This story really took me by surprise. I was absolutely drawn in by the beautiful cover and didn't really appreciate that this is a YA novel. It's slower paced than what I normally read and utilises the back story of it's well established characters to craft a villain the friends must find and stop, something that is done really well. Due to its YA nature, it maybe didn't have as much peril for the characters I may have ordinarily liked, but for its target audience, I feel that this is almost on the mark.

I would have liked to learn a little more about each of the main characters and the kingdom in which they live. I wanted to learn even more and felt this was slightly lacking.

Overall, this was a good story, with enough mystery and intrigue to make it enjoyable even for the wrong target audience.

I picked this book up on a whim after seeing the beautiful cover and was intrigued by the title. I then realized this was a sequel so went back to the first book to dive into this world. The world and world building is so unique, I loved reading about it and learning more as the book went on. I enjoyed watching Kiar continue to grow throughout this series!

This book is perfect for YA readers and lovers or cozy fantasy books. I am interested to see the story leads us in the next book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kiar, heir to the realm (human world) of her father is the main character in this book. Having faced significant trials in book 1, Kiar is further forced to grow up quickly as the human realm is plunged into chaos. Her sister returns with a warning and her mother (hailing from the swan realm) is still a shadow of her former self.

The young adult fantasy introduces myths, legends and some pretty well explained battle scenes. The characters are likeable and the realms well explained - plenty show and not too much tell - just how I like it. I really like Willows spirited wit and Kiars strength and ability to make such grown up choices!

All in all, the book is written very well, has a beautiful world and is a wonderful young adult fantasy. I would have liked some plot twists which would have given this book 5 stars. Looking forward to book 3!

The Lost King was a great follow-up book to the previous book, The Swan Harp which I definitely recommend reading before starting this one because I feel that readers may feel "lost" if they haven't read the previous book first as this one picks up where the first one left off. This story was just as interesting and intriguing as the previous book in the series with the unexpected twists and turns, suspense, betrayal and so much more. I'm definitely enjoying the romance within the story, as I can honestly say that this type of series is a first for me when it comes some of the characters in this story so I'm excited to see how everything plays out. I will say that the storyline and plot have me devouring this story, as I never feel like there is a dull moment and I keep wanting more. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the final book in this trilogy.

The Lost King / Wings of Valenia Book Two by Elizabeth Creith – 4 stars
Not long ago I read first book of this series, and I have to admit, I liked this book more. The story follows Princess Kiar as she has to confront dark magic that threatening her kingdom. And together with her friends, Willow and Tuan, she takes on this fight. In my opinion, Creith has improved her writing since the first book. The dialogue between characters feels more natural, and the story itself flows better. Overall, Creith has created a strong sequel with blending in folklore, likable characters, and interesting twists that keep readers hooked.
I don’t know if there will be Book Three, but if so, I’m definitely in.

Publisher: BooksGoSocial, Pub Date Nov 14 2024
Pages: 388
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost King by Elizabeth Creith

3.5 stars

This felt like a perfect, cozy, fall fantasy read! I enjoyed this book (and the first).

This was a great sequel to the first book. It is a beautifully written and heartwarming fantasy tale.

It was an enjoyable read, and one thing I do like about the series is that it revolves around 'Swanfolk'. It gives me a lot of nostalgia to my childhood and being obsessed with the Swan Princess films. It's definetly a more unique twist on fantasy that you don't see often so that's a nice breath of fresh air to have more unique characters and fantasy elements.

Anyway, moving on! I loved the characters and the story. It was a fun quick-er read and was an enjoyable sequel just as the first was (I read the first just before receiving the arc copy for this book).

I look forward to reading more in the future from this author, and I would definitely recommend this to YA fantasy readers to enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing the ARC copy for me to read and review.

Wow! What a ride! Such a good read! The Lost King is such a good read for me. I loved every character and the plot was fantastic.

I want to thank the author and netgalley for this ARC.
The book didn't disapoint it was a fun read. I, liked the characters and the world. The folklore was also very interesting

This was a strong sequel in the Wings of Valenia series, it had that element that I enjoyed from the first book and was hooked from the first page of this book. The characters still felt like they were meant to be in this world and was glad I got to read this. Elizabeth Creith wrote this perfectly and I can’t wait for more.

In The Lost King, Elizabeth Creith takes readers on an adventure with Kiar, a young girl navigating profound change and growth. As she grapples with her evolving circumstances, Kiar’s character deepens, and the story is enriched by her relationships with Willow and Tuan, two companions. Together, the trio strikes a perfect balance of teasing and mutual respect, making their dynamic both endearing and relatable. The book blends folklore with adventure, and I particularly enjoyed how the Swan-folk tales played a significant role in the plot, adding an extra layer of magic and mystery. With a likeable set of characters, rich mythology, and a strong sense of adventure, this sequel is a fun and immersive read. If you're drawn to ancient myths, shapeshifters, and family drama with a magical twist, this one is sure to captivate.

As a big fan of THE SWAN HARP, book 1 in this series, I was thrilled to get THE LOST KING and cannot wait to devour it. This has made me a big fan of Elizabeth Creith and I can't wait to keep reading her books for years to come.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.