story. I was concerned that the story would be religious or preachy in some way because of it being about an Angel but this was not at all the case. It was about Alia and her time on earth. I liked it and recommend it.
May 16, 2016
4.5 Stars
Broken opens with the narrator having a violent war-like dream. Waking from the dream, she speaks to the reader in metaphysical terms, speaking of “grace” and “light,” dropping clues of where in the physical world the reader might find her: “stormtroopers,” “tanks,” and “Europe.” It is a disconcerting start to a novel. Eventually, she tells us who and where she is: It is Paris, 1939. She, Alia, used to be an angel, but because of some great personal tragedy, she lost her faith and left heaven to live on Earth in a human form instead. She could have picked any time in human history, but she picked one of the worst. Soon, we learn, she picked it on purpose.
...read the rest of this review on UndergroundBookReviews(dot)org!
Broken opens with the narrator having a violent war-like dream. Waking from the dream, she speaks to the reader in metaphysical terms, speaking of “grace” and “light,” dropping clues of where in the physical world the reader might find her: “stormtroopers,” “tanks,” and “Europe.” It is a disconcerting start to a novel. Eventually, she tells us who and where she is: It is Paris, 1939. She, Alia, used to be an angel, but because of some great personal tragedy, she lost her faith and left heaven to live on Earth in a human form instead. She could have picked any time in human history, but she picked one of the worst. Soon, we learn, she picked it on purpose.
...read the rest of this review on UndergroundBookReviews(dot)org!
September 14, 2014
I enjoyed reading Broken. Ms. Slatton captures the atmosphere and intrigue of Paris before and during the Nazi occupation.
The protagonist, Alia, is a fallen angel who has incarnated in human form, enjoying all the delights of flesh and Paris between the wars. She develops as a character by learning the meaning of self sacrifice and alturism.
This novel has a lot of erotic and romantic elements and I think Ms. Slatton does a masterful job in combining the two genres. A little different from my usual read, and enjoyable. This is a nice novel to read for pleasure.
The protagonist, Alia, is a fallen angel who has incarnated in human form, enjoying all the delights of flesh and Paris between the wars. She develops as a character by learning the meaning of self sacrifice and alturism.
This novel has a lot of erotic and romantic elements and I think Ms. Slatton does a masterful job in combining the two genres. A little different from my usual read, and enjoyable. This is a nice novel to read for pleasure.
July 6, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Traci Slatton does a fantastic job of recreating Paris 1939 – 1942 with the fear and torture of occupied France. But the real stars of Broken are the characters: Alia – a fallen angel grieving after the loss of her child, Pedro – a Spanish Jew who becomes part of the resistance and Alia’s lover, Josef – A Jewish musician who is also part of the resistance and Alia’s lover as well, and Suzanne and Cecile – a Jewish widowed mother and daughter who live next door to Alia.
All of these characters come to life on the page but particularly Alia. She is the one who suffers the most in this novel all for the sake of saving the young widow and her daughter whom she has come to love in her years on Earth. Alia, after the loss of her daughter Ariel falls to Earth specifically during the time when the world is about to suffer because she wants to suffer herself and drowns her sorrows in the bedroom.
The love she feels for the young child and mother that are her neighbors causes her more suffering but this is a suffering she gladly goes through to keep them safe. She performs sexual favors for a high ranking German soldier in order to keep the little family under the radar as long as possible. She turns in Pedro, knowing he will most likely die, in order to keep the small family from grieving the loss of Josef. In the end she even sacrifices herself in order to not only save them but also to redeem herself. I cannot even begin to describe the beautiful way this book is written and the deeper meanings held within its pages.
To be honest there was nothing about this book that I didn’t like. It flows beautifully and it is one of those books that stays with you even after you are done reading it. For this reason I give this book five stars! I will reread this book more than once and recommend it to all my friends and, readers; I highly recommend it to you too.
If you like this book…
There are countless books about angels out there as well as many on the Holocaust and the dealings of this dark time in history. Readers, first I am going to recommend to you a book that is near and dear to my heart. I picked up The Cage by Ruth Minsky Sender after a trip though the Holocaust museum in D.C. and it is also a book that will stay with you much like Broken though it is more of a YA novel than Slatton’s book. There are several references to Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Broken so I also suggest that. If non-fiction is your thing and you would like to learn more about the females that helped with the resistance in Paris I would suggest A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and Resistance in Occupied France by Caroline Moorehead.
