Lost: The Lost City of Incan Gold

by Brigid Kennedy

Gold Medal Winner — Readers' Favorite 2026 International Book Awards

Catalina Kennedy has spent fifteen years training as a Master of Blades under her Irish grandfather's watchful eye—and fifteen years waiting for her family in Perú to send for her. She's learned to fight, to survive, and to bury the question that keeps her up at night: Why haven't they called me home?

When darkness, wearing a charming smile, tries to cage her future, Cat refuses to surrender. She feels it—something ancient and wrong lurking in the shadows of a rival clan. With her brother Robby at her side, she flees across the Atlantic, chased by storms and whispers that follow her all the way to her homeland. But the family waiting in Perú isn't what she expected. They're more.

Deep in the Amazon, Cat discovers a world where an Irish myth collides with the ancient power of Incan gods—where temples loom with deadly traps and a god-warrior captures her heart as fiercely as he fights beside her. To protect the family she fought to reclaim and the love she never saw coming, Cat will need every blade skill she possesses—because the Fates are watching, the ancient evil hunting her is older than legend, and it knows exactly what she is.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2026

About the author

LOST, Book One, Gold Medal Winner — Readers' Favorite 2026 International Book