Forbidden Fruit

Dividing Eden #1.5

by Joelle Charbonneau

See the secrets of Eden’s twisted legacy from a new perspective with this short story set in the world of bestselling author Joelle Charbonneau’s Dividing Eden.

Graylem was born to expect a life of thievery, but superior swordsmanship and a desire for something better had long fueled his dreams to become a member of a noble family’s guard.

But when his sister Deevana’s latest scheme forces them to leave their home—and all memories of their life in Blackthorn Keep—behind, they chart a southern course towards a new life in Irae, by way of the magnificent Garden City. Disguised as northern nobles, they quickly find themselves caught up in the mysterious politics of Eden’s royal family—and infatuated by its newest member, the beautiful seeress Imogen.

A member of Eden’s guard offers Graylem the chance to prove his worth, but his brutal trial for entry into the guard is waylaid by the appearance of Prince Andreus and Princess Carys. Graylem may be a simple man, but when he sees the royal siblings conferring in secret, he knows that all is not well in the Palace of the Winds—and before long, he learns that whatever darkness is lurking in the city’s walls could mean devastation for his family… and for Eden.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Novella, Young Adult Fantasy, Short Stories, Dystopia

107 pages, ebook

First published March 13, 2018

About the author

I am a storyteller at heart. I have performed in a variety of operas, musical theatre and children's theatre productions across the Chicagoland area.

While I'm happy to perform for an audience, I am equally delighted to teach private voice lessons and use my experience from the stage to create compelling characters on the page. I am the author of the Rebecca Robbins mystery series (Minotaur Books), The Paige Marshall Glee Club mysteries (Berkley) and The Testing YA triology (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read! And even though it is very short, the characters are well developed and the story doesn't feel rushed.

[Leen Gilis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella, although it is only 87 pages. It was interesting to learn more about Graylems past, as well as about his sister. Still, I think it would have been interesting to see how he became Carys' guardsmen, which wasn't described in this novella. However, I do recommend first reading both "Dividing Eden" and "Eden Conquered" before picking up this short story.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I want to learn more about the world of Dividing Eden, this novella isn’t the greatest. I did find it interesting how Charbonneau incorporates another example of how Carys kept people from discovering her brother’s secret. Aside from that, the main characters of the novella haven’t been introduced before, so a certain part (i.e. Deevana's death) was rather predictable and lacking in impact. My guess would be that Graylem plays a part in the sequel, and if he does, I hope his past as relayed in the novella becomes more pertinent to the plot of Eden Conquered.

[Kayleigh {K-Books} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forbidden Fruit Review on K-Books

Dividing Eden was a book I read so long ago, and I loved every moment of it. I have been a big fan of Joelle's since I read her amazing YA Dystopia series, The Testing. When I heard of her writing a YA Fantasy, I knew I'd love it, and I did. For some reason I just never continued this duology when the second book released. Now, as part of my 2019 Series Catch-Up Challenge, I finally decided to finish this series. Before diving into Conquering Eden, I decided to read this novella that sits between book 1 and 2.

Now, since it's been quite a while since I read Dividing Eden, and the fact that I have a pretty crappy memory, I don't really know who these main characters from this novella actually are. Saying that though... I really enjoyed this short story set in the world of Eden. I was quickly taken away on this journey with Graylem and his sister. It did a great job of reminding me of factors within this world that I had forgotten and so I am super glad that I read this novella before diving into book 2.

Forbidden Fruit was a fast-paced and intriguing novella that I highly recommend reading before book 2. It left me so excited to get started on Conquering Eden and I cannot wait to see what is going to happen to these characters next. I highly recommend this incredible series and I can't wait to see how it all ends.

[sophia ! · Rating 4 out of 5]

this dividing eden novella goes into the backstory of graylem, part of the king’s guard, who, i think, guards princess carys. it was interesting to see carys covering for her brother's secret from someone else's POV. i wish it went a little deeper into how graylem actually became a guard, but it was short and fun nonetheless.

[CP · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must confess that I was very much disappointed with this one.... the ending of this little back story of Garylem's past left me in reall rage....

What I mean is that why in the heck would Garylem, after his sister's death and the way she died, why in the hell would he want to protect the people who where responsible for her death?!!?!??! I thought that after he found out that his sister had discovered some secret from within the Palace that she should have not found out and that she had been threatened because of that by someone high elite living in the Palace, resulting in her death, I though Garylem would be enraged and would want to know who were the ones responsible for his sister's death. I thought the reason why he decided to become part of the Kingsguard was to find the truth and murder her assassins. I mean that would have made sense and give Garylem the perfect backstory.

But what does the author decide to do?!! When he finds his sister dead on the Palace stairs he runs away and hides to came the next day back to the Palace and offer his services to become a soldier of the Kingsguard but with what purpose, who ask? Well... the author made his motive to be that he wanted to protect others in a way that he could not protect his sister!! But to the people who were responsible for her death!!!! Like.... WTF?????

