Bane

The Coven #2

by Trish Milburn

To protect those she loves from herself, Jax will leave them all behind.

She'll risk everything in a desperate search for answers.

Jax Pherson fled the darkest of covens and from her own father's evil. For a brief moment, her courage was rewarded. She found everything she'd ever wanted. A normal life. An amazing boyfriend. An envy-worthy best friend .

But her past put them all in danger, forcing a confrontation with the dark covens. In a life-and-death battle to save those she loved from the covens, Jax gained staggering power. Power so intense, so dangerous, she fears the darkness that now dwells inside her like a living thing.

If she can't control the power, she may yet become as evil as the witches she conquered.

With her cousin Egan, Jax leaves all she's built and heads for the one place that might hold the answers she desperately needs to hold back the darkness—Salem, Massachusetts. Her research unearths a shocking the Bane, a secret group of...

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance, Ebooks

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2012

About the author

Trish Milburn is the author of more than 50 romance and young adult novels, a huge fan of Asian dramas and K-pop music, prefers Marvel over D.C. (except Wonder Woman is awesome), and loves road trips and visiting national and state parks, and of course is an avid reader with a never-ending to-be-read pile.

Learn more about Trish on her website, www.trishmilburn.com -- where you'll also find links to her social media. She's most active on Twitter @TrishMilburn. Also, her WordoftheK.com is dedicated to her books set in Korea as well as posts about various aspects of the Korean entertainment industry, Korean culture, etc.

Have a question? Be sure to check out the Goodreads option to ask about my books, K-pop, K-dramas, or writing.

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy Reading Level: YA

Disclosure: I received a free eGalley eBook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: To protect those she loves from herself, Jax will leave them all behind. She'll risk everything in a desperate search for answers. 

Jax Pherson fled the darkest of covens and from her own father's evil. For a brief moment, her courage was rewarded. She found everything she'd ever wanted. A normal life. An amazing boyfriend. An envy-worthy best friend. But her past put them all in danger, forcing a confrontation with the dark covens. In a life-and-death battle to save those she loved from the covens, Jax gained staggering power. Power so intense, so dangerous, she fears the darkness that now dwells inside her like a living thing.

If she can't control the power, she may yet become as evil as the witches she conquered.

With her friend Egan, Jax leaves all she's built and heads for the one place that might hold the answers she desperately needs to hold back the darkness – Salem, Massachusetts. Her research unearths a shocking discovery: the Bane, a secret group of witches dedicated to thwarting the covens. Jax desperately needs their help in her fight against the covens, but finding the Bane is easier said than done and takes all her skills and courage. As Jax gets closer, her dark powers begin to rise and control her actions. If she succumbs to the darkness, Jax may have as much to fear from the Bane as the evil covens and the determined hunter on her trail.

My Thoughts: This is an intense and fast-paced book as Jax and Egan strive to uncover the truth about the covens, about Jax herself, about the history of witchcraft with the help of new friends and old in Salem Jax also faced consequences of her actions on Shiprock. We learn more about the history of the covens, witches, and even Jax’s family in this book. The characters develop further, the relationships grow, change, evolve – it’s a very good book, a fascinating story, and an interesting mythology that this author has created.

Book three, called Magick, is scheduled to come out September, 2012 - I know I’ll be watching for it; I have to know what happens.

[#ReadAllTheBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I were to say that Trish Milburn's Coven Trilogy is one of the great undiscovered gems of young adult urban fantasy, I wouldn't be lying. It's such a satisfying read, filled with all of the stuff I love in my "fun" reads that I'm honestly shocked that it isn't more well known than it is.

Where to start? I loved every page of this book. I'll be honest and say that you can see where the plot is going with this read. The twists and turns are a little predictable, but Milburn's writing is so incredibly addicting that it's like slipping into your favorite pair of comfy sneakers. You know what to expect, but it's so enjoyable that you really don't care. I loved the interactions between the characters, although I wish that Barrow (the hunter that's almost insanely devoted to exterminating witches) had more screen time. He shows up closer to the end and he makes such a good threat that I can't help but want to have seen him arrive a little earlier.

What made this really intriguing was seeing our main characters dive into the background of Salem. Their inevitable trek to this infamous town was a good touch and the horrifying and sad history of the witch hunts makes for a nice backdrop to the larger plotline. And then there's the romance. This is Milburn's strongest suit and she knows it. I won't specify more due to spoiler reasons, but I liked the way this progressed and what the revelations in this book might mean for the future.

Now if you're a parent worried about the series, don't be. This is pretty squeaky clean as far as YA books go. There's mentions of making out and "sizzling" kisses, but it's pretty chaste in comparison to some of the stuff that I've read in the YA section. There is some violence here, but it's not gratuitous and it is important to the plot line.

Overall this was just a fun book to read and one that I finished all too soon. For the faster readers I'll recommend having a second book nearby to finish, as you'll finish this rather quickly. For how much I love the Coven Trilogy, the books are rather short reads. I'm already jonesing for the next book in the series and it's agonizing to realize that I'll have to wait until fall to get my mitts on it.

4 out of 5 stars

(ARC provided by NetGalley)

[Stacy Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review- Bane by Trish Milburn

Jax and Egan are in Salem, Massachusetts looking for information that will help in fighting their coven. They have decided to go back to where it all started. They left Toni and Keller behind to keep them safe. Both Jax and Egan feel guilty about leaving them but know it was the right thing to do. As they are doing research they find a family of non-magical witches that agree to help them find information. Jax is surprised at what she finds. She must find the Bane and fight the darkness that is trying to overtake her. Her being a white witch is in danger of being lost. Everyone they care about is now a target as the ultimate hunter sets his sights on Jax and Egan. Keller and Toni are also being hunted. Jax has to fight the darkness and save those she loves.
This is the second book in the series. Jax is still on the run from her coven with Egan. They are searching and they make a good team. You want them to succeed. I felt bad that she had to leave Keller behind but you understand after you read the ending of the first book. Jax knows the danger she and Egan are up against.
The author keeps the mystery and time crunch going. The story keeps the reader on their toes. You feel the frustration Jax and Egan have as they hit dead ends in their search. The fear they have when Keller and Toni are missing. Then Jax has to fight the darkness inside herself. It is becoming a constant battle. It adds to the drama of what they are already facing.
The author keeps things rolling and the final battle of the story is surprising and Jax has to balance her forces. I can’t wait for what happens next. It was a great read. I give it a 4 out of 5.

[Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally Posted at my Blog Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books

To protect those she loves from herself, Jax will leave them all behind.She’ll risk everything in a desperate search for answers.Jax Pherson fled the darkest of covens and from her own father’s evil. For a brief moment, her courage was rewarded. She found everything she’d ever wanted. A normal life. An amazing boyfriend. An envy-worthy best friend .But her past put them all in danger, forcing a confrontation with the dark covens. In a life-and-death battle to save those she loved from the covens, Jax gained staggering power. Power so intense, so dangerous, she fears the darkness that now dwells inside her like a living thing.If she can’t control the power, she may yet become as evil as the witches she conquered.With her cousin Egan, Jax leaves all she’s built and heads for the one place that might hold the answers she desperately needs to hold back the darkness—Salem, Massachusetts. Her research unearths a shocking discovery: the Bane, a secret group of witches dedicated to thwarting the covens.Jax desperately needs their help in her fight against the covens, but finding the Bane is easier said than done and takes all her skills and courage. As Jax gets closer, her dark powers began rise and control her actions. If she succumbs to the darkness, Jax may have as much to fear from the Bane as the evil covens and the determined hunter on her trail.

My Review:

Warning will have spoilers for the FIRST book, White Witch. Not much for this one.

Wow, this book was so full of excitement, and suspense, and ended with such a cliffhanger, I am just glad it’s only a few months until the next book Magick is out. (I hope I will get an ARC for it) I really, really enjoyed the continuation of this story with Jax, Egan, Keller and Toni, and get some new additions to the characters too. They learn more about the lies their family’s have told them in the dark magic covens that Jax and Egan were born too. Jax is determined to find out more about all that extra power she took into herself on Shiprock when she faces her evil family to save her friends and herself. She feels the darkness growing inside her, but still feels the good too, the possibility that she is a White Witch, but must make good decisions to ward off the dark magic, so the good can win out.

They go to where it all started, in Salem, they do research on the witch massacre that happened in Salem. I really enjoyed the history of the witch trials in Salem, and the addition that was made for the story. It made it all feel more believable and intense.

I found in this book the story flowed along very smoothly. I did not get that feeling of things being rushed this time. Now that most the characters have already been established, I felt we got to take the time to get to know them better, and relationships could grow.

I love how Keller is like a buffer to Jax’s darker magic, just one touch, and he can calm the darkness rising inside her. Jax feels this may be because of love, another thing the covens had lied about. They made them all believe if you fell in love with a non witch, that you would lose your powers. In fact, I believe that it will do what is happening to Jax, as it seems to help Egan too. Being around Toni, also calms the darkness. They also had told them, that they would not get their full powers until they were 18, which is also a lie, since found the very important Beginning Book, which states they have always had their full powers, they just need to know it, and develop them. (this we found out in the last book) They also end up finding another very important book, which I won’t tell you what it is, you can find out for yourself.

Jax, Egan and friends find out that there is another type of coven, The Bane, they are witches that had taken the dark power in back in the Salem witch trial days, and then immediately regretted it, and spent lots of time fighting it, and generations later, they have become more of a good witch coven. Jax learns some from them, but at the end, we wonder if they turned against her or not.

Egan even finds an encrypted message in an email, of at least a few other coven witches that want to defect, they tread carefully, as they need to make sure it’s not a trap. We do not find out more on that in this book, it’s a part that is left open for the next book.
It’s all very intense, lots of emotions, some sadness, really has you on a emotional rollercoaster.

I highly suggest you give this book a shot, even if you didn’t like some of the rushed parts in the first book. This one is very different in that aspect. You will be much happier with this one. The first still needs to be read, but I promise you will enjoy it. A great new twist on the magical world, with some bases on the real Salem witch trials. It’s all very intriguing indeed.

5 out of 5 stars for me.

[Jay Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 to 3.5 Stars, if you liked the other book, you should like this one

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK SYNOPSIS

To protect those she loves from herself, Jax will leave them all behind.She’ll risk everything in a desperate search for answers.

Jax Pherson fled the darkest of covens and from her own father’s evil. For a brief moment, her courage was rewarded. She found everything she’d ever wanted. A normal life. An amazing boyfriend. An envy-worthy best friend.

But her past put them all in danger, forcing a confrontation with the dark covens. In a life-and-death battle to save those she loved from the covens, Jax gained staggering power. Power so intense, so dangerous, she fears the darkness that now dwells inside her like a living thing.

If she can’t control the power, she may yet become as evil as the witches she conquered.

With her cousin Egan, Jax leaves all she’s built and heads for the one place that might hold the answers she desperately needs to hold back the darkness—Salem, Massachusetts. Her research unearths a shocking discovery: the Bane, a secret group of witches dedicated to thwarting the covens.

Jax desperately needs their help in her fight against the covens, but finding the Bane is easier said than done and takes all her skills and courage. As Jax gets closer, her dark powers began rise and control her actions. If she succumbs to the darkness, Jax may have as much to fear from the Bane as the evil covens and the determined hunter on her trail.

My Thoughts

Having enjoyed from beginning to end watching the story unfold at a fairly fast pace while reading White Witch I was really anxious to pick up the action in book 2 Bane . However much my wish for the action to stay first and foremost as the main catalyst to the story there was very little until near the end of the book, rather the author slowed things down and spent time building on the world she had already created and fleshing it out.