Traci Slatton does a fantastic job of recreating Paris 1939 – 1942 with the fear and torture of occupied France. But the real stars of Broken are the characters: Alia – a fallen angel grieving after the loss of her child, Pedro – a Spanish Jew who becomes part of the resistance and Alia’s lover, Josef – A Jewish musician who is also part of the resistance and Alia’s lover as well, and Suzanne and Cecile – a Jewish widowed mother and daughter who live next door to Alia.
All of these characters come to life on the page but particularly Alia. She is the one who suffers the most in this novel all for the sake of saving the young widow and her daughter whom she has come to love in her years on Earth. Alia, after the loss of her daughter Ariel falls to Earth specifically during the time when the world is about to suffer because she wants to suffer herself and drowns her sorrows in the bedroom.
The love she feels for the young child and mother that are her neighbors causes her more suffering but this is a suffering she gladly goes through to keep them safe. She performs sexual favors for a high ranking German soldier in order to keep the little family under the radar as long as possible. She turns in Pedro, knowing he will most likely die, in order to keep the small family from grieving the loss of Josef. In the end she even sacrifices herself in order to not only save them but also to redeem herself. I cannot even begin to describe the beautiful way this book is written and the deeper meanings held within its pages.
To be honest there was nothing about this book that I didn’t like. It flows beautifully and it is one of those books that stays with you even after you are done reading it. For this reason I give this book five stars! I will reread this book more than once and recommend it to all my friends and, readers; I highly recommend it to you too.
If you like this book…
There are countless books about angels out there as well as many on the Holocaust and the dealings of this dark time in history. Readers, first I am going to recommend to you a book that is near and dear to my heart. I picked up The Cage by Ruth Minsky Sender after a trip though the Holocaust museum in D.C. and it is also a book that will stay with you much like Broken though it is more of a YA novel than Slatton’s book. There are several references to Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Broken so I also suggest that. If non-fiction is your thing and you would like to learn more about the females that helped with the resistance in Paris I would suggest A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and Resistance in Occupied France by Caroline Moorehead.
August 18, 2014
Broken by Traci L. Slatton
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
A bisexual, nymphomaniac, essence-draining, fallen angel in Nazi-occupied Paris? I’ve read a number of Holocaust novels from many different POVs, but I have never read one from this perspective. When I read the blurb, I was very intrigued by the idea of a fallen angel working against Nazi Germany, and kudos to the author for all of her research; however, this novel is such an odd mixture of heavy, didactic dialogue and utter lunacy that I had a difficult time losing myself in the story. I felt at times that the author was trying to shove in so many historically accurate events and famous names that the plot suffered. We were playing the name game. There were MANY characters without those famous appearances. The addition of the others just agitated me.
The characters argue about so many issues (from the artist’s place in society to women’s rights to existentialism) that the real issue, the Nazi invasion, is almost a side note at times. This interesting notion of a creature—which appears so prominently in various religions and sects—involved in a war tied so strongly to religion while questioning her beliefs is enough. We don’t need to open a whole dump truck of other worms.
I felt a little cheated on the “angel stuff” as well. The novel is light in the science fiction department, and the plot in this regard was lacking with a contrived ending featuring a long-lost character’s appearance related to the angel information. I forgot the main character was even an angel for the majority of the novel. In fact, the sci-fi part of the plot could easily be changed, and the novel’s plot could adapt well to the historical genre alone.
3 Stars
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
A bisexual, nymphomaniac, essence-draining, fallen angel in Nazi-occupied Paris? I’ve read a number of Holocaust novels from many different POVs, but I have never read one from this perspective. When I read the blurb, I was very intrigued by the idea of a fallen angel working against Nazi Germany, and kudos to the author for all of her research; however, this novel is such an odd mixture of heavy, didactic dialogue and utter lunacy that I had a difficult time losing myself in the story. I felt at times that the author was trying to shove in so many historically accurate events and famous names that the plot suffered. We were playing the name game. There were MANY characters without those famous appearances. The addition of the others just agitated me.
