
MELANIE ANSLEY
Theo & the Forbidden Language
In the land of Mankahar, the human Empire has learned how to rob animals of speech. The one thing standing in the Empire’s way is the Order, a society of free animals determined to protect their right to speak.
When his village is swept into the war, Theo the rabbit finds himself particularly vulnerable--for he can read and write, lost skills that are punishable by death. He soon becomes the target of secret societies and political factions, both man and beast, all intent on exploiting his skill for their own ends. His only protection lies in Brune, an axe wielding bear loyal to the Order--but joining Brune’s cause proves dangerous. Whom can he trust, when the Empire executes anyone like him, and his fellow animals despise the written word as the origin of their persecution? As the battle for Mankahar’s fate looms, Theo must risk everything--including love--to learn the full power of the forbidden language, or be silenced forever.
A fantasy adventure that blends the dark violence of Watership Down with a world reminiscent of Brian Jacques’ Redwall series.