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megbodz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is a wonderful fairytale adventure. I read it all in one sitting, bringing me back to times spent under the covers as a child finishing similar books like the Chronicles of Narnia or Inkheart. I absolutely loved the characters and their magic journey of discovery.
spow's review against another edition
4.0
Full disclosure: I never read “Chronicles of Narnia” nor did I see the movie, so I went into this book with zero expectations. I read MS’s
The Wishing Game” last year and thought it was a good book, and wanted to give her next book a chance. While not a genre I normally pick up, I think fans of fantasy won’t be disappointed with this read.
“The Lost Story” follows two boys turned men, Jeremy and Rafe, who at 15 disappear in a Red Crowe State Forest and aren’t found for six months. Only Jeremy remembers where they were during that time, and refuses to speak of it until someone comes to him for help finding their long lost sister. A sister, who unbeknownst to her, has special ties to their disappearance years ago.
This book is much heavier in the fantasy aspect than MS’s last book ‘The Wishing Game”, and as that’s not something I normally read, it took a little more for me to get through this book. The author’s writing style is great for this, very descriptive to help the reader form the world she’s built in their imagination.
The main reason I picked this book up is because in her last novel, Ms. Shaffer built these personal, beautiful stories within her world of fantasy, and she did a great job of incorporating them in this story as well. I love nothing better than reading a book that can tug at my heartstrings and was not disappointed.
However, there were definitely some slow parts of this book for me. I don’t know if it’s just that I don’t love fantasy books in general, or if they were truly slow, but there were times I was a bit bored. I also think the stories start off slow, and it takes a dedicated reader to keep going. Knowing I felt the same with her last book, I kept reading but not sure everyone else will do the same.
Because of this, I go back and forth between a 3 and 4 star rating. I think those unlike me who have read and are fans of Narnia will probably love this book.
**Thank you so much to Random House-Ballantine, NetGalley and Meg Shaffer for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**
The Wishing Game” last year and thought it was a good book, and wanted to give her next book a chance. While not a genre I normally pick up, I think fans of fantasy won’t be disappointed with this read.
“The Lost Story” follows two boys turned men, Jeremy and Rafe, who at 15 disappear in a Red Crowe State Forest and aren’t found for six months. Only Jeremy remembers where they were during that time, and refuses to speak of it until someone comes to him for help finding their long lost sister. A sister, who unbeknownst to her, has special ties to their disappearance years ago.
This book is much heavier in the fantasy aspect than MS’s last book ‘The Wishing Game”, and as that’s not something I normally read, it took a little more for me to get through this book. The author’s writing style is great for this, very descriptive to help the reader form the world she’s built in their imagination.
The main reason I picked this book up is because in her last novel, Ms. Shaffer built these personal, beautiful stories within her world of fantasy, and she did a great job of incorporating them in this story as well. I love nothing better than reading a book that can tug at my heartstrings and was not disappointed.
However, there were definitely some slow parts of this book for me. I don’t know if it’s just that I don’t love fantasy books in general, or if they were truly slow, but there were times I was a bit bored. I also think the stories start off slow, and it takes a dedicated reader to keep going. Knowing I felt the same with her last book, I kept reading but not sure everyone else will do the same.
Because of this, I go back and forth between a 3 and 4 star rating. I think those unlike me who have read and are fans of Narnia will probably love this book.
**Thank you so much to Random House-Ballantine, NetGalley and Meg Shaffer for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**
youlizyoulearn's review
3.5
Meg Shaffer was, without a doubt, automatically an auto-buy author for me after reading her fantastic debut novel The Wishing Game last year. Due to this, I was so excited to get a chance to read her second novel The Lost Story. Unfortunately, a lot about this didn't hit the mark for me.
In terms of positives, Meg has again crafted really loveable characters and a creative, wondrous world. I'll often think about Jeremy and Rafe, Emilie and her little pet rat Fitz. I was rooting for them every step of the way, and I was eating up every single heartwarming scene where they supported each other through hardships, lost memories, and basking in the childlike wonder of this other world.
