Saturday, February 4, 2012

Book Review: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma



I don't think I have words for how amazing this book was, but I'll give it a sorry attempt anyway.

Forbidden is a contemporary YA novel about a brother and sister, Maya and Lochan, who must raise their four younger siblings together since their mother is a useless drunk whom I hate (seriously, she really sucks). Then they fall in love. Maya and Lochan, that is. Sounds awkward, right? Only, it's not. It happens subtly and realistically. Maya and Lochan struggle the whole book to keep their family together despite the constant new challenges threatening them. They support each other, comfort each other, worry together, and are overall the only person that each other can be vulnerable with. Somewhere along the line, a love stronger than that of a brother and sister develops. And let me just say this: It's sign you're in good hands when an author can make you root for a brother and sister's incestuous relationship to work out. And that's what I did the whole time, right up until the ending, which I could use ten paragraphs to expand upon but won't because I want you all to read it and I don't want to ruin it for you. Just trust me. It's good.

Read it. Now!

That is all.

5 comments:

  1. I'm constantly surprised by the topics that are approached in YA books, this being one of them.I would have thought incest as a love story would be off limits for a teen book, but I guess not! I'm very grossed out/ingrigued, and I will be reading it soon. By the way, can I borrow it? Lol.

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  2. I insist up on it, Brandy! I guarantee you'll love it!

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  3. Brace yourself Brandy. I just finished it a few days ago. It's an incredible book but I'm emotionally drained!

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  4. I'm off to Goodreads to add it to my reading list. Sounds reminiscent of Flowers in the Attic.
    Great review, Michelle.

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  5. Thanks, Amaleen! I'm sure you'll love it. But yes, it is emotionally draining, as Ruth said.

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