ABANDONED. Book probably published between 1995-2005, about a group of people try to overthrow a tyrant kingdom with the biggest plot twist. "Forbidden" in title. Spoiler ahead.

[Amanda]

Hi everyone, I'm here trying my luck to find a book for my boyfriend. He told me he read this book probably when he were 12 years old (he were born on 1989, hence I put published year 1995-2005 on the Head Topic), he mentioned this book has the greatest plot twist ever (apparently for a 12 years old), but he feels like if he reads it now he would understand it better.
The book is about a group of people trying to overthrow a kingdom they believe ruled by a tyrant king. The plot twist was (as mention by my boyfriend) after the group finally arrived at the kingdom and try to find the tyrant king and assassinate him, they found out that there were never a king or a ruler in the kingdom. It's actually ruled just by customs that passed generation after generation.
Hopefully there's someone who gets what I'm saying here and I would like to say thanks in advance :)
Have a good day everyone!

[Kris]

Amanda, is this a medieval-type fantasy with magic or creatures such as dragons/etc.?

Can you tell us more about the main characters trying to overthrow the tyrant king - genders, ages, jobs, skills/weapons, etc.?

Locations - can you tell us where the group is from, where the king lives? (e.g., mountains/forest/sea/group comes from different places & they meet along their journey)

[Amanda]

Hi Kris, thanks for the reply! I tried asking this to my boyfriend but sadly he vaguely remember all the details you asked for.. he can only remember that the title of the book has the word “forbidden” and the books is actually banned from some countries..

[Adele]

Is it possible your boyfriend is thinking of the whole series Amerias Adventures? The description for the series includes:

""The Amarias Adventures™" are centered around Jesse, a young teenage boy who lives with his aunt and uncle in the world of Amarias. A tyrant king lords over the Amarian people, some of which have banded together to form the Rebellion against their ruler. "

The third book in the series is Curse of the Forbidden Book

[Adele]

Sorry - I realized after posting that series is published a little too late - the first book in 2011.

[Tab]

What country was he in when he read the book? What language?
Anything about the cover?
Why was the book banned in other countries? Which countries?

[Amanda]

Hi Tab, he were reading it in Canada, and the language is english.. he’s not really sure about why it is forbidden & sorry for a long reply!

[Martini]

I think I remember somebody else looking for this book. I wish I could find the topic again...

[Amanda]

Oh that would be awesome Martin!! If you’re actually be able to find the topic please refer it to me hehe thanks :))

[Michele]

This sounds intriguing. The title isn't quite right, but perhaps This Star Shall Abide?

[Angela]

Probably a long shot, but is there a chance it could be The Secret Prince by D. Anne Love? The basic premise is similar, and this review from School Library Journal mentions a twist ending, although it doesn't say what the twist is.

"Gr 5-8 –When the king of Kelhadden is killed, the land is taken by an evil tyrant , Ranulf, and the townspeople go into hiding. A prophecy has spoken of a savior and when Morwid, the deposed king's advisor, finds an infant abandoned at his doorstep, he knows that he has found him. He raises the child, keeping him a secret. At the age of 12, Thorn begins his mission to defeat Ranulf and win back his kingdom. First, he must find an amulet lost ages ago. He sets off on his quest and finds friends along the way, including a twin sister he never knew existed. The siblings fight danger and one another along the way. The quest and the hidden royal child have been done so many times before that it's hard to create a completely original story with this premise. The main character is the only one with any real depth, and the plot is a tad predictable. A twist at the end comes as a complete surprise but it is jarring and detracts from the narrative more than it adds. An additional purchase for libraries looking for more fantasy.–Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ --Saleena L. Davidson (Reviewed June 1, 2005) (School Library Journal, vol 51, issue 6, p162)"

[Amanda]

I’m checking the books guys! Thanks before! Xx

[Delyth]

Hi this sounds like ‘The Final Empire’ part of the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. I know it isn’t ‘forbidden’ as you described but I would swear it’s the same plot! I read them recently but know they were released quite a few years ago! They were amazing books!

[Kris]

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson - Delyth's suggestion

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Amanda, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Kris]

No response, moving to Abandoned folder.

Amanda (OP) was last active on the site in January 2019.