Summary
Lochan and Maya are brother and sister, but they are much more than that as well. They are parents to their three younger siblings in place of their flighty and immature mother. Lochan has crippling social anxiety and cannot be himself with anyone other than Maya. They are also each other’s best friends and soulmates…but then they fall in love.
Their love feels to them natural and inevitable, but Lochan and Maya live in fear of others finding out. Will the rest of the world realize how wonderful their relationship is, or will they only think that it is disgusting and forbidden?
Review
There has never been a book like FORBIDDEN in YA literature, and I can guarantee that there will never be one like it again. For Tabitha Suzuma has written an unconventional love story so powerful it will suck you under, suffocate you, and force you to rethink all that you thought about love and relationships.
Perhaps the most accomplished thing about FORBIDDEN is just how utterly deftly Tabitha Suzuma develops Lochan and Maya’s world and relationship. Here we have characters with a wide range of ages and maturity, and each one of them is fully fleshed out, so that we can both love and hate them at the same time. The mother is horrifying un-maternal, but not just in a way that conveniently lets the romance fall into place: her treatment of her children clearly has a great impact on Lochan and Maya’s closeness. Each of their siblings have their own personalities and issues, and you can’t help but be invested in all of their well-beings.
Everything feels just a little bit over the top—and yet, at the same time, nothing does. Lochan tends to always act like he’s on the verge of breaking down, which can get a little repetitive, and he and Maya can often act pretty dramatic for an already shocking story premise. Still, despite individual characters’ dramatic tendencies, and even the drama associated with the premise and conclusion, FORBIDDEN unfolds in a way that seems inevitable in the best and most natural way. You can’t help yourself when you root for Lochan and Maya—and you shouldn’t even feel bad for doing so, because if there’s any YA couple that has had to go through hell and sky-high obstacles, it’s this one.
FORBIDDEN is an enthralling read for those who like their contemporary YA deliberate, and can cherish the unconventional romance. It was an incredible read for me, and I hope it is so for you too.
Simon Pulse / June 28, 2011 / Hardcover / 464pp. / $17.99
Personal copy.
I don't think that this is a book for me, but I think you're right in your assessment that there won't be another love story like that one. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIts sad this book's subject matter scares people away. However, if a reader does give it a chance, I've seen nothing but raving reviews on how phenomenal this book, truly is. I really want to find the time to read it. Sadly, I don't think I'm going to get to it before it expires (from Galley Grab). Its just so long...
ReplyDeleteGreat review. It truly is a powerful read. I really want to pick up Tabitha's other books since I loved her style of writing.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a powerful novel. I almost skipped it because of the content, and I'm so glad I didn't. I agree with everything you said in your review!
ReplyDeleteI must say there hasn't been a "good" incestual story since Flowers in the Attic.
ReplyDeleteI actually disliked the book, not because of its taboo topic but because of the insufferable characters and overwrought writing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't posted my review yet (next week), but it's funny that you talk about how things feel over the top, because they absolutely do, and they absolutely are, and that's one of the things I took issue with. It's all too melodramatic for me.
Good review, though. I always like to read differing opinions about books I feel strongly about.
I'm almost done this and I think it's so so good. Yes, the subject matter is ... interesting ... but it's something that is never written about so that makes it new and different, which I love.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, I've had this one on my TBR-list for awhile.
ReplyDeleteGaaah! I want to read this soooooooo bad!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely review. I was kind of wary of this book, but now I think I'll have to give it a go -- seriously, incredible review.
ReplyDeleteI read this book very quickly as well and also thought she wrote the love story as very rootworthy. While I didn't find the writing perfect, I didn't care.
ReplyDeleteVery nice review. I've been wanting to read this one and your review has been even more convincing.
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like a surprising and compelling book, and definitely one I'd check out. I was surprised how accepting I was of a similar relationship in Rosoff's How I Live Now -- different; emotional; one that draws you in.
ReplyDeleteI got mine today and I can't wait to dive in! Thanks for the very unspoilerish review! (I know that isn't really a word)
ReplyDeleteHeather
Such a tough subject to write about but so beautifully written. I thought this book was outstanding as well.
ReplyDeleteI've heard so much about this one, and I can't wait to read it. It sounds like such an emotional book. I'm really drawn to those books that make your heart hurt and everything I've heard about this one makes me sure that this is one to make your heart cry.
ReplyDeleteForbidden is an emotionally charged book. It's a story of loss, of heartache, of trials and tribulations that no child should ever have to go through, and it is the story of a love so fierce that nothing and no one can stand in its way. The book is focused on a pair of siblings, Lochan and Maya, who have been mostly deserted by their parents (entirely by their father, and nearly completely by their mother) and who are having to not only exist themselves, but also raise their younger siblings.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough, horrible situation and as someone who grew up with parents who loved her, I cannot fathom existing in the type of world these two had to deal with. These two individuals are put through so much.