“…was fantastically written, paced, and developed.”- Miss Remmers
Release Date: January 24th, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Challenges: 75+, eBook, NetGalley
“She should not exist.
He should not love her.
Claire Brennan has been attending Emerson Academy for two years now (the longest she and her mom have remained anywhere) and she’s desperate to stay put for the rest of high school. So there’s no way she’s going to tell her mom about the psychic visions she’s been having or the creepy warnings that she’s in danger.
Alec MacKenzie is fed up with his duties to watch and, when necessary, eliminate the descendants of his angelic forefathers. He chose Emerson as the ideal hiding place where he could be normal for once. He hadn’t factored Claire into his plans. . . .
Their love is forbidden, going against everything Alec has been taught to believe. But when the reason behind Claire’s unusual powers is revealed and the threat to her life becomes clear, how far will Alec go to protect her?”
As a blogger I have a really hard time finding time to read books that have already been published, even if it’s only been a few months back. For instance, in NetGalley, if I didn’t get to a book that I requested before its release date, I send an apology to the publisher and archive the book because the odds are that if I haven’t read it before the release date I just won’t have time to get to it. This is a little harder to do when I receive hard copies, like with “Forbidden.” I’ve had this ARC since February (after the released date) and have just been meaning to get to it. Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon gave me that much needed opportunity. And thank goodness it did! This book was absolutely phenomenal.
My first experience with Syrie James was with “Nocturne;” and while my best friend and I devoured that book, I wasn’t so sure it was appropriate for my students. This book, however, is written for YA and my students are just going to eat it up! I can’t wait to tell them about it! I’ve already emailed my trusted library specialist and told her “You must have a couple copies of this book by the end of the week!” The plot is addictive, never “slow, but not a constant roller coaster either like “Monument 14“. The characters were absolutely lovely and I enjoyed the dual narration between Alec (in my head I said Alex) and Claire. I loved the progression there and saw it as perfectly natural rather than rushed and instantly “I love you!” Erica and Brian did sort of blend into one character (succumbing to the sidekick syndrome) and I did think they were a little TOO understanding and accepting of Claire’s abilities (but really, in a paranormal YA book, when are the sidekicks caught off guard and unsupportive?).
I will say that this book does fall prey to one of my bigger pet peeves. I loved Alec, I really did – but the other long time crush interest Neil (who really only notices Claire because apparently she can sing) was a nice guy too. He was smart, intelligent, charming, and “normal” – and there’s nothing wrong with that! Claire, really through no fault of her own, really did him wrong and I felt bad. I mean, yes Alec is a nice guy (and swoon worthy obviously) but so was Neil and (no spoilers here that aren’t in the synopsis) sometimes even though I know what’s going to happen – I just want the normal nice guy to at least get A girl in the end (not necessarily the protagonist). I don’t want to give anything away, but I for one would date Neil if he had asked me (not necessarily over Alec, just in general). It just reminds me of Mr. Wisely in “Being Jane.” Because, let’s be honest, he’s adorable. But I digress…
My other “random” comment: I about fell of my chair when I found out Alec’s lineage. Just want to say that readers of “Fallen” by Lauren Kate will have a similar reaction.
Overall, this book was amazing! Despite my idiosyncrasies, “Forbidden” was fantastically written, paced, and developed. I am dying to read the sequel!
Rating: 
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To the FTC, with love: Received from Publisher