Bane does not have the momentum that was such a draw to keep reading in White Witch , this second book is more of a "learning curve" for both the reader as well as Jax, it is also more intense as well. Besides all the tedious hours and days of research that Jax and Egan undergo in their search for answers on how to fight the dark covens there are a few new characters to meet once the pair reach Salem Massachusetts.


I enjoyed seeing Jax become more focused on the end goal of not only defeating the covens to save herself and Egan but also to free normal human inhabitants of the threat that they posed. The power that Jax had used at the fight at Shiprock outside Baker's Gap is also a growing concern, she finds that the darkness inside her is growing and becoming harder and harder to control.

Finding members of the Bane, with the help of her new allies Rule his mother Adele and Grandmother Fiona, is the number one task that Jax sets her sight on. She feels that if she can only discover how they have managed to overcome the dark powers that are part of their heritage as descendants of the original Salem witches that the fight she is going to have to wage with the members of the dark covens could be won. The problem is once Jax finds the members of the Bane will they be more of a help or a threat to she and her friends, only time is going to tell on that one as it is hinted at in this story but not totally revealed.

When all is said and done the book is still an interesting, easy and engaging read. Kellar and Toni once again make an appearance, lending their help and support despite the objections posed by both Jax and Egan. It was one of the highlights of the story for me when the barriers between the two couples came down and they both admitted that it was far better they all stay together and fight as a team then split up and have less of a chance of any of them surviving the battles to come.

Author Trish Milburn sets the stage for book 3 "Magick" after another cliffhanger ending which quite frankly was the most action in the entire story.

I am still excited to see where this is going even though it seems to me that instead of three short books the entire story could have been put in one full length book by cutting some of the "dead areas" in books 1 and 2.

Thank goodness "Magick" is set to release soon so my eagerness to see how the final battle between Jax and the covens comes out is appeased!

[Netgalley EArc for honest review.]

[Cinzia · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stella


“BANE” by Trish Milburn
Bane è il secondo libro della trilogia The Coven series scritta da Trish Milburn, e qui nasce spontanea la domanda: nessuno è più in grado di scrivere un libro fine a se stesso? Siamo costretti a sorbirci questa perenne infornata di serie? Faccio un piccolo riassunto anche della trama del libro precedente per poi passare al diretto interessato Bane.
In White Witch, Jax Pherson scappa da una oscura congrega di streghe e stregoni, per fuggire dalla malvagità del padre, che ne è a capo. Durante una battaglia mortale acquisisce dei poteri eccezionali. Questa nuova forza, che la ragazza si trova ad affrontare, sembra possedere una volontà propria ed è così intensa e pericolosa che Jax teme di soccombere al suo richiamo e di trasformarsi in una delle creature contro cui sta combattendo. Per un breve momento il suo coraggio viene ricompensato e trova tutto quello che ha sempre desiderato: una vita normale, un ragazzo meraviglioso e un’amica di cui potersi fidare ciecamente.
Ora, in Bane, il suo passato mette in pericolo le persone che ama, conducendola verso un nuovo scontro con la congrega guidata dal padre. Jax decide di abbandonare la sua nuova vita.
Con il suo amico Egan, raggiunge l’unico posto che potrebbe nascondere le risposte di cui ha disperatamente bisogno: Salem, Masshachussetts. Le sue ricerche rivelano una scoperta scioccante, ma che fa anche nascere nuove speranze: “The Bane”, un gruppo di streghe che si dedicano alla stessa causa di Jax: combattere la malvagità presente nelle altre congreghe.
Scoprire dove si nasconde The Bane è più facile a dirsi che a farsi. Jax deve utilizzare tutte le sue capacità per condurre le ricerche e intanto sopravvivere alla persecuzione di un cacciatore di streghe.
Nel momento in cui il pericolo avanza i suoi sinistri poteri iniziano a tentarla. Se non riuscirà a resistere Jax si troverà a combattere una battaglia mortale contemporaneamente su diversi fronti, senza alleati, contro il cacciatore, The Bane e la congrega del padre.

Dopo questa mega-introduzione cosa vi verrebbe da dire? Ecco, non ditelo... lasciate solo che io faccia i miei complimenti a colore che scrivono il blurb di un libro, alcuni hanno un vero e proprio talento: poche righe che ti convincono di avere per le mani un libro veramente bello. Non vedevo l'ora di leggere Bane, il primo libro della serie mi era piaciuto abbastanza, nonostante fosse uno young-adult ed ero rimasta "appesa", come la carta dei tarocchi, impaziente di sapere come sarebbe andata a finire. Che delusione!!!
Questo secondo episodio della trilogia è un libro di completa transizione, non ha una sotto trama che ne giustifichi la lettura separatamente dalla serie, mancherebbero troppi elementi fondamentali. È solo una spasmodica attesa nei confronti dell'epilogo che ci sarà nell'ultimo libro. Privo di ritmo, assolutamente monotono e dire che è ambientato a Salem, cittadina che sta alle streghe come la Romania sta a Dracula! La scrittrice non ha utilizzato Bane nemmeno per tentare di approfondire la caratterizzazione dei suoi personaggi, che al contrario sono regrediti.
Mi spiace il mio pollice è decisamente down e sinceramente non credo che leggerò il terzo libro della serie, già terminare questo è stato un'impresa.
Voto: 1 stella e 1/2
Si ringraziano NETGALLEY e la BELL BRIDGE BOOKS per la gentile preview
Trish Milburn, conosciuta anche con il nome Tricia Mills in alcune pubblicazioni romance, è una scrittrice americana nata e cresciuta nell'ovest del Kentucky. Ha iniziato a leggere da così tanto tempo che non è in grado di ricordarsi il motivo che l'abbia spinta a farlo. Le librerie sono sempre state il suo luogo preferito e questa sua passione, durante l'adolescenza, le ha fatto trascurare un po' la vita sociale. dopo il college ha lavorato come reporter per una testata giornalistica e come editor di articoli per una rivista; attualmente scrive ancora in qualità di freelance. preferisce scrivere storie di fiction con elementi di romance, paranormal e suspance. I suoi racconti hanno raggiunto per otto volte le finali del Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Contest, vincendole in due occasioni.
White Witch ha vinto questo premio nel 2007 per la categoria young adult
Trilogia The Coven:
- White witch
- Bane
- Magick

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bane is the second book in Trish Milburn's new Coven trilogy so this review will contain spoilers for the first book. I don't think you'd be able to read this story as a stand alone as you'd be missing too much background information so I wouldn't recommend reading further if you haven't read White Witch.

