Monday, November 26, 2012

The Forbidden Trilogy (Review)

The Forbidden Trilogy - Special Omnibus Edition

(The Forbidden Trilogy #1-3)

WELCOME TO MY TOUR STOP!!

 
By: Kimberly Kinrade
 Release Date: November 26th, 2012
Genre(s): YA Fantasy/Romance

Overall Review: (5/5 stars*)

The Forbidden Trilogy is exceptionally versed. The story is pure creativity and so unlike anything I've ever read - it has everything; you name it this trilogy has it! 

   The Forbidden Trilogy Omnibus Edition has a lot of amazing extra content such as in depth questions brought up about each book, TOP SECRET: IPI Paranormal Profiles on everyone which is super neat. Also there are some character interviews done by Brad. Another great feature is Kimberly Kinrade's interview Q&A style about the entire series, her answers are so interesting and she tells how she has even more projects in the works revolving around the Forbidden world; which is absolutely exciting. She includes musical playlists for each book with some great song inspirations. If you love this series as much I do you'll want to get this edition because it's incredible and the extras are really a great addition and it has all three books in one! 

GOODREADS / AMAZON / AUTHOR !

 Forbidden Mind

(Forbidden Trilogy, #1)

My Review: (4/5 stars*)

  The Forbidden Mind is a journey of love, action, and suspense. Alternating between Sam and Drake's views you get to see their perspectives and how their paths intertwine. Although reminiscent of X-Men the Forbidden Mind carves out its own rightful place in fantasy with its unique qualities. Sam has the power to read people's minds and her ability develops throughout the entire book and it's really fun to see her progression. At first I was a little wary of Sam because she didn't seem to have much of a backbone but as things start to move along she starts holding her own. & Let me just say I love strong female heroines, and the way things shape up in this book she's well on her way to becoming one.

    Then there's Drake.. a spicy hot surfer boy who also has an enviable ability..or a few. His power is the ability to control minds and the additional power of superhuman strength. What a sexy combination of gifts - get anyone to do whatever you want and then lift up a car for fun, yeah - awesome. That's what I imagine his life is like...at least up until you read about his past which is some seriously dark sh**. I kept holding my breath while reading because there are a lot of I-can't-believe-that-actually-happened-oh-my-god moments. LOVED how Sam and Drake team up and become a force to be reckoned with; they're totally complimentary of each other in so many ways.

    Another thing I liked was the modern world aspect with special facilities that houses people with para-powers. The facility called Rent-A-Kid has a campus, medical building, shops, cafes etc. It's almost like a Dystopian novel within the fantasy genre, it does such a great job of blending these elements seamlessly together. Pretty much like a world within a world and it's soo cool.

     There are a couple of intense scenes that might make you cringe at the violence of it so BEWARE. Some topics mentioned are child pornography, abuse along with other dark subject matter. This series is YA but it's probably more suitable for ages 16+. However, it's very compelling and twists into an unexpected and very interesting plot. Forbidden Mind lures you into its web of espionage and super wicked para-powers. It's different, imaginative and suspensefully thrilling. Usually I have a great sense for finding good books and then I came across the Forbidden Trilogy...and I wish I had discovered it SO MUCH sooner. I enjoyed this first book A LOT. Kimberly Kinrade proves that she can turn a clichéd super-power story into something different and darkly entertaining! Everyone should pick up this series because a.) you won't be able to put it down, and b.) because I've read best-sellers that aren't even in Forbidden Mind's league!

