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每個生命都是一則故事，在這些故事裡，你可能會真的死掉。
如果可以喚回摯愛，你願意賭上性命穿越多少個黑暗的故事？
自從鍾愛的女兒因車禍成為一具沒有靈魂的軀殼，
席瑞絲無所適從，日夜守在女兒床邊，朗讀女兒最愛的童話故事，
她決定，只要女兒還活著，她就會繼續念下去，希望能將女兒喚回。
有一天，她發現故事自己有了生命，自動從她口中流瀉而出，
一個沒聽過的奇幻國度自行從她筆下成形……
搬回老家療養後，隔壁那棟荒廢已久的老屋也呼喚著她。
這正是失蹤作家大衛當年創作暢銷書《失物之書》的地方。
隨著女兒病情惡化，悲傷至極的席瑞絲試圖逃離那個孩子成了空殼的世界，
她穿越荒宅，進入《失物之書》的世界──
一個有女巫、樹精、長髮公主、巨人，也有駝背人的國度。
在這個奇異國度重返十六歲的席瑞絲，展開一段尋回孩子的旅程，譜寫屬於她的青春故事……
席瑞絲能平安走出危險重重的故事，回到女兒身邊嗎？
如果可以喚回摯愛，你願意賭上性命穿越多少個黑暗的故事？
自從鍾愛的女兒因車禍成為一具沒有靈魂的軀殼，
席瑞絲無所適從，日夜守在女兒床邊，朗讀女兒最愛的童話故事，
她決定，只要女兒還活著，她就會繼續念下去，希望能將女兒喚回。
有一天，她發現故事自己有了生命，自動從她口中流瀉而出，
一個沒聽過的奇幻國度自行從她筆下成形……
搬回老家療養後，隔壁那棟荒廢已久的老屋也呼喚著她。
這正是失蹤作家大衛當年創作暢銷書《失物之書》的地方。
隨著女兒病情惡化，悲傷至極的席瑞絲試圖逃離那個孩子成了空殼的世界，
她穿越荒宅，進入《失物之書》的世界──
一個有女巫、樹精、長髮公主、巨人，也有駝背人的國度。
在這個奇異國度重返十六歲的席瑞絲，展開一段尋回孩子的旅程，譜寫屬於她的青春故事……
席瑞絲能平安走出危險重重的故事，回到女兒身邊嗎？
432 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2023
716 people are currently reading
15070 people want to read
About the author
John Connolly
220 books7,902 followersJohn Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 833 reviews
September 5, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
“It’s not the people who read books you have to worry about, but the people who don’t.”
This book was so enjoyable. I loved that John Connolly switched this up from The Book of Lost Things. Book one was about a boy who lost his mother, book two was about a mother afraid of completely losing her young child. I especially loved how David was included in this story because really it is HIS story. If you haven't read the first book, no worries, this works as a standalone.
Even though this book is very similar to the first one and there are identical characters and setting as in book one Connolly kept the story fresh and just as magical. He has a way of making old stories (like fairytale retellings) seem new again. I suggest you go into this one without any expectations and just enjoy the enchanting journey the author takes you on.
I so loved my second visit to Elsewhere while meeting characters new and old. Captivating and poignant this is yet another tribute to the power of stories and a love of books. Fans of the original will find lots to love and new readers will become fans. It can't be easy to write a sequel to a much-adored novel, especially seventeen years later...Connolly does a masterful job of it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
“It’s not the people who read books you have to worry about, but the people who don’t.”
This book was so enjoyable. I loved that John Connolly switched this up from The Book of Lost Things. Book one was about a boy who lost his mother, book two was about a mother afraid of completely losing her young child. I especially loved how David was included in this story because really it is HIS story. If you haven't read the first book, no worries, this works as a standalone.
Even though this book is very similar to the first one and there are identical characters and setting as in book one Connolly kept the story fresh and just as magical. He has a way of making old stories (like fairytale retellings) seem new again. I suggest you go into this one without any expectations and just enjoy the enchanting journey the author takes you on.
I so loved my second visit to Elsewhere while meeting characters new and old. Captivating and poignant this is yet another tribute to the power of stories and a love of books. Fans of the original will find lots to love and new readers will become fans. It can't be easy to write a sequel to a much-adored novel, especially seventeen years later...Connolly does a masterful job of it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
July 21, 2023
“…just as a book became part of the reader, so, too, did a reader become part of the book.”
Oh if I could give a book more than 5 stars, this would be the one. I have to start off by saying, Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things is my favorite book ever. I read it as a young and hopeful 15 year old, and it had stuck with me ever since. So when 29 year old me saw that there was going to be a “sequel”, I was elated.
The Land of Lost Things has been my favorite read of 2023 so far, and if I’m being honest, I don’t think I’ll read any thing else that can/will top it. Even though this was my first read through of the book, I felt a wave of nostalgia the whole time. I loved getting to return to this world of magic, and getting to revisit with some of the characters from the first book felt like getting to visit with old friends.
Even if you haven’t read The Book of Lost Things (which you totally should, by the way), this book offers so much excitement and adventure that anyone can enjoy it. The writing style is just beautiful. Connolly has a way of making even tragedy and sorrow sound beautiful. I most definitely didn’t want the story to end, and was sad once I had finished. The Land of Lost Things will certainly be getting many rereads from me for years to come.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Oh if I could give a book more than 5 stars, this would be the one. I have to start off by saying, Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things is my favorite book ever. I read it as a young and hopeful 15 year old, and it had stuck with me ever since. So when 29 year old me saw that there was going to be a “sequel”, I was elated.
The Land of Lost Things has been my favorite read of 2023 so far, and if I’m being honest, I don’t think I’ll read any thing else that can/will top it. Even though this was my first read through of the book, I felt a wave of nostalgia the whole time. I loved getting to return to this world of magic, and getting to revisit with some of the characters from the first book felt like getting to visit with old friends.
Even if you haven’t read The Book of Lost Things (which you totally should, by the way), this book offers so much excitement and adventure that anyone can enjoy it. The writing style is just beautiful. Connolly has a way of making even tragedy and sorrow sound beautiful. I most definitely didn’t want the story to end, and was sad once I had finished. The Land of Lost Things will certainly be getting many rereads from me for years to come.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 14, 2023
My thanks to Atria books, John Connolly and Netgalley.
Am I happy to have discovered that John is not all that, and a handful of cherries? Nope.
I tried so hard.
But..,,....nope!
Am I happy to have discovered that John is not all that, and a handful of cherries? Nope.
I tried so hard.
But..,,....nope!
January 14, 2024
4.25⭐️
“Twice upon a time—for that is how some stories should continue”
When a car accident leaves eight-year-old Phoebe comatose, her doctors advise her mother Ceres to shift her to a care facility located on the property of a writer who vanished years ago. Devastated and scared of losing her daughter, Ceres, who shares a love for reading, instilled in her by her father, with her daughter spends her time at her child’s bedside reading from her favorite book of fairy tales to her. The writer’s old home located on the property seems to beckon to Ceres who gives in to the temptation to explore further which leads her into a world that she believed only existed in the pages of a book. The narrative follows Ceres as she tries to find a way back to her daughter.
“That was what stories did, or the ones that mattered to us: They helped us to understand others, but they could also make us feel understood in turn, and less alone in the world.”
Touching upon themes of grief, loss, loneliness, resilience, and hope, The Land of Lost Things by John Connolly takes us back into the world of Elsewhere -the magic and adventure in a world inhabited by forces of good and evil. We meet several new characters and revisit some whom we met in The Book of Lost Things. Vivid imagery, stories within stories and the magic of books and reading transport us to a world of fantasy, folklore and fairytales (with a dark twist). Beautifully written, full of heart, immersive and just as memorable as The Book of Lost Things, this is another winner from author John Connolly. I did feel the pace faltered in parts, but this did not detract from the overall reading experience. Though this book does work as a standalone, I would recommend reading The Book of Lost Things before picking this one up for a more wholesome reading experience. Overall, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable read that left me with a smile on my face, a lump in my throat and a feeling of gratitude for all the books and stories that have been my best friends through the years and continue to be a source of comfort for whenever I need them.
