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klynn1775's review
4.0
A free book off kobo. Wasn't sure really if I wanted to read this or not as I always become a bit skeptical of "free".
Romantic, erotic - I thought I was down for a romantic historical fiction - which I guess it is - just incredibly erotic. Book is great if you aren't into kinky sex but you enjoy passion, romance and lust sex, some magic and sneaking around. Everything was a bit instant but I'm good with that as the authors intention seemed to be setting your crotch on fire - immediately.
Overall - a quick and easy read with some humour in between sex scenes.
Romantic, erotic - I thought I was down for a romantic historical fiction - which I guess it is - just incredibly erotic. Book is great if you aren't into kinky sex but you enjoy passion, romance and lust sex, some magic and sneaking around. Everything was a bit instant but I'm good with that as the authors intention seemed to be setting your crotch on fire - immediately.
Overall - a quick and easy read with some humour in between sex scenes.
lisajo85's review
3.0
If you are looking for a light and fluffy romance, Forbidden is not the novel your looking for. Be prepared for a strong story of passion and adventure as two worlds collide. Caught in the middle are two lovers, on opposing sides, forced to either fight against each other or fight for the chance to stay together.
Carys knows it’s forbidden for her to spy on the gorgeous Roman soldier as he bathes beneath the waterfall near her home, but she can’t help herself. She finds herself drawn to him and spends her time dreaming of a day when they can be together, a day she knows will never arrive. When her dream soldier discovers her one day in the forest, she is taken unawares by the mutual attraction they share. Maximus, the Roman soldier she has been spying on, thinks Carys is the most beautiful creature he has ever met. Immediately, he desires her as he has never desired another. While he struggles desperately to make Carys his mistress, she is adamant that she will never be claimed or submit to another. Still, their passion cannot be denied.
Both submit to this secret affair knowing they can never truly be together. Carys is a Druid Princess, her people forced to seclude themselves deep in the forest, because Roman forces have overtaken their lands. Carys hides her identity from Maximus fearing he would hate her and banish her forever if he knew what she really was. As the two become deeply involved, outside forces begin to work against them. Another Druid, and Carys’ former lover, will destroy anyone who tries to take her away from him. As if that isn’t enough, both Druids and Romans are bracing for battle. A battle that Maximus and Carys knows will tear them apart forever.
Carys is an interesting heroine. She wants a future so badly with Maximus, she somewhat tunes out the forces of the outside world. She is desperate to have a physical relationship with Maximus and will disobey anyone to do that, but any chance at a future together she deems impossible. She is strong, bold and courageous, but she is also a woman who simply wants her man. She can sometimes be a bit misguided, and the few moments she shows any weakness, you can become terribly frustrated with her. Ultimately though, she knows what she wants and fights relentlessly to have it. Her culture and beliefs as a Druid Princess were somewhat hard to understand and follow, but she cannot deny the harsh reality; her lover Maximus is a Roman soldier and her sworn enemy.
Maximus is everything you expect from a Roman soldier. His emotions are heavily guarded, his will is iron clad and he takes great pride in the cause he fights for and his country. Still, his relationship with Carys shows he is not completely like every other soldier. He understands honor and duty, but you can see he doesn’t always agree with the acts of his country and his countrymen. The fact that his obligations to his country are interfering with his relationship with Carys instills some serious doubts in his mind.
The story is about an attraction of the most impossible kind. It’s not a sweet fluffy love story, if that’s what you’re looking for. Their relationship starts out with an uncontrollable passion, rather than emotional feelings or bonds. They are both warriors in their own way and they must work their way to a deeper, more emotional attachment. Their most common bond is that they are both outsiders of their respective groups. Simply two people who form a connection amongst a world of death and destruction.
Forbidden is a great entertaining read with plenty of action and passion. It is a story with themes concerning freedom, duty, prejudice, betrayal and power which all make for a fascinating tale. Yet it is still a sexy and erotic novel with compelling and driven characters. Be prepared to be taken on an exciting ride to a time and place of warring cultures and the two lovers determined to hold on to their forbidden romance against all odds.
Overall Rating: 3/5
Heat Level: 5/5
Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter
Carys knows it’s forbidden for her to spy on the gorgeous Roman soldier as he bathes beneath the waterfall near her home, but she can’t help herself. She finds herself drawn to him and spends her time dreaming of a day when they can be together, a day she knows will never arrive. When her dream soldier discovers her one day in the forest, she is taken unawares by the mutual attraction they share. Maximus, the Roman soldier she has been spying on, thinks Carys is the most beautiful creature he has ever met. Immediately, he desires her as he has never desired another. While he struggles desperately to make Carys his mistress, she is adamant that she will never be claimed or submit to another. Still, their passion cannot be denied.
Both submit to this secret affair knowing they can never truly be together. Carys is a Druid Princess, her people forced to seclude themselves deep in the forest, because Roman forces have overtaken their lands. Carys hides her identity from Maximus fearing he would hate her and banish her forever if he knew what she really was. As the two become deeply involved, outside forces begin to work against them. Another Druid, and Carys’ former lover, will destroy anyone who tries to take her away from him. As if that isn’t enough, both Druids and Romans are bracing for battle. A battle that Maximus and Carys knows will tear them apart forever.
