Latchkey Lost

by Court Zierk

Genres: Fantasy

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2026

About the author

I write about liminal realms and the people who get lost inside.

Author of: Latchkey Lost
Writing: In Between Floors

Reviews

[Laura❄️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher Liminal Realms LLC for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

For a debut novel this was brilliant, I thought the writing was really polished and the pacing was good. I very much enjoyed the writing. At first I was a little bit confused as to what was going on when Corey’s brother Caleb appeared, however with the multiple appearances of the purple eyed goat and the purple portal that followed Corey around I realised something supernatural was afoot. It was like Corey was in some kind of dimensional flux slipping from one reality to the other, he slipped into another dimension where his brother Caleb was still alive. I liked Benny D and I’m pleased as mentioned in the authors afterward that we will see him again but my favourite part of the book was the relationship between Corey and his older brother Caleb. There is nothing quite like the love of an older sibling and the way they look out for you. I felt for Corey as he grieving for someone that no one else remembered, longing for his company. The ending was very satisfying.

[Amanda Bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 ⭐️

[Louise Karolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Erik Hilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[icantcomeimbooked · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[JXR · Rating 4 out of 5]

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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