The characters argue about so many issues (from the artist’s place in society to women’s rights to existentialism) that the real issue, the Nazi invasion, is almost a side note at times. This interesting notion of a creature—which appears so prominently in various religions and sects—involved in a war tied so strongly to religion while questioning her beliefs is enough. We don’t need to open a whole dump truck of other worms.
I felt a little cheated on the “angel stuff” as well. The novel is light in the science fiction department, and the plot in this regard was lacking with a contrived ending featuring a long-lost character’s appearance related to the angel information. I forgot the main character was even an angel for the majority of the novel. In fact, the sci-fi part of the plot could easily be changed, and the novel’s plot could adapt well to the historical genre alone.
3 Stars
September 22, 2014
The first book I read by Traci Slatton (it's called Fallen and is the first in a dystopian trilogy), I liked it so much that I took this on Netgalley, but I admit to being left a little disappointed. The historical reconstruction of the author is very accurate although I have some doubts on the party full of bohemian artists, which were held in Paris just before the outbreak of World War II. Rather, what has not convinced me that much of the story is the supernatural element (a nympho fallen angel?) And the fact that I did not like that much the main characters, also the archangel Michael arrives as a deus ex-machina and solves the final after being absent all the time in the book. In short, there were good conditions, but the end result did not satisfy me that much.
Il primo libro che ho letto di Traci Slatton (si chiama Fallen ed é il primo di una trilogia distopica), mi era piaciuto tanto quindi ho perso questo su Netgalley, ma ammetto di essere rimasta un pochino delusa. Come ricostruzione storica l'autrice é molto accurata anche se ho qualche dubbio sulle feste bohemiene piene di artisti che si tenevano nella Parigi appena prima dello scoppio della seconda guerra mondiale. Piuttosto, quello che non mi ha convinto poi tanto é l'elemeno soprannaturale della storia (un angelo caduto ninfomane?) e il fatto che i protagonisti principali non mi sono piaciuti poi tanto, inoltre l'arcangelo Michele erriva come un deus ex-machina e risolve il finale dopo essere stato latitante tutto il tempo. Insomma, c'erano delle buone premesse, ma il risultato finale non mi ha soddisfatto piú di tanto.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND PARVATI PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Il primo libro che ho letto di Traci Slatton (si chiama Fallen ed é il primo di una trilogia distopica), mi era piaciuto tanto quindi ho perso questo su Netgalley, ma ammetto di essere rimasta un pochino delusa. Come ricostruzione storica l'autrice é molto accurata anche se ho qualche dubbio sulle feste bohemiene piene di artisti che si tenevano nella Parigi appena prima dello scoppio della seconda guerra mondiale. Piuttosto, quello che non mi ha convinto poi tanto é l'elemeno soprannaturale della storia (un angelo caduto ninfomane?) e il fatto che i protagonisti principali non mi sono piaciuti poi tanto, inoltre l'arcangelo Michele erriva come un deus ex-machina e risolve il finale dopo essere stato latitante tutto il tempo. Insomma, c'erano delle buone premesse, ma il risultato finale non mi ha soddisfatto piú di tanto.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND PARVATI PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW!
December 23, 2015
This book follows Alia, a fallen angel, who has decided to spend her mortal time on earth in Paris during the Nazi occupation. Daily she fights to warn and protect others from the atrocities of war. She fights for her good friend and neighbor and her daughter. She fights to protect those that cannot protect themselves.
This book was very good. It had me sucked in on page one. It was full of history and so it was right up my alley. It was also sad. Alia can see the future in small bits, but has no control over the fates of the others. And with a book based in a worn torn country, it is expected to carry some sadness for the character. While yes, it is a story it is also based in real life history.
Overall, the writing was good. At times it seemed wordy. It also had a lot of dialog that I had a hard time understanding, but that is expected since it is written from a Parisians point of view.
I definitely enjoyed the book with its good storyline and its history. The ending was awesome and something I was not expecting....Stormi
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This book was very good. It had me sucked in on page one. It was full of history and so it was right up my alley. It was also sad. Alia can see the future in small bits, but has no control over the fates of the others. And with a book based in a worn torn country, it is expected to carry some sadness for the character. While yes, it is a story it is also based in real life history.
