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Latchkey Lost
- GenresFantasy
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
About the author
Court Zierk
1 book450 followersStories from the spaces in between, where people get lost
Author of: Latchkey Lost
Writing: In Between Floors
Author of: Latchkey Lost
Writing: In Between Floors
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 16, 2026
Wooooow this book was dynamic! I did not expect it to go that way at all. The interlocking timelines and time jumps across Multiple POV’s definitely keep you on your toes. You truly have to have your attention focused to be able to follow it, if not I could see where you might get a little lost.
If you can keep track of it all, then I think it is worth it. It’s gritty, raw and truly makes you think about the trauma that we all experience through childhood. The perception of a traumatized child’s mind is such a mine field of what is reality and what is not. This is a tribute of that childhood imagination and how is shapes their reality through the traumatic experiences they go through as they grow up. I had to be in the right headspace to read this to truly appreciate it, and have that land.
4 ⭐️
If you can keep track of it all, then I think it is worth it. It’s gritty, raw and truly makes you think about the trauma that we all experience through childhood. The perception of a traumatized child’s mind is such a mine field of what is reality and what is not. This is a tribute of that childhood imagination and how is shapes their reality through the traumatic experiences they go through as they grow up. I had to be in the right headspace to read this to truly appreciate it, and have that land.
4 ⭐️
April 14, 2026
Latchkey Lost earns its 4 stars by being one of those quietly unsettling, emotionally tender stories that sneaks up on you. It starts in the familiar territory of latchkey‑kid loneliness — Corey drifting through his days with too much independence and not enough connection — and then tilts the world just slightly off its axis when a brother he doesn’t remember suddenly exists.
The book leans into that eerie, dreamlike uncertainty. Nothing is loud or dramatic; it’s all atmosphere, memory, and the strange elasticity of childhood perception. Corey’s confusion becomes the reader’s confusion, not in a frustrating way, but in that “something is wrong here, but I can’t name it yet” way that keeps you turning pages. The tone is moody and intimate, the kind of storytelling that feels like walking through a fog where shapes only reveal themselves when you’re close enough to touch them.
What really carries the novel is the emotional core — the ache of loneliness, the fragile hope of belonging, the way trauma reshapes memory without asking permission. Corey and Caleb’s bond feels both brand‑new and deeply rooted, and that tension gives the story its heartbeat. There are moments that feel almost like horror, moments that feel tender, and moments that feel like standing on the edge of something you can’t quite see.
It’s not a book that hands you answers, and that’s part of its charm. It’s more about the feeling of being lost, found, and changed in ways you don’t fully understand until much later. A strange, atmospheric, quietly haunting coming‑of‑age story — and one that lingers long after the last page.
The book leans into that eerie, dreamlike uncertainty. Nothing is loud or dramatic; it’s all atmosphere, memory, and the strange elasticity of childhood perception. Corey’s confusion becomes the reader’s confusion, not in a frustrating way, but in that “something is wrong here, but I can’t name it yet” way that keeps you turning pages. The tone is moody and intimate, the kind of storytelling that feels like walking through a fog where shapes only reveal themselves when you’re close enough to touch them.
What really carries the novel is the emotional core — the ache of loneliness, the fragile hope of belonging, the way trauma reshapes memory without asking permission. Corey and Caleb’s bond feels both brand‑new and deeply rooted, and that tension gives the story its heartbeat. There are moments that feel almost like horror, moments that feel tender, and moments that feel like standing on the edge of something you can’t quite see.
It’s not a book that hands you answers, and that’s part of its charm. It’s more about the feeling of being lost, found, and changed in ways you don’t fully understand until much later. A strange, atmospheric, quietly haunting coming‑of‑age story — and one that lingers long after the last page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Latchkey Lost is an engaging coming-to-age read about about a teen waking up to meet a brother he never had. The premise sounded interesting and unique, so I was glad that I was able to read an arc of this novel!