Carys is an interesting heroine. She wants a future so badly with Maximus, she somewhat tunes out the forces of the outside world. She is desperate to have a physical relationship with Maximus and will disobey anyone to do that, but any chance at a future together she deems impossible. She is strong, bold and courageous, but she is also a woman who simply wants her man. She can sometimes be a bit misguided, and the few moments she shows any weakness, you can become terribly frustrated with her. Ultimately though, she knows what she wants and fights relentlessly to have it. Her culture and beliefs as a Druid Princess were somewhat hard to understand and follow, but she cannot deny the harsh reality; her lover Maximus is a Roman soldier and her sworn enemy.
Maximus is everything you expect from a Roman soldier. His emotions are heavily guarded, his will is iron clad and he takes great pride in the cause he fights for and his country. Still, his relationship with Carys shows he is not completely like every other soldier. He understands honor and duty, but you can see he doesn’t always agree with the acts of his country and his countrymen. The fact that his obligations to his country are interfering with his relationship with Carys instills some serious doubts in his mind.
The story is about an attraction of the most impossible kind. It’s not a sweet fluffy love story, if that’s what you’re looking for. Their relationship starts out with an uncontrollable passion, rather than emotional feelings or bonds. They are both warriors in their own way and they must work their way to a deeper, more emotional attachment. Their most common bond is that they are both outsiders of their respective groups. Simply two people who form a connection amongst a world of death and destruction.
Forbidden is a great entertaining read with plenty of action and passion. It is a story with themes concerning freedom, duty, prejudice, betrayal and power which all make for a fascinating tale. Yet it is still a sexy and erotic novel with compelling and driven characters. Be prepared to be taken on an exciting ride to a time and place of warring cultures and the two lovers determined to hold on to their forbidden romance against all odds.
Overall Rating: 3/5
Heat Level: 5/5
Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter
deannasworld's review
3.0
Forbidden is a sensual journey, a dance between Carys and Maximus as they negotiate the chemistry between them in a time when they are supposed to be enemies, not lovers. It's also a story of how two very different people from very different backgrounds can find common ground with this thing called love.
I'm not a fan of enemies to lovers stories for the most part but the setting of this story intrigued me. I am a huge history buff and I love Ancient Rome and the mysticism surrounding the Druids and their culture. Ms Phillips manages to weave a sensual love story filled with intrigue, politics and opposing loyalties when two warring cultures clash and two people find love. The passion between Carys and Maximus sizzled off the pages.
Carys is a princess and a high born noble in her Celtic world. She is a Druid and a beloved one, revered and honored by her people. She's also a very proud Celt. Strong willed, independent, intelligent. Perhaps a little too proud. Carys frustrated me. Her tendency to run and her resistance towards Maximus got tedious after a while. She was constantly berating herself for wanting Maximus, and yet she was not willing to let him go but wanted him for herself nonetheless. I thought she was being very unfair towards Maximus with all the things she was hiding from him, constantly citing their differences in culture and understanding as her reasons, while taking what she wanted from him. I didn't think Maximus deserved her disdain and her reticence considering he showed her nothing but kindness, generosity and understanding. Carys was as close-minded and uncommunicative and evasive, as Maximus was open-minded and understanding. For the most part, I understand the position Carys is coming from but it bothered me that much of her internal dialogue treated Maximus as though he was beneath her despite her feelings for him.
As for Maximus. I adored Maximus. Tiberius Valerius Maximus. Even his name sounds noble and commanding. Maximus was wonderful right from the start. He was noble and honorable, and he did everything he could based on his understanding of Carys' culture and the situation to treat her with respect and care. He even put her in a position of safety and protection (after she needed rescuing several times!) while Carys continued to resist him and all she was worried about was how her people will think of her and how their mighty princess has fallen for consorting with the enemy. There were moments when Carys said things to others which caused Maximus unease, making him wonder if she was similarly dissembling and omitting things in their conversations and hiding the truth from him and I really wished I could yell into the book and tell Maximus "YES, SHE IS!!" I really didn't think Carys deserved Maximus considering how poorly she treated him.
In spite of me heartily disliking Carys more and more as the book progressed, Ms Phillips managed to captivate me with her thorough research of the Ancient Roman and Celtic culture. The story felt authentic and real. I enjoyed what I learned about the Celts in particular but I confess I had a moment of cheekiness when I read about Carys taking a root of some sort to put her in a trance and to get visions from the gods. I couldn't help but wonder if someone way back when had wandered into the woods, got hungry and decided on gnaw on a tree root which had hallucinogenic properties and went on an almighty trip. Then said fellow decided that the trip so good and he was communing with the gods and decided it was restricted only to the special priests and druids. Of course, I do not mock their culture and beliefs since the stuff fascinates me but I couldn't help the magic mushroom reference as I was reading that particular scene. But seriously, Ms Phillips did a fantastic job of showing the other side of the Roman occupation, of a people and a way of life being progressively obliterated and assimilated into the Roman culture to make way for the future, and how desperately those people clung to their heritage and did everything they could to resist though they were fighting a losing battle.