“You can destroy a book. You can burn it, you can tear it to pieces and scatter them to the four winds, you can soak it until it reverts to pulp or the ink turns the water black, but you can't destroy the contents of the book, or the idea of the book, not as long as there are those that care, who remember...
WHO read.”
Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Land of Lost Things was published on September 19, 2023.
“We carry our childhood, the good and the bad of it, into our adult lives. In that way, we’re never very far from the children we once were.”
You can read my review for The Book of Lost Things here.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
“Twice upon a time—for that is how some stories should continue”
When a car accident leaves eight-year-old Phoebe comatose, her doctors advise her mother Ceres to shift her to a care facility located on the property of a writer who vanished years ago. Devastated and scared of losing her daughter, Ceres, who shares a love for reading, instilled in her by her father, with her daughter spends her time at her child’s bedside reading from her favorite book of fairy tales to her. The writer’s old home located on the property seems to beckon to Ceres who gives in to the temptation to explore further which leads her into a world that she believed only existed in the pages of a book. The narrative follows Ceres as she tries to find a way back to her daughter.
“That was what stories did, or the ones that mattered to us: They helped us to understand others, but they could also make us feel understood in turn, and less alone in the world.”
Touching upon themes of grief, loss, loneliness, resilience, and hope, The Land of Lost Things by John Connolly takes us back into the world of Elsewhere -the magic and adventure in a world inhabited by forces of good and evil. We meet several new characters and revisit some whom we met in The Book of Lost Things. Vivid imagery, stories within stories and the magic of books and reading transport us to a world of fantasy, folklore and fairytales (with a dark twist). Beautifully written, full of heart, immersive and just as memorable as The Book of Lost Things, this is another winner from author John Connolly. I did feel the pace faltered in parts, but this did not detract from the overall reading experience. Though this book does work as a standalone, I would recommend reading The Book of Lost Things before picking this one up for a more wholesome reading experience. Overall, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable read that left me with a smile on my face, a lump in my throat and a feeling of gratitude for all the books and stories that have been my best friends through the years and continue to be a source of comfort for whenever I need them.
“You can destroy a book. You can burn it, you can tear it to pieces and scatter them to the four winds, you can soak it until it reverts to pulp or the ink turns the water black, but you can't destroy the contents of the book, or the idea of the book, not as long as there are those that care, who remember...
WHO read.”
Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Land of Lost Things was published on September 19, 2023.
“We carry our childhood, the good and the bad of it, into our adult lives. In that way, we’re never very far from the children we once were.”
You can read my review for The Book of Lost Things here.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
September 22, 2023
John Connolly's writing is so beautiful and lyrical, it is always a pleasure to read his books. The Land of Lost Things is imaginative, lyrical, beautifully written, gripping and captivating. It is also a sequel to The Book of Lost Things, a book that I did not connect with. I am now going to go back and give that book another read as I enjoyed this one so much. Sometimes we are not in the right place to read certain books.
Twice upon a time - for that is how some stories should continue . . .
Ceres sits by her daughter, Phoebe's bedside table. Phoebe is comatose after being hit by a car. Ceres spends the time with her daughter reading to her the fairy stories that she loved in hopes of bringing her daughter back.
But there is an old house, near the hospital grounds that once belonged to a missing author. Something wants Ceres to enter the home and into the memories of Ceres's childhood days. She is drawn into the folklore which her father loved, to a land with magical and interesting beings.
Connolly has the heart of a poet. His writing is beautiful and the world/realms he creates are highly imaginative, original, creative, lush, and dark. I was instantly transported into the story full of darkness, wickedness, fairy tales, folklore, interesting creatures, and a mother's love for her daughter.
This book is full of excitement, danger, hope, love, loneliness, the power of books, the beauty of the written world and magic!
Such a lovely book!
Thank you to Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Twice upon a time - for that is how some stories should continue . . .
Ceres sits by her daughter, Phoebe's bedside table. Phoebe is comatose after being hit by a car. Ceres spends the time with her daughter reading to her the fairy stories that she loved in hopes of bringing her daughter back.
But there is an old house, near the hospital grounds that once belonged to a missing author. Something wants Ceres to enter the home and into the memories of Ceres's childhood days. She is drawn into the folklore which her father loved, to a land with magical and interesting beings.
Connolly has the heart of a poet. His writing is beautiful and the world/realms he creates are highly imaginative, original, creative, lush, and dark. I was instantly transported into the story full of darkness, wickedness, fairy tales, folklore, interesting creatures, and a mother's love for her daughter.
This book is full of excitement, danger, hope, love, loneliness, the power of books, the beauty of the written world and magic!
Such a lovely book!
Thank you to Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
September 19, 2023
THE LAND OF LOST THINGS is utterly charming! Filled with a love of the written word, (both in modern and old English), as well as an overwhelming feeling of hope, this book shot straight to my heart like an arrow from Cupid's bow.
While this book can be read as a stand-alone, I'd recommend reading THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS first. That way you'll recognize some of the characters and know more about their history.
The book opens with Ceres, a mom facing a nightmare most moms only dream of-a daughter in a long-lasting coma. With no idea whether or not her daughter, Phoebe, will ever wake up, it's determined that she needs to be moved to a long-term care facility. Said facility is very close to the house in which David, (the main character from THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS), used to live. From there, Ceres finds a path to a strange, magical world, (one of MANY), and her life changes forever. Will Ceres ever return home? Will Phoebe ever wake up? You'll have to read this to find out!
Aside from the plot, what I loved most about this book is the love of books and literature mentioned within. There are story-telling scenes that are captivating and the stories themselves were too. It is clear that the author loves language, (even without reading his acknowledgements at the end), and that love shows through on nearly every page. This quote for instance:
Or this one:
I have so many quotes highlighted, it was difficult to choose which to include here.
To me this book was akin to fertilizing my soul. It reflected the grief and tragedy that touches all of our lives at one point or another; yet it also reflected the hope that is intrinsic to many, but that others struggle to find. The will to carry on through dire circumstances. The knowledge that some people do care, in spite of the ugliness we all see on the news every day. And finally, it reflected my love of reading and language and it comforted me to know there are still others out there just like me.
I don't know what else to say. THE LAND OF LOST THINGS shot straight to my top 5 of the year, and even though it's only August, I'm sure this book will remain there until 2023 draws to a close.
My highest recommendation!
*Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
While this book can be read as a stand-alone, I'd recommend reading THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS first. That way you'll recognize some of the characters and know more about their history.
The book opens with Ceres, a mom facing a nightmare most moms only dream of-a daughter in a long-lasting coma. With no idea whether or not her daughter, Phoebe, will ever wake up, it's determined that she needs to be moved to a long-term care facility. Said facility is very close to the house in which David, (the main character from THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS), used to live. From there, Ceres finds a path to a strange, magical world, (one of MANY), and her life changes forever. Will Ceres ever return home? Will Phoebe ever wake up? You'll have to read this to find out!
Aside from the plot, what I loved most about this book is the love of books and literature mentioned within. There are story-telling scenes that are captivating and the stories themselves were too. It is clear that the author loves language, (even without reading his acknowledgements at the end), and that love shows through on nearly every page. This quote for instance:
You can destroy a book. You can burn it, you can tear it to pieces and scatter them to the four winds, you can soak it until it reverts to pulp or the ink turns the water black, but you can't destroy the contents of the book, or the idea of the book, not as long as there are those that care, who remember...WHO read.
Or this one:
A labyrinth, and a library. An inticracy of books, of stories told and waiting to be told. Great shelves of them, towering into obscurity, and they're always being added to, because each person's life consists of stories: stories upon stories upon stories. We're not creatures of flesh and blood alone, no more than a book is just ink, paper, and card. We're beings of tale and fable. We exist as narratives. This is how we understand the world, and this is how we must be understood.
I have so many quotes highlighted, it was difficult to choose which to include here.
