Book Review: Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little

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Forbidden
Author: Kimberley Griffiths Little
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction
Released: November 4, 2014
Review Source: HarperCollins | Media Masters Publicity

In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden’s tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden’s turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe’s leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family’s position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden’s heart. Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden’s heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb’s increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden’s every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying. With a forbidden romance blossoming in her heart and her family’s survival on the line, Jayden must embark on a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself. Set against the brilliant backdrop of the sprawling desert, the story of Jayden and Kadesh will leave readers absolutely breathless as they defy the odds and risk it all to be together

This novel brought me back to the times when I taught 6th grade Reading and Social Studies.  One of the units for discussion was Mesopotamia.  A topic so interesting.  A period of history and time that always caught the attention of students.  So of course when I saw the cover of this book and read the summary I knew this would be a read that I had to make.  A journey is more like it.  This historical young adult romance is filled with adventures and total originality.  The storyline is centered around the life of Jayden.  Unfortunately, she is promised to Horeb, someone she could never love.  But in the midst of being promised to another, she falls in love with Kadesh.  A forbidden love, yet real and true.

Jayden struggles in a world where she is threatened.  She is a fighter, with Kadesh by her side determined to press on.  Author Kimberley Griffiths Little does a beautiful job with the creation of characters and the continued development thereof throughout the novel.  I'm excited about the opportunity to attend her book signing in November and hear first hand about Forbidden.  I'm hoping she'll even shed some light on a future sequel of such an intriguing storyline.

Be sure to check out the below link for a view of the book trailer and a grand giveaway for Forbidden. Click the image to enter. (Giveaway hosted by Media Masters Publicity)