I did find the story very interesting. We follow Corey as he grows up, and we also meet the people in his life as well as Caleb, his brother that one day shows up out of nowhere. I did find the story a bit confusing at times, and the characters sounded somewhat similar, their voices almost blending together, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Some moments were incredibly sad and some of Corey's experiences were downright terrifying, almost as if I were reading a horror novel (the hangar, wow).
The prose is well-written and while I found myself yearning for more answers towards the end of the novel, we see the story unfold through Corey's eyes and his frustration at lack of answers is what we get to experience as well.
All in all, a very enjoyable debut novel, a solid 3.5 stars!
I’d like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc.
I did find the story very interesting. We follow Corey as he grows up, and we also meet the people in his life as well as Caleb, his brother that one day shows up out of nowhere. I did find the story a bit confusing at times, and the characters sounded somewhat similar, their voices almost blending together, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Some moments were incredibly sad and some of Corey's experiences were downright terrifying, almost as if I were reading a horror novel (the hangar, wow).
The prose is well-written and while I found myself yearning for more answers towards the end of the novel, we see the story unfold through Corey's eyes and his frustration at lack of answers is what we get to experience as well.
All in all, a very enjoyable debut novel, a solid 3.5 stars!
I’d like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was pretty disappointing by the lack of overarching narrative, but I also thought the reflective style of this book is interesting enough for it to be an enjoyable read. It’s fascinating how the weird stuff happening affects the Corey’s family, but if you’re picking up this book thinking that it you’ll get an explanation for all the paranormal parts, don’t bother.
I mean, I guess it’s realistic that a little kid such as Corey wouldn’t find out why he’d spontaneously gained an older brother, but I can’t say I wasn’t let down by it, and I feel like book could have really pushed the butterfly effect even further. What I did like was the brotherly relationship between Corey and Caleb. I thought it was lovely and I got quite attached to these two by the end of the book and I also thought Corey’s parents were fairly interesting in their own ways.
I feel like the book should have been more subtle at times. Like, the Corey’s mother says at one point (I am paraphrasing here, but you get what I’m saying) that there’s no way she would have survived if Corey was her only child, and I just feel like there’s no way someone would randomly think about that, but I think this is not a huge issue most of the time.
Anyway, I had a good time reading this book, but it wasn’t really what I had expected. If you’re looking for a book focused on the bond between two brothers, consider reading this book, but if a supernatural adventure novel is what you’re looking for, you might not like it as much.
I mean, I guess it’s realistic that a little kid such as Corey wouldn’t find out why he’d spontaneously gained an older brother, but I can’t say I wasn’t let down by it, and I feel like book could have really pushed the butterfly effect even further. What I did like was the brotherly relationship between Corey and Caleb. I thought it was lovely and I got quite attached to these two by the end of the book and I also thought Corey’s parents were fairly interesting in their own ways.
I feel like the book should have been more subtle at times. Like, the Corey’s mother says at one point (I am paraphrasing here, but you get what I’m saying) that there’s no way she would have survived if Corey was her only child, and I just feel like there’s no way someone would randomly think about that, but I think this is not a huge issue most of the time.
Anyway, I had a good time reading this book, but it wasn’t really what I had expected. If you’re looking for a book focused on the bond between two brothers, consider reading this book, but if a supernatural adventure novel is what you’re looking for, you might not like it as much.
February 17, 2026
This was such a strange and unsettling read in the best way. From the beginning there’s this eerie tone that slowly builds, and I found myself really drawn into the atmosphere and the sense that something wasn’t quite right.
I enjoyed how character-driven the story felt. It leans into emotion, memory, and that slightly surreal feeling of trying to piece things together while everything feels just a little off. The writing has a moody, almost haunting quality that made the story feel immersive and different from a typical thriller or horror read.
What stood out most for me was the overall vibe — it’s the kind of book that slowly gets under your skin rather than relying on big shocking moments. It kept me curious about where things were heading and left me thinking about it even after I finished.
