Review: Lost Kingdom by Laurel Black
“His gaze was an untamed force that could have pulled the stars from the sky. I felt my heart spark and tumble toward him, a falling star trusting the earth to catch it.”
The Basics
Title: Lost Kingdom (Lost Kingdom #1)
Author: Laurel Black
Published: Expected publication date is January 17, 2024
Note: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: Stormeer Press
Pages: 458
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, Romance, Young adult, High fantasy, Fantasy romance, Young adult fantasy
Book Synopsis
Raven has no memory of who she is; her past is a black void, with only the occasional glimmer of something peeking out from the darkness. There are two things she knows for certain: she is enslaved by the sadistic Rathalans and her magic has been taken from her. Then, one day, a girl who seemingly knows her appears and hands her a bead that transforms into a labyrinthine design on her palm. The girl explains that it is a map that only she can decipher and that will save her brother. She further claims that Raven is a member of the Zavien tribe, a group of shapeshifters long believed to be nothing more than a myth, but before Raven can glean any more information from her, the two are separated.
Jeddak is running out of time. He only has until the new moon to find and retrieve the Zavien stone for his king, who is holding his betrothed, Lila, hostage. If he fails, Lila will die. His mission seems doomed to fail until he learns that Raven is in possession of a map that will lead him to the stone. Breaking her out of the Rathalans’ stronghold will be his first challenge, gaining her trust his second, and betraying her his final. At the onset, it seems doable, but as the pair spends more time together, unexpected feelings develop that threaten his resolve.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: A highly engrossing fantasy full of adventure with imaginative world-building and a dash of romance.
From its opening chapter, Lost Kingdom held me in thrall. I became lost in its vast, imaginative world filled with intrigue and danger, and I developed an insatiable desire to know what would happen next. The pages all but turned themselves, and my to-do list fell to the wayside. When at last I reached the end, I felt utterly gutted – not out of disappointment but rather sadness. I was not yet ready to leave Eastlandra and its inhabitants behind, a reluctance felt all the more keenly given the inevitably indeterminate wait for the sequel.
At the heart of this story (and in large part what makes it such a compelling read) is the unknown. We do not know how or why Raven has been stripped of both her magic and memories, nor do we know if she will ever regain either. Moreover, if she does happen to recover her memories, what secrets will they lay bare? As for Jeddak, it is unclear whether he will betray Raven or come clean about his ulterior motive for helping her, and if the latter, will she be able to forgive him? All of these looming questions keep you turning page after page, hanging on the author’s every word. Just try and put the book down once you start it – you won’t be able to.
Burning questions and curiosity aside, this book is alluring for its escapism and sense of adventure. When you open Lost Kingdom, you are whisked away to a fantastical realm and embark on an epic, perilous journey. You accompany Jeddak and Raven as they traverse Eastlandra, passing through varied landscapes and fending off foes along the way. There are close calls, twists, and no shortage of edge-of-your-seat moments that will have you reading like the wind. Even in the absence of action, your interest never wanes, for the world-building is so well executed that simply taking in the surroundings is a thrill.
Another hook that the story sinks into you is the relationship between Jeddak and Raven. The two begin as reluctant allies, with each using the other as a means to an end, but over time, the nature of their dynamic shifts. They become unexpected friends with the potential for more – if they are willing to set aside their misgivings and act on their feelings. This will-they-won’t-they tension, as well as the star-crossed quality of their relationship, spurs you to keep reading so that you might see how or if their love story will unfold.
On an individual level, the two are also quite fascinating. Both are complex, multi-faceted characters contending with competing emotions and conflicting desires. Jeddak wants to save his fiancée but does not want to betray Raven; Raven wants to trust Jeddak but is wary of doing so. The question of how or if they will reconcile these inner strifes adds yet another layer of intrigue to a story already brimming with it.
The secondary characters are also worthy of praise. Like any ancillary characters worth their salt, they enhance the story without ever stealing the spotlight. Moreover, they have a purpose; they are not merely filler, there to add bodies to a room and nothing else. Kah, Jeddak’s magically bonded bear, is a particular favorite of mine. He injects humor into the story and often vocalizes what we are all thinking.
As for Black’s writing, it is superb. She writes in a well-paced, engaging manner that all but guarantees your unwavering attention. Her first-person narrative plunges you into the story, allowing you to see events unfold before your very eyes. Further upping the ante is her use of a dual point of view, which not only builds anticipation from one chapter to the next but also heightens the sense of intrigue and tension threaded throughout the story. All that is to say, she is quite deft at spinning a captivating yarn.
The not so good
It ended; I greedily wanted more. Joking aside, I have no major criticisms of this book.
Overall
Lost Kingdom is a dazzling debut that unequivocally establishes Laurel Black as a fantasy author to be watched. She is a born storyteller, and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next (hopefully, the sequel to this book 🙂).
Are you planning on reading Lost Kingdom? If so, let me know in the comments section below!