Jax may have managed to win the battle against her coven at the end of the last book but she knows that won't be the last they hear of them. In fact she is convinced that they will join with Egan's coven and be back for more. In search of answers about Jax's new found powers they have returned to where the covens were first created hundreds of years ago - Salem. Horrified that their friends Keller and Tori were injured because of them Jax and Egan have left them in Bakers Gap to keep them out of danger. Does Salem hold the answers that they need to beat the covens and can they find the information in time?

I enjoyed the first book in this series and was curious to see what would happen next to Jax and her friends. I had high hopes for the second book but unfortunately it felt more like a filler book than a full length story in it's own right. I didn't feel like enough happened to really move the story line forward and what was there could have been reduced in length and added to the next book (or the previous one). The first half of the book was very slow moving and I missed the banter between Jax, Egan, Keller and Tori which was one of the things I loved most in White Witch. I was pleased when Keller and Tori arrived back on the scene but it still didn't quite regain the feel of the first book. The action did pick up in the second half but I was expecting another big showdown with the covens and was disappointed that they didn't make an appearance. It also felt like the book ended in the middle of the scene - there are cliffhangers that have you desperate to read the next instalment and there are ones that leave you thinking your copy of the story has some pages missing. Unfortunately this was the latter.

We are introduced to some interesting new characters and I enjoyed finding out about the different kinds of witches. I hope we get to know them better in the next book because at the moment they don't feel very fleshed out. I didn't particularly like the addition of the obligatory love triangle though. That's a trope that I'm getting really bored with as it is so overdone in paranormal YA fiction. Occasionally the triangle is done well enough that I enjoy it but this time it felt like it was just thrown in for the sake of it. I didn't feel any connection with the new boy in Jax's life and it didn't really seem like she did either. Scenes between the two of them just made me roll my eyes.

I am still interested enough in the world building that I will probably pick up the third book when it comes out later this year though. I'm very curious about Jax's new abilities and the darkness that is inside her and will be interested to see how she deals with that. I also want to know how they are going to deal with the dark coven witches. Despite the problems I had with the story it was still a quick and easy read that kept my attention and I think it does contain information that fans of the series will need to know before they pick up the final book.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The review
Bane is a really good continuation of White Witch. We pick up where we left of with Jax and Egan heading to Salem to try and find answers on how to stop the dark covens once and for all. They leave behind Keller and Toni believing that involving them any further would put them in unnecessary danger. Once in Salem the research begins and because they have trouble finding any clues they bring themselves to the attention of an overly helpful librarian who seems a little too interested in Jaxs’ project and also a young man who seems to know more than he’s letting on for the amount of questions he’s asking. She also gets the feeling that she is being watched by someone or something and when a couple of missing people arrive on her doorstep the dangerous position she is in becomes more apparent which is not what she needs when she is struggling with a growing darkness within her that’s been troubling her since the events of ‘shiprock’. Will she ever get the answers she seeks? Will she ever control the growing darkness in her? And just who can she trust when the enemies are on her tail?
I really enjoyed Bane, as I said it is a really good continuation but also had a different feel too. This was jam packed with information and Jax & Egan learned a lot in this book. I liked learning all of the history as we begin to realise just how selective the dark covens have been with their history and using it for their own purposes. They also uncover things that were once hidden and have remained so since the Salem Witch Trials and added a little extra mystery to the story and introduced new characters, I’m not saying whether the new characters and discoveries are going to benefit the ‘good guys’ – that remains to be seen - but it gives us hope that ‘team Jax’ may get some new members because let’s face it, she needs someone on her side. I liked how Jax showed a different side to her in this as she struggles with the growing ‘darkness’ inside of her, she wavers between darkness and light and it showed her as vulnerable and I loved what Keller could do for her. I think this will be a continuing effort for her throughout the series but it humanises her in a way and makes you empathise with her struggle. The pacing was good and you always feel like something is going to happen, whether it’s from the coven, the Hunters or some unknown factor crawling out of the woodwork so I was on the edge of my seat for most of it but when the end showdown came it was kind of abrupt. Never the less though – it was a good book, It had a more serious feel to it whereas book one was more fun loving and romantic but I think that’s because the events of book one left all the characters in no doubt as to what is at stake and it shows. I enjoyed all of the characters old & new, I liked the new developments, the Salem history and setting, the little bit of romance which lifts the feel of it and another cliff hanger ending that has left me really eager for the next book, I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. 4*s

[Cat's Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was way too short and what the heck happened to the ending???

This book made me feel as though White Witch and Bane were really just one book and the author decided to chop it up and make it into two books. However, Bane never felt like it was a whole book and the ending confirmed for me that this trilogy was probably one original book that was split into thirds. The ending of Bane was more like a chapter ending. I don’t know why the author would have ended the book this way. There was nothing complete about it and I kept thinking that there was more hidden somewhere past 99% on my Kindle but all I read next was a two page blurb about the author. Breaking up a book might be fine but you have to know where to end the book and how to make the reader feel complete, like the time spent reading this book was worth it. You should not end a book at the critical moment of a fight scene. You have to have some way of showing “completion” or you just leave the reader feeling ripped off.

