Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma - Review

Forbidden

by Tabitha Suzuma

Published Orginally: May 27th 2010 by Definitions
My Copy Info: This edition: Hardcover, 464 pages; Publication date: June 28, 2011
Ages: above 16
Source: Galley Grab

Plot:

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives--and the way they understand each other so completely--has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.--Simon and Schuster

My Thoughts:

 

I go into every book with an open mind. Some books surprise me. I get into them and a fall in love with the characters even though the subject matter of the novel may be a little uncomfortable. That's exactly what happened with FORBIDDEN. Sure, I've heard of this one through the blogging community when it was released over in the UK, but never got the opportunity to read it for myself. Reviews vary for this novel. Some love it while others hate it. I'll admit it is hard to get over the fact that the love story in this novel is between brother and sister, and no, I don't mean step. I'm talkin' same momma and daddy here. Full on siblings.

 

Now I know what you're thinking, ewwww gross, how can people read something like that. It is pretty creepy. But I will say Ms. Suzuma did such an excellent job building the characters that it was easy to forget they were siblings. Their lives are just so messed up. Their dad wants nothing to do with them. Their mom is an alcoholic that stays gone most of the time, which leaves the two main characters alone, raising the younger kids in the family. The dynamics of the family are so crazy, it's believable that this incestuous love story could happen. It's like they are in their own little world and no one else can understand but each other.

 

For me the story really took off the last 3/4 of the book. That was where all the action was. It really hooked me in and I flew through the end. It was sooooooo sad. Be prepared for that. It was probably the saddest YA contemporary story I've ever read. Very realistic and I can totally see a situation like that happening in real life. 

 

All in all I say read it with an open mind. This is not a book that I think is suitable for the younger YA crowd, best to stick with 16 and up for this one. There is a gritty sex scene in this one and the subject matter in general is best suited for a mature reader.  

 

 

The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2) by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2)

by Julie Kagawa

Paperback, 359 pages
Published August 1st 2010 by Harlequin Teen (first published July 27th 2010)

Plot:
Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.


Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My Thoughts:

I'm a little late hoping on the Iron Fey ban wagon, but I love this series. Book #1 in this series totally hooked me in and this novel started off right where the first book left off. It was good to find out what was happening between Meghan and Ash. I'd missed them when I ended book one.

There's just something about a guy who tries to push the main character away because it's for his and her own good, but just can't fight his heart even though he knows the girl can throw his world off balance. This novel has that. In book one we really get to know Meghan and Ash and the short novella, Winter's Passage,  that falls between books one and two is a MUST READ. It lets you in on what happened on the rest of their journey to the Winter Kingdom and draws you further into the love story.

Ash is such a well developed character. He makes the story so enthralling, I literally carried this book around with me everywhere until I finished it. Not since Edward in Twilight has a love interest hooked me this way. He has so many inner demons and Meghan is the one person who can get beneath that frigid layer of ice that surrounds his heart. Love him!

Bottom line, I love this series and can't wait to read more. I've already read The Iron Queen and will post my review soon. I'm super excited that Ms. Kagawa is releasing a story soon from Ash's point of view. If you haven't read this series, DO IT!!