Customer Reviews

Breaking the Cycle

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Breaking the Cycle is an anthology that introduces some and reminds others of the darker side of life; domestic abuse.

In this anthology there are eight stories that give a different spin on the subject of abuse. In the title story, penned by Zane, a young girl persuades her mother to leave an abusive man but things don't go as planned; J.L Woodson's "God Answers Prayer" deals with a young boy fighting for his life in the hospital after being placed there by a parent, and the recognition of abused men by Shonda Cheekes in "Silent Suffering" was a much needed perspective. However,out of the eight,there were three stories that had a greater impact on this reader. "The Grindstone" by Nane Quartay, in which a young boy witnesses a particularly gruesome murder and has no idea of how it will affect his life, "The Break of Dawn" by Collen Dixon which has an unforeseen twist that gave this reader pause and "The Stranger" by Tracy Thompson-Price who gives us a total new look at a victim's breaking point. These three stories were written in such a way they were very compelling.

Zane has done an outstanding job choosing these powerful stories to show this subject matter from different perspectives. Some stories were tame in descriptions but heavy on internal struggle of the victims and others were written so vividly that you could feel the blows of the abuse. Also the inclusion of domestic abuse resources in all fifty states gives a person an idea of where to start if they could in any way relate to these stories.

Although this is not a book that you can sit and devour in one sitting (because of the subject matter) it is indeed a powerful read.

Kotanya
APOOO BookClub

Zane out did herself with this one! I applaud these very talented authors for educating us on the underlyings of physical, emotional, mental draining abuse. "The Break of Dawn" & "Silent Suffering" will forever be etched in my mind as their deliverance was the most powerful for me. This is not to say the other authors didn't do a fantastic job. Although, I couldn't quite wrap my mind around to complete the story where and what D. V. Bernard was getting at with "The Lonely Echoes of My Youth". To sum it up, we need to commit to BREAKING THE CYCLE! Whether you see this pattern in yourself, a friend or love one, take initiative and present them/yourself with this book that offers many resources (THANK YOU ZANE)and in depth insight as to WHO, WHY AND WHAT STEPS CAN BE TAKING TO REGAIN A FULFILLING, PURPOSEFUL LIFE.

Zane has explored a different genre for her writing by using the topic of domestically abused children and spouses (both male and female). The book is a collection of stories that enlightens readers to the tragedies, persecutions and dilemnas that are produced from family abuse. As far as voices of the abused victims, no stone was left unturned. It was nice to have a change from Zane. A plus: Zane lists a Domestic Violence Directory for victims to seek refuge and escape the threatening environment in the back of her book. The book was well thought out and put together.

BREAKING THE CYCLE is a compelling collection of shorts stories about the subject of domestic violence. Zane, the editor of the collection, has gathered a diverse group of contributing authors who each brought something unique to their offering. The book discusses different types of abuse, from physical to emotional, verbal to sexual, but has a special emphasis on the impact of domestic violence on children.

I honestly enjoyed every story in this collection; however, some are particularly noteworthy. Young author, J.L. Woodson's story captured the voice of his 12 year-old protagonist with such simple honesty that I couldn't help but empathize. Woodson also laced a bit of fantasy into the tale which made the story unique and a pleasure to read in spite of the dark subject matter. Nane Quartay's contribution was another that was told from a child's point of view. His vivid characterizations made me feel like I was right on the block watching the story unfold. Shonda Cheekes' story focused on a male victim of domestic violence and in it she highlights the stigma and shame that are unique to men. Zane and Tracy Price-Thompson's stories featured characters who have simply had enough. While I didn't mention the other authors by name, trust me when I say each story is unique, well-written, and will make you think.

Reading BREAKING THE CYCLE made me appreciate the choices I made in choosing a mate. However, for those who may be in an abusive relationship, it provides useful information and will remind victims that they are not alone. In addition, this is a wonderful book for young adults, who lack experience when it comes to relationships. It provides realistic examples of how a seemingly good relationship can take a dramatic turn for the worse. Further, it serves as a reminder that domestic violence doesn't occur in a vacuum; it impacts the entire family and the broader community. I highly commend Zane for putting together a collection of stories that are not only well-written and emotional, but also address a very important social issue.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Breaking The Cycle, edited by Zane, is a collection of eight stories that deal with the topic of domestic violence. The distinctive voice of each of the contributing authors provides a different twist to this troubling subject. Zane starts the anthology with a story of a teenage girl who is determined to break the cycle despite her mother's reluctance.

