Review – Forbidden

“Forbidden,” book one of “The Books of Mortals” planned trilogy, co-authored by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee takes place almost five hundred years into the future. In a plot-driven narrative that bends the minds of readers with a multifaceted “thriller like none other.”
The plots roots are in the distant past of 2005 with the discovery of the human gene that controls natural and learned fear. That crucial piece leads to the finding of all primary gene markers within fifteen years.
When catastrophic wars drive the human race to the brink of extinction a decision is made to allow only one emotion, that of fear! A new world of peace was then born where personal electricity was rationed and technology was limited to governmental use. The people could no longer use advanced technologies and passionate emotions that caused hatred, malice, sorrow, anger and joy were eliminated.
However, people became only shells of who they were created to be, not unlike the fictional zombie world of the walking dead. The death of all emotions but for fear did bring peace, but at what price and for whose benefit?
The book begins with 24-year-old Rom who performs as a funeral singer. He sings for “…mourners who sat angled toward one another in stiff pews to avoid looking directly at empty caskets…” Because death brought two outcomes, “…one more likely than the other…the terrible outcome, of course…”
However, this day Rom’s life would forever change when he met a strange old man in an alley who called out to him, “Son of Elias!” In their brief encounter, Rom learns his father was called a “Keeper,” that he hadn’t died of fever as he believed, but was murdered. The unkempt, deranged looking old man shook a finger at Rom and warned him to find a man known as “Book…at the Citadel…and show him you have this” and he thrust a small package into his hands.
Guardsmen swarmed into the alley and Rom ran for his life at the old man’s urging listening to his dying screams, quickly silenced to a dying “gurgle” as his throat was slit.
This complex story is essentially one of governmental control and “good versus evil” with a healthy dose of religious symbolism served up. Reminiscent of “Atlas Shrugged,” Rand’s story of excessive taxation and government regulation or that of “Fahrenheit 451,” Bradbury’s story of a future society where books are outlawed and burned, individualism is not allowed and televisions replace family.
Dekker and Lee’s captivating narrative entertains with rich characterizations and an exceptionally interesting plot that engages readers and leaves them wanting more. “Forbidden,” was also, nominated as a 13th annual Christy Awards finalist, Visionary category in April: http://www.christyawards.com/ca_new/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=10&Itemid=56
Check out trailer of “Forbidden” from Dekker, a Seattle native: http://wn.com/Ted_Dekker_
Back Cover Copy:
Enter a thriller like none other…
Many years have passed since civilization’s brush with apocalypse. The world’s greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace…and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.
Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love.
But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed.
Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare to take the ride.