And speaking of special priests and druids, I need to give an honorable mention to Aeron, designated bad guy of the story. What a delusional fellow he was. I'm told the name for people like him is a narcissistic sociopath. He had a very special way of justifying some rather heinous acts as sanctioned by the gods and therefore perfectly acceptable. There's a special place in hell for people like him. I enjoyed seeing him get his just desserts!
I thoroughly enjoyed this world Ms Phillips has created and I look forward to reading the next books in the series. Hopefully, I will like the other heroines more.
See more from Deanna's World
I'm not a fan of enemies to lovers stories for the most part but the setting of this story intrigued me. I am a huge history buff and I love Ancient Rome and the mysticism surrounding the Druids and their culture. Ms Phillips manages to weave a sensual love story filled with intrigue, politics and opposing loyalties when two warring cultures clash and two people find love. The passion between Carys and Maximus sizzled off the pages.
Carys is a princess and a high born noble in her Celtic world. She is a Druid and a beloved one, revered and honored by her people. She's also a very proud Celt. Strong willed, independent, intelligent. Perhaps a little too proud. Carys frustrated me. Her tendency to run and her resistance towards Maximus got tedious after a while. She was constantly berating herself for wanting Maximus, and yet she was not willing to let him go but wanted him for herself nonetheless. I thought she was being very unfair towards Maximus with all the things she was hiding from him, constantly citing their differences in culture and understanding as her reasons, while taking what she wanted from him. I didn't think Maximus deserved her disdain and her reticence considering he showed her nothing but kindness, generosity and understanding. Carys was as close-minded and uncommunicative and evasive, as Maximus was open-minded and understanding. For the most part, I understand the position Carys is coming from but it bothered me that much of her internal dialogue treated Maximus as though he was beneath her despite her feelings for him.
As for Maximus. I adored Maximus. Tiberius Valerius Maximus. Even his name sounds noble and commanding. Maximus was wonderful right from the start. He was noble and honorable, and he did everything he could based on his understanding of Carys' culture and the situation to treat her with respect and care. He even put her in a position of safety and protection (after she needed rescuing several times!) while Carys continued to resist him and all she was worried about was how her people will think of her and how their mighty princess has fallen for consorting with the enemy. There were moments when Carys said things to others which caused Maximus unease, making him wonder if she was similarly dissembling and omitting things in their conversations and hiding the truth from him and I really wished I could yell into the book and tell Maximus "YES, SHE IS!!" I really didn't think Carys deserved Maximus considering how poorly she treated him.
In spite of me heartily disliking Carys more and more as the book progressed, Ms Phillips managed to captivate me with her thorough research of the Ancient Roman and Celtic culture. The story felt authentic and real. I enjoyed what I learned about the Celts in particular but I confess I had a moment of cheekiness when I read about Carys taking a root of some sort to put her in a trance and to get visions from the gods. I couldn't help but wonder if someone way back when had wandered into the woods, got hungry and decided on gnaw on a tree root which had hallucinogenic properties and went on an almighty trip. Then said fellow decided that the trip so good and he was communing with the gods and decided it was restricted only to the special priests and druids. Of course, I do not mock their culture and beliefs since the stuff fascinates me but I couldn't help the magic mushroom reference as I was reading that particular scene. But seriously, Ms Phillips did a fantastic job of showing the other side of the Roman occupation, of a people and a way of life being progressively obliterated and assimilated into the Roman culture to make way for the future, and how desperately those people clung to their heritage and did everything they could to resist though they were fighting a losing battle.
And speaking of special priests and druids, I need to give an honorable mention to Aeron, designated bad guy of the story. What a delusional fellow he was. I'm told the name for people like him is a narcissistic sociopath. He had a very special way of justifying some rather heinous acts as sanctioned by the gods and therefore perfectly acceptable. There's a special place in hell for people like him. I enjoyed seeing him get his just desserts!
I thoroughly enjoyed this world Ms Phillips has created and I look forward to reading the next books in the series. Hopefully, I will like the other heroines more.
See more from Deanna's World
frankenbookie's review
4.0
This is such a great book. A Roman centurion and Celtic princess in the time of Rome's occupation makes for fantastic reading. Their two worlds have collided and instead of hating each other they fall in love. Add an evil Druid hell bent on destroying everything they both love and the magic of the Goddesses and you've got yourself one enchanting read. I'm so in love with Carys and Tiberius Valerius Maximus. They are such a well matched couple. Their chemistry is vibrant, intense and scorches the pages. Carys is independent, stubborn and defiant. She stands up for everything she believes and does whatever is in her power to save her people. Maximus is a powerful centurion who finds Carys fascinating and a little infuriating, especially when she doesn't back down and smiles in the face of his demands. If you're looking for a red-hot, blistering read with magic, clashing civilisations and romance then grab a copy of Forbidden. You will not be able to put it down! Now I want a Roman centurion of my own!
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