{ Forbidden by Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee }

Forbidden by Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee

Sept 13, 2011 by Center Street

Source: NetGalley

Format: ARC Ebook

From Goodreads:

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

A terrible truth has been revealed to one man: the entire human race has been drained of every emotion except one— fear. To bring life back to the world, Rom must embark on a journey that will end either in his own demise or a reawakening of humanity. But to bring love and passion back into existence will also threaten the powers of the world with the revolution and anarchy that had nearly destroyed them previously.

After happening upon a journal through strange circumstance, Rom's world is shattered. He learns that humanity long ago ceased to "live," that it exists today in a living death of emotions. In a terrible risk, Rom exposes himself to the vial of blood folded into the old leather of the journal. His change is fearful and fraught with mind-bending emotion. A once-pious observer of the Order's passionless statues, he is filled with uncontrollable impulses. He is filled with love.

He is undone, terrified, and alone in the desolate world.

My Review:

Forbidden is an action packed thrill ride for all lovers of Dystopian/Fantasy with some religious base. After reading Ted Dekker's Circle Trilogy, I became an instant fan. I was so excited to see Forbidden come up on NetGalley and even more excited to see it in my galley! While I am not familiar with the writings of Tosca Lee, the collaboration between these two authors is truly breathtaking.

The beginnings of this story had a true Dystopian feel, which of course I love. But as the story moved along it also grew into this amazing, fantastic, epic journey filled with love, betrayal, death, swords, blood and oh so much more!

The story centers around Rom. A twenty-four year old average young man. Rom's world is turned quite literally turned upside down as the true origins of the Order, the world he knows to be true has all been a lie. Throughout the book we see Rom grow from this average young man to a true hero of epic proportion. No he does not have special powers or have amazing fighting skills, but as he learns the truth he discovers what is right and what is wrong. With this new knowledge he vows to fight for what is right and to protect those he loves.

I absolutely love the connection between Rom and Avra. There is no unrealistic hot lusty love at first sight nonsense. These two have grown up within a society without love, or any emotion other than fear. Yet, deep down they have both felt an unexplainable connection to one another, without ever knowing what love is. This felt so real, so powerful. I loved it!

In true Ted Dekker style, Forbidden is of course filled with darkness, evil at it's finest. And while this book may not have been as dark as I would have expected it was felt with the addition of Saric. Saric is the perfect image of evil. He too, has the knowledge of the true origins of the Order, and being the evil one he is? He has plans to bring his evilness to the world. Saric is one of those characters that I lovingly loathe. He has an insatiable thirst for women and power and a quite repulsive thirst for his half-sister, Feyn.

Feyn, is the beautiful soon to-be Sovereign. She has lived her life for this moment. But soon she too will learn the truth about the Order and must make a decision that could alter her destiny and the world forever.

In the end, I would recommend Forbidden to anyone who enjoys Dystopian/Fantasy, with lots of action. If you love strong memorable characters you will not be disappointed. While there are certainly faith/religious based elements, it is not in your face as Ted Dekker's Circle Trilogy was. This is the beginning of what I anticipate will be a phenomenal series. This book once again solidifies my love of Ted Dekker and has me looking forward to reading more books by Tosca Lee.

Rating: 4.5 stars!

{ Green by Ted Dekker }

Green by Ted Dekker
2009 by Thomas Nelson

from GoodReads:

Travel between two worlds with Thomas Hunter. In Green, Thomas hasn't dreamt in years and the Circle is weakening because there's no sign of their Creator, Elyon. When Thomas' son, Samuel, loses the faith, evil from both worlds tempts him to initiate war. Will Thomas be able to save Samuel and the Circle?

review:

Green. The beginning or the end? I will have to admit that I am with the majority on this one. I truly believe if you plan to read this series, that you start with Black and end with Green. I think the experience of The Circle with be so much more enjoyable. Green was an amazing read as were the other 3 books, however, it was definitely the darkest out of the 4 books. Not necessarily a bad thing...just be forewarned that you are entering a very dark and evil world. I loved this series, but I am left utterly speechless. I will say this. I have never had a book or series of books leave me so utterly and completely exhausted as these. Emotionally, mentally and physically. Ted Dekker is a master at creating a world filled with both good and evil, light and dark and the struggles between them. I highly recommend reading The Circle series!!

After reading some other reviews, I have learned that his other series - Paradise and The Lost Books - are all connected. I will be adding them to my TBR list!! Thank you Ted Dekker

Rating: 5 Stars!

{ White by Ted Dekker }

White by Ted Dekker
2004 by WestBow Press

from GoodReads:

One of the highlights of the year in religious fiction has been Ted Dekker's striking color-coded spiritual trilogy. Exciting, well written, and resonant with meaning, Black, Red and now White have won over both critics and genre readers. In the conclusion of the series, plot surprises abound as Thomas Hunter frantically struggles to save two worlds from the ravages of war and virus. An epic journey completed with grace.

review:

First of all...Wow! I would not have thought it possible, but Ted Dekker has managed to make, White even more amazing than Black or Red. What an amazing journey. What an amazing story. I am always in awe of an author that can create a story, a world of such magnitude as this. But to create two?! This third installment was everything that the first two were...and more. The action, the adventure, the love story enveloping these two worlds? I am truly left speechless.

Ted Dekker is a master at creating a world of true good vs. evil. As a reader you are drawn into these two worlds and totally enveloped by the light and the dark. Many times after closing the cover, I found myself unsure if I was still within the story myself. Truly intoxicating.

Yes. This is an action packed thrill ride. Yes. This is a story for those who truly believe in God and his everlasting love. No. I am not a religious person...never have been. Yes. I believe that there is something in this book/series for everyone, whether you believe or not. One thing is for certain. I will look at my dreams in a whole new light!

rating: 5 Stars!!

{Red by Ted Dekker }

Red by Ted Dekker

May 2004 by Westbow Press

from Goodreads:

" We have stepped off the cliff and are falling into Madness."

The mind-bending pace of Black accelerates in Red, Book Two of Ted Dekker's groundbreaking Circle trilogy. Less than a month ago, Thomas Hunter was a failed writer selling coffee at the Java Hut in Denver. Now he finds himself in the desperate quest to rescue two worlds from collapse. In one world, he's a battle-scarred general commanding an army of primitive warriors. In the other, he's racing to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating global chaos through an unstoppable virus.

Two worlds on the brink of destruction. One unthinkable solution.

Enter an adrenaline-laced epic where dreams and reality collide. Nothing is as it seems, as Black turns to Red.

Review:

This second installment was just as brilliant as the first one, Black. It all started even before the story began with this little message from the publishers...

"Dear Reader,

Thomas Hunter's story begins in Black, Book One of The Circle Trilogy. If you've yet to read Black, I strongly encourage you to start there. Red is far richer once you've fully experienced Thomas's initial journey into two realities. There are numerous plot twists that deserve grounding before you plunge into the pages ahead.

Once you've read Black, you're ready to step into Red. But be forewarned, nothing will prepare you - or Thomas - for what awaits him in this second book of epic trilogy."

Publisher,

WestBow Press

Does that not give you chills? Well, if you have read, Black, it will!! The second book was just as thrilling and jaw dropping. As the Publisher mentioned, there are some new plot twists, that I did not see coming and so very, very cool! This is such a hard book to review without giving away too much. So I won't really say much. If you are a fan of fast paced, edge of your seat, action, adventure? You will love this series. Once again there is the whole 'God' element to this book. And once again I found myself a little uncomfortable with certain aspects, but I understand where it is coming from and it would not be the story it is without them. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and very pumped for book 3, White.

Rating: 5 stars!