ARC Review: Tabitha Suzuma - Forbidden

Tabitha Suzuma - Forbidden

Pub. Date: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Format: Hardcover 464pp
Age Range: Young Adult (the older set..)


First of all, I normally don't read the descriptions of books before I read them. I go mostly on recommendations and books in a series that I enjoy. So when I started this one and wasn't really sure what the point of this book was, I went to Goodreads to find out. MISTAKE. It was a big mistake for people like me, who don't want to know. Sometimes items in the descriptions don't even happen until halfway through the novel. Then I'm not surprised. I should have just kept on reading with this one!

So I'm not going to give you the summary. If you want to read the description, have at it. Most of you seem to have already heard about this novel anyway. If you already know, then you can make an informed choice about reading this book. If you have not read the summary, I do recommend this book and think that it's a good idea if you should just let this story unfold on its own. That's all I will say on that.

As for the everything else about this book besides what it's about: I enjoyed reading this book in a weird way. I think it's beautifully written, slightly lyrical and definitely heart-wrenching. I really felt for the characters as I was reading this. With the way Suzuma wrote this, the reader can almost understand how something like this could happen. That makes it not so wrong or bizarre (or in their words: sick, twisted, disgusting..).

I think my only real qualm with this book is the way it ended. This may be SPOILERY, but if you want a happy ending, don't read this. So many choices were made that could have gone differently. I didn't feel like it had to end like that. But I can't imagine it going much any further, really. Ugh, I don't even want to say more than that. I am so sad that I wasn't surprised that I don't want to ruin any of this book for anyone else.

If you do read it, please let me know what you thought!

What I did like:

• The writing. Man, the writing in this book is beautiful and convincing. The reader can almost believe that this could happen (and perhaps it does) since it's set up perfectly. But I really just loved the writing style. This makes me glad that I read this the most.
  
• The story. It's SO different from anything you're reading right now, I absolutely guarantee it. While it may be repulsive to some (or most..), it's daring and distinctive and incomparable.
  
• The characters. They were so real, raw, and emotional. They had flaws and very human characteristics.
  
• Tense/POV. First person, present tense, alternating POVs between Maya and Lochan. FP/PT is my favorite, we all know this :o) Major points for that!
  

What I didn't like:

• Length. It's a pretty long book. I think it could have been edited down without harming the story as a whole. I did read it pretty quickly anyway.
  
• Dialogue. Some of it was forced a bit, some just came off as awkward for me. And some of the actions were frustrating! Also, sometimes they seemed older, but they're British and practically the heads of the household, so perhaps it was okay.
• The yuck factor. Yes.. it's there. Strong.
  

Bottom Line: This definitely isn't for everyone, but everyone who's read it has really liked it. I say, "Go for it." It's worth it.

Rating:

3.5/5 book sharks

Thanks to GalleyGrab for the opportunity to read this.