The world is no longer as we once knew it. After an apocalyptic experience, the world seems to have lost that sense of impending doom…. all that is left in a civilization of people who live in peace and fear…. can you have both?
The people left on earth seem to believe so… but really who are these people who are left other than the walking dead… merely shells of what people once were…
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.
Then a young man comes across a vial of blood with a coded message that he does not understand. Yet when he drinks the blood (mmmm hmmmm… bear with me here) it seems to lead to real life returning all the human emotions that have long been gone! The sensation is exhilarating!
… but will it also resurrect the old feelings of hate and greed?
Ted Dekker is a New York Times best-selling author best known for mystery and thriller novels, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy fans. Early in his career he wrote a number of books that would best be categorized as Religious thrillers. His later works are a mix of mainstream novels such as Thr3e, Obsessed, Skin, Adam, and BoneMan’s Daughters; and fantasy thrillers that metaphorically explore redemptive history. Best known among these are his Circle Series (Black, Red, White, Green), The Lost Books (Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos, Lunatic, Elyon), and The Paradise Books (Showdown, Saint, and Sinner), as well as House (with Frank Peretti). One of Dekker’s most notable works is his mega-series, the Books of History Chronicles.
As found on wikepedia –
click here to learn more about this fascinating author
In recent years I have had a love/hate relationship with Ted Dekker. The first books I ever read by him were Blessed Child and A Man Called Blessed… both books took my breath away. Since then I have found some of his books to be good, others to be a bit confusing, and some just downright… WHA?
Which brings me to FORBIDDEN. You have to hand it to Dekker, he does know how to strike where the iron is hot and dystopian style reads are a big draw and honestly, I think a great genre to touch on for a Christian fiction author…
the question is… does Dekker deliver?
I did like the pace of the read. Within a few pages you have a firm understanding of what has happened to the world.
Fear is a big component of FORBIDDEN and while in this read scientists had figured out how to eliminate the need of human emotion, oddly they never could figure out how to dispose of fear… which in its own self is rather interesting when you think about it and rather smart of Dekker to layout the book this way.
Fear plays a huge role in our current world and while some are devoured by the overpowering fear of the unknown, others in today’s society seem to live on it like adrenaline junkies… waiting for the next big tragedy so they can feel alive…
In the end, I have to say I appreciated what Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee built here in this first book in a series. I found the message of “blood giving life” to be deeply symbolic of the blood of Christ bringing each of us life.
I would recommend this book to not only those who enjoy Christian fiction, but also Dystopia, thrillers,and sci fi.
I have a copy of this book to give away – if interested, please leave a comment letting me know if you have read Dekker before, and if so what have you read – and if not… what appeals to you about his books to give them a try?
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- The 3 R’s Blog // Reading, ‘Riting, and Randomness
- TinasBookReviews
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- Word Lily
This book was read as part of the Faith N Fiction Group
Book Journey 
I enjoy reading Ted Dekker…I read The Priest’s Graveyard last and really enjoyed it.
I forgot my email…..hnwhitlock2000 at gmail dot com
I read The Boneman’s Daughters. It’s been some time since I read it and many, many books read since, but I remember I liked the book. I wished it had been longer, because I didn’t want it to end when it did.
mom1248(at)att(dot)net
I have not read many Dystopian books, but the genre can certainly be mind-blowing. FORBIDDEN looks very interesting. Fear is awfully powerful.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
i read either monster or house…it was cowritten with frank peretti another christian suspense author. interviews with frank peretti afterwards were such that he would never in a million years work with ted dekker again!
i like the sound of everything about this book…its interesting that a christian author would take a hot topic and put his spin on it
There is no need to enter me in your contest, but I wanted comment that I have read and reviewed this novel recently. I too found that I really enjoyed this novel and I’m now waiting for the next book in the series to be written. I wish authors could write as fast as we read.
Is this a possibility for nomination in the Spec Fic category over at the Indie Lit Awards? 🙂 Yep, that’s me, pushing my category.