I was fascinated by the writing style of J.L. Woodson who wrote, God Does Answer Prayers from the perspective of a young boy who is an accidental victim of domestic violence. The young protagonist tells the story while hovering between life and death in a hospital room.

The Break of Dawn by Coleen Dixon had a surprise ending that left me stunned.

Shonda Cheekes boldly reveals an aspect of domestic violence that many people are unaware of.

The horror of abuse depicted in The Stranger by Tracy Price-Thompson just kept escalating.

Each author is to be commended for not only exposing the many facets of domestic violence but for also offering a solution to break the cycle.

The resources found at the end of the book is an invaluable tool for anyone seeking help.

Kudos to Zane for taking the chance to step outside the erotica genre to shed some light on this serious issue.

I thought the stories in the book were very good and straight foward. I really enjoyed reading most of them. Some of the stories were better than others, but all in all it was good.

This was a good book but not the best. The stories that were chosen in this book were pretty good and heart breaking. However I did like how the characters in the stories (at least most of them) realized they deserved better and got the abusive person out of their lives. It also talked about the root of the victims problems (most came from childhood abuse) and what they saw growing up.

This vivid collection of fictional stories will equally shock and move you. Zane and an army of some of your favorite authors powerfully detail the physical and emotional destruction that domestic violence inflicts on members of an abusive household. In Colleen Dixon's Break of Dawn, an abused wife and mother takes drastic measures to ensure that her baby girl will not be another link in a generational chain of abused women. In Silent Suffering, by Shonda Cheekes, a man is forced to come clean about the abuse in his home-inflicted on him by his wife. In Tracy Price-Thompson's The Stranger, an abused wife finally finds the courage to fight back, but it's not her husband that's the victim of her retaliation. An unforgettable, emotionally charged anthology that will open your eyes and reminds others of the darker side of life; domestic abuse.

In the book "Breaking the Cycle", the themes were violence and abuse. In families, this causes a start of a violent cycle. In the book they made an example that if a child watched violence and abuse in their family they would most likely turn out being violated or the violator to someone else. I think this theory is true because if someone witnesses something it can rub off on them. Another example that was made was you have to know there is a problem in the relationship to get help. I think this is true because once you recognize the problem then it can be cured. I also think that the cycle of violence can be broken.

Some literary element that appeared in this book was foreshadowing, irony, tone, and setting. In one of the short stories the foreshadowing part was "Instead things worsened". This shows that the characters in the story would possibly get hurt or die. Another example of foreshadowing was at the end of the short stories when the protagonist would end the story with "I know the cycle is now broken". I think these words are very strange. This can make a reader want to read more. The ironic part of all the short stories was that the men in the women's life would appear to them as perfect guys but when they really figured out they weren't; it was too late. This caused women to fall in love easily and also be abused regularly. The tone of the short stories was calm at first, and then worried when the children and the mom would escape from all the abuse from the husbands. The setting of the stories usually took place in the men's homes, because of this it was no way for the child and the mother to escape. The moms were always too afraid to make a change.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was long but interesting. I thought it was wonderful that most of the short stories had a parallel ending. The main character would end the story by saying, "I know I broke the cycle."

When I read the book it made me think about my childhood and having to grow up in a house like that. Now as an adult I try to never get in a relationship that my kids or me would have to go through something like that. More people need to read the book and apply it to there day to day life. I did. Keep up the good work Zane.

Breaking the Cycle is a very deeply emotional book that deals with the horrors of domestic violence. Each story, except the last one because of its confusing plot, is well written and takes you inside the realms of this problem. Also in the back of the book, there is a section which includes names of places where you can get help. This is a book we all need to read. Highly Recommend!!