Forbidden

"Forbidden" portrays the life of 15 year old Elinor, a curious and slightly predictable member of the True Cause cult. As one of the chosen, meaning that she will eventually become the bride of the cult's leader, she (and everyone else invovled in the cult - an undetermined number) have lived in relative isolation, only venturing out of the commune to sell copies of the Book, a code of rules and ideas of True Cause. During one of these excursions, she meets teenage Jaime who is curious in how the cult works and how the members are treated. Through several secret meetings with Jaime, she begins to admire him, but stills trongly adheres to the words of True Cause. Gradually, Jaime's words and returning past memories allow Elinor her first chance to think for herself and see the truth. The author's style allows for "Forbidden" to be an easy afternoon read, but the content stays with you. Knowing that cults similar to True Cause actually exist, is both creepy and intriguing. However, the content avoids being too strange (ex: sacrafices and the likes) and the worst it gets is when Elinor and the leader are consumating thier marriage, which the reader will find awkward and sad because of the obvious abuse of power occuring. While the ending of "Forbidden" is predictable and easily guessed, the depth of the main character (though depth is severely lacking in secondary characters) is powerful. The trials that she must endure to become herself are amazing and Judy Waite does an excellant job in her fictional portrayal of cults. Ages 13 and over.

Elinor is a Chosen One. There are many people who are a part of True Cause, but few are chosen. Elinor is lucky. What she doesn't know, however, is that True Cause isn't just a religious group, but a dangerous cult headed by a man named Howard who claims to be descended from an ancient group of non-humans. Sound far-fetched? It is, but to Elinor, who has known scarcely anything but True Cause since she was a baby, it's life. Each Saturday, members of True Cause have rummage sales, selling the old belongings of new recruits (New Joiners). It is here that Elinor meets Jamie, an Outsider. Jamie isn't very interested in joining True Cause, but he seems fascinated with learning about Elinor's thoughts. He questions them at every turn, encouraging Elinor herself to question both Howard and True Cause. For some reason, Elinor is drawn to Jamie and continues to meet with him in secret. Then one day, everything changes, and Elinor needs to count on Jamie. Will she leave True Cause, or will she convince Jamie to join with her? FORBIDDEN is an intriguing look at the world inside religious cults. While most teens won't be able to directly identify with Elinor's struggle to think for herself, they will see in Elinor struggles to find an inner self. --- Reviewed by Hannah Gomez ([email protected])