The Return of The Truemore is YA magical realism featuring an advanced society that can communicate with animals. Arno Steele and his school friends battle to save their animal-friendly world from those determined to destroy it. Jungles, beaches, wild animals, dinosaurs, and a mysterious school with equally odd teachers come together in this young adult fantasy of 104,000 words. Twelve years to adult.

 

"In the exotic, modern country of ANIMAIA, Arno Steele and his school friends battle to save their animal-friendly world from those determined to destroy it. Jungles, beaches, wild animals, dinosaurs, and a very mysterious school with equally odd teachers come together in this young adult fantasy of 104,000 words. Mild artificial intelligence and paranormal elements, and some challenging themes. Suitable for 12 years to adult. This story is complete and stands alone at 104,000 words.

Arno Steele can communicate with animals – and he’s very, very good – as his dad discovers when Arno is four. A young Arno is infatuated with the legend of The Truemore, an historical saviour who will one day return to protect his mystical and animal-friendly world, Animaia (anim-eye-a), from destruction. The modern country of Animaia arose from The Great Conflict of decades ago and remains under constant threat of returning to the “old ways". An elite few have inherited an ancient ability to talk to animals telepathically and they are called “Anima.” The Anima are trained as the protectors and administrators of human-animal integration in the society. At thirteen, Arno is to be packed off to an elite school for young Anima. As events unfold, a reluctant Arno is perceived by some as the new saviour. Too bad: Arno would rather stay at home and hang out at the beach with his school friends, Leroy, Ashley and Charlotte, and his lifelong buddy Arkie the raven. What’s a boy with such exceptional ability and a possible foretold destiny to do? But now dark forces are gathering once more, and they are organised like never before under the influence of a leader who believes it is his divine destiny to destroy the free-living Animaian state and create a realm of unbridled animal exploitation and destruction. Animaia fears "the return of the fleshers." Arno is under personal threat, and he and his friends find themselves at the centre of this threatening storm at their Anima school, wondering if they can unleash the mystical Truemore -- the human form of the spirit of life itself -- to help in the battle for their homeland, or if The Truemore is nothing more than legend and folk-lore. At the start of school, the four friends visit the Crater Nebula where surviving dinosaurs still exist. The airship crashes and the four friends are under threat but survive. The head of school is the mysterious Sybylla Dolotty, who has an historical connection to the history of Animaia. She participates in 'The Gathering', a school function that reveals hidden questions about the country and its origins - and with hints of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Ultimately, Arno must face the leader of the fleshers when a school camp in the jungle goes wrong and he finds himself fighting for his life. Further intrigue emanates from the Crystal Cave and in the final chapter, the identity of The Truemore is revealed, to everyone's shock and surprise.

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Reviews from early version

1. “It was a really good story especially if you are an animal lover. I really loved the story line and the 4 main characters are also amusing and lovable. The pacing and the writing itself was also very good. However, it seems to be a similar to Harry Potter, only animal style. DIPI sounds like Hogwarts. Arno is like Harry, Leroy is Ron.  A lot of potential for this series. I’m excited to read the next one. (4 stars)”

 2. “Nice young adult story about a 13 year old boy named Arno Steele who has to face a family past that he was not aware off. Going to the prestigious DIPD academy where he is to learn how to hone his skills at “speaking” psychically with animals. Most people can speak to one or two species but Arno seems top be able to speak to all. Decent story seemed long on explanation but little action until you get towards the end. But as a first in the series it is a good start. Nice way to spend an afternoon in the sun. (3.5 stars)”

  3. “A very entertaining read! I could compare this book to having a similar feel to either the Harry Potter or Percy Jackson books, but I believe this book is more enjoyable for me as it has an inspiring message with it in regards to ecology and animal rights. By the end of the book, I found myself wanting to re-read the story and also anticipating the follow-up book. (4 stars)”

 4. “Although aimed towards younger teens, this novel can be quite entertaining for an older audience. Arno and his friends’ escapades as well as Charlotte’s sharp tongue will be sure to put a smile on the reader’s face. In a world with refreshing concepts and practices, the heroes have depths that are only partly explored, while the villains are most definitely evil and quite gruesome. I am looking forward to the sequel and hope to learn more about Arno’s mysterious teachers and the legend of the Truemore. A fun read! (4 stars)”

 5. “This book contains a very new concept for a story: certain people talk with animals by means of special telekinesis powers. This power sets them apart from the majority of the citizens who don’t have this power. As always, the different guy becomes the heart or the hero of the story and in this case so it is with Arno. Not everyone in his birthplace can talk to animals and of those who do, most can only talk to one type of animal, maybe two, but in this story Arno, talks to many animals.