The Forbidden Book

by Scott Douglas

In the not so distant future, a global war that was started because of religious division has left the world on the verge of annihilation. With no hope in sight, 16 men and 16 women leave Earth to form a new society free of war and religion. Society is restored on the planet Sardis; for 25 years the people from Earth raise their children without the concept of God or religion. The purpose of life, the children are taught, is to reproduce and build a better society for their own children. There is peace on Sardis until peace is disturbed when Eagen, an ambitious teen, discovers a Bible hidden with some of the remaining belongings from Earth. The Forbidden Book is a social commentary that mixes religion and mythology into a story about what faith can do to a society, and questions whether man ultimately needs hope in things greater than himself to survive.

222 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2013

Reviews

[Anneka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author, Scott Douglas, for a the free copy I received in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED the concept of this book! I am a Christian who also enjoys philosophical discussions and arguing and learning about differences of opinion, so reading about a group of people who start a new society based mainly in forbidding religion is beyond intriguing.

Unfortunately, I feel like the book was somewhat superficial and the characters could have been deeper. we could have learned more about what drove each of them. That was mostly shown in dialogue, but the descriptive writing just could have been...more! Also, it should be edited beyond where it is. I had some issues with how it was presented a bit as a "historical" feeling book as if it was told by someone in the future looking back, but simultaneously that was more suggestive than getting to know real comparisons.

I really enjoyed how the religious learning was presented and how it was from reading and questioning and sharing (however illegal) with others.

I also think the book could have used a glossary and family tree type listing of how the family clans came to be and to show the main characters/ages.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote the start of this review when I was part way through the book: “ I love the premise of this novel but found the start clunky as we were introduced to large families of character it was hard to keep in my head. Also the place they lived talked about then and now, with words, nouns and phrases particular to their planet. All interesting but a lot of information which stopped the story flowing as well as I would like.” Now I’ve finished the book I can’t wait for the next instalment. I love the story and the whole premise behind it. Once I persevered and got further into the book there were a few less characters and I got to know them a bit better. (I still got a bit confused with a couple of guys whose names both started with R! 🙈, for context I got confused between the hobbits in Lord of the Rings too). I can see that there are levels and levels in this book, I can also see myself re reading it in the future. Give it a go, if your memory retention is like mine persevere I think you will be glad you did.