Forbidden is the second book in a trilogy written by
Elizabeth Lowell. A step away from her usual
romance, this trilogy
is a
wonderful blend of
romance and fantasy. The first book, Untamed,
introduces you to the characters and setting, however each book can
stand very well on it''s own. With knights in armor and ladies in
waiting, this book takes you back to a world of war, magic and the
battle for title and land.
Lady Amber is called Untouched. Her magic power enables her to see
truth or lie when she touches any person. However useful this skill may
be, the touch of other brings her pain. So she is forbidden. Amber the
Untouched. Untouched until late one cold and rainy night, her life long
friend and companion brings her a man naked and deeply lost in an
cursed sleep. Needing to know if he is friend or foe, Lord Eric askes
her to touch him and scry the truth. Willing to do so for her friend,
she braces herself for the pain. But to her surprise, only
pleasure is
felt. Pleasure and a blank slate. The man''s memory is gone. The only
thing on the man is a pendant of amber. Amber is unwilling to let go of
the only person she is able to touch with pleasure. Even though her
mentor and guide warns that a prophecy learned at her birth should
bring downfall to the land if she pairs with this man. But Amber does
not heed.
The man awakes to find himself cared for by a beautiful woman who can
not help him know who he is. His memory is locked away in an
unreachable place. The shadows that haunt him and tease him tell him
that he should stay away from Amber. However, the joy he finds in her
over rules the shadowy warnings. Amber fears he will remember too soon,
but he may remember too late. Will this match of love bring peace to
the land, or will it tear it apart with a war that none can survive?
This book is well written with wonderful, believable charactors. It has
little of the corny romance that is usually found in romance novels. It
steps away from the norm of Elizabeth Lowell. I would definetly
catagorize this as a fantasy novel. I do want to say that this book
does contain a good deal of sexual content. While not pornographic, it
does contain a great deal of detail. So if you find sexual content
offensive, do not read this book. The dialog is great with many witty
lines and humor to it. If you have read the first book, then you will
love the continuing story line, if this is the first you''ve read, I
would highly recommend going back and reading Untamed. It will help you
to understand the characters much better. But either way, it is a
wonderful read. I recommend you pour yourself a drink, curl up in a
comfortable chair and prepare to read it cover to cover. I couldn''t put
it down. Find out if Amber the Untouched is able to hold on to All
things Amber.