To me this book was akin to fertilizing my soul. It reflected the grief and tragedy that touches all of our lives at one point or another; yet it also reflected the hope that is intrinsic to many, but that others struggle to find. The will to carry on through dire circumstances. The knowledge that some people do care, in spite of the ugliness we all see on the news every day. And finally, it reflected my love of reading and language and it comforted me to know there are still others out there just like me.
I don't know what else to say. THE LAND OF LOST THINGS shot straight to my top 5 of the year, and even though it's only August, I'm sure this book will remain there until 2023 draws to a close.
My highest recommendation!
*Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
August 23, 2023
Finally … a sequel to one of my favorite books of all time, The Book of Lost Things. I was so excited when my NetGalley request for this ARC was approved that I may or may not have squealed in happiness, and I am definitely not a “squealing in happiness” type of person. And, well, it was fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.
I have to admit that I was a bit worried while reading the first 25% or so. It was not very The-Book-of-Lost-Things-y at all, and I was scared that this one wouldn't be as magical as the original. And then the Woodman appeared and all my fears were put to rest.
The Land of Lost Things is filled with all kinds of fairy tale creatures and magical beings – Rapunzel, dryads, wicked witches, the fae, Titans, and even the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf make an appearance … well, kind of. There's subtle humor and beautiful prose. Elsewhere is wonderfully described and you feel as if you're there with Ceres in this dangerous but enchanting land. The plot is captivating and there are lots of endearing moments … and lots of heartbreaking ones too.
This book is a fairy tale, but it's a dark and dangerous one. Lots of terrible things happen to good people (and creatures). But, at the same time, it's ultimately a hopeful story. The Woodman is probably one of the most wonderful, good-hearted characters in modern literature and is definitely one of my favorites.
I could gush on and on forever, but to make a long review short(er): I loved reading this book almost as much as I loved reading its predecessor. I only say “almost” because I think I might've loved David (the main character from the first book) just a wee bit more than Ceres, but it's still a magical tale that deserves all of the overly lavish praise that I can send its way.
Final rating: a resounding five stars. If you love dark yet heartwarming fantasy tales, definitely give this one a read (but perhaps read The Book of Lost Things first if you haven't already).
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. And a huge thank you to John Connolly for creating the magical world of Elsewhere.
I have to admit that I was a bit worried while reading the first 25% or so. It was not very The-Book-of-Lost-Things-y at all, and I was scared that this one wouldn't be as magical as the original. And then the Woodman appeared and all my fears were put to rest.
The Land of Lost Things is filled with all kinds of fairy tale creatures and magical beings – Rapunzel, dryads, wicked witches, the fae, Titans, and even the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf make an appearance … well, kind of. There's subtle humor and beautiful prose. Elsewhere is wonderfully described and you feel as if you're there with Ceres in this dangerous but enchanting land. The plot is captivating and there are lots of endearing moments … and lots of heartbreaking ones too.
This book is a fairy tale, but it's a dark and dangerous one. Lots of terrible things happen to good people (and creatures). But, at the same time, it's ultimately a hopeful story. The Woodman is probably one of the most wonderful, good-hearted characters in modern literature and is definitely one of my favorites.
I could gush on and on forever, but to make a long review short(er): I loved reading this book almost as much as I loved reading its predecessor. I only say “almost” because I think I might've loved David (the main character from the first book) just a wee bit more than Ceres, but it's still a magical tale that deserves all of the overly lavish praise that I can send its way.
Final rating: a resounding five stars. If you love dark yet heartwarming fantasy tales, definitely give this one a read (but perhaps read The Book of Lost Things first if you haven't already).
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. And a huge thank you to John Connolly for creating the magical world of Elsewhere.
March 4, 2025
Why I chose to read this book:
1. The Book of Lost Things fascinated me when I read it a few years ago; and,
2. February 2025 is my "C and D Authors" Month!
Praises:
1. a nail-biting fantasy using "tales within a tale" featuring several folkloric characters - some familiar to me, some not;
2. the highly descriptive worldbuilding of Elsewhere ties in perfectly with The Book of Lost Things;
3. characters are well-developed and detailed. I loved the growth that Calio showed throughout;
4. although tense and horrific for the most part, author John Connolly includes some lighthearted and humorous moments as well;
5. chapter titles are intriguing, using vocabulary from Old English, Old High German, Old Norse, Gaelic, etc. with a Modern English translation, suitable to each chapter's subject matter; and,
6. quotes that moved me:
- "It's not the people who read books you have to worry about, but the people who don't."
- "She had what some might have wished for - an old head on young shoulders, the wisdom and experience of age combined with the strength and vitality of youth ..."
- "We hear rumors of territory being seized and land despoiled. It is the way of men, because only men seek more than their share."
- "Here is something that is important to grasp in order to understand people and their motivations: in stories, as in life, there are no secondary characters. Each of us is the center of our own universe ..."
Overall Thoughts:
Storytelling at its finest!
1. The Book of Lost Things fascinated me when I read it a few years ago; and,
2. February 2025 is my "C and D Authors" Month!
Praises:
1. a nail-biting fantasy using "tales within a tale" featuring several folkloric characters - some familiar to me, some not;
2. the highly descriptive worldbuilding of Elsewhere ties in perfectly with The Book of Lost Things;
3. characters are well-developed and detailed. I loved the growth that Calio showed throughout;
4. although tense and horrific for the most part, author John Connolly includes some lighthearted and humorous moments as well;
5. chapter titles are intriguing, using vocabulary from Old English, Old High German, Old Norse, Gaelic, etc. with a Modern English translation, suitable to each chapter's subject matter; and,
6. quotes that moved me:
- "It's not the people who read books you have to worry about, but the people who don't."
- "She had what some might have wished for - an old head on young shoulders, the wisdom and experience of age combined with the strength and vitality of youth ..."
- "We hear rumors of territory being seized and land despoiled. It is the way of men, because only men seek more than their share."
- "Here is something that is important to grasp in order to understand people and their motivations: in stories, as in life, there are no secondary characters. Each of us is the center of our own universe ..."
Overall Thoughts:
Storytelling at its finest!
November 18, 2024
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
Great sequel. Though the last 20 percent did drag a lot. Still five stars.
Full Review: So this book was so good. I loved the first book in the series and thought that Connolly ended it perfectly. I was a little hesitant to see he was revising this series since I thought it wouldn't work as well. But Connolly does a great job with the character of Ceres and her daughter Phoebe. The whole book shows how Connolly still loves connections to myths and legends. This story is a dark fairy tale still threaded with hope.
"The Land of Lost Things" follows 31 year old Ceres. Ceres is left devastated after a car accident leaves her young daughter Phoebe comatose. Phoebe seems to be worsening with no explanation of why. Ceres though starts to read a book by a well known author who lived where she grew up (guess who this is) whose stories seem to be breaking into her dreams. Something out there seems to be calling Ceres. When Ceres finally moves Phoebe to a different facility, she finds herself back in her old home and near the author's abandoned house as well. And then just like that, Ceres and us find ourselves back in the "Land of Lost Things."
I have to say this book felt like a warm and comforting hug. There's so many beats done perfectly. Ceres is a great character. I did have questions about why Connolly chose to . It just didn't add to the story and I thought it was weird.
Though we don't get to really "talk" to Phoebe. She comes alive to us via the memories that we get via Ceres. You keep rooting for her even though the end looks like it won't be happy.
And we revisit old characters we loved like the Woodsman. And of course, our David. And we get some new and old villains too.
The biggest issue I had was the flow. The plot was well done and I loved how this one centered on the fae. I also give the setting top marks. But the flow was painful towards the end. Connolly kept shifting the action back and forth between Ceres, the Woodsman, [redacted] and [redacted]. I was like can we just pick one person to follow and be done? I also thought the ending was a little bit of a cop-out. But then I cried at what we do get to witness [read].
I loved loved loved though that Connolly gives us some dark fairy tales in this one told either to Ceres or she tells to us. I really wish Connolly would do an anthology of some of the tales he has come up with.
Great sequel. Though the last 20 percent did drag a lot. Still five stars.
