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Melanie Ansley
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Theo and the Forbidden Language (Book of Theo) Paperback – May 27, 2021

by Melanie Ansley (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 134 ratings
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"A must for fantasy book lovers." - Amazon Review

“Prepare to be blown away. Truly one of the best books I have read in a very long time and I cannot wait for more. Fabulous!!” - Hall Ways Book Reviews

“...brilliantly told, nearly classical, tale of an adventure among animals.” - Amazon Review

In a land where reading is outlawed and animals are enslaved, can one rabbit with a secret ability and an axe-wielding bear fight back against the human empire?

Reading and writing have been banned for centuries. The human empire is robbing animals of speech using a poison called “pacification,” and is marching to the furthest corners of the land to enslave animals large and small for use on their farms. The only thing standing against them is the Order, a society of free animals determined to defend their way of life.

The rabbit Theo hides a secret: he knows the forbidden language, the symbols used to “catch words”. When his village exiles him, he joins Brune, an axe-wielding bear and loyal member of the Order, in the epic fight against the empire.

But the Order’s cause proves dangerous. Whom can Theo trust, when the empire punishes those who read or write with death? Worse, his fellow animals view the written word as sacrilegious. As the war for Mankahar’s fate looms, can Theo risk everything to learn the full power of the forbidden language? Or will he and his kind be silenced forever?

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Book of Theo
  2. Print length
    312 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    May 27, 2021
  5. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  6. Dimensions
    5 x 0.78 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0998089621
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0998089621
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Melanie Ansley
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 27, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0998089621
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0998089621
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.78 x 8 inches
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Book of Theo
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 134 ratings

About the author

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Melanie Ansley

Melanie Ansley

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Born in Canada and raised in China, Melanie Ansley is the award-winning author of the “Book of Theo” fantasy trilogy. Her stories involve magic, underdogs, and the power of art in our lives. Having grown up in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Beijing, she picked up fluent Mandarin and an incurable love of travel, but alas no cooking skills. Since then, her work has seen her writing for Oscar winning producers, being held at gunpoint during a film festival, and penning a series that won a student Emmy.

Now based in Australia, she juggles writing, filmmaking, and raising two children (all of which involve a certain level of magic and a lot of luck).

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
134 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this fantasy story, particularly appreciating its wonderful tale of good and evil. The book features excellent animal characters and is well written, with one customer noting it's suitable for teens or even tweens. Customers find the book sweet and likeable.

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Story qualityCharacter developmentWriting qualityAge rangeTaste
21 customers mention "Story quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of good and evil in this fantasy book, with one customer highlighting its well-thought-out plot.

"...The fierce Princess Indigo, the steadfast bear, Brune and the cleverly crafted bad guys will leave young readers wanting more time in this world...." Read more

"It's so exciting to discover a new fantasy writer (Melanie Ansley), especially when her first book is full of talking animals!..." Read more

"...This strongly structured anthropomorphic fantasy builds its epic odyssey on well-developed characters cloaked within their animal skins...." Read more

"...If you like sweeping stories, with every word well-written, and guaranteed to have you laughing, gasping, and maybe even shedding a tear or two,..." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the excellent animal characters, with one customer highlighting the mix of animals and humans in the story.

"...is quick and maintains a dangerous tension but it’s the wonderful characters in the beautifully written world that will keep children reading...." Read more

"...The tale is a classic journey of good vs. evil, with lots of interesting characters; a very fun read...." Read more

"...fantasy builds its epic odyssey on well-developed characters cloaked within their animal skins...." Read more

"Those who like some gore in their fantasy will LOVE it! The characters are compelling and likeable...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting the author is a master storyteller.

"...a dangerous tension but it’s the wonderful characters in the beautifully written world that will keep children reading...." Read more

"...This is excellently written from a grammar standpoint, too, and suitable for teens or even tweens...." Read more

"...If you like sweeping stories, with every word well-written, and guaranteed to have you laughing, gasping, and maybe even shedding a tear or two,..." Read more

"This is a wonderful book, well written and so entertaining that I couldn't put it down...." Read more

3 customers mention "Age range"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's age range, with one mentioning it is suitable for teens or even tweens, while another notes it is written with a young reader in mind.

"...excellently written from a grammar standpoint, too, and suitable for teens or even tweens. My only complaint is that the sequel isn't written yet!..." Read more

"This is written with a young reader in mind . However I am a older lagh dy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it...." Read more

"Five star read for young readers and the young at heart...." Read more

3 customers mention "Taste"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the taste of the book, describing it as sweet, delicious, and charming.