My ONLY real issue is I'm not really in love with the covers, they look good but they're not really befitting of the Forbidden Trilogy. I'd love to see Sam or Drake on the cover and I don't, but other than that minor detail the contents of the book are extraordinarily amazing and speaks for itself.
Goodreads Synopsis:
She reads minds.
He controls minds.
Together, they might get out alive.
49% of Americans believe their government officials are honest.
I don't know these officials, or their supporters, but I know their secrets, and 49% of Americans are wrong. My employers pay me well to be right, to know things others can't. But I don't know why they brought that boy in, strapped to a stretcher, barely conscious. He asked me for help when I could give none. I'm a wealthy spy, a talented artist, a martial arts black belt, and a prisoner. They tell me that on my eighteenth birthday, I will be released, free to go to the college of my dreams. It's my eighteenth birthday, and a man in black is at my door. I know he's not here to free me. I know, because I can read minds. My name is Sam, and this is my story. 


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Forbidden Fire

 (Forbidden Trilogy, #2)

My Review: (5/5 stars*) 

     Forbidden Fire immerses you again in the the world of para-powered people with the thrilling continuation of Sam and Drake's story. Now in hiding and on the run from Rent-A-Kid agents these two have a lot more at stake which makes reading this book essential! This sequel will give you chills because of how ridiculously good it is. You get glimpses into Sam's past which really adds an extra layer of understanding to her character. You also get the additional POV from Lucy which is different and fun because she's got a lot going on in lock-down at the Rent-A-Kid facility and you get to know her character better and come to appreciate her role more. Lucy's viewpoint becomes more intriguing as her own lie-detector abilities manifest in new and unique ways not yet seen before in Forbidden Mind.

     But perhaps the best development of the entire story is how everyone's para-powers advance and turn into something different and unexpected. Forbidden Fire has real character depth and many plot layers unfolding throughout the story. There are plenty of moments that will take you by surprise; unpredictability is a fantastic asset Forbidden Fire utilizes to the fullest which is amazingly refreshing. I really like the new villain that's unveiled; a very formidable and evil enemy. I found myself questioning good and evil and that's basically what this book explores; it incorporates the morality of what defines right and wrong. & You finally get some insight into why Drake was never taken to Rent-A-Kid when he was younger and who Sam's real family is which is such an insane revelation! Forbidden Fire kicks up the gore and amplifies the cruelty making some scenes hard to read but nevertheless gripping in a twisted sort of way.

    If the story were a puzzle all the pieces would be different and yet they would still be connected to the same picture. Forbidden Fire is fiery, both figuratively and literally. It's well written and has you feeling a giant array of emotions. Incredibly good would be an understatement. The first book Forbidden Mind was a great read but this book takes everything to a whole other level - one which raises the bar even higher. It's a must read for anyone who enjoys reading about young adults with uniquely powerful abilities, evil corporations, unpredictable twists, consistent action, romance, dark plots, gore galore, and cool characters all wrapped into one engrossing story.

I cannot wait to read the conclusion of this amazing trilogy, I'm just SO impressed with everything that's happened thus far. It's so deliciously dark and captivating! I have nothing but great things to say about this series :).  
Goodreads Synopsis:
She escaped, but she’ll never be free. 
“Time held no meaning as my mind darted in and out of memories. Past and present collided to create a full-sensory collage out of my life: playing hide-n-seek with my best friends Luke—who always cheated by walking through walls when he was about to be caught—and Lucy; Mr. Caldrin critiquing my sketches and offering ideas to make them more realistic; targets changing faces, blending into the same person, their thoughts rippling through my mind like waves. Through it all, a demon stalked me from the shadows of my memories, never quite showing its face, but crouching, waiting.

And then I dreamed....”

Sam and Drake may have escaped, but they aren’t free—not with a powerful Seeker after them. As Sam struggles with the ethics of her new powers and embraces a blossoming physical relationship with Drake, Lucy and Luke face challenges of their own.

With forces coalescing inside and outside the Rent-A-Kid dorms, it’s only a matter of time before the fire they started forces each of them to make choices they can’t undo. But will it be enough to save them?