Really this back story made no sense...

[n ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, who is Graylem? I totally forgot. Was there a guardsman always guarding Princess Carys quarters in book one? If so, was it Graylem? Did he actually became a King’s Guard? If so, I’M HAPPY FOR HIM!

Aside from all the confusion about the characters’ existence in the first book, I enjoyed this one. I never expect to be this curious as to what lies in their future.

I’m stoke for ‘Eden Conquered’, and would deeply appreciate Graylem’s presence and role in it.

Rate: 4 out of 5 stars 🌟

[Ra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this novella 4 stars. It wasn’t a bad story, I just wasn’t invested in the characters. “Forbidden Fruit” is about a guard, Graylem and his sister, Deevana. In the main series, Graylem is a fairly minor character with very little importance. In my opinion, it was unnecessary to have a background story for him, though the actual story was interesting. The plot had suspense and twists but I found it hard to enjoy without ignoring how annoying the characters were. It’s worth reading if you like the main series but I don’t think it adds much to the primary story.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting POV from Graylem, which is only mentioned a handful of times in the first book and I believe he only shares his name once when Princess Carys asks. The novella goes into detail about how Graylem ended up in the city and managed to become part of the King's Guard. I'm intrigued to see just how much of a role he will play in the second book, seeing as how the author thought that he was an important enough character to create a novella for him.

[Morgan (youarethelibrarian) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a meh novella. It didn’t add to my understanding of the world of Eden, nor did it lend any new information about main characters in the first book. The main characters in this novella are Graylem, who was Carys’ guard in the first book, and his sister Deevana. It told the story of how they arrived at the Palace of Winds. Since Graylem wasn’t given much page time in the first book, this novella felt unnecessary. As another reviewer pointed out, maybe we’ll see more of him in Eden Conquered?
But as for the sister, Deevana, she was an insufferable character that I wanted to grab and shake violently. She is prideful and pushy and puts herself and what she wants above everyone else, including her brother who loves her and seems to be resigned to her actions at this point. It also felt as if there was only one way this story could end, so it wasn’t surprising and didn’t carry emotional weight for me.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Serviceable little story from a side character from the novels but there was a glaring error at the beginning. His sister had brown eyes on page 8 and then on page 11 her eyes were blue? Anyway, kinda wish we'd had an Errik novella; so much left up in the air with him and Carys. At least it's a wistfully hopeful up in the air.

[Renee Marski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing look into graylems story. We meet his sister, a girl way too selfish for her own good. Gray wants to set her up as a lady but the lord isnt up to her standards. They stop in garden city and his sister is scheming but he has no idea what shes doing until its too late. It definitely puts him a whole new light.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been so long since I read Dividing Eden that I’m not 100% sure how this ties in (except for the twins of course), but I enjoyed this on its own merits. I’m eager to re-read all of the preceding pieces before the final book comes out this spring.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting side story that interweaves some of the characters we know, however, this was very much a standalone to a point. I am curious if we are to hear of Graylen and his sister again in the next novel!

[Flowers&Fiction · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deevana is a brat, a horrible sister, and just in general ungrateful for everything she has. Wish she had died sooner because she made reading this hell. Graylem is fine but hearing his story felt pointless and like he needs to grow a backbone.

[Ashley Sabatka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't remember enough from the main book, but Graylen's name seemed familiar maybe. Nice, quick, easy read. Nothing super amazing though.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot really remember Graylem but once the second book comes out, I'm sure I'll be glad for this back story.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, this was another really great story, and I loved reading it, and how it fits in! Need to read more!

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to reread the main book now. Because I could have sworn Devenas name came up in it, but I dont remember how or when

[kwolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was just ok. I feel like reading it did not add any value to the series overall.

[Cyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was short and sweet and exactly what I needed. First time in a long while that I found myself wishing a book were longer!

[Risa (Clazzi) · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 39% I dunno this was hard to finish and stay focused on. Was not vibing with anyone

[Joha Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives you a bit of context for Graylem. Wish we'd had more of him in Eden Divided.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the world built in dividing Eden. However, unless this shines an unknown light on more to come in Eden Conquered, then it was something I could have lived without.

[Alisha Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Shahna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one wasn't as fun.
Kind of meh.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was intrigued by Graylem when i discovered him in Dividing Eden so I was glad to learn about his backstory in this novella

4/5

[Lex Rigg · Rating 3 out of 5]

read on KINDLE

[Vidhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot for the life of me remember the significance of the main character from Dividing Eden, but it was still an entertaining and brief story. I enjoy Charbonneau's novellas because despite most short stories, hers have intense depth in the characters and you get to explore their personalities more than in novels.