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Forbidden
Does evil lurk in Devil's Creek, or are the residents of Paradise Grove manifesting a darkness far more sinister?
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2019
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11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 13, 2019
Judging from the cover (ya, ya... don't judge a book by it's cover), I expected a supernatural-infused mystery. Yes, that's what the story is about, but its so much more as it digs deep into themes about society's role in oppression and finding ways to liberate oneself and be free. It's all explored in a fun, metaphorical way.
The world the author created is both based in reality and fantasy. Yes, its our world, but there's elements of a magical realm infused into it. This helps create a believable, yet surreal narrative.
As expected from the author, its well-written with interesting characters and a mysterious atmosphere. Five stars!
The world the author created is both based in reality and fantasy. Yes, its our world, but there's elements of a magical realm infused into it. This helps create a believable, yet surreal narrative.
As expected from the author, its well-written with interesting characters and a mysterious atmosphere. Five stars!
May 10, 2019
What a good, short, fast-paced novella! The strange and secret mystery at its heart is quite gripping!
Read full review in the 2019 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2019 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
March 12, 2019
Forbidden book review erin crocker
This novella is an ambitious undertaking, and although the story basis is compelling, the execution needed a bit more revision. Structurally, it was honestly a bit of a mess, but the writing is competent, though it occasionally borders on purple.
I enjoyed the creativity of the plot line, and was drawn in immediately to the scene and characters in the opening. I could picture the story unfolding until I hit a few chapters in and found myself completely lost when one character dies, then walks away from the crowd. I honestly reread the chapter give times trying to figure out what happened, then finally concluded that the author mixed up the characters' names. However, that wasn't the case; rather, there was a spirit/demon/something going on. In retrospect, it sort of made sense, but I spent way too much time confused to enjoy the story.
Likewise, I was disappointed that the introduction promised revealing a secret/cause to the "lies," but it was never revealed. There were some interesting characters, but the emotions seemed to explode out of nothing - there wasn't enough build-up. Finally, the afterward felt like a cop-out; the writer tells us everything that happened after without giving us any of the emotion. Honestly, it felt like a comedy or kids' where the credits roll over still images with captions as to what happened to each character. That didn't fit with the tone of the rest of the story.
Honestly, I think this novella could really be worked into something good, but it needs more work. With further exploration of characters, drawing out the afterward into actual scenes, and explaining the event that triggered everything, it could be a quite compelling story.
This novella is an ambitious undertaking, and although the story basis is compelling, the execution needed a bit more revision. Structurally, it was honestly a bit of a mess, but the writing is competent, though it occasionally borders on purple.
I enjoyed the creativity of the plot line, and was drawn in immediately to the scene and characters in the opening. I could picture the story unfolding until I hit a few chapters in and found myself completely lost when one character dies, then walks away from the crowd. I honestly reread the chapter give times trying to figure out what happened, then finally concluded that the author mixed up the characters' names. However, that wasn't the case; rather, there was a spirit/demon/something going on. In retrospect, it sort of made sense, but I spent way too much time confused to enjoy the story.
Likewise, I was disappointed that the introduction promised revealing a secret/cause to the "lies," but it was never revealed. There were some interesting characters, but the emotions seemed to explode out of nothing - there wasn't enough build-up. Finally, the afterward felt like a cop-out; the writer tells us everything that happened after without giving us any of the emotion. Honestly, it felt like a comedy or kids' where the credits roll over still images with captions as to what happened to each character. That didn't fit with the tone of the rest of the story.
Honestly, I think this novella could really be worked into something good, but it needs more work. With further exploration of characters, drawing out the afterward into actual scenes, and explaining the event that triggered everything, it could be a quite compelling story.
December 23, 2020
'Forbidden' is a really odd book on several levels - the language used harks back to a Puritan age (not very successfully), the storyline ranges from the peculiar to the barking mad and the editing is hit and miss at best:
""For the will of God is strong for those who terry not in faithlessness." Abel’s voice didn’t waiver."
'Tarry' not 'terry' and 'waver' not 'waiver'. And this was only the second paragraph in the book
"The afternoon found him in a melancholy disposition that even the humid melody of nature failed to remedy."
"humid melody"? It may sound good but it doesn't make any sense.
Later on in the book the word 'noteriety' appears twice in the same paragraph - not only is it a misspelling it is also the wrong word completely.
The story, insofar as it makes any sense at all, seems to revolve around a community separated a century ago because of The Sickness (apparently caused by the river that runs between the two towns. One side is green, leafy and prosperous - the other is a wasteland.
It's all down to religion, hypocrisy and gay relationships. There's magic and ghosts and, possibly demons, but it is such a mess that it is difficult to wade through it.
There is a resolution of Biblical proportions but by that time I had ceased caring one way or the other.
""For the will of God is strong for those who terry not in faithlessness." Abel’s voice didn’t waiver."
'Tarry' not 'terry' and 'waver' not 'waiver'. And this was only the second paragraph in the book
"The afternoon found him in a melancholy disposition that even the humid melody of nature failed to remedy."
"humid melody"? It may sound good but it doesn't make any sense.
Later on in the book the word 'noteriety' appears twice in the same paragraph - not only is it a misspelling it is also the wrong word completely.
The story, insofar as it makes any sense at all, seems to revolve around a community separated a century ago because of The Sickness (apparently caused by the river that runs between the two towns. One side is green, leafy and prosperous - the other is a wasteland.
It's all down to religion, hypocrisy and gay relationships. There's magic and ghosts and, possibly demons, but it is such a mess that it is difficult to wade through it.
There is a resolution of Biblical proportions but by that time I had ceased caring one way or the other.
January 18, 2019
Super surprised by this short story☆
This story was different for me. Not what I normally read but I gave it a chance and I'm so happy I did! It was so intriguing. I'm pleasantly surprised by this. In the beginning I was a bit skeptical but I was pulled in by that intrigue. Really excited to read more by this author☆
This story was different for me. Not what I normally read but I gave it a chance and I'm so happy I did! It was so intriguing. I'm pleasantly surprised by this. In the beginning I was a bit skeptical but I was pulled in by that intrigue. Really excited to read more by this author☆
March 1, 2019
Have you ever watched a movie with actors acting so poorly that you couldn't feel any other emotion except irritation for their poor acting? That's how i felt reading this book. Whatever was happening on the pages just left me emotionally uninvolved into the story. It was like the author told us about everything what happened but forgot to add smth which would make his story alive...
January 8, 2019
Omg!
I read this in one sitting! Deliciously demonic, twisted with details so vivid, that I felt I were with the characters. This is so worth the read! The flow of the story keeps you guessing and intrigued!
Fantastic!
I read this in one sitting! Deliciously demonic, twisted with details so vivid, that I felt I were with the characters. This is so worth the read! The flow of the story keeps you guessing and intrigued!
Fantastic!
March 7, 2019
Well done character work with descriptive surroundings. Well written with depth given to personalities and environments. Moves well without being long winded and boring. Well done climax(Not giving it away).
May 19, 2019
I found the story to be a bit confusing at first, but intriguing enough to continue and finish. A mysterious and demonic novella twisted around a town plagued with religious hypocrisy, and a forbidden relationship.
January 10, 2019
Great read!
I enjoyed this novella by Erin. She is super talented and I'm looking forward to reading more from her. :)
I enjoyed this novella by Erin. She is super talented and I'm looking forward to reading more from her. :)
March 7, 2019
Recommended by a friend. Turned out to be a very well written and thoughtful surprise.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews