My Forbidden Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma is an unflinching, heartrending exploration of a taboo romance between Lochan and Maya—two siblings forced by a neglectful, alcoholic parent into roles of surrogate carers for their younger siblings. As they shoulder the burdens of broken family life and try to keep their household together, Lochan and Maya’s bond deepens past conventional lines, evolving into a desperate love that both know cannot last. Their clandestine relationship is fraught with secrecy, stigma, and intense guilt, set against the constant threat of discovery and destruction by the outside world and social services. The narrative—told in both characters’ perspectives—traces their struggle to balance their sense of responsibility, an aching emotional need, and the consequences of crossing the ultimate line. The conclusion is devastating and memorable, cementing the novel's place as one of the most powerful and controversial stories in contemporary YA literature.
Why I Love This Book
What makes Forbidden unforgettable is its raw emotional intensity and piercing insight into trauma, grief, and the human need for connection. Suzuma doesn’t shy away from the moral and psychological weight of her subject, but constructs deeply complex, sympathetic characters whose pain and longing are never simplified or sensationalized. The prose is poetic yet grounded, pulling the reader into the characters’ turmoil with authenticity. The story’s power lies less in its taboo premise than in how honestly it examines love, shame, and sacrifice under the most excruciating circumstances. Despite the deeply uncomfortable subject matter, the novel leaves a profound impression, lingering in the mind long after the last page—with empathy rather than judgment.
Who Will Like This Book
If you can handle dark, difficult themes and are interested in thought-provoking, emotionally challenging fiction, Forbidden is likely to captivate (and break) you. It’s best for mature readers who can process stories of trauma, illicit love, dysfunctional families, and the psychological effects of carrying overwhelming burdens as a teen. This is not a “romance for escape,” but a novel for those who appreciate unvarnished tragedy, moral questions, and psychological exploration. If you want catharsis, deep empathy, and a story that pushes boundaries, you’ll find it here—but be prepared for heartbreak and discomfort as well as beauty.
Tagged As
taboo, incest, grief, dysfunctional family, psychological, emotional, tragic romance, raw, contemporary, dual POV, coming of age, trauma, heartbreak
Steam Level
While the novel contains intimate moments, they are described with restraint and sensitivity, focusing more on the emotional intensity than explicit detail. The primary impact is psychological and emotional, not sexual, making the book’s “steam” level relatively low but its emotional stakes extraordinarily high.
