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King of Dead Things Duology #2
King of Lost Dreams
Eli and his found family must go back to the time when magic first arrived in London to uncover his lost past in this scintillating sequel to King of Dead Things, a young adult urban fantasy steeped in Afro-Caribbean folklore—perfect for fans of Legendborn and Leigh Bardugo.
Gods and secrets don’t stay buried forever.
The magical underbelly of London is no longer under threat from the malevolent daughter of Death after she was vanquished during an epic nine-night. But in her wake, certain truths have been unearthed that have left Malcolm, Eli, Sunny, and their friends fractured and desperate to lay the past to rest.
For Malcolm—a boy grappling with his inherited death magic—confronting his past means facing heartbreak, realities he isn’t yet ready to acknowledge, and perhaps even first love. On the other hand, Eli, a silver-tongued thief with no memories of his past, is more determined than ever to uncover his lost identity and find out once and for all where he came from, unless his past catches up with him first…
Something is lurking in Eli’s dreams, giving teeth to his nightmares. And when Malcolm finds a mysterious letter in the ruins of a former magical sanctuary full of its own secret histories, he and their friends set out to find a hidden key that may just be the answer to all their problems. If they want a chance against the shadow that’s been hunting Eli, they’ll need to learn the magic of their ancestors and go back to the very when magic first arrived in London.
Gods and secrets don’t stay buried forever.
The magical underbelly of London is no longer under threat from the malevolent daughter of Death after she was vanquished during an epic nine-night. But in her wake, certain truths have been unearthed that have left Malcolm, Eli, Sunny, and their friends fractured and desperate to lay the past to rest.
For Malcolm—a boy grappling with his inherited death magic—confronting his past means facing heartbreak, realities he isn’t yet ready to acknowledge, and perhaps even first love. On the other hand, Eli, a silver-tongued thief with no memories of his past, is more determined than ever to uncover his lost identity and find out once and for all where he came from, unless his past catches up with him first…
Something is lurking in Eli’s dreams, giving teeth to his nightmares. And when Malcolm finds a mysterious letter in the ruins of a former magical sanctuary full of its own secret histories, he and their friends set out to find a hidden key that may just be the answer to all their problems. If they want a chance against the shadow that’s been hunting Eli, they’ll need to learn the magic of their ancestors and go back to the very when magic first arrived in London.
- GenresYoung Adult
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 14, 2026
King of Dead Things is genuinely one of my favourite books I've ever read, and I've been waiting years for this sequel – the conclusion to the story. But I can't lie, I'm disappointed. While this book was good, it felt lacking in some way. I didn't feel as connected to the story as I did to its predecessor. The characters were separated from one another, and their lack of chemistry made them feel watered down.
I was also personally so disappointed in the relationship between Malcom and Max that seemingly came from nowhere. Dare I say, of the core group, they interacted the least in the first book; we get to see nothing built on that relationship, and now they're seemingly in some kind of puppy love romance? I thought book one had built towards Eli and Malcom being a central couple - if there was to be one - as all of the scenes built on their trust and relationship. Yet in this sequel, they barely speak to one another, and their friendship seems to have completely dissipated. I understand the plot twist of book 1 made Eli have his reservations about Malcom, but we never saw this resolved. I think it would've been to powerful for the author to show these two finding solace in each other and having built their friendship to be something more (as was hinted at in book 1), to have POC queer representation in a fantasy novel so rich with culture would've been impactful for so many, but instead it feels as though we were baited into to something that is completely neglected in the sequel and instead fed another nonsensical straight couple.
I think it was a mistake to begin the book with a time skip but minimally acknowledge how the characters were impacted by their past adventure. We are told multiple times that Eli and Malcom have been affected by the events of the first book, but it's hard to see it; and Eli's trauma from it doesn't even turn out to be that, he's just being hunted, which is causing his distress. And it feels like we're missing seeing Malcom become more confident in himself after killing Mercy; we just get told that halfway through the book, but UGH, show us please! We even lost Ox as a central character; they became almost non-existent when Eli left, when the end of the first book had set us up so well to add them to the group and learn more about them.
The addition of Sunny's POV was a welcome one; it was interesting to see what her character got up to in her time away and her relationship with Silver. But again, that felt undeveloped. We are introduced to Silver at the start of the book and then circle back around at the end, with nothing in the middle. It would've been nice to see more of Silver and Sunny's relationship so we, as an audience, could feel more sympathetic to them; the idea of them was interesting, but the execution wasn't there. And then you have Max, who feels like an almost entirely forgotten character in this book. I can't really think of anything she did, other than to serve as the token 'smart' character and again her silly romance with Malcom that was so dastardly undercooked and wholly unfeeling.