Where it fails for me is in plot and writing style. The narrative in the beginning felt very slow and clunky. At first, the introduction of the "Storyteller" seemed unnecessary and cheeky to the point of being annoyingly self-important... like instead of being whimsical as intended, it felt like it was trying too hard. The characters also don't even make it to the magical world until halfway through the book, which made this particular reader highly impatient for some action. Then in terms of writing style, there were many sentences that felt too short and clunky and way too many sentences starting with "But" (particularly in the beginning).
Unfortunately, I feel that perhaps this second novel was rushed out the door to capitalize on the hype of The Wishing Game? It seems like it could've benefitted from a little more development time. I'm hopeful that the final copy will address some of the pet peeves I had with the book, as I understand there are edits still in progress. I'll certainly give it another shot once its publish date comes around.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
In terms of positives, Meg has again crafted really loveable characters and a creative, wondrous world. I'll often think about Jeremy and Rafe, Emilie and her little pet rat Fitz. I was rooting for them every step of the way, and I was eating up every single heartwarming scene where they supported each other through hardships, lost memories, and basking in the childlike wonder of this other world.
Where it fails for me is in plot and writing style. The narrative in the beginning felt very slow and clunky. At first, the introduction of the "Storyteller" seemed unnecessary and cheeky to the point of being annoyingly self-important... like instead of being whimsical as intended, it felt like it was trying too hard. The characters also don't even make it to the magical world until halfway through the book, which made this particular reader highly impatient for some action. Then in terms of writing style, there were many sentences that felt too short and clunky and way too many sentences starting with "But" (particularly in the beginning).
Unfortunately, I feel that perhaps this second novel was rushed out the door to capitalize on the hype of The Wishing Game? It seems like it could've benefitted from a little more development time. I'm hopeful that the final copy will address some of the pet peeves I had with the book, as I understand there are edits still in progress. I'll certainly give it another shot once its publish date comes around.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
juanat77's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Gave total The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe vibes which was my favorite childhood book. Fairy Tale for adults!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Violence, Abandonment, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
erinnnewton's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Net Galley, Meg Shaffer and Random House for giving me access to my very first ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a joy this book was! I absolutely loved The Wishing Game so I had high expectations based on that and the premise of the book. This book delivered.
I love the way Meg Shaffer writes. It’s so easy to digest but thoughtful and endearing. The characters had depth and baggage but were ultimately so kind and loving it was so easy to root for them.
Keeping my fingers crossed for a possible sequel. I would love to visit this world again.
What a joy this book was! I absolutely loved The Wishing Game so I had high expectations based on that and the premise of the book. This book delivered.
I love the way Meg Shaffer writes. It’s so easy to digest but thoughtful and endearing. The characters had depth and baggage but were ultimately so kind and loving it was so easy to root for them.
Keeping my fingers crossed for a possible sequel. I would love to visit this world again.
bookclubtrivia's review against another edition
It took too long to get to the fantasy world, and then it was disappointing. The dialogue is cringey; characters are all trying to be funny at the same time and it’s too much.
nadiamg_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of “The Lost Story” by Meg Shaffer in exchange for a review.
After “The Wishing Game”, I was eager to get my hands on Meg Shaffer’s follow up. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it. Comparing to “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is a tall order, and perhaps that didn’t help. It had too many words and not enough action. I couldn’t connect with the characters either.
Towards the end I found myself skimming just to finish it. I’m certain others will enjoy it but it just wasn’t for me.
After “The Wishing Game”, I was eager to get my hands on Meg Shaffer’s follow up. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it. Comparing to “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is a tall order, and perhaps that didn’t help. It had too many words and not enough action. I couldn’t connect with the characters either.
Towards the end I found myself skimming just to finish it. I’m certain others will enjoy it but it just wasn’t for me.
bookaddictpnw's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kaylanoellesims's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“Books are magic. Maybe even the strongest magic there is.” Meg Shaffer always does a beautiful job of writing books that make you feel like you are reading books from your childhood, but with the complexities and emotions of adult life. I absolutely loved this book! I laughed, I sobbed, and I was taken away into a magical world. This story has beautiful love of all kinds (romantic, sisterly, familial). I am a person who doesn’t read the back of books before reading (whoops), so when I first started this I really thought we were about to get Meg does a true crime book, but then I was suddenly flown into a magical world! I will say some parts did drone on for me while others felt rushed - but all that being said this is still a 5 star read for me! Also after that ending I really hope we get more to this story 👀👀
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Suicide