Review

Desolation is the one book in the Jokers’ Wrath MC series that I’ve been waiting for ever since readers were introduced to Santana’s broken little sister, Pippa. I wasn’t sure how a young girl who was forced to be a slave for five years could cope and heal in a harsh and dark motorcycle world, but Bella Jewel proves that regardless of the environment, being surrounded by family and love is exactly what is needed to thrive, even when there are setbacks.

Pippa is definitely a heroine that will pull at reader’s heartstrings. She’s soft spoken and submissive. She has a difficult time with confrontation and standing up for herself due to her circumstances. Pippa has been through hell, and it’s definitely going to take an immense amount of strength and determination to persevere, but with her badass biker and a slew of family and friends who love her by her side, Pippa can find a way out of the darkness and become the woman she wants to be.

From the onset, Bella does an amazing job of developing Pippa’s character from the innocent, broken angel to a woman who fights for what she wants. Her transition is not easy and her doubts and inadequacies are heart breaking, but she understands that she’s the victim in all of this and needs to do what she can to take back her life. Because Desolation is told through Pippa’s perspective, readers see how truly naïve and unworldly she is, which is exactly how she should be because she’s still struggling to find her place and fit in, but as she gains the courage to put herself out there and take action, her forcefulness grows, which is clearly expressed through her internal thoughts and her outward voice.

The flashbacks to Pippa’s time as a slave are difficult but necessary. They help to illustrate all that she endured and why she’s having such a difficult time returning to society. They also show the connection she has with Rainer, an essential bond to her in order to continue to cope with everything she’s faced with before she’s saved by her biker family.

One thing I would have liked to have been given is Tyke’s point of view…it definitely would have helped to understand him better and not want to throttle him for his insensitive actions. But I also understand why Bella kept it solely in Pippa’s voice because it’s her returning to herself and becoming whole that allows her to claim Tyke and be claimed in return.

At the end of Desolation, Pippa is no longer empty or destroyed; she’s no longer a shell of who she used to be before her captivity because she forced herself to change…she forced herself to grow and prove to herself and those around her that she may be little, but it doesn’t mean she can’t be fierce…she may be sensitive but she’s not weak.

I’m sad to see the Jokers’ Wrath MC series end, but I love the fact that Bella introduces readers to a few of the characters in her new series. Raide Knox definitely has a story to tell and Bella and Max’s story intrigues me after gaining a bit of insight about them.

A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Poison Apples