I found many of the plot points to be unbelievable in Bane. Keller and Toni just showing up in Salem without any indication that Jax and Egan were going there was quite farfetched. Also, for Keller and Toni to be in the same herb shop (that Jax and Egan happened to hang out in) and they are in the shop at the exact moment that Jax and Egan happened to walk in there. Yeah, too convenient for me.

Jax spent way too much time in the book talking about how dangerous she was, how bad her dark magic was, how she can’t control herself, how powerful she was, how her dark magic was so bad, etc. The reader understands all of this but yet the author felt compelled to keep talking about it until I almost wished that Jax would just stay a dark witch.

The author also had the tendency to repeat information ad nauseam. There were just so many times I could read about the mother’s murder, Egan pushing Toni away, Jax trying to get rid of Keller, how bad the dark witches were, etc, that I spent a lot of time skimming over that stuff. I mean, really, I already read that information several times over and I really did not have to read it again – the information has not changed! And, truth be told, this book (along with the other two) are all under 200 pages! So the author had a lot of unnecessary filler in this novel that could have been removed to add more meaty moments.

I did like the addition of the new characters in Salem: Fiona and Rule (though no explanation is given why he had such an odd name – actually many of the characters had unusual names and they were never given a reason for it: Jaxina, Tavis, Egan, Keller, Rule). They added more meat to the story and they are the reason why I am giving this book three stars. I am also giving it three stars because the storyline itself is interesting and it kept me reading on to find out if the characters would solve their problems.

[RoloPoloBookBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bane (Book 2: Coven Series) by Trish Milburn
Source: Netgalley
4½/5 stars

Holy crap, Batman! Bane is the second book in Trish Milburn’s Coven series and just like book one, my socks have been rocked! Bane picks up precisely where White Witch ended with Jax and Egan having arrived in Salem after skipping out on Keller and Toni in Baker Gap, North Carolina. Yes, it’s as craptastic as it sounds 

Jax and Egan have landed in Salem with a highly specific and rather terrifying agenda: find out what got into Jax at Shiprock, research the possibility of white witches actually existing and, find the key to taking down the covens. Mind you, the dynamic duo has to accomplish all of this without using any of their own powers and being completely separated from the two people they love most.

Jax and Egan seem to think they are completely under the radar that is, until they discover how odd a town Salem actually is. Jax keeps shaking off the feeling she and Egan are being watched because she can’t actually sense the presence of any witches. That is until she encounters Rule Latimer and his grandmother, Fiona Day. After a rather rocky introduction everyone begins to understand they are all on the same side and have frighteningly similar goals. Once Jax and Egan join forces with Fiona and Rule the real research and work gets started.

Here’s the short list of precisely what rocked my socks:

*the relationship between Jax and Fiona: Fiona is such a strong, wise and no-nonsense woman with a lot of experience and knowledge where witches and witch history is concerned. Fiona is good for Jax and helps her understand her powers and her place within the context of the coming fight

*Keller and Toni’s return: You know they had to show up; stop snorting like I just unloaded a spoiler on you! The reappearance of these two is absolutely necessary to the development of the plot and Jax and Egan’s sanity but their reappearance also creates a whole host of new problems.

*The backstory: I am a big, big, big fan of backstories and histories and this book is full of both. The research the group is doing is how Milburn weaves the backstory and histories of Salem, the original families, the covens, and the Bane (the who?) into the contemporary plot. The information is not only really interesting but it also infuses each of the characters and the plot with a greater sense of depth and dimension.

*The fan-crappin’-tastic cliffhanger!! Even with all the backstory and history Milburn still finds time to squeeze in plenty of heart-pounding action. Believe me when I tell you she has cooked up one hell of an ending that will leave you wondering where the hell that came from. So. Totally. Worth. It.

[Tahlia Newland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Coven series by Trish Milburn and I loved reading it every bit as much as I did the first one. In White Witch, Jax leaves her mobster-style witch coven and tries to start an independent life. For a time she had what she wanted, a normal life, an amazing boyfriend and a best friend—until her family found her. Though she finds the strength to resist when they try to take her back, in order to protect the people they love, she and her cousin Eagon leave the town they had come to know as home.

Bane begins with Jax and Eagon in Salem, searching for information that will help them end the rule of the evil covens and help Jax control the power she absorbed from the earth at the end of White Witch. She doesn’t want to fall into the dark side like the rest of her family, but the power inside her urges her to hate and destroy.

In Salem, she finds the Bane, a secret group of witches dedicated to thwarting the covens. She desperately needs their help, but will they trust her enough, and can she trust herself not to succumb to the darkness? Jax is determined to make the world safe from the covens, but first she has to make the world safe from herself.

This story is a powerful allegory for everyone’s battle with their destructive emotions. As one of the Bane points out, the more she chooses the light, the easier it is to choose the light again and the more the darkness recedes. Of course, the opposite is also true, and the little things are as important as the big things. It’s easy to fall into hatred and desire for revenge when someone you love is killed, but what does giving in to that do to the darkness inside you? These are the kind of issues the story raises, along with themes of the power of friendship, trust and love.

Jax is a gutsy heroine with a strong sense of right and wrong but, like all of us, when her negative emotions take control, her best side can disappear in an instant. It’s a struggle that, not surprisingly, isn’t resolved in one book. The end is a cliff-hanger and the only thing that stopped me screaming in frustration (I really hate cliff-hangers) is that the first chapter of the next book was also included in the file I read. That chapter should have been the end of Bane. It would have been a satisfying ending that made a powerful point. As it is, the book leaves you hanging in an uncomfortable place.

I certainly want to read the next book. I give this one 4 stars—one off for the cliff-hanger ending. I highly recommend this series to all readers who like fantasy, regardless of their age.

[Anya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bane is the second in the coven series and tells the story of Jax and Egan traveling to Salem to try to find out the truth about the covens, Jax’s power and how to stop the evil for good. Too bad the rest of the world didn’t have the same plan….
Bane is the second of the Coven series, and so this review will contain spoilers for the first book, White Witch. If you haven’t read White Witch, check out my review :). After finishing White Witch, I was quite excited to see that Bane was also open for review copies, and had to keep reading and reviewin for this fun series!



Goodreads
Title: Bane
Author: Trish Milburn
Pages: 178
Genre-ish: Urban Fantasy with only witches
Rating: ★★★★☆ - fun read, minor flaws
Setting: The modern world, but witches are real, Salem pissed them off and made them bargain for true evil powers, and covens live in hiding, using mind control and killing anyone that finds or annoys them.
Premise: Jax was a dark witch, but fled from her coven in the first book. Now she has discovered she can take in and use white witch power, and has traveled to Salem to try to figure out what all that means for her life and the world.

Strengths:
Same compelling writing as the first book. I just want to keep turning the page!
Learning more about the other power that is out there and the other people who know about the covens was quite interesting.
New friends! The secondary characters that appear were refreshing to the plot.
No love triangle (yet). Keller and Toni are involved in Bane, and while there is angst, Jax doesn’t do anything too annoying in the romance department.
Weaknesses:
The conclusion of Bane felt a little weak after all the build up, and there is obviously going to be another book. This is understandable for a second book, but it still would have been nice if it could have stood on its own a little bit better.
A little bit too much teenage angst for me, but it is YA ;-).
Bane had the same weird formatting and some spelling errors as White Witch.
Summary:
I was perhaps a little too excited to get a copy of Bane, and built up my expectations. A second book is rarely as strong as the first, and the plot was a little disappointing. The characters, old and new, however, were very strong and memorable. They made me very much enjoy Bane and I recommend everyone who likes YA fantasy to start or continue the series!

[Cyndy Aleo · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the abrupt ending of Trish Milburn's White Witch , I was eager to see what happened with the characters, so when I had the opportunity to review a copy of the sequel, Bane via NetGalley, I took it. When we last saw Jax, who'd left her coven wanting to be a good witch, and her friend (possible cousin; it's confusing) Egan, they had left their friends (and significant others) Toni and Keller to keep them safe and headed for Salem, Massachusetts, hoping to find answers about a legendary white witch, which could possibly help them defeat the dark covens they came from.

Once in Salem, they begin seeking answers in the library, and meet up with others whose families descend from those who lost members during the Salem witch trials. They learn that while some took the dark powers, others took no -- or little -- power, and another group is called the Bane, and may be able to help Jax harness the power she took in fighting off the covens in the climax of the previous book. As they research what happened around the time of the witch trials and the Bane, Toni and Keller go missing, and they fear they may have been taken by the covens.

If I thought White Witch was full of YA anachronisms, Bane had more, including more Whedon references and a 16-year-old character wearing a Battlestar Galactica shirt, which still seems odd considering the series ran at 10 PM, and the character would have been eight when it started, although I suppose maybe by 12 or 13 the character may have started watching toward the end. Still, there's nothing more current that the teens are interested in, and it dates the book even more than if the references were current, and they aren't things I think a lot of the current cop of teens will identify with.

Once again, too, the book seems to end abruptly (actually, in the middle of a scene), and while I know it's meant to be a cliffhanger, the super-short length (20 pages shorter than the first book) and the the pick-up for the next book (shown in the preview for the third book) really make this feel like one book cut up to be three books. I'm honestly not sure after this one if I'll be picking up the third book when it comes out.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monday, June 11, 2012Review: Bane by Trish Milburn
4 STARS Wow! I want book 3 now. Was not ready for it to end. Bane is the second book of the Coven series. The first is White Witch and the third is Magick coming out in sept,2012. Bane takes off just awhile after White Witch. Jax and Egan have left thier friends in North Carolina and are in Salem. Where it all started looking for answers how to stop thier Covens and how to control the evil within them. Jax is not finding out much searching at the library but she does come across the librain who is a little too helpful with asking again what she is looking for. Jax also meets a boy her age Rule who says he is doing homework. He shows her a map with names of who owns it at time of the Witch trials. Jax and Egan are feeling hopeless that they can't find anything. Then they see Rule go into a herb shop and follow him inside. They are offered a drink of tea that makes them sick especially Egan. Later that night they break into the herb shop for answers and find Rule's mother and grandmother. Who are witches but have no power. But they have a library of information in thier basement that after they test them show them. They are willing to see if they can help stop the covens. Thier is a lot of drama that keeps you on the edge of the seat and doesn't quit. Read it in one sitting. Rule is willing to be more to Jax but she can't get over the love she feels for Keller. Jax misses Keller and her friend Toni. Egan has a computer to alert them if anything mentions Keller and Toni's name. When they show as missing Egan and Jax are torn for they left to protect them and now they were gone missing. If you read and liked White Witch you need to read Bane and then you will wait for Magick. They are good books to read. Bane is fun,powerful,no sex scenes or swear words. Full of magic and choices we all make all the time to do whats right or whats wrong. to be selfesh or unselfesh. What they are willing to fight for or die for. I don't want to give away anymore of the story and lessen the tension for you. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. 06/01/2012 PUB Bell Bridge Books

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed White Witch, it was such a nice fresh take on witches and good versus evil so I was happy to see that the next installment in the series was already out and just waiting for me to crack it open.

Bane picks up pretty much where White Witch left off. Egan and Jax leave Keller and Toni regretfully behind and are now in Salem searching for more information about if white witches really exist and for anything that can help explain the power that Jax seems to have.

There is so much that was never told to them. About their abilities and strengths and even about themselves and the covens and family they grew up with. There have been so many lies told to them, they don't even know fact from fiction anymore.

And to top it off, things and people aren't quite what they first appear to be in the little town of Salem.

Once again a lot of truths and lies are uncovered.

Jax struggles a lot in this one, with herself and her powers and her feelings for Keller and doing what is right and what is best and what is safe. Sadly, those things aren't always along the same lines and no choice is easy. Every single one has consequences.