Overall, this was an engaging and atmospheric read that will appeal to readers who enjoy darker, more introspective stories with an unsettling edge.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I enjoyed how character-driven the story felt. It leans into emotion, memory, and that slightly surreal feeling of trying to piece things together while everything feels just a little off. The writing has a moody, almost haunting quality that made the story feel immersive and different from a typical thriller or horror read.
What stood out most for me was the overall vibe — it’s the kind of book that slowly gets under your skin rather than relying on big shocking moments. It kept me curious about where things were heading and left me thinking about it even after I finished.
Overall, this was an engaging and atmospheric read that will appeal to readers who enjoy darker, more introspective stories with an unsettling edge.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
April 27, 2026
I enjoyed my time with this book. Corey is such a compelling protagonist — the way the story unfolds around him, layering one strange and unexplainable experience onto the next, kept me guessing what was going to happen. Corey meets the supernatural with such an organic, grounded acceptance that you find yourself right alongside him, absorbing his new life as it comes.
The chapter structure gave the book an almost anthology-like quality — each one feeling complete on its own while still contributing to a fuller picture. I actually found the format refreshing. The dialogue has room to grow in future work, but it never pulled me out of the story.
All in all, this is an imaginative debut, and Corey is the kind of character readers will genuinely root for. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next! Thank you to Liminal Realms and NetGalley for the ARC.
The chapter structure gave the book an almost anthology-like quality — each one feeling complete on its own while still contributing to a fuller picture. I actually found the format refreshing. The dialogue has room to grow in future work, but it never pulled me out of the story.
All in all, this is an imaginative debut, and Corey is the kind of character readers will genuinely root for. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next! Thank you to Liminal Realms and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Liminal Realms for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a strong debut novel by Court Zierk. The story kept me hooked the entire time, always wanting to see what would happen next. Corey goes through moments that are intense and terrifying, while others are so sad they broke my heart. It was a real emotional roller coaster, and I loved every minute of it.
Even though the book left me with a few unanswered questions, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. I’ve read books and watched movies that were amazing, yet the ending keeps you wondering, leaving just enough mystery to stay with you. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Latchkey Lost by Court Zierk
This book releases on March 1, 2026.
This is a strong debut novel by Court Zierk. The story kept me hooked the entire time, always wanting to see what would happen next. Corey goes through moments that are intense and terrifying, while others are so sad they broke my heart. It was a real emotional roller coaster, and I loved every minute of it.
Even though the book left me with a few unanswered questions, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. I’ve read books and watched movies that were amazing, yet the ending keeps you wondering, leaving just enough mystery to stay with you. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Latchkey Lost by Court Zierk
This book releases on March 1, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fun read. It essentially follows our MC, Corey, and details a bunch of strange, supernatural and unexplainable things that happen to him. I thought this was going to be more plot heavy, but Corey tends to accept the things that happen to him and go with it. Instead, it ends up being more of a character study on Corey so we get to know him deeply. Each chapter felt like it was it's own short story rather than the entire book flowing as one piece, but I actually liked that style. The dialogue between characters could be a bit stronger but didn't take away from the story. I liked the premise a lot and think it makes for a strong debut novel.
Thank you to Liminal Realms and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to Liminal Realms and NetGalley for the ARC.
March 29, 2026
What an amazing debut! It's so unique and original, and I love how the story is told through memories of the family and our main character. The author does an awesome job of character/world building, and the sense that something is just "off" kept me reading well into the night.....I just HAD to find out what was happening! If you enjoy nostalgic coming of age stories, paranormal happenings or even just a really good character study, you will love this read!
April 5, 2026
This story is unique. I love the different perspectives that are represented in the book. There are many different elements in this story. Sci-fi, coming of age , and some touches of horror.. This is a journey that leaves you feeling lots of emotions. But the end I had shed a few tears. This book is perfect for anyone wanting to read an original story. This book is a good start for this new author!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
dynamically unique. at first it seems really ordinary but it rapidly starts to change by quite a lot. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews