Forbidden Love

"Lochan and Maya have always felt more like friends more than siblings. Together, they have stepped in for their unreliable, alcoholic mother to take care of their three younger siblings. The stress of their lives, and the way they understand each other so completely has brought them closer than any two siblings would ordinarily be. So close that they have fallen in love. Lochan and Maya know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue, and yet, they are powerless to stop what feels so incredibly right." 


Deviating from my dystopian crusade, I came across this book by an Australian writer, Tabatha Suzuma; Forbidden. Let me begin by stating that this book is not for everyone, as the subject matter is quite serious, I'm talking physical and emotional abuse as well as sibling incest. This not a happy go lucky book, but a really dark and depressing setting for our novel. Therefore, be warned, if you cannot handle this type of social taboo then move right along because this book is not for you. If, by chance, you want a really moving read, and can get past this, you will find a really well executed novel about the consequences of actions and its affects on the people within your life. After getting over my own initial feeling of unease regarding the subject of incest, what I found, was a profoundly moving story of two young adults who were thrown in a circumstance beyond their control, and then dealing with the fall-out. Lochan is the elder brother, who has a serious social phobia, making him unable to talk to his peers other than his sister and younger siblings. Viewed as a freak and social misfit in school, he tries to shoulder the responsibility of cooking, cleaning, and paying bills, along with the support of the next oldest child, his sister Maya. Both act as surrogate parents for the family and pretend to live a normal life in lieu of their irresponsible mother, so social services is not called. Their biggest fear is that someone becomes aware of the true home situation, and causes their family to be separated. Tumbling headlong into this novel and unable to put it down, I admit, I cried, and found myself shocked and absolutely distraught at the outcome. The author really makes the unfairness of this family's situation come to life.  She does a wonderful job of allowing the reader feel the pressure of dealing with the reality of trying to raise and keep a family together when the people who are supposed to, check out of your life and abandon you emotionally and financially. The plot moves at a good pace and you are drawn to the characters and really buy into them emotionally, which makes the ending resonate with anyone who has a sense of compassion.