Forbidden

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 10, 2015

Review

I generally enjoy Little's books, and this one was no exception, but it could have used more editing. It feels overlong with descriptions that go on and on and much "dialogue" that serves to give background, but that feels stilted and unrealistic. The setting is ancient Mesopotamia and Jayden is on the verge of becoming a woman in her tribe. She is betrothed to the next tribal leader, a man who was a childhood friend but who has turned cruel and possessive in his rise to power within his clan. The story has such conventional plot devices, an almost-perfect mother who dies before she can fully shepherd Jayden to womanhood, a wild older sister, a distant father who is tied to tradition, and a new forbidden love who enters the story and sweeps the heroine off her feet and away from her family and her obligations. The story has decent pacing though Little has a tendency to stay with a scene for too long, and the characters are engaging. Not having enough knowledge about what would have been acceptable in ancient Mesopotamia, I can't verify the accuracy of the characters actions though Jayden does have a very modern feel. This book is the first in a planned trilogy and would be good in the hands of a strong reader who loves historical fiction, adventure and romance.

Overall Book Score: good