The book isn't a total disaster, hence the 3 stars; it's still a good book, I'm just being harsh on it because the first book was so special to me. But it feels like we lost what made the first book special, and I'm so upset about that. This book didn't make me feel that same sense of wonder and suspense, leave me wanting more, fingers gripping the pages so hard because I was so engaged in the story. I didn't devour this book. I read it. And I was disappointed. The idea and the concept were so interesting, but I didn't feel as though we positively built on what the first book lay the foundation for.
I was also personally so disappointed in the relationship between Malcom and Max that seemingly came from nowhere. Dare I say, of the core group, they interacted the least in the first book; we get to see nothing built on that relationship, and now they're seemingly in some kind of puppy love romance? I thought book one had built towards Eli and Malcom being a central couple - if there was to be one - as all of the scenes built on their trust and relationship. Yet in this sequel, they barely speak to one another, and their friendship seems to have completely dissipated. I understand the plot twist of book 1 made Eli have his reservations about Malcom, but we never saw this resolved. I think it would've been to powerful for the author to show these two finding solace in each other and having built their friendship to be something more (as was hinted at in book 1), to have POC queer representation in a fantasy novel so rich with culture would've been impactful for so many, but instead it feels as though we were baited into to something that is completely neglected in the sequel and instead fed another nonsensical straight couple.
I think it was a mistake to begin the book with a time skip but minimally acknowledge how the characters were impacted by their past adventure. We are told multiple times that Eli and Malcom have been affected by the events of the first book, but it's hard to see it; and Eli's trauma from it doesn't even turn out to be that, he's just being hunted, which is causing his distress. And it feels like we're missing seeing Malcom become more confident in himself after killing Mercy; we just get told that halfway through the book, but UGH, show us please! We even lost Ox as a central character; they became almost non-existent when Eli left, when the end of the first book had set us up so well to add them to the group and learn more about them.
The addition of Sunny's POV was a welcome one; it was interesting to see what her character got up to in her time away and her relationship with Silver. But again, that felt undeveloped. We are introduced to Silver at the start of the book and then circle back around at the end, with nothing in the middle. It would've been nice to see more of Silver and Sunny's relationship so we, as an audience, could feel more sympathetic to them; the idea of them was interesting, but the execution wasn't there. And then you have Max, who feels like an almost entirely forgotten character in this book. I can't really think of anything she did, other than to serve as the token 'smart' character and again her silly romance with Malcom that was so dastardly undercooked and wholly unfeeling.
The book isn't a total disaster, hence the 3 stars; it's still a good book, I'm just being harsh on it because the first book was so special to me. But it feels like we lost what made the first book special, and I'm so upset about that. This book didn't make me feel that same sense of wonder and suspense, leave me wanting more, fingers gripping the pages so hard because I was so engaged in the story. I didn't devour this book. I read it. And I was disappointed. The idea and the concept were so interesting, but I didn't feel as though we positively built on what the first book lay the foundation for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
King of Lost Dreams by Nevin Holness is a mesmerizing tapestry of mysticism, adventure, and profound psychological growth that kept me captivated from the first page to the very last. This sequel surpasses expectations, weaving Afro-Caribbean folklore into a richly layered fantasy that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in cultural heritage.
Holness masterfully portrays the pain, suffering, and resilience of each character, making their journeys feel both authentic and inspiring. I found myself continually wondering how these incredible characters—Eli, Malcolm, Sunny, Max, and their found family—failed to see their own worth and potential. Their struggles with grief, identity, and acceptance are portrayed with raw honesty, illustrating that growth often comes with pain, but also with incredible strength and courage. Watching them rise to each challenge was truly uplifting.
The imagery throughout this novel is nothing short of spectacular. The scenes are vividly described, making me feel as if I was right there with the crew—fumbling, fighting, and celebrating alongside them. It’s an immersive experience that sparks the imagination and pulls you into London’s mystical underbelly, making every twist and turn feel visceral and real.
As a psychologist, I also deeply appreciated how Holness handles grief and emotional trauma. The different ways each character navigates loss and healing provide valuable insights, especially for young adults facing their own struggles. If I were a young person grappling with difficult emotions, I believe this book would serve as a powerful tool for understanding and coping.
The plot’s twists—uncovering ancient magic, confronting shadowy threats, and delving into the origins of London’s magical history—are expertly paced and layered with surprises that kept me guessing until the very end. The theme of rediscovering one’s identity and the importance of ancestral magic added a compelling depth that elevates this story beyond typical fantasy.
Overall, King of Lost Dreams is a beautifully written, richly imagined novel that combines adventure, cultural folklore, and emotional depth. It’s a must-read for fans of Legendborn, Leigh Bardugo, and anyone who appreciates stories about growth, resilience, and the enduring power of family—both chosen and blood. I wholeheartedly give this five stars and look forward to more from Nevin Holness!