Full Review: So this book was so good. I loved the first book in the series and thought that Connolly ended it perfectly. I was a little hesitant to see he was revising this series since I thought it wouldn't work as well. But Connolly does a great job with the character of Ceres and her daughter Phoebe. The whole book shows how Connolly still loves connections to myths and legends. This story is a dark fairy tale still threaded with hope.
"The Land of Lost Things" follows 31 year old Ceres. Ceres is left devastated after a car accident leaves her young daughter Phoebe comatose. Phoebe seems to be worsening with no explanation of why. Ceres though starts to read a book by a well known author who lived where she grew up (guess who this is) whose stories seem to be breaking into her dreams. Something out there seems to be calling Ceres. When Ceres finally moves Phoebe to a different facility, she finds herself back in her old home and near the author's abandoned house as well. And then just like that, Ceres and us find ourselves back in the "Land of Lost Things."
I have to say this book felt like a warm and comforting hug. There's so many beats done perfectly. Ceres is a great character. I did have questions about why Connolly chose to . It just didn't add to the story and I thought it was weird.
Though we don't get to really "talk" to Phoebe. She comes alive to us via the memories that we get via Ceres. You keep rooting for her even though the end looks like it won't be happy.
And we revisit old characters we loved like the Woodsman. And of course, our David. And we get some new and old villains too.
The biggest issue I had was the flow. The plot was well done and I loved how this one centered on the fae. I also give the setting top marks. But the flow was painful towards the end. Connolly kept shifting the action back and forth between Ceres, the Woodsman, [redacted] and [redacted]. I was like can we just pick one person to follow and be done? I also thought the ending was a little bit of a cop-out. But then I cried at what we do get to witness [read].
I loved loved loved though that Connolly gives us some dark fairy tales in this one told either to Ceres or she tells to us. I really wish Connolly would do an anthology of some of the tales he has come up with.
October 22, 2023
The Land of Lost Things by John Connolly is about the power of love and hope and family, the wonders that grow from reading, the enchantments in the worlds of books, and the place of fairy or folk tales in our lives. This book builds on Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things but can be read as a standalone, which is what I have done. (I do plan to read the first book soon.)
As the story opens, Ceres, is watching as her young daughter, Phoebe, is being cared for in hospital some time after having been hit by a car driven by a distracted driver. Phoebe has been unconscious, comatose since the accident and Ceres is losing hope. The child’s transfer to a specialty care hospital returns Ceres to her childhood home and she continues regularly visiting her daughter. Ceres brings their favorite book of fairy tales to read to her in the hope she may hear. Ceres was raised by a father steeped in folklore and legends and has shared some of this with Phoebe.
Ceres doesn’t realize that she is days away from entering a different reality, one her father would have recognized, populated by beings not primarily human. There she will experience her own tale all the while worrying about her daughter and remembering all she was taught by her father.
This is a wonderful tribute to the love and power of books and reading as well as the bonds created within families by reading together. It is also a loving tribute to imagination, to the folklore that has been gifted us from the past, and an invitation to be our own writers and readers whenever we choose.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy stories, fantasy, fairytales or, better yet, folklore, or a great read. Connolly is a gifted writer.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. The review is my own.
As the story opens, Ceres, is watching as her young daughter, Phoebe, is being cared for in hospital some time after having been hit by a car driven by a distracted driver. Phoebe has been unconscious, comatose since the accident and Ceres is losing hope. The child’s transfer to a specialty care hospital returns Ceres to her childhood home and she continues regularly visiting her daughter. Ceres brings their favorite book of fairy tales to read to her in the hope she may hear. Ceres was raised by a father steeped in folklore and legends and has shared some of this with Phoebe.
Ceres doesn’t realize that she is days away from entering a different reality, one her father would have recognized, populated by beings not primarily human. There she will experience her own tale all the while worrying about her daughter and remembering all she was taught by her father.
This is a wonderful tribute to the love and power of books and reading as well as the bonds created within families by reading together. It is also a loving tribute to imagination, to the folklore that has been gifted us from the past, and an invitation to be our own writers and readers whenever we choose.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy stories, fantasy, fairytales or, better yet, folklore, or a great read. Connolly is a gifted writer.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. The review is my own.
September 26, 2023
Star Rating: —> ♾️/5 Stars
W.O.W. Wowowowow! This was so freaking… oh God, it was EVERYTHING! No words rn; ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY!
RTC
W.O.W. Wowowowow! This was so freaking… oh God, it was EVERYTHING! No words rn; ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY!
RTC
February 20, 2024
I guess I stumbled onto the wrong kind of book. I can appreciate that “Land of Lost Things” is creative, imaginative, and very well thought out… but it did not land with me. I utilized the audiobook as well as reading the eBook and, frankly, I could not wait to be finished with it. I understand that it is the second book in the series to “The Book of Lost Things,” and perhaps being familiar with that one would have provided more momentum, but I am just not going to bet on that happening.
Three stars because John Connolly’s writing is beautiful, and I am sure fantasy fans are going to adore this. I just did not care about more magical forest creatures popping up (gawd, I sound so grumpy!). My gaze is drifting over to my shelf to a five-hundred-page book of his, “The Furies,” which I will tackle someday. It is classified as a mystery-supernatural-thriller, and I am optimistic.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Three stars because John Connolly’s writing is beautiful, and I am sure fantasy fans are going to adore this. I just did not care about more magical forest creatures popping up (gawd, I sound so grumpy!). My gaze is drifting over to my shelf to a five-hundred-page book of his, “The Furies,” which I will tackle someday. It is classified as a mystery-supernatural-thriller, and I am optimistic.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2023
It's been years since I read The Book of Lost Things, but I fell into this story instantly. Connolly's writing just sweeps me away and I'm willing to go wherever he leads. The set-up for this story is a mother (Ceres) who'd do anything to bring her daughter back after the girl is injured and ends up in a coma. Her courage and devotion lead her to the land we were introduced to in The Book of Lost Things where magical creatures, both helpful and harmful, await.
You can read The Land of Lost Things as a standalone and anyone who enjoys books about books and dark fairy tales will love this one.
You can read The Land of Lost Things as a standalone and anyone who enjoys books about books and dark fairy tales will love this one.
July 5, 2024
this was an incredibly touching story and I am truly looking forward to new books from this author!
September 24, 2023
Hugely disappointed in this follow up to one of my favourite books. Found this slow, unimaginative and dreary.
November 1, 2023
An enchanting follow up to The Book of Lost Things, yet I didn't fall in love with this one quite as much and I'm not really sure why.
Four stars though, as I loved the premise and the appearance of previous characters, especially David, and after all, giants, tree spirits, harpies, trolls, evil crooked men, what's not to like?
Four stars though, as I loved the premise and the appearance of previous characters, especially David, and after all, giants, tree spirits, harpies, trolls, evil crooked men, what's not to like?
September 30, 2023
Writers should stick to writing stories and not choose to pepper readers with agendas like the patriarchy and toxic feminism. We get enough of all these ideas through social media and I don’t have anything against women standing up for themselves when they need to. When I open a book I would like to read a story, I don’t need agendas thrown at me. Just tell the story, you do not need to show the world (for the fear of the general population of the feeble minded to cancel you) that you support mainstream ideology. Fiction should be just that.
This was painful to read at about 30% when you start to realise Ceres is unlikeable and just plain annoying with her high and mighty attitude at some points. Readers who loved book 1 and David will be disappointed as the main character for the sequel is written to be more self-centred. This book was a bitter disappointment as Connolly is a brilliant writer and book 1 is a great favourite among many readers.
This was painful to read at about 30% when you start to realise Ceres is unlikeable and just plain annoying with her high and mighty attitude at some points. Readers who loved book 1 and David will be disappointed as the main character for the sequel is written to be more self-centred. This book was a bitter disappointment as Connolly is a brilliant writer and book 1 is a great favourite among many readers.
August 13, 2023
Advance Reader's Copy Review of The Land of Lost Things - I enjoyed this book plain and simple. However it's hard to approach a "sequel" without comparing it to its previous counterpart. I really enjoyed the change in POV Connolly made to the protagonist, Ceres, and the journey he sent her on. I feel that there were a lot more progressive themes in LOLT in terms of how the female characters were written in comparison to BOLT. I enjoyed the growth and slight change in voice.
