Forbidden (The Books of Mortals)/Book Review

Ted Dekker (Author) &

Tosca Lee (Author)

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: Center Street (September 13, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1599953544

ISBN-13: 978-1599953540

Praises

"...mammoth twists and head-pounding turns that will have readers and book clubs debating the roles of emotion and logic that drive human existence." (Publishers Weekly )

Dekker and Lee have created an intriguing future world...poised on the edge of vast upheaval. [They] draw readers into it and make them eager to read more..." (Booklist )

"FORBIDDEN: The Books of Mortals rocks with the same level of intensity and brilliance as Dekker's Circle Series. Riveting, resounding, and a magnificent blend of Dekker's and Lee's styles. I devoured FORBIDDEN." (James L. Rubart, bestselling author )

Description

New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker teams with Tosca Lee to create this gripping thriller set in a desolate future.

Many years have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse. The world's greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace... and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.

Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love.

But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed.

Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare to take the ride.

Review

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States)

Ever wondered if Dekker would write something to equal his Circle Trilogy? Fear not. Ever wondered if he could collaborate with another author and come up with something even better than his individual novels? Fear not. Ted Dekker gives us high-concept storytelling, while Tosca Lee provides her seamless prose to deliver the first book in a new trilogy--"Forbidden," "Mortal," and "Sovereign."

"Forbidden" tells the story of Rom Sebastian, an artisan in the distant future who becomes the recipient of a mysterious vial of blood. This blood holds emotions in it, love, anger, jealousy, and sorrow. But in the future painted by Dekker and Lee, humanity is barely human, having had all other emotions genetically weeded out except for fear. Fear keeps everyone in line, obeying the Order, and safe. It's a brilliant concept, exploring what it means to be human, to be alive. It also explores the seductive dangers of remaining stale but safe. Even as Rom discovers new emotions exploding within and tries to use them for good, his counterpart, the son of the reigning Sovereign, has manufactured his own way to experience emotions and uses them for selfishness and evil. Soon, these two men are on a collision course for the rule of the nations and the choice between fear (Order) or freedom (Chaos).

The story starts with a somewhat drab feel, intentionally displaying the results of this "safe" world. It soon picks up speed as Rom and his companions set out on a mission to find a prophesied boy who will lead the way toward something new. Yes, there are quite a few recurring motifs from Dekker's earlier books, particularly the Circle Trilogy--everything from horses, alleyways, blood, and wastelands--but it is given a whole new direction here, which I loved. I would've liked more world-building, though, since the story is set nearly 500 years in the future. While we see references to electricity and underground trains, they seem to be forgotten as horses and a more mythic feel take over. Security systems seem nonexistent, for example, which could've been easily explained by the fact this is a "safe" society where such things are unnecessary.

Despite the tiny quibbles, "Forbidden" is a great start to a new trilogy, at times reminding me of the repression in "Fahrenheit 451," and at others, of the political infighting in "Gladiator." The narrative sparkles, while the action scenes get increasingly intense. A beating heart pulses between these pages. And the conclusion leaves us thirsty for more.