Review: Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

Synopsis:
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.

Review:
There are two things I know before I ever open up a Ted Dekker book: It will be good and I will be entertained. Written with author Tosca Lee, Forbidden is no exception.

A world devoid of all emotions except fear is the only way of life the population can remember. They have been saved from the Chaos of emotions by the strict principles of Order. Lacking the driving force to even care if what they are told is the truth, everyone believes they are better off.

Enter Rom. Rom's world is turned upside down when a crazy, old man entrusts him with an important package. He accepts without really knowing why he agreed in the first place, and from that point on he is on the run for his life. Through the contents of this package Rom's mind is opened up to the emotions so forbidden by Order. He sees what a shadow of life he was living before and will stop at nothing to help the rest of the world eventually LIVE again.

As you can imagine, a person who has only experienced fear has a lot of catching up to do. Love, anger, joy, jealousy, sorrow, greed, pain, hope, passion. What is love without pain? Hope without despair? Joy without sorrow? Sometimes it's worth the bad to also have the good.

A great story with an ending that really surprised me! Didn't see it coming.

Publication Date: September 13, 2011
Genre: Adult, Dystopian
Source: Thanks to Hachette Book Group/Center Street and Netgalley!