Tabitha Suzuma’s Forbidden is probably the most intensely powerful novel that I’ve read in a seriously long time and I really don’t know where to start with this review. Consensual incest is one of the most controversial subjects out there, and to be honest, I was extremely curious as to how the author would handle it. But, quite frankly, it blew my socks off. Lochan and Maya’s story is delivered beautifully, but in an artful, unflinching way that really captured my attention. All at once I was cheering Maya and Lochan on and feeling a little uncomfortable. The conflict between my heart and mind kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire novel. All of the questions that would be asked about Lochan and Maya’s relationship, they asked themselves. And couldn’t answer them any more than an outsider could. But their situation is so different and something unusual was bound to stem from it. A closeness in age, running their household, being parents to their three younger siblings and having to work together made them much closer than a normal brother and sister would be. From this partnership stemmed a passionate, but tender, love that’s both so wrong and so right. It is incredibly moving and I found myself dreading the inevitable. One of the most prominent questions was how incest could possibly be consensual. To ensure that Lochan and Maya’s relationship is perceived by readers that way, my favourite technique is used: dual narration. Strong, silent, Lochie and confident, chatty Maya were most definitely in love. And I, myself, fell quite in love with Lochan, too which made the ending so much more heartbreaking. Forbidden is a truly extraordinary novel that should be a must read for everyone.

Unforgettable is the only word I can use to describe this book. I brought this not really sure what to expect and more out of curiousity. I didn't expect to care for the characters as I'm sure anyone who has read the book didn't expect to either. Given the subject matter, I didn't think I would be hoping for Lochan and Maya to find away to be happy but I did. I read it in about two days, and long after I finished it it is still playing on my mind. It really moved me.

First of all, yes, this is a book about teenage incest. However, please don't be put off by this. Suzuma tackles a clearly taboo subject sensitively, and I honestly didn't feel weird reading this. The relationship between the two central characters seems sweet and natural (yep, I didn't ever think I'd describe incest as that either) and because of all of the turmoil and sadness in their lives, you do actually find yourself wanting it work out for them. So much so that, like other reviewers, both myself and my sister found ourselves in tears by the end of the story. A really moving, bittersweet story which will appeal to young adults as well as older readers looking for something a little bit different. Don't be afraid to try it.

When I bought this book, I hadn't read the blurb properly and when I did, I was abit dubious about reading it. I am very glad I did, this book is an emotional rollercoaster and had me in tears by the end. The plot may be abit taboo, but the content rendered me speechless I was amazed by how the author draws you into the plot, and the writing was so beautiful it makes you put aside all preconceptions. . Tabitha Suzuma has written a beautiful book and I would recommend it to anyone open-minded enough to start reading it, because they wont be able to stop.

So I noticed that when I was reading this book, and others around me asked what it was about, and I said "incest between teenage brother and sister" I got some odd looks. Most people screwed up their faces and pretended to gag, but what was really strange, is that as I was reading it I was not grossed out in the slightest, in fact I ended up rooting for the two characters so much I finished the book a little confused over what my opinions over incest actually were. I'm not going to start yabbering on about social theory and the meaning of love, but you'll certainly be thinking about it when you read Forbidden. Don't think for one second that this is a gratuitous book - if you are looking for sleaze you won't find it here. Forbidden is intelligently written and highly sensitive to adolescent emotions. The characters are incredibly well observed (some teeter towards cliche a tad...) and entirely believable. Suzuma is particularly talented when it comes to exploring the innermost ranges of teenage emotion - angst, anxiety and insecurity. She just 'gets it' in a way that's hard to articulate. Even though I'm guessing the vast majority of readers of this novel will not be involved in an incestuous relationship, the characters are so well designed and their voices so clear that you can't help but empathise. When I finished the last chapter I found myself in the Waterstones Piccadilly staff room and close to tears, and unable to really explain why. I can't recommend this book enough, if only so that I have some more people to talk about it with!