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Forbidden Life

(Forbidden Trilogy, #3) 

My Review: (5/5 stars*)   

Forbidden Life is the longest read in the trilogy and in my own opinion the best! The story was like a giant roller coaster that crept up a steep hill and even though you knew the end was coming you still won't be entirely ready for it. It will consume your mind with its many layers and intricate plot. The plot thickens with every chapter and the suspense just keeps building. The action in this book just never ceases and you'll be racing through to find out what's going to happen next. Forbidden Life picks up 3 months after Forbidden Fire left off. Every character has there own struggles to overcome and numerous obstacles to face. That in and of itself is brilliant because just when you think everything's going to be okay an unknown variable changes everything. You get to see tons of Lucy which is fantastic - she's so strong, independent, and fierce. Her perspective is incredibly entertaining and full of surprises. She really becomes her own character and as much as it is Sam's story it's also Lucys as well. Forbidden Life never has a single predictable moment and that's what makes this whole series standout in a sea of other YA novels. This book is also my favorite of the entire trilogy though I did say that about the last one Forbidden Fire, it just went beyond everything; surpassing greatness for excellence. COMPLETELY LOVED IT.

    Drake's a hot mess having left Sam you get to see where he ends up. Sam's baby is born and her life just keeps spiraling out of control. Lucy and Luke get into a very entertaining situation. There are a few added perspectives from other minor characters which is fascinating insight to glimpse there own views. One of my favorite things about this book is how Sam finally becomes a confident badass. She isn't playing games with anyone anymore especially when they interfere with her mission of protecting her family. She'll do anything to keep them safe. Yet again Sam and her friends are at war to take down once and for all the leader behind Rent-A-Kid; her father. New characters are introduced that are really cool and extremely likeable such as Agent Hunter Riley who has a growing romance with Lucy - he's completely delicious, and his personality is magnificent. He also has some interesting secrets of his own. Then there's Toby - a street kid who has some really funny banter with Drake. The villains of this book are even more insidious, with twisted agendas of there own. There are some really cool science fiction moments integrated into the series blending together fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian elements that make it something entirely new.

    Like the previous books this one also has its dark moments however not as morbid as the others. I didn't mind the violence as much because the story captivated all else. The characters in this book are expansive and you see everyone more and there para-powers evolve and there's a lot of evolutionary factors that explain how these powers came about. A lot is concluded in Forbidden Life so not once did I feel like it didn't have an acceptable ending or an unrequited resolution. The only small issue I had was that up until halfway through Luke was seriously irritating me with his attitude. Intentional or not that got to me. In the 2 previous books he's portrayed as fun, cute, and strong. In the first half of Forbidden Life he's made out to be a giant complainer, weak, and annoying. I tried really hard to overlook this but every time I did he would do something that would make me angrier. I don't like whiny characters but thankfully he got back on track and the second half of the book made my thoughts on this matter disappear; I was SO enthused he was able to redeem himself. Although I felt this way it made his character growth development more intriguing as all the characters individually had a lot of soul searching to do.
Overall it was overwhelmingly fantastic and is now one of my newest favorite trilogies.

I really want to read more about this world Kimberly Kinrade created and I cannot wait to get my hands on her future works!
Goodreads Synopsis:
The road to redemption begins in darkness.
A sinister force waits for them in darkness, ready to devour their powers and take their lives.
Sam's baby is the key to a lock that must never be opened. To keep her child safe, Sam will do anything.
Drake might have found a way to get his powers back and save his family, at what cost?
Luke and Lucy uncover secrets in an organization they thought they could trust, and the lives of all Rent-A-Kid children are at stake.
In this last Forbidden Trilogy installment, the secrets to Rent-A-Kid will finally be revealed.

GOODREADS / AMAZON / AUTHOR / B&N ! 
 
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2 comments:

  1. Thank you SO MUCH for posting your reviews and sharing about the launch. I'm THRILLED you enjoyed the trilogy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem! Your series deserves recognition so I'm glad I can help with that :) You're incredibly talented! & You seem like a really nice person atop of all else, best of luck to you!

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