I do so like dystopian novels…
I haven’t read any Dekker yet, but this collaboration looks really good. And you’re right dystopian is hot and the whole storyline about fear would be good.
Oh my gosh, I love Ted Dekker! I’m reading the Circle series right now and I’m totally addicted! Can’t wait to read this one, looks amazing!
I’ve never read anything by Ted, but his books look really cool. My kids have told me a lot about his writing, so I’m excited to read this new book!
His books look really interesting. I’m into all that sifi stuff, so I really think I’d like his writing. Thanks for the giveaway, can’t wait to read it!
I’m reading Red right now, and I absolutely LOVE it! I’ve also read Black and The Bride Collector, and really enjoyed both of them. I find his stories appealing, and love how he can suck you into believing that these crazy things can really happen. =)
I’ve never read anything by Ted Dekker, but my daughter has been telling me all about the Circle Series. This book sounds really good!
I’m really into sci-fi/thriller books and movies, so Ted Dekker sounds really interesting. I’ve never read anything by him, but I’m looking forward to it!
No need to enter me, but I’m with you, I kind of go back and forth on Dekker.
Ted Dekker knows how to write, man! He pulls you in and you find yourself getting sucked into the story. Can’t wait to read this one!
I LOVE Ted Dekker books! I have read 3, Immanuel’s Veins, The Priest’s Graveyard and THR3E. I would LOVE to read this one too!
freda.mans[at]gmail.com
This one took a bit to grow on me, but I liked it. I still think his earlier novels, though, like Blink and Three, are my favorites.
I LOVE Ted Dekker! I have all of his books but Tea With Hezbollah, I haven’t read some of them but I have read most of them and I love them! My favorites are, of course, the Circle Series, The Martyr’s song Series (I cried–and it takes a lot to make me cry), and Immanuel’s Veins. The Priest’s Graveyard was really good too, but not one of my faves. Though it is called “one of the best Dekker books yet” by some. Ted Dekker knows how to write!! He knows how to grab you and pull you into the story, most of his writings are filled with love–for each other, for Christ, and ultimately Christ’s love for us!! I got an advanced reader’s copy of Forbidden but I would LOVE LOVE to get the final copy!
Loved reading your thoughts and I picked up the same Christian undertones in the blood aspects….
I think my favorite Dekker books are the Heaven Series…
(not an entry)
One of the books that I have read by Ted Dekker is
The Bride Collector! It had many twists and turns and
I couldn’t put his book down…
Many thanks, Cindi
Ted Dekker! Oh my goodness. I haven’t read anything of his, but so many of his books are on my to read list. Prior to discovering him, I had always been under the impression that Christian fiction was all pretty much the same. Then I stumbled upon Ted and knew I needed to read his stuff.
Enjoy Ted Dekker’s books. Thanks for the giveway
Ted Dekker…I read ‘the bride collector’ and loved it. Thanks for the chance to read his latest co-authored w/ Tosca Lee. I loved her novel ‘havah.’ 🙂
I’ve read several of his books, including The Bride Collector, and plan to read more!
I have a few of his books but I haven’t had the chance to read them yet. I enjoy Christian Fiction, I’ve been reading it my whole life. I’ve heard he’s similar to Frank Peretti who I really like.
TaraTagli at gmail dot com
I have not read Tedd Dekker before but I would like to read this.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I have only read one book by Ted Dekker and that is The Bride Collector. I really like his writing, and I’m very interested in reading this new book.
I’ve read all but 8 of Ted Dekkers books. He always takes my on an incredible and thrilling journey. It’s hard to pick a favorite but the ones that come to mind first are Red, Bride Collector, Thr3e, Heaven’s Wager, Saint and Blink. If the giveaway is still open I’d love to win a copy of Forbidden for my own. 🙂
I read The Martyr’s Song… such a beautiful story!
Please enter me!
Yes I have i think hes cool in a creepy kind of way…i read kiss!