Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma: The Review

Forbidden

by

Tabitha Suzuma

Title: Forbidden

Author: Tabitha Suzuma

Publisher: Definitions

Buy This Book: Amazon

Maya and Lochan have always seemed much more than brother and sister. After their father left five years earlier and their mother began drinking, they have taken on the parental roles and responsibilities. They depend on each other, rely on each other and need each other to ensure that the family is kept together, that Social Services do not realise that their mother is absent. Lochan's life is being controlled by his crippling social anxiety and panic attacks, he can't connect to anyone but his family, can't look people in the eye or speak to them. Maya notices Lochan's struggles and wishes she could help but she hopes it's something he will get over in time, as a straight A student he is headed towards great things.They need each other but as their relationship begins to develop beyond that of brother and sister they know what they are doing is wrong. But they can't stop themselves from loving each other. 

I know, I know; you're probably thinking 'Incest, ewwww!'. But please, please, please, please, please do not let that put you off this book. I also had a lot of reservations but I had seen such unbelievably amazing reviews for this book that I put that aside and reserved a copy at work. By the time it arrived I had to read it, had to know what about this book could make people fall so in love with it despite the taboo subject it covers. And now I know.

“At what point do you give up - decide enough is enough? There is only one answer really. Never.” 

I guess I feel like I should note that I don't have any brothers, I don't know if this would have been harder to read if I had. I was intrigued to know if anyone with brothers had still read and enjoyed this book and yes I found people who loved and adored this just as much as I did. After completing this book, I immediately went online and bought my own copy. This was a new favourite and it was going on my 'Pride of Place' shelf on my bedroom bookcase.

This book had me, it just had me from the word go and it would not let me go. It had me absolutely sobbing, it had me so angry, shocked and hurt that I wanted to throw it across my room. But I couldn't hate this book, I loved this book and nothing it did to upset me seemed to change that. I loved it more because it upset me, because it made me feel so much, it made me care so much. Lochan and Maya will always have a special place in my heart, I don't think I will ever forget this book.

“You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel.” 

This book is not about incest, it isn't proclaiming that we should all go and fall in love with our siblings. . This book is about how hard it is to control who you fall in love with. I mean, the oldest saying is you can't help who you fall in love with. Knowing that what your doing is wrong doesn't make it any easier to stop, emotions aren't taps that you can switch off at will.

 In a world that seems obsessed with forbidden love stories this one is my favourite. We've had Romeo & Juliet of duelling houses, Bella & Edward vampire meets human, and even City of Bones suggested an incestuous relationship for quite a while and everyone seems to love that. So please, I beg you to give this a try. If you need anymore convincing just check out some of the other 3,027 5 star reviews on Goodreads!


I don't even know what to write in this review, all I know is that I would urge anyone to give it a try. Then if you absolutely hated it, I would absolutely love to know why, discuss it. I think it's one of those books that could lead to some amazing discussions.

5/5 Stars