Forbidden is the first book in a new trilogy by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee. I've never read The Circle Series or anything by Ted Dekker for that matter, but after reading Forbidden I will finally pull The Circle Series off my shelf.

Let's start at the beginning. In order to create peace, 480 years ago humans were given a highly contagious drug created to alter human DNA to remove all emotions other than fear. Can you imagine a life without pain and sorrow? Without joy and love? That's the only life the characters in this book have ever known until a young man named Rom is given the chance to not only experience those emotions but to bring all that's been missing back to mankind.

In an anything but classic version of good versus evil, the authors somehow bring out all levels of emotion while writing about a world void of any. It has something for everyone - romance, drama, action, mystery, and science fiction. And while the book had its fair share of violence, those moments didn't take away from the overall plot. I quickly fell in love with the characters, especially Rom, and became addicted to the story. Ted and Tosca were able to make a fantasy world come to life, and I for one can't wait to see how and if the world will ever get the chance to feel alive again.