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Forbidden
Michael is thirty-nine and gay. Like his little niece, Kim, who has a learning disability, he is considered a non-citizen under the draconian Normalcy Laws. Kim’s parents quietly arrange to flee to New Zealand, where the Normalcy Laws haven’t been implemented.
As Michael has a good job and has been careful to hide his homosexuality, he doesn’t consider going with them. Instead, he remains behind and goes about his business as normal until one morning when he is confronted by two Black Guards.
Hooded, Michael is taken to what he assumes is the Department of Law. Once people are taken there, they never see the light of day again. Elimination is the only punishment in the New World Order. There he is interrogated by The Man, a handsome officer of the Black Guards.
In a desperately hopeless situation, is there any hope of surviving elimination? No one ever has in the past, but Michael discovers something about The Man that hints at his situation not being as bleak as it appears. Can he dare to hope there is a way out? Or is he so delusional that his fantasies of freedom have clouded his judgment?
Under the oppressive Normalcy Laws, nothing is certain.
As Michael has a good job and has been careful to hide his homosexuality, he doesn’t consider going with them. Instead, he remains behind and goes about his business as normal until one morning when he is confronted by two Black Guards.
Hooded, Michael is taken to what he assumes is the Department of Law. Once people are taken there, they never see the light of day again. Elimination is the only punishment in the New World Order. There he is interrogated by The Man, a handsome officer of the Black Guards.
In a desperately hopeless situation, is there any hope of surviving elimination? No one ever has in the past, but Michael discovers something about The Man that hints at his situation not being as bleak as it appears. Can he dare to hope there is a way out? Or is he so delusional that his fantasies of freedom have clouded his judgment?
Under the oppressive Normalcy Laws, nothing is certain.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 23, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
While the premise is fascinating, the execution was somewhat lacking for me. Michael is the third-person narrator for this story, and we fully understand his thoughts and fears about the world he’s living in. He wants to be safe, but the safety of his niece is more important to him. He’s ready to live his life without them if it means that she can live happy and healthy. I was also right there with him in his fear as he was arrested and taken to the holding cell, and I thought the author did a great job conveying his thoughts and feelings during this time.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
While the premise is fascinating, the execution was somewhat lacking for me. Michael is the third-person narrator for this story, and we fully understand his thoughts and fears about the world he’s living in. He wants to be safe, but the safety of his niece is more important to him. He’s ready to live his life without them if it means that she can live happy and healthy. I was also right there with him in his fear as he was arrested and taken to the holding cell, and I thought the author did a great job conveying his thoughts and feelings during this time.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
June 15, 2016
This book was ok but it P' me off from the very first chapter. The whole society that the author created just pressed almost every bigoted button I have so no I won't rec. this to a friend, I'd tell them to read at your own risk of being P' off.
January 26, 2015
This was OK book,as in OK to pass the time,but nothing special or captivating about it. It could've been better if there was any world-building,but focus was solely on Michael and The Man - their meeting,and their journey to New Zealand. Pretty linear,nothing exciting,just their journey,but with decent characters and decent writing.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews