Book Review: Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks 4.5/5
The thrilling first installment in the series ‘Slow Burn’ follows a woman whose gift is as terrible as the consequence for using it.
I couldn’t put it down!
Trigger Warning: This book contains graphic violence, rape, foul language, and scenes of abuse.
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Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks
“I won’t let you run, Ramie.
-Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks
Never again.
I want you here with me.. and if you try to run, I’ll just come after you.
Always.”
A connection that cannot be denied.
Caleb Devereaux is a powerful man used to getting what he wants and, with his sister kidnapped and being held by a sadistic monster, he goes too far.
He needs her.
Ramie is hiding.. from an all too terrifying past and the steep physical toll her ability takes. She didn’t need Caleb tracking her down and demanding things he couldn’t possibly understand. He wants to use her ‘gift’, this power she has that allows her to find people, to see and feel their pain.. and he always gets what he wants.
He will protect her.
Disappearing off the grid, a violent encounter with her own personal psychopath motivates Ramie to seek help. Exhausted and desperate, she calls Caleb for protection, making targets of them all. The two are quickly drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a serial killer. One who’s stalking Ramie. One who might just have a gift of his own.
My Review:
There are a lot of traumatic and controversial themes in this book that makes it a psychological landmine. I want to say I disliked it, that the author gives us too much weight to bear but, honestly.. all of these things are so skillfully written into the fabric of each character and situation that any disturbance you feel is quickly lost in the story.
Because of the way Ramie’s power works, you’re dragged down into the sick experience of violation and depravity along with the victim. You live these horrible moments of fear and terror and helplessness with them. And Ramie’s resilience is unquestionable, though what she’s gone through has made her seem fragile, she continues to push forward.
My initial impression of Caleb Devereaux was on the fence. You have this powerful man driven to make an unthinkable choice for all the right reasons. The consequences for that decision are far more damaging than he could have dreamed but.. he realizes he made a mistake and is compelled to make it right. Caleb is an honorable man whose fierce personality and protective nature make an incredible partner for Ramie.
As the story picks up and the relationship between the two matures into something special, the way they complement one another will quickly have you rooting for their success.. and survival.
The Devereaux siblings’ treatment of Ramie is deplorable and, even while his sister has understandable reasons for her behavior, I find it distasteful. I feel like she deserved far more gratitude than shown and a lot less attitude than they gave. The changes we see with Caleb’s sister and her personality become an actual relief. The kicker? It works for the story
I give ‘Keep Me Safe‘ ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2 stars.
Maya Banks did an amazing job tying together these broken people and providing us with a fascinating tale about the strength it takes to overcome and the love that finds you in the dark.
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