Friday, October 3, 2014

Review: Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little

ForbiddenForbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Publisher: Harpercollins
Release Date: Nivenmber 4, 2014
Purchase: Amazon / B&N
In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden’s tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden’s turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe’s leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family’s position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden’s heart.

Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden’s heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb’s increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden’s every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying.

With a forbidden romance blossoming in her heart and her family’s survival on the line, Jayden must embark on a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself.

Set against the brilliant backdrop of the sprawling desert, the story of Jayden and Kadesh will leave readers absolutely breathless as they defy the odds and risk it all to be together
 
My Thoughts:
I had been waiting to read Forbidden for a while and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Desert Gypsies come to mind when I think of this book.

Jayden’s betrothal ceremony to Horeb was right around the corner. Her sister, Leila was engaged to Zenos, who was supposed to be their future tribe leader, but he died, which made his brother Horeb (the horrible, as I dubbed him) the next Nephish tribal leader.

Jayden was reluctant and scared, as anyone would be if you were forced to marry someone you didn’t love. But her mother insisted, and it was her duty to their family and tribe. The desert was harsh and the obstacles the small group faced was nothing compared to the grief Jayden felt when she had to rely on someone to take care of her newborn sister after her mother’s death.  Horeb’s true colors shown through when Jayden asked for his help and he turned his back on her, and instantly I knew we had a bad guy in the making.

Their tribe was to travel across the desert to this other location where they would stay and then eventually travel back. It was the way of their tribe. I couldn’t imagine traveling on a camel caravan through the desert. Dust, filth, dry, humid...no thanks!

As the tribe moved forward, Jayden begged another woman (Dinah) in the tribe to help nourish her baby sister until she could find other means. The way this woman handled the situation was just horrible!! Jayden promised her mother on her deathbed she would take care of her baby sister. She made many sacrifices to see she lived, despite her gut feeling to never let her out of her sight.

Jayden is so loyal and honest, and berothed to a man who is evil. Her sister Leila craved a different life, even though it was against what she was brought up to consider. Along the way, Jayden runs into a mysterious Kadesh, who’s mysterious, kind, and intelligent, and stole Jayden’s heart along the journey to catch up with their tribe at the oasis.

Horeb sensed there was an attraction between the two and would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

Jayden’s family had fallen apart, her world turned upside down, and she had to rely on hope and promises to pull herself together to move forward.

I could never live my life as a desert girl. Moving constantly, traveling by camel and covered in dust. Throughout this story, Jayden grew strength and a will to carry on, show bravery when life was at its worst, and make heart wrenching decisions.

Her character was believable and was easily to adapt to. She had courage and strength when most would have thrown in the towel. Kadesh was like a dream guy. Says the right things, is honorable, and I really, really, really liked him. He could easily fill a spot on the “Book Boyfriend Roster.”

This story is full of creative imaginings, dance, action, courage, and a sweet romance that won me over.
4 Snowflakes

1 comment:

  1. Hi Amber! Great review. I love the concept of desert girl and gypsy tribes. The social hierarchy is an interesting element for me too. But I have to admit that I am mostly interested in Kadesh. :)

    Precious @ Fragments of Life

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