Overall, the writing was good. At times it seemed wordy. It also had a lot of dialog that I had a hard time understanding, but that is expected since it is written from a Parisians point of view.
I definitely enjoyed the book with its good storyline and its history. The ending was awesome and something I was not expecting....Stormi
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June 16, 2015
Alia is a fallen angel living in Paris and facing a rapidly-changing world as the Nazis begin to take over. Grieving for her lost child, she's living the life of a human in a world that's being increasingly possessed by an evil, and enjoys both men and newfound friendships in this alien land: both of which are soon to change with the forces at work.
Ever hopeful of the winning power of love even under impossible situations, Alia nonetheless faces something she's never experienced, and finds her new life just as broken as the old one.
It's hard to neatly 'peg' this absorbing story: a little bit historical fiction, a dash of spirituality, some steamy romance, and philosophical self-reflection about the worth of individuals and their choices against evil forces - all this makes for a complex literary work that is a cut above your usual read, and recommended for any who want a moving saga of redemption, loss, renewal, and courage on the parts of man and angel alike.
Ever hopeful of the winning power of love even under impossible situations, Alia nonetheless faces something she's never experienced, and finds her new life just as broken as the old one.
It's hard to neatly 'peg' this absorbing story: a little bit historical fiction, a dash of spirituality, some steamy romance, and philosophical self-reflection about the worth of individuals and their choices against evil forces - all this makes for a complex literary work that is a cut above your usual read, and recommended for any who want a moving saga of redemption, loss, renewal, and courage on the parts of man and angel alike.
February 4, 2016
This book did exactly what it was supposed to and it left me breathless. I say this because this was one historical fiction that sucked me in throughout the book. As she spun this historical fiction in Paris, starting in 1939, she made it possible to walk side by side with the main character Alia A. K. Mercier. These are the type of books that grab my attention, she nailed it.
When reading I find it rare that a writer holds my attention through the book. When I have a book that my nose is glued to and my eyes don’t stop moving until the pages run out, I keep that author in my favorites stash. Because of how well this book was written and the historical significance this book holds, I give this book a 5 out of 5. It was well edited, well written, and the plot was very engaging. To say that I didn’t have a swirl of emotions that went with the end of the book would be a lie, but to tell you what happens at the end would defeat the point of reading the book wouldn’t it?
September 7, 2014
When I started reading this book I thought I would be reading about the war, and somehow angels were involved. While this is true, what I read was an erotic novel. Alia is a fallen angel, who has decided to go into the year 1939 in Paris. Trying to find the light that lives within each human being, and fusing it with her own is what keeps her hunger up. She finds the pleasures that she can we the people around her, and they in turn find the light and pleasure from her. But this isn't what she is lacking, and it's going to take a holocaust to teacher her that no one is unredeemable or completely lost.
2 out 5 stars.
2 out 5 stars.
October 13, 2014
I did not finish this novel and stopped at the 67% mark. The contrast between flowery/romantic language and the horrors of the war did not sit well with me. The almost history like lessons along with the politic debates between characters I found dull. The overlay of sex and innuendos only heightened my distaste as it contrasted with the language and the atrocities we experience. As a warning to others, this novel contains rape scenes that can be considered graphic. I could not finish this novel. Please click on the link to the full review at That's What I'm Talking About Blog: http://twimom227.com/2014/10/dnf-revi...
January 16, 2015
I am not one for supernatural erotica. This category of book has become quite popular in recent years, and it has never really interested me. However, this book was given to me, and I will read most anything that I receive for free.
It was a very simple read, I finished it in a couple of hours. The story was good enough that I actually got involved with the characters, and the naughty bits were extra naughty. It doesn't entice me to search out this genre, but I would definitely welcome more free books of this sort.
It was a very simple read, I finished it in a couple of hours. The story was good enough that I actually got involved with the characters, and the naughty bits were extra naughty. It doesn't entice me to search out this genre, but I would definitely welcome more free books of this sort.
December 9, 2015
All I can say is this book left me speechless and it is one book that will stick with you long after you read the last page.
January 16, 2016
You can read my review of this book on the Underground Book reviews here: http://www.undergroundbookreviews.org...
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