We also get introduced to a lot of new characters that I can quickly see becoming favorites and yes, fans of Keller and Toni, don't worry we see some old faces too.

Even though this book moves a little slower than the first one, there is still a lot going on. A lot is revealed and a lot is happening. And like the first one, most of the action takes place towards the end of the book.

And did I mention the end of the book? Because that was definitely some ending! So suspenseful! I love the way it ended, I was on the edge of my seat through the whole last chapter! I am so glad that I only have to wait until September for the next book to be out so I can find out what happens to Jax and her friends.

I think this was a great sequel to White Witch.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Arrgh!! Just when things were getting interesting, the story ends on a cliffhanger!! But I want to know more now!! Haha!!

I thought the White Witch was more a lively read, watching a young girl turn her life around and doing normal teenage things until evil basically lands on her doorstep. But in Bane it was completely different, very intense and serious. There weren't many laugh out loud scenes as everyone is on edge most of the time. It was a sensational second book in the series; I just wished that it didn't finish so quickly.

Bane continues on where White Witch left off. We follow Jax, into Salem, where the Salem Witch Trials took place back in the 1600's. She is trying to find answers to her problems. She wants to know more in regards to the White Witch and how to deal with the Dark and Light powers that are battling within her. But most of all she wants to find a way to rid the world of the Dark Covens to protect the rest of the human race.

In Bane, Jax is a more determined person. After the incident at Shiprock at Bakers Gap she has decided to step up and take responsibility of herself and her friends as well as trying to keep everyone safe. This book is very nerve wracking as Jax and Egan feel as though they are being watched by someone almost everywhere they go and I was expecting someone to jump out at them all the time!

We meet some new people in Bane that weren't in White Witch, who fit into this storyline perfectly! They help with the research into her past and even try to teach Jax things about herself. But for Jax it means more people for her to protect.

Trish has created an intriguing world involving witches and the supernatural. She has left me sitting on the edge of my seat at the end of Bane and I can't wait for the next book!!

[Richard Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Nothing was asked except a honest review.

When Jaxina Pherson A.K.A. Jax Taylor, in book 1 (White Witch) ran away from her families dark coven, she knew that it put her under a death sentence. Later Egan Byrne, also a witch on the run from his coven, later they were in a battle with Jaxs' family and by drawing on powers, she was able to defeat them but will they help her become a white witch as she wants or turn her completely dark?

In this book Jax and Egan have left without telling anyone and come to Salem, where it is said the dark covens began. It is their hope that there they can find a way to finally defeat the dark covens and be allowed to return to Baker Gap and the people they have fallen in love with. In Salem they meet Rule, Fiona and Adele, a family of witches with no power. Working together they find out about the Bane, A group of witches who were suppose to have taken the dark power but then rejected it. Can they find the Bane and will they help Jax become what she wants to be. To add to her problems Keller and Toni Dawes, the boy she has fallen for and Toni the girl Egan has fallen for have been reported missing. Also to add to their problems, they find out that a famous hunter of supernaturals are on their trail. Will Jax find the answers she is seeking or will her dark side take over.

I gave this 4 stars despite the fact I like it for two reasons.
1. The book is short and is closer to a novella than a book.
2. The cost if someone buys the book. Prices shown are from Amazon.com. Kindle edition is $8.49 and the paperbook is $12.56. Prices I consider high for a book this size. But other than that I consider it a good book and can't wait until book 3 comes on this fall.

[Heather Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough review to write because I have a feeling the next book is going to be really good. However, not much happened during this sequel to White Witch and I couldn't help feeling a little let down. I like Milburn's writing style and I really enjoy the characters of Egan and Jax, but the plot in this one was kind of a snooze.

What I Liked: Jax and Egan continue to be my favorite characters. They are both good witches with dark undercurrents to their personalities. Ever since the showdown with Jax's coven in the last book, she has a hard time controlling her dark powers. Milburn was able to draw a realistic picture of Jax's inner struggle to keep the darkness from taking over. Rule and his family was also a nice addition to the series and I thought the Salem backdrop was a cool touch.

What I Didn't Like: I understand that the characters need to research to find the answers they seek, but it was a huge portion of the book. I wished it could have been summarized quicker and have more action take place. Plus, the Keller and Jax relationship continues to be my least favorite part of the series. Keller's character is underdeveloped and I think this is why I'm not more invested in their relationship.

Rating: Three out of five stars

Read more of my reviews at http://authorheather.com

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bane was an incredible sequel to White Witch. The beginning of Bane starts where White Witch left off, right after the coven battle. Jax is trying to find answers about how to defeat the coven for good. The plot was incredible, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I finished the book within a couple of hours. I didn't take any breaks from reading because I couldn't put it down. There were no plot holes. The setting of Salem, Massachusetts was ingenious and added a lot to the plot. The Salem Witch Trials have always fascinated me and the book made me want to research and learn more about them. The world that the author creates is stunning. I loved hearing about the different types of covens and witches. There were a few new characters in Bane, along with some of the characters I have grown to love from White Witch. My favorite new character is Sarah. I love all the mystery surrounding her. She seems very intelligent and powerful in her own way. I can't wait to read more about her in the next book. The ending of Bane knocked me off my feet. It was very raw and emotional and powerful. Bane was definitely one of my favorite books of 2012. I need book three now to find out how the series ends. I recommend this book for people who have read White Witch.

[Julie-anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed White Witch. The story was alright but, for some reason that I don't know, I just didn't enjoy it the same.

Jax and Egan are in Salem looking for anything that'll help them overthrow the dark covens. They attract the attention of a family of witches who didn't take in the dark powers at the time of the witch trials, so they have no power. But they do have knowledge, knowledge that will help Jax and Egan. They discover a group of witches called the Bane, who seem to stand somewhere in between the dark witches and the no-power witches. But they also attract the attention of an infamous witch hunter, one who is known for not seeing shades of grey when it comes to his prey.