Holness masterfully portrays the pain, suffering, and resilience of each character, making their journeys feel both authentic and inspiring. I found myself continually wondering how these incredible characters—Eli, Malcolm, Sunny, Max, and their found family—failed to see their own worth and potential. Their struggles with grief, identity, and acceptance are portrayed with raw honesty, illustrating that growth often comes with pain, but also with incredible strength and courage. Watching them rise to each challenge was truly uplifting.
The imagery throughout this novel is nothing short of spectacular. The scenes are vividly described, making me feel as if I was right there with the crew—fumbling, fighting, and celebrating alongside them. It’s an immersive experience that sparks the imagination and pulls you into London’s mystical underbelly, making every twist and turn feel visceral and real.
As a psychologist, I also deeply appreciated how Holness handles grief and emotional trauma. The different ways each character navigates loss and healing provide valuable insights, especially for young adults facing their own struggles. If I were a young person grappling with difficult emotions, I believe this book would serve as a powerful tool for understanding and coping.
The plot’s twists—uncovering ancient magic, confronting shadowy threats, and delving into the origins of London’s magical history—are expertly paced and layered with surprises that kept me guessing until the very end. The theme of rediscovering one’s identity and the importance of ancestral magic added a compelling depth that elevates this story beyond typical fantasy.
Overall, King of Lost Dreams is a beautifully written, richly imagined novel that combines adventure, cultural folklore, and emotional depth. It’s a must-read for fans of Legendborn, Leigh Bardugo, and anyone who appreciates stories about growth, resilience, and the enduring power of family—both chosen and blood. I wholeheartedly give this five stars and look forward to more from Nevin Holness!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
King of Lost Dreams, the second book of the King of Dead Things duology, is a mind-blowing rollercoaster ride that gives the reader little time to take a breath. But even with that breakneck pace, the characters, sharp edges and all, give the story heart.
Their magic, with its Afro-Caribbean roots, is accomplished not by simply waving a wand, but through giving all of themselves--body, mind, and soul. Their ultimate goal--to defeat a god--is impossible. But Eli, Malcolm, Max, and Sunny have no real alternative--unless having their magic ripped away from them and the planet's destruction were an option.
This is a book you'll have a hard time putting down, even when it's 1am and you really do have to go to sleep. But when you do reach the end, the story, characters, and the world they inhabit will stick with you a long time.
Their magic, with its Afro-Caribbean roots, is accomplished not by simply waving a wand, but through giving all of themselves--body, mind, and soul. Their ultimate goal--to defeat a god--is impossible. But Eli, Malcolm, Max, and Sunny have no real alternative--unless having their magic ripped away from them and the planet's destruction were an option.
This is a book you'll have a hard time putting down, even when it's 1am and you really do have to go to sleep. But when you do reach the end, the story, characters, and the world they inhabit will stick with you a long time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The worldbuilding is great, especially the integration of West Indian myths into modern British culture. The plot is twisty and suspenseful. It had all the ingredients I should have loved, but somehow, I couldn't quite engage. The characters were well-developed, an interesting blend of edgy and vulnerable, with intriguing backstories... but I never got emotionally invested. Something in the writing style kept me at a distance (although part of that is probably because I haven't read book one).
It reminded me of The Library of the Dead
It reminded me of The Library of the Dead
July 18, 2026
Tropes/Themes: Found Family, Forgotten Past, Generational Trauma, Folklore
This was a perfect wrap up for the duology. I enjoyed the found family aspect of this book since that truly is my favorite trope.
The complicated relationship between Sunny and Eli is explained thorughout this book and it made me really like Sunny's character. The going back in time to the House of Spiders was interesting and adding to the complexities of the magic system for me.
I am glad that the Duppy King decided to being a halfway decent person in the end.
There were some plot twists that were in here that truly shocked me. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the bit of mystery
This was a perfect wrap up for the duology. I enjoyed the found family aspect of this book since that truly is my favorite trope.
The complicated relationship between Sunny and Eli is explained thorughout this book and it made me really like Sunny's character. The going back in time to the House of Spiders was interesting and adding to the complexities of the magic system for me.
I am glad that the Duppy King decided to being a halfway decent person in the end.
There were some plot twists that were in here that truly shocked me. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the bit of mystery
Did Not Finish
August 26, 2026I dragged myself through 33 pages of this but the writing was so much worse than I remember from the first book, Eli refuses to communicate with anyone about anything, and I just don't care about any of these people. Nothing about this is pulling me in and I'm so upset because almost all the sequels I've been reading have been trash
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews