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Melanie Ansley
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Theo and the Forbidden Language: A YA Action Adventure Fantasy (Book of Theo 1) Kindle Edition

by Melanie Ansley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 135 ratings
In a land where reading is outlawed and animals are enslaved, can one rabbit with a secret ability fight the human empire?

"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 the war-torn realm of Mankahar, the human empire is “pacifying” animals for use on their farms by robbing them of their power of speech. But when Theo, an outcast rabbit who has the forbidden power to read, joins forces with the warrior bear Brune, they embark on a daring mission to defy the empire. As the battle for Mankahar's fate looms, Theo must risk everything to learn the full power of the forbidden language.

Prepare for a perilous journey through a world where reading means death and where all that stands between hope and despair are the unlikeliest of heroes. Gripping, heart-wrenching, and poignant, "Theo and the Forbidden Language" is an award-winning epic tale of friendship, courage, and the magic of words.

Read the complete series:

Theo and the Forbidden Language
Theo and the Secret of Elshon
Theo and the Stolen Library

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  1. Reading age
    12 - 18 years
  2. Book 1 of 3
    Book of Theo
  3. Print length
    314 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    November 19, 2014
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Winner - 2018 IndieReader Discovery Awards for Best Young Adult
2nd Place - 2018 Royal Dragonfly Awards New Author (Ebooks)
2nd Place - 2018 Royal Dragonfly Awards, Sci-Fi/Fantasy (Ebooks)
Honorable Mention - Readers Favorite Awards, Young Adult Epic Fantasy
"Ansley (The Queen and the Dagger, 2016) writes an imaginative good versus evil narrative, providing some extra chills and food for thought in the treatment of sapient beasts." - Kirkus Reviews

"Five star read for young readers and the young at heart." - Rabid Readers Reviews

"Top notch writing. Awesome adventure." - Hall Ways Book Reviews

"C.S. Lewis and Richard Adams may have competition when it comes to terrific books about talking animals." - Underground Book Reviews

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00P4K5A8S
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Writing Rooster Media
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 19, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 314 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Book of Theo
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 135 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
135 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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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

  • 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
    Verified 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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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent animal characters, good vs. evil
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2014
    Verified 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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  • Kerry L. Reis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Anthropomorphic Fantasy Saga
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2016
    Verified 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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  • Bobbi R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Word Catching Rabbits!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2016
    Verified 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
    Verified 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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Top reviews from other countries

  • Page turner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable
    Reviewed in Australia on July 14, 2016
    Verified 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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