Jax came across as very selfish in some parts of this story, particularly near the end. She seems to be becoming and "everything is about her" character, and I'm hoping this will change as I'm liking this series so I'd like to continue but if Jax becomes too annoying, I probably won't.

[Theresa Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bane starts off right where White Witch stops. It has been a long while since I read White Witch, so Im glad I skimmed back through it. I feel that without reading the first book, you might be lost in reading this one.

That being said, the action started right away. Jax and Egan have left those they love (Toni and Keller) behind to try and keep them safe and now are on a mission to try and take down the Covens. You learn so much back history about the witch’s and the covens, and I loved how Trish ties the Salem witches into the story.

I was SUPER glad that Keller and Toni end up being there for the majority of the book again, I would have been super bummed if they hadn’t been.

I will say that I was annoyed that the main bad guy in this book isn’t brought up until ¾ of the way through the book. I thought they were fighting the Covens, but they didn’t even make an appearance.

Also, Im not digging the war of good/evil going on inside Jax. But that’s ok… I guess that to add tension to the story.

Overall, the story was just as good as the first and I really enjoyed it!

Review by MRs Jones at www.theresamjones.blogspot.com

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

In BANE Trish Milburn continues the story of Jax who has fled her dark witch coven to escape and find out if she is what she thinks: A white witch. At the end of the first book she fought her coven and won, but took into her a force that she explores in this book; and the influence of which on her are questionable. She and her sidekick Egan, who is in the same situation as her, hide out in Salem, refraining from using magik as that might alert their covens as to their whereabouts all the while trying to find a way to turn the darkness of the covens around.

They meet a kind of witches they didn't know existed and their hope to find a solution rises as these newfound allies try to aid them as much as possible.

The book is exciting, enticing and ends in a cliffhanger that makes you want the third book right away... what more can an author hope to accomplish?

Well written and four stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the preview of this book. It is much appreciated and I cannot wait for the next book, as this one ends in such a cliff hanger.

[Harriet · Rating 3 out of 5]

(epub, not Kindle ebook. Cross-posted at NetGalley.) Jax's fight against the evil witch covens continues as she and Egan go to Salem, hoping to find answers. The first-person narrative is engaging; Jax's inner thoughts and emotions are completely open to the reader. This light, cozy read has just enough action (mostly in the second half) to keep a fairly quick pace. Other things I liked: reading about Salem (I recognized a few places, including the memorial for the victims of the Salem witch trials), and the fact that Jax and her friends did research at the local library and special collections.

I consider this a transitional novel, a device to carry the story begun in White Witch through to a third installment. These kinds of books tend to be a bit disappointing to me. Compared to the first book, the character development didn't seem as strong, and the obstacles, while serious, didn't have as powerful an impact. Also beware that the ending is abrupt and full of cliffhanger.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

BANE starts up immediately after the events of WHITE WITCH with Jax and Egan leaving their new life in the middle of the night to save those they love from harm. The jump right into researching their families pasts and looking for help in Salem. They quickly learn they are not alone in their pursuit to fight the covens.

Jax's voice continued to be a great base for the story. She was easy to read and her emotions and feelings were always out there. I liked the new characters that were introduced and the old that came back into the story. The progression of events made sense and kept me reading. BANE was pretty fast paced but didn't feel like it jumped as much as WHITE WITCH did. There was a good amount of action spaced in. I enjoyed the setting of Salem throughout the book and the little facts that were thrown in.

BANE ends with another abrupt, cliff hanger ending which once again did its job with making me want to read what happens next with the characters.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having previously fled from her over-controlling father and the other witches of the dark coven, Jax Pherson is on the run again. Leaving those she cares about behind in an attempt to protect them, she and another rebelling witch, Egan, are on the search for a way to stop their families and covens. Gaining allies along they way, Jax and Egan realize that they can't beat the evil alone.

Bane is the second book in Trish Milburn's The Coven Series. While there were definitely aspects of the book that kept the story line of the series going with necessary scenes, the overall quality of the second book wasn't to par with the first, White Witch. The plot meandered about and character development seemed stalled at the beginning before picking up towards the latter half of the novel. The book is short and still enjoyable to read but leaves readers hoping Milburn comes back stronger in the next installment.

Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

After doing battle with the coven she is running from, Jax heads to Salem in the hopes of finding some answers, and learning to control her burgeoning powers. But she is afflicted with constant head-aches and the darkness within her is trying to assert control.
She desperately needs to find a shadowy group of witches called The Bane who might be able to help her take control of her power and vanquish the darkness. But a powerful hunter is on her tracks and her coven has gone mysteriously quiet and nobody can find out what they're up to.

Book 2 in the Coven series, is another solid story about Jax and her growing group of friends as they try to unlock the mysteries of her powers and defeat the covens.

[VicciReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to this book I really loved the first book in the series.
I am sad to say I was dispointed in this book. It did not flow as smooth as the first one.
I was not drawn into this one as fast as I was the frist book. I keep waiting for this book to pull me in and not let go. It never did, I had a hard time relating to the Characters and the plots that played out. Jax really seemed to struggle to find a space in this book where we still wanted to root for her, She just seemed to fall flat. I do not like to right bad reviews but I just could not find myself liking this book.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the lowest rating that I have ever given a book on a review, and it was more for the fact that it was incredibly slower paced then the first book. Didn't get to the good stuff until the very end of the book, the book was only 178 pages long and was also priced very high at $9.30 for Kindle and when you are paying that pricing you expect a great book. This wasn't it, which was disappointing especially since the first was very good. I am very DISAPPOINTED!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rate: 3 on 5

I found that the book could’ve been written a bit shorter like there are some parts where they're just doing research over and over again and it goes like that for more than half of the book. Also, it was a little boring in the beginning because there was no action and most of it was towards the ending, but overall I thought it was good.

What I liked about the book is how you could easily visualise a lot of the scenes and the places.