"...He is sweet and charming and leaps from the page. Children will identify with Theo’s feelings of inadequacy next to his brother, Harlan...." Read more

"...The characters are compelling and likeable. The massive complexity of even "bad" guys is delicious...." Read more

"Loved the chactors and thr story line." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kerry L. Reis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Anthropomorphic Fantasy Saga
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    In a fantastical land under the divine guidance of Aktu, vast communities of animal realms are under a vast attack and consolidated conquest by armies of two-legged hairless beasts, whom other animals have called “Urzoks,” but who have labeled themselves after the vast land they have overrun, Mankahar. These beasts have used knowledge gained from the forbidden language of Aktu to “pacify” other animal species into soulless entities under their control. However, the Order, a council of animals guided by Lord Noshi, an “urzok” who has decided to stand with the animals than with his own kind, is searching for twelve apprentices, who will lead the defending armies to push back this evil kingdom. Lord Noshi has convinced the council that one of the apprentices needs to be an “omatje,” an animal who has learned the forbidden language against the law, which leads to young Theo, a rabbit in a free community of Willago, just beyond the current borders of the realm of Mankahar. Theo feels he is an insignificant member of his community, nowhere near as known or popular as his hunky brother, Harlan. However, Theo’s uncle taught him the forbidden language in secret with stories on hidden scrolls. Once the Order discovers Theo’s existence and forbidden knowledge, they send a companion bear to bring Theo back to them, but the powerful leaders of the “Urzoks” find out about Theo, and knowing that knowledge is power, send an army to capture Theo during his journey and enslave him under their control. This strongly structured anthropomorphic fantasy builds its epic odyssey on well-developed characters cloaked within their animal skins. From a small cadre of eager heroes to villainous schemers, rabbits, bears, monkeys, snakes, vultures, and other relatable animals provides moments of thrills, romance, and magic. If one can enjoy a blend of “The Lion King,” “Harry Potter,” and “Star Wars” mythology, then this opening saga would probably fit into this reader’s library.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent animal characters, good vs. evil
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It's so exciting to discover a new fantasy writer (Melanie Ansley), especially when her first book is full of talking animals! I was hooked from the very first scene between a bear and a rabbit. Theo, the main character, is a rabbit who refuses to stop reading books, even when written language has been deemed a very punishable offense. The tale is a classic journey of good vs. evil, with lots of interesting characters; a very fun read. This is excellently written from a grammar standpoint, too, and suitable for teens or even tweens. My only complaint is that the sequel isn't written yet! Seriously, this works as a stand-alone novel, but I will look forward to seeing what the continuing adventure holds.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Rabid Readers Reviews
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five star read for young readers and the young at heart.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The author, Melanie Ansley, gave me a copy of this book for my review.

    I adore “Theo and the Forbidden Language.” There are certain stories that children read that changes the way they see the world and Melanie Ansley has written one of those novels. Composed in a classic style Ansley maintains an elegance that may seem sophisticated for the intended audience but I think will encourage the reader to embrace the depth of character and plot.

    Theo, a stout little rabbit, is an uncertain hero. He’s clearly willing to take risks as he defies the law of the land to embrace the magic of knowledge through the written word. He is sweet and charming and leaps from the page. Children will identify with Theo’s feelings of inadequacy next to his brother, Harlan. The message is clear that anyone can be a warrior if only the reach deep inside themselves. Children need for someone to see that special quality inside of them and Brune a fierce bear, is that for Theo. Brune saves Theo initially but he’s confident in Theo’s ability to save them all.

    The action in “Theo and the Forbidden Language.” is quick and maintains a dangerous tension but it’s the wonderful characters in the beautifully written world that will keep children reading. The fierce Princess Indigo, the steadfast bear, Brune and the cleverly crafted bad guys will leave young readers wanting more time in this world. There is the feeling of action on a grand scale in “Theo and the Forbidden Language.” There are moments that may be a little edgy for younger readers but I found perfectly appropriate in a world where children read the Harry Potter and Hunger Games novels. “Theo and the Forbidden Language” is a different kind of world and so beautifully three-dimensional.

    If you have a middle school aged child or if you enjoy cleverly crafted action stories, pick up “Theo and the Forbidden Language.” today.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Bobbi R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Word Catching Rabbits!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Oh wow! I thought I liked the Queen and the Dagger, but this, this is amazing. The author is a master storyteller, weaving an epic tale in with the simple life journey of Theo. Theo's a rabbit who doesn't think he is useful or of any value at all, until it turns out that he's more important than he could have ever imagined. If you like sword wielding, word catching rabbits, bears with courage and heart, and a monkey too cute and funny for words, then you're going to like this book. If you like sweeping stories, with every word well-written, and guaranteed to have you laughing, gasping, and maybe even shedding a tear or two, then you will love this book. I can't wait for the next book! I hope the author writes it soon! Can't wait to read the sequel.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars This is a nice little story about good vs evil and how the ...
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is a nice little story about good vs evil and how the layers of human behaviors can sometimes contradict each other even in the face of what is obviously the right thing to do. Using animals as the protaganists works pretty well for this story, though at times the physical scale of the animals seemed to be suspended in order to move the story through action sequences. All in all I enjoyed the book and I think that a lot of others will too but I won't be in a hurry to read the sequel.
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  • D. McDowell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Theo: from zero to hero
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What happens when reading is outlawed, but you've been taught to read? You can't unlearn it. Nor can you hide from your destiny. The way forward his through, and the rabbit Theo finds his path. Follow his tail--I mean trail.
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  • Margaret Heinrichs
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Very entertaining story.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Page turner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable
    Reviewed in Australia on July 14, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is a really great book. Well written, compelling story. Great for YA and OA (older adults!). I really enjoyed it
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