After reading The Wishing Game I was very excited to have the opportunity to read and review The Lost Story. Boy oh boy was this story different, but not in a bad way. I went in blind and was shocked to find we were diving into a world in the woods of West Virginia where people “go missing”. This adult fairytale takes you on an adventure like no other.

Magical realism turned full-on Narnia-like fantasy – in a world where the Chronicles of Narnia actually exist – with distinctive characters and a hell of a lot of heart, this book had a slow start that eventually swept me away beyond my wildest imaginings.

Dark, yet soulful, heartbreaking and eternally optimistic, The Lost Story follows a young woman who seeks out famed finder of missing people, Jeremy Cox, in hopes of locating her long-lost older sister – a sister that, happens to have disappeared in the very same national park in which Jeremy and his childhood best friend, Rafe, also disappeared and then REAPPEARED months later.

Coincidence much?

What follows is a magical foray into the imprints of trauma, the loss and then rekindling of childlike innocence, and far too many tears from yours truly to count.

I can’t say anything more without saying everything, but this one just worked for me. Right book at the right time.

And I highly suggest you give it a go.

Content warning: child abuse, kidnapping, violence, death of a parent, homophobia.

This book was firmly in my wheelhouse. I love a novel that explores the repercussions of a visit to a Narnia-esque fantasy realm. I enjoyed the relationships between all the characters and the slow roll out of the backstory. I will be recommending this to others.

This was one of the best books I've read in the longest time. I gave a more indepth review on my instragram. I gave this 5 stars.

I wasn't sure what to expect here, but I fell in love with this book from page one, and that deepened with each page turn. Absolutely amazing.

I DNF'd this book. I couldn't get into it, I really tried. But as my first ARC it was just very difficult for me to relate to the characters. Overall I was scared to not post this review. So as late as it is, that was the reason I never wrote back.

A whimsical fairy tale full of magic, adventure forgiveness, hope and healing. More suited to YA, the plot is imaginitive and well written.

One of my favorite reads this year!! I've always favored reads that have a portal to a magical land - especially if that land can solve some of the real life problems of the travelers. This read does that and more!

I considered this as one of the reads for my grands - since I actually do have a wardrobe they've been using as a Narnia portal their whole lives - by the similarity to CS Lewis' world it suggested. However, there are darker and more troublesome aspects that this grandmother doesn't want to have to explain away. I'd categorize this more for mature YA or adults who dig magical worlds with all the trimmings.

As for me and my house? We are those kind of adults, and highly recommend this read to any kindred spirits.

*A sincere thank you to Meg Shaffer, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #TheLostStory #NetGalley

After having read Meg Shaffer’s previous book, The Wishing Game, this was such a disappointment to me. A lot of emotionally challenging aspects included: abandonment, child abuse, domestic abuse, kidnapping, grief, mental illness, etc. Touted as a fantasy, it dealt with too many adult issues to be considered in that genre. But even considering that, it was written as more of a young adult book because it was very juvenile. I did not connect with the characters. And the comparison with the Narnia books is not realistic.

But, there are plenty of 4- and 5-star reviews, so I would encourage you to decide if you would be interested in reading this book. Sadly this one did not work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult
Contemporary
Fantasy
Fiction
LGBT
Magic
Magical Realism
Mystery
Romance

Found family, subtle magic, and high stakes adventure — what's not to love?!

I fell in love with Meg Shaffer's writing after reading "The Wishing Game," so I was very excited to read another magical story of hers! "The Lost Story" is a delightful story full of love and adventure, and I really enjoyed reading it! It truly read like an adult fairytale and reminded me so much of the books I read as a child.

The book starts off with Jeremy and Rafe disappearing only to reappear six months later. Fast forward to fifteen years later where the two no longer speak and Jeremy is working as a missing persons' investigator. We meet Emilie, who is looking for her sister who went missing in the same forest as Jeremy and Rae. The tale that follows is emotional, fun, and unexpected.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the storyteller who guided the story! It added to the whole fairytale feel and I love when the narrator talks directly to the reader. This is the perfect story to get lost in.

I'm a big fan of Narnia so The Lost Story really appealed to me. It was a fun read and I enjoyed the magical realm they went to. It was well written and kept my attention and made me care about all the characters.

I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

I think my hopes were just too high for this book... I can see the elements inspired by The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe... But that comparison maybe set the bar too high.
I expected some religious subtext with it being inspired by the work of CS Lewis but yikes. The religious overtones were loud and did not resonate with me at all. It felt very forced and not what I signed up for.
I wish this had been Jeremy and Rafe's first experience in Shannandoah. Maybe the magic would have felt a bit more accessible.
I didnt have a bad time, but with this being my most anticipated book of the year... Im left a little disappointed.

Oh goodness, this book was everything and more! Magically and mysterious. I adored the characters and the world. I loved the bits of action and romance. Please oh please let there be more to this lost story!!

A whimsical fairy tale that has a mystery inside! Themes of found family, deep friendships and enduring love!

My second Meg Shaffer book - and I loved it! There is beautiful imagery, great characters and plot twists enough to keep you on your toes.

I will say that the first part of the book starts slow but hang in there and you will soon enter a wonder fantastical world that sweeps you away!


My heartfelt thanks to Net Galley and Quercus Books | Arcadia for the arc in exchange for an honest review. This book has been published and is available to read now.

I loved Meg Shaffer's THE WISHING GAME, so I was very excited to pick up THE LOST STORY! Described as a "Narnia for adults," THE LOST STORY was truly magical and imaginative.

4.5 stars. I really loved this book. I didn’t give it 5 stars given minor elements about the narration that weren’t for me (I don’t particularly like the narrator breaking the fourth wall AND commenting on story structure). But The Lost Story gives me fairy tale warm and fuzzies. It declares outright that it’s inspired by C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia (which I loved), but it also has Wendy, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys vibes, and also feels referential to TJ Klune’s magical island world, and even gives a little Snow White and Cinderella nod with all the magical creatures of the forest providing much needed assistance and information. Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley for my ARC of this book.

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is a beautifully written blend of mystery, fantasy, and emotional depth. With echoes of classic storytelling adventures, Shaffer weaves a tale of lost friendships, hidden truths, and the magic of stories themselves. The dual timelines add richness, slowly unraveling the mystery while deepening the emotional stakes.

While some plot points feel a bit predictable, the lyrical writing and heartfelt characters make it a captivating and memorable read.

A charming, bittersweet tale perfect for fans of books about books and the enduring power of stories.

I absolutely LOVED Meg Shaffer’s novel the Wishing Game. I could not wait to dive into The Lost Story. The story is reminiscent of the Narnia but is a unique story unto itself. For adults that love fairy and fantasy as a child this story feels like a nostalgic throwback. Meg Shaffer’s writing reminds me of how much I loved reading as a child and why I have been a life long lover of magical stories.
I could not put this book down, a portal fantasy that tells a powerful story of love, friendship and forgiveness.

This was a sweet and fun story. It reminded me a bit of the Chronicles of Narnia. I enjoyed it and Meg Shaffer is an author I will keep in mind when I'm looking for a feel good read