I also thought the "meta" approach to the continuation of the story was super unique and unexpected! Connolly made the decision to set LOLT in our real-life universe where The Book of Lost Things was published as we read it before all those years ago. Only it was David who was the author, not Connolly. I thought this was really fun and really drove home the theme of how stories take shape in our lives outside of the books they live in.
I only left off a couple of stars because I felt that somewhere around the last 1/4 of the book the plot got a little muddy and suddenly exploded in scale. About a dozen new characters were introduced in the last chunk of the book and it felt a little out of place. I also felt like some of the side storylines were begging for my attention, and I couldn't get into them. I found myself skimming over the parts with the political background of Balwain and the castle/kingdom plot line. I always wanted to get back to Ceres. I also felt that this book was lacking some of the "magic" of the first one. I would have loved to see some more unique fantasy characters as we did in BOLT instead of the Baako/Balwain storylines. Overall those elements just felt a little lacking and the story would have been tighter and more punchy without them.
All in all, as a HUGE lover of The Book of Lost Things, I think The Land of Lost Things is a unique sequel and certainly worth reading if you loved the first. It was a pleasure to be back in Elsewhere with new (and returning) characters. It was a whimsical escape and very heartfelt. I love that Connolly allowed us to visit Elsewhere again in a new way.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review!!
I also thought the "meta" approach to the continuation of the story was super unique and unexpected! Connolly made the decision to set LOLT in our real-life universe where The Book of Lost Things was published as we read it before all those years ago. Only it was David who was the author, not Connolly. I thought this was really fun and really drove home the theme of how stories take shape in our lives outside of the books they live in.
I only left off a couple of stars because I felt that somewhere around the last 1/4 of the book the plot got a little muddy and suddenly exploded in scale. About a dozen new characters were introduced in the last chunk of the book and it felt a little out of place. I also felt like some of the side storylines were begging for my attention, and I couldn't get into them. I found myself skimming over the parts with the political background of Balwain and the castle/kingdom plot line. I always wanted to get back to Ceres. I also felt that this book was lacking some of the "magic" of the first one. I would have loved to see some more unique fantasy characters as we did in BOLT instead of the Baako/Balwain storylines. Overall those elements just felt a little lacking and the story would have been tighter and more punchy without them.
All in all, as a HUGE lover of The Book of Lost Things, I think The Land of Lost Things is a unique sequel and certainly worth reading if you loved the first. It was a pleasure to be back in Elsewhere with new (and returning) characters. It was a whimsical escape and very heartfelt. I love that Connolly allowed us to visit Elsewhere again in a new way.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review!!
Want to read
March 24, 2023How coincidental that the day before I start The Book of Lost Things, the sequel is announced.
September 4, 2023
The Land of Lost Things is the sequel to The Book of Lost Things which was released in 2006. I haven’t read the first book, nor any other works by the author, but given that The Land of Lost Things is more of a related book than a direct sequel I didn’t feel I needed to, however, after enjoying this read I will have to pick it up at some point.
The story begins with a young girl lying in a coma in hospital. She has been asleep for months and her worried mother Ceres sits at her bedside. Given the girl’s status, the hospital wants to move her to a place that can look after her better, a place that would see her mother returning to the cottage she grew up in.
On the new hospital grounds is a property that once belonged to an author who vanished many years ago and Ceres discovers a copy of the author’s fairy tales which spikes her interest in the author’s life and so she sets out to discover more but ends up in his fantasy world.
What I love most about The Land of Lost Things is how perfectly normal and abnormal it is. The plot starts off with the helpless feeling of a mother who loves her daughter so much yet her daughter is currently just like a doll to her. Ceres is struggling. She has no one to turn to, although part of her likes being alone. Then we have the strangeness of the book as we move into the realms of witches, fairies, fae, etc. Both parts are perfectly blended.
If you have read the first book and enjoyed it then you need to read this one. If you like weird, yet poignant books that have plenty of life lessons, then you need to read this book. It is a bit of a slow-burner but totally fixating. I adored the book from beginning to end. Yes, it took me a while to get through it but it was nice to take in the plot slowly and savour every moment.
The story begins with a young girl lying in a coma in hospital. She has been asleep for months and her worried mother Ceres sits at her bedside. Given the girl’s status, the hospital wants to move her to a place that can look after her better, a place that would see her mother returning to the cottage she grew up in.
On the new hospital grounds is a property that once belonged to an author who vanished many years ago and Ceres discovers a copy of the author’s fairy tales which spikes her interest in the author’s life and so she sets out to discover more but ends up in his fantasy world.
What I love most about The Land of Lost Things is how perfectly normal and abnormal it is. The plot starts off with the helpless feeling of a mother who loves her daughter so much yet her daughter is currently just like a doll to her. Ceres is struggling. She has no one to turn to, although part of her likes being alone. Then we have the strangeness of the book as we move into the realms of witches, fairies, fae, etc. Both parts are perfectly blended.
If you have read the first book and enjoyed it then you need to read this one. If you like weird, yet poignant books that have plenty of life lessons, then you need to read this book. It is a bit of a slow-burner but totally fixating. I adored the book from beginning to end. Yes, it took me a while to get through it but it was nice to take in the plot slowly and savour every moment.
September 12, 2023
Free ARC | Bored. | I'm yet another reviewer who loved The Book of Lost Things years ago and who was overjoyed to see a sequel was coming. I'm yet another who reread Book of... to refresh my memory before starting the ARC I was so excited to receive. And, well, Land of... bored the pants off me. It's possible that if I had relied on decade-old memory of the first book instead of rereading, that I wouldn't have realized how repetitive this was of that. But if I had gone that way there's much I would have missed, and resonance would have been lost. I didn't really feel the main character as a realistic woman, she reads as a man thinks a woman is inside, not as she really is, and I wasn't impressed with the plodding pace. Heartbreaking disappointment for me, this read.
July 5, 2024
I absolutely adored this book. It was fast paced and had an enjoyable plot with characters that you could easily form connections with. The story blends real world emotions with fantasy elements creating a special tale. I was extremely excited to discover characters from the previous book which further added to my enjoyment.
”It’s not the people who read books you have to worry about, but the people who don’t.”
As usual Connolly's writing style is beautiful, making the sad moments feel special and the horrifying feel just so. His imagination knows no bounds as he conjures another magical world filled with believable characters, beautiful landscapes and more familiar tales within tales. I completely lost myself in this imaginary world and I had so much fun which is what I admire about Connolly’s books.
”A book is like a house and stories are the souls that inhabit it. A book without a story has no soul.”
To sum up its a celebration of the power of storytelling, showing how stories can heal and connect people. This book will grab you from the start and capture your imagination completely. The story can be complex and layered, but at the same time expertly mixes adventure with plenty of heart. A captivating read that blends reality with fantasy in a unique and touching way. Just like the last one really..
”It’s not the people who read books you have to worry about, but the people who don’t.”
As usual Connolly's writing style is beautiful, making the sad moments feel special and the horrifying feel just so. His imagination knows no bounds as he conjures another magical world filled with believable characters, beautiful landscapes and more familiar tales within tales. I completely lost myself in this imaginary world and I had so much fun which is what I admire about Connolly’s books.
”A book is like a house and stories are the souls that inhabit it. A book without a story has no soul.”
To sum up its a celebration of the power of storytelling, showing how stories can heal and connect people. This book will grab you from the start and capture your imagination completely. The story can be complex and layered, but at the same time expertly mixes adventure with plenty of heart. A captivating read that blends reality with fantasy in a unique and touching way. Just like the last one really..
September 8, 2023
This book is particularly special to me because it was gifted to me by a very special person in my life; she attended John Connelly’s book launch last week and had it signed “To Emma” to give to me 🥰
I desperately wanted to enjoy this book, having it been picked out so carefully for me, and I can happily say it exceeded my expectations!
Having not read any John Connelly book’s before, I had no idea what to expect. He is known for writing thrillers but this and “The book of lost things” don’t quite fit that genre…it was described to me as dark fairytales and that was spot on. In a sense it is similar to Alice and wonderland (which I actually read recently)…just longer and darker in nature and content. Connelly’s imagination is absolutely astonishing to come up with a piece of art like this!
After starting very much in the world as we know it, it isn’t long before Ceres is summoned into a world of fairytales and folklore - that her father once loved. Here she meets many creatures from witches to mandrakes, hearing stories and experiencing the weird, wonderful and dangerous…in the land of lost things. Ceres is desperate to escape this realm and return to her daughter Phoebe’s side, who is in hospital, comatose following a car accident…the question is how can she get back to the world she once knew and keep faith in her daughter’s survival?
On a side note, this was one particular piece that really struck a cord with me and maybe some other PTSD survivors out there…I truly hope that some day we will all find the ‘right’ key…
“There was nothing fair about what happened to her and Phoebe. Raging against it, or despairing, would not change anything. The past does not imprison us. We may offer ourselves up as its captives, but equally, we can choose to open the cell door and walk free. Even if it’s locked, the key is nearby…it’s just a matter of finding the right pocket”
I desperately wanted to enjoy this book, having it been picked out so carefully for me, and I can happily say it exceeded my expectations!
Having not read any John Connelly book’s before, I had no idea what to expect. He is known for writing thrillers but this and “The book of lost things” don’t quite fit that genre…it was described to me as dark fairytales and that was spot on. In a sense it is similar to Alice and wonderland (which I actually read recently)…just longer and darker in nature and content. Connelly’s imagination is absolutely astonishing to come up with a piece of art like this!
After starting very much in the world as we know it, it isn’t long before Ceres is summoned into a world of fairytales and folklore - that her father once loved. Here she meets many creatures from witches to mandrakes, hearing stories and experiencing the weird, wonderful and dangerous…in the land of lost things. Ceres is desperate to escape this realm and return to her daughter Phoebe’s side, who is in hospital, comatose following a car accident…the question is how can she get back to the world she once knew and keep faith in her daughter’s survival?
On a side note, this was one particular piece that really struck a cord with me and maybe some other PTSD survivors out there…I truly hope that some day we will all find the ‘right’ key…
“There was nothing fair about what happened to her and Phoebe. Raging against it, or despairing, would not change anything. The past does not imprison us. We may offer ourselves up as its captives, but equally, we can choose to open the cell door and walk free. Even if it’s locked, the key is nearby…it’s just a matter of finding the right pocket”
January 14, 2025
TLDR:
Well some of the narration is excellent, I did not really enjoy this book. Some of the stories within stories were very good, and I do love a good old-fashioned fairytale.
Charming interactions with the spirit of the stream, and the AA witches. Then....it all goes to hell.
I found the main character 'Ceres' intolerable and insufferable.
The author is trying waaay to hard to be PC and failing, coming off as a patronizing, judgemental and preachy dick.
"Men are awful. Nobody understands loss, pain or sadness unless you lose a child. Men are awful. You shouldn't destroy evil if it's sentient. Men are awful"
Oh and eating children is the same as eating McDonald's. And plot holes. LOTS.
The first 12 chapters of the book, which I think were waaaaaay too many to introduce the ideas, are filled with her being miserable about her child. Now I'm not saying that a mother would not be concerned about a sick child…
But 12 chapters of it is a bit much.
When we finally get to the fairytale world… After 12 chapters of her complaining and whining about her life… About how Phoebe's father is worthless, how she doesn't get along with her mother, about how she has no friends, and those that she does have apparently don't really care about her, about how she's so poor… Jesus F Christ. I was getting ready to DNF this.
She enters the fairytale world and becomes an incredibly annoying, bossy, entitled, and insufferable 16-year-old. Literally.
The Woodsman is her only source of protection. He tells her to stay close to him for safety, and she literally takes this and runs with it, saying that he was insinuating she was weaker than a boy, that he never be so protective of a BOY, he was "basically saying she couldn't expose her ankles in mixed company, and that she was supposed to ride sidesaddle." ?!?! Wtf???🤦🏻♀️🙄🤨😂(then immediately wanders off alone).
I really loathe this character. And the author's stretching. He must be boneless.
She goes on extremely long tangents about how much she hates men, (including her constant insults to the woodsman…) which I could've done without, or at least severely abridged …
And the author conveniently has incredibly annoying misogynistic men and boys going on narrative rants for pages and pages at a time, just to be absolutely sure his point is driven home.
A scene where a guard doesn't listen to her but listens to the Woodsman gets a 'the patriarchy grinds along, all men suck' quote.
Um.
Couldn't possibly be Ceres is a 16 year old, unknown stranger and the Woodsman is famous, ancient, trusted, and known...?🙄🤦🏻♀️ Yeah it's totally the patriarchy. Again.
And scenes like this happen constantly… "Ceres didn't like to be told what to do by a man, no matter the reason" ...NO MATTER THE REASON?!?
The Woodsman is literally standing in front of her trying to protect her from weapon wielding immortals intent on slaughter… And she has the time to gripe and glare about the patriarchy.
"Only MEN talked of fighting and dying in war". How. Fvcking. Patronizing. 🤬🤬 As if women never chose, fought and died in wars.
This is what the entire book is like.
We get the idea. You're trying to be 'modern and pc'. We get it. You failed, you patronizing ass.
Normally when I read book reviews, if I see the words "woke" or "raging feminism" to me those are big green lights that this is exactly the kind of book that I would like.
In fact, that's why I bought this book in the first place.
However… In this case, it's not even actually woke or feminist, but rather a sad parody of what someone who does not understand what either of those words means thinks they are…
Which just makes it practically unbearable to read.
The author goes on to attempt to make excuses for human eating harpys by basically blaming 'the patriarchy'?!?!? (because they're a female only species)......
SERIOUSLY. 😂🤦🏻♀️
Um.
They're malevolent, human eating monsters..... and that's it.
Sorry if I was a fragile human with family living in this world I'd be happy to see them gone too. "evil isn't all evil but has good in it" is another huge preachy topic in this book. Ok. That's bs.
I guess since Hitler liked dogs the author thinks that makes him an ok guy.
Ceres compares a guy ACCIDENTALLY hitting her kid, with the Huntress who DELIBERATELY killed, and mutilated, hunted children and used thier heads as trophies. A serial killer and torturer of children.
So we get a looong ass diatribe from Ceres about morality and ethics.🙄
Yeeeeeeeeeah. The author is using this book to simply preach about things he doesn't understand.
Well some of the narration is excellent, I did not really enjoy this book. Some of the stories within stories were very good, and I do love a good old-fashioned fairytale.
Charming interactions with the spirit of the stream, and the AA witches. Then....it all goes to hell.
I found the main character 'Ceres' intolerable and insufferable.
The author is trying waaay to hard to be PC and failing, coming off as a patronizing, judgemental and preachy dick.
"Men are awful. Nobody understands loss, pain or sadness unless you lose a child. Men are awful. You shouldn't destroy evil if it's sentient. Men are awful"
Oh and eating children is the same as eating McDonald's. And plot holes. LOTS.
The first 12 chapters of the book, which I think were waaaaaay too many to introduce the ideas, are filled with her being miserable about her child. Now I'm not saying that a mother would not be concerned about a sick child…
But 12 chapters of it is a bit much.
When we finally get to the fairytale world… After 12 chapters of her complaining and whining about her life… About how Phoebe's father is worthless, how she doesn't get along with her mother, about how she has no friends, and those that she does have apparently don't really care about her, about how she's so poor… Jesus F Christ. I was getting ready to DNF this.
She enters the fairytale world and becomes an incredibly annoying, bossy, entitled, and insufferable 16-year-old. Literally.
The Woodsman is her only source of protection. He tells her to stay close to him for safety, and she literally takes this and runs with it, saying that he was insinuating she was weaker than a boy, that he never be so protective of a BOY, he was "basically saying she couldn't expose her ankles in mixed company, and that she was supposed to ride sidesaddle." ?!?! Wtf???🤦🏻♀️🙄🤨😂(then immediately wanders off alone).
I really loathe this character. And the author's stretching. He must be boneless.
She goes on extremely long tangents about how much she hates men, (including her constant insults to the woodsman…) which I could've done without, or at least severely abridged …
And the author conveniently has incredibly annoying misogynistic men and boys going on narrative rants for pages and pages at a time, just to be absolutely sure his point is driven home.
A scene where a guard doesn't listen to her but listens to the Woodsman gets a 'the patriarchy grinds along, all men suck' quote.
Um.
Couldn't possibly be Ceres is a 16 year old, unknown stranger and the Woodsman is famous, ancient, trusted, and known...?🙄🤦🏻♀️ Yeah it's totally the patriarchy. Again.
And scenes like this happen constantly… "Ceres didn't like to be told what to do by a man, no matter the reason" ...NO MATTER THE REASON?!?
The Woodsman is literally standing in front of her trying to protect her from weapon wielding immortals intent on slaughter… And she has the time to gripe and glare about the patriarchy.
"Only MEN talked of fighting and dying in war". How. Fvcking. Patronizing. 🤬🤬 As if women never chose, fought and died in wars.
This is what the entire book is like.
We get the idea. You're trying to be 'modern and pc'. We get it. You failed, you patronizing ass.
Normally when I read book reviews, if I see the words "woke" or "raging feminism" to me those are big green lights that this is exactly the kind of book that I would like.
In fact, that's why I bought this book in the first place.
However… In this case, it's not even actually woke or feminist, but rather a sad parody of what someone who does not understand what either of those words means thinks they are…
Which just makes it practically unbearable to read.
The author goes on to attempt to make excuses for human eating harpys by basically blaming 'the patriarchy'?!?!? (because they're a female only species)......
SERIOUSLY. 😂🤦🏻♀️
Um.
They're malevolent, human eating monsters..... and that's it.
Sorry if I was a fragile human with family living in this world I'd be happy to see them gone too. "evil isn't all evil but has good in it" is another huge preachy topic in this book. Ok. That's bs.
I guess since Hitler liked dogs the author thinks that makes him an ok guy.
Ceres compares a guy ACCIDENTALLY hitting her kid, with the Huntress who DELIBERATELY killed, and mutilated, hunted children and used thier heads as trophies. A serial killer and torturer of children.
So we get a looong ass diatribe from Ceres about morality and ethics.🙄
Yeeeeeeeeeah. The author is using this book to simply preach about things he doesn't understand.
February 19, 2025
Всеки живот е книга, а душата на всяка книга е приказка.
След седемнадесетгодишна пауза Джон Конъли се връща към Другаде - странното място на границата между реалността и фантазията, където книгите могат да говорят и уж познатите ни приказки често звучат доста по-различно. В предното томче, Книга за изгубените неща, Червената шапчица прелъсти вълка и даде началото на стр��ховито потомство; Снежанка беше с наднормено тегло и толкова тормозеше джуджетата, че даже се бяха опитали да я отровят... Тук пък виждаме как вещици организират сбирки, за да се подкрепят, докато лекуват своята зависимост към лошотиите, а Рапунцел стреля с арбалет по рицарите, дошли да я спасят... Но нека никой не се залъгва от тези весели проблясъци - в писанията на сладкодумния ирландец мракът заема централно място. Резултатът: уникална смес от задъхано фентъзи и брутален хорър.
След седемнадесетгодишна пауза Джон Конъли се връща към Другаде - странното място на границата между реалността и фантазията, където книгите могат да говорят и уж познатите ни приказки често звучат доста по-различно. В предното томче, Книга за изгубените неща, Червената шапчица прелъсти вълка и даде началото на стр��ховито потомство; Снежанка беше с наднормено тегло и толкова тормозеше джуджетата, че даже се бяха опитали да я отровят... Тук пък виждаме как вещици организират сбирки, за да се подкрепят, докато лекуват своята зависимост към лошотиите, а Рапунцел стреля с арбалет по рицарите, дошли да я спасят... Но нека никой не се залъгва от тези весели проблясъци - в писанията на сладкодумния ирландец мракът заема централно място. Резултатът: уникална смес от задъхано фентъзи и брутален хорър.
May 20, 2023
Full disclosure. I’m a John Connolly fanatic, and have been so since reading his first Charlie Parker novel. For me, each book has been hugely anticipated, and each book has never failed to deliver. And so it is with his new novel, The Land of Lost Things, the sequel to The Book of Lost Things. It’s a wondrous work, imbued with both the original spirit of the Grimm fairy tales, and modern environmental sensibilities.
Phoebe, an eight year old girl, has been severely injured in a car accident, and has been left in a comatose state. Her mother, Ceres, constantly reads to her, especially fairy tales. When the hospital can no longer help her, Phoebe is transferred to a chronic care facility, funded by the legacy of the missing author of The Book of Lost Things, and located very close to his crumbling and deserted home. When Ceres explores the house, she somehow finds herself transported into the world of The Book of Lost Things. What then transpires is a joy to read, filled with both wonderful characters, and ones that are pure evil. As always, Connolly’s writing just blows me away, especially when he talks about the importance and the meaning of books and stories. While there are references to environmental pollution, the reader isn’t hit over the head with them, yet the concerns are made very clear.
While there are references made to the prior novel, I don’t believe that it’s necessary to read The Book of Lost Things to be able to enjoy the new novel..
My thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this wonderful book.
Phoebe, an eight year old girl, has been severely injured in a car accident, and has been left in a comatose state. Her mother, Ceres, constantly reads to her, especially fairy tales. When the hospital can no longer help her, Phoebe is transferred to a chronic care facility, funded by the legacy of the missing author of The Book of Lost Things, and located very close to his crumbling and deserted home. When Ceres explores the house, she somehow finds herself transported into the world of The Book of Lost Things. What then transpires is a joy to read, filled with both wonderful characters, and ones that are pure evil. As always, Connolly’s writing just blows me away, especially when he talks about the importance and the meaning of books and stories. While there are references to environmental pollution, the reader isn’t hit over the head with them, yet the concerns are made very clear.
While there are references made to the prior novel, I don’t believe that it’s necessary to read The Book of Lost Things to be able to enjoy the new novel..
My thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this wonderful book.
September 1, 2023
I was very excited when I heard this was happening. The Book of Lost Things was my intro to Connolly. I reread it recently to prepare, and loved it again. At the end of that book there is a discussion section in which he is asked about continuing the series. He states that at the time he felt the story had been told and ended where it needed to. He was right and it should have stayed that way.
I felt this one was a rehash at speed, kind of like driving through your childhood town at 80 mph and glimpsing the familiar through the changes. But at no point was I compelled to care about the character or the plot. More than halfway through, I just wasn’t motivated to continue.
Connolly is one of my favorite writers and I generally like when he branches out (He: a novel is one of my all time favs) but this one could have percolated a bit more.
I felt this one was a rehash at speed, kind of like driving through your childhood town at 80 mph and glimpsing the familiar through the changes. But at no point was I compelled to care about the character or the plot. More than halfway through, I just wasn’t motivated to continue.
Connolly is one of my favorite writers and I generally like when he branches out (He: a novel is one of my all time favs) but this one could have percolated a bit more.
September 23, 2023
This one did not impact me emotionally nearly as much as the first book. It's never the same to follow a child in danger as it is to follow an adult, and even though I liked the plot, I just couldn't connect with Ceres in any meaningful way.
The writing is still lush and descriptive, but returning to the world from the first book robbed it of a lot of depth since Connolly didn't bother as much with the setting. Also missing is the childlike wonder and terror of discovering new perils and having to overcome them. This one felt a bit like going on a trip to Mordor after Frodo and Sam have already made it there: a lot of cooling ashes but not a lot of fire.
Moreover, I'm not a fan of having a personified death character who seems to get personal satisfaction out of the hunt. Maybe I've been spoiled by Terry Pratchett.
The writing is still lush and descriptive, but returning to the world from the first book robbed it of a lot of depth since Connolly didn't bother as much with the setting. Also missing is the childlike wonder and terror of discovering new perils and having to overcome them. This one felt a bit like going on a trip to Mordor after Frodo and Sam have already made it there: a lot of cooling ashes but not a lot of fire.
Moreover, I'm not a fan of having a personified death character who seems to get personal satisfaction out of the hunt. Maybe I've been spoiled by Terry Pratchett.
December 16, 2023
I think I need to start reading author acknowledgements more often. I say that because after finishing this book I read the Acknowledgements and discovered for the first time that this book is a sequel. The first book was published in 2006 and was titled The BOOK of Lost Things. This book is titled The LAND of Lost Things and the BOOK book is mentioned several times in this book. Whenever the first book was mentioned I assumed it was part of the fiction for this book and was being used as springboard for the events in this book. Well it was used for that purpose but it never occurred to me that there was another book and that it was real. I am mentioning this because there are readers that don't like to start things at any place other than the beginning so you may wish to purchase the first book before beginning this book. I have ordered the BOOK book because the LAND book was so good I wanted to know how all of this started. I can also say as somebody that unwittingly started with the second book that in no way did not knowing about let alone not reading the first book affect my reading and enjoyment of this book. Now that that is taken care of let me tell what the story is about.
If I had to place this book in a genre I guess it would have to be fantasy. Knowing that should have been enough to keep me looking for other selections on the Barnes and Noble shelves where I found this gem. The book's jacket promised a mother with a comatose daughter in a hospital and on the hospital grounds is an abandoned house that draws the mother to it. It must have been the fact that Halloween is approaching that kept me reading after the mention of witches, dryads, and giants was made because I don't particularly like fantasies even though I did read a couple of T.J. Klune books last year and enjoyed them. This would be a good Halloween read but there are some violent images that might be disturbing for young kids so be warned. The book did deliver on its promises but the book is oh so much more.
I liken its start as something of an adult version of Alice in Wonderland except that this land is called Elsewhere and the inhabitants are hardly as benign as what resides in Wonderland. The mother, Ceres, has a daughter named Phoebe that has been hit by a car and is in a coma. Phoebe is transferred to a long-term care facility located on an estate that belonged to an author that disappeared some decades ago. Everybody assumed the author died but nobody knows for sure what happened to him. The author had lost his wife and child in child birth and wrote a bestselling book about the experiences he suffered as a result. The proceeds of that book helps fund the hospital now on the grounds of his estate. Also on the estate is the author's abandoned home which mysteriously beckons the depressed, isolated, and despairing Ceres to fall down the rabbit hole within. From this point on Ceres leaves her world and enters something beyond comprehension to her.
In this new world reality is affected and governed by the pasts of the inhabitants and in Ceres case that has much to do with her childhood memories with her father and his fascination with folklore and legends and Ceres delight in fairytales. In the telling of this story fairytales are frequently alluded to and take life on occasion but these are fairytale figures without the sugar coatings of our youth. All of this might sound like a pleasant and unchallenging read but once you get into the story you will appreciate the author's talent and vision. The book abounds in serious themes and symbolism and will no doubt delight bookclub members and fuel their discussions. That the author was able to employ such innocent facets of all of our childhoods to fashion messages of importance for today and tomorrow is impressive and admirable. This is a fantasy well worth reading and I can't wait for the BOOK book to arrive. Enjoy.
If I had to place this book in a genre I guess it would have to be fantasy. Knowing that should have been enough to keep me looking for other selections on the Barnes and Noble shelves where I found this gem. The book's jacket promised a mother with a comatose daughter in a hospital and on the hospital grounds is an abandoned house that draws the mother to it. It must have been the fact that Halloween is approaching that kept me reading after the mention of witches, dryads, and giants was made because I don't particularly like fantasies even though I did read a couple of T.J. Klune books last year and enjoyed them. This would be a good Halloween read but there are some violent images that might be disturbing for young kids so be warned. The book did deliver on its promises but the book is oh so much more.
I liken its start as something of an adult version of Alice in Wonderland except that this land is called Elsewhere and the inhabitants are hardly as benign as what resides in Wonderland. The mother, Ceres, has a daughter named Phoebe that has been hit by a car and is in a coma. Phoebe is transferred to a long-term care facility located on an estate that belonged to an author that disappeared some decades ago. Everybody assumed the author died but nobody knows for sure what happened to him. The author had lost his wife and child in child birth and wrote a bestselling book about the experiences he suffered as a result. The proceeds of that book helps fund the hospital now on the grounds of his estate. Also on the estate is the author's abandoned home which mysteriously beckons the depressed, isolated, and despairing Ceres to fall down the rabbit hole within. From this point on Ceres leaves her world and enters something beyond comprehension to her.
In this new world reality is affected and governed by the pasts of the inhabitants and in Ceres case that has much to do with her childhood memories with her father and his fascination with folklore and legends and Ceres delight in fairytales. In the telling of this story fairytales are frequently alluded to and take life on occasion but these are fairytale figures without the sugar coatings of our youth. All of this might sound like a pleasant and unchallenging read but once you get into the story you will appreciate the author's talent and vision. The book abounds in serious themes and symbolism and will no doubt delight bookclub members and fuel their discussions. That the author was able to employ such innocent facets of all of our childhoods to fashion messages of importance for today and tomorrow is impressive and admirable. This is a fantasy well worth reading and I can't wait for the BOOK book to arrive. Enjoy.
December 6, 2024
3.5
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"We're not creatures of flesh and blood alone, no more than a book is just ink, paper, and card. We’re beings of tale and fable. We exist as narratives. This is how we understand the world, and this is how we must be understood."
The Land of Lost Things didn't blow me away like its predecessor, but I'm still left equally enchanted and disturbed by Connolly's mysterious world. Having an adult venture into Elsewhere is an interesting twist on the series' concept. Ceres and her central arc are the strongest beats of this novel. Her grief and dedication to her daughter Pheobe make for a noble, yet realistic protagonist. In Book 1, David is a child maturing in a dark and unrewarding world. In Book 2, Ceres is on a similar journey, but as an adult returning to her childhood for renewed hope.
Unfortunately, this novel is a lot messier than the original one. Whereas the first book succeeded in balancing its humorous tone with darker themes, The Land of Lost Things unevenly stumbles. There are also way too many characters introduced and then hushed away. The first book did that too, the structure just doesn't work as well during the second go-round. Did we really need The Crooked Man again? Why not just focus on the chillingly intriguing Fae instead? I loved the tales shared about them! They're a malicious enough force to threaten Ceres on their own.
While I enjoyed the parental relationship between the Woodsman and Ceres, it's not as developed as I'd like it to be. The same goes with David, who miraculously, shows up for a few scenes, barely does anything memorable, and then peaces out. Such a shame. Would have loved to have seen more conversations between him and Ceres, who is essentially a reader who ventured into his book.
----
"We're not creatures of flesh and blood alone, no more than a book is just ink, paper, and card. We’re beings of tale and fable. We exist as narratives. This is how we understand the world, and this is how we must be understood."
The Land of Lost Things didn't blow me away like its predecessor, but I'm still left equally enchanted and disturbed by Connolly's mysterious world. Having an adult venture into Elsewhere is an interesting twist on the series' concept. Ceres and her central arc are the strongest beats of this novel. Her grief and dedication to her daughter Pheobe make for a noble, yet realistic protagonist. In Book 1, David is a child maturing in a dark and unrewarding world. In Book 2, Ceres is on a similar journey, but as an adult returning to her childhood for renewed hope.
Unfortunately, this novel is a lot messier than the original one. Whereas the first book succeeded in balancing its humorous tone with darker themes, The Land of Lost Things unevenly stumbles. There are also way too many characters introduced and then hushed away. The first book did that too, the structure just doesn't work as well during the second go-round. Did we really need The Crooked Man again? Why not just focus on the chillingly intriguing Fae instead? I loved the tales shared about them! They're a malicious enough force to threaten Ceres on their own.
While I enjoyed the parental relationship between the Woodsman and Ceres, it's not as developed as I'd like it to be. The same goes with David, who miraculously, shows up for a few scenes, barely does anything memorable, and then peaces out. Such a shame. Would have loved to have seen more conversations between him and Ceres, who is essentially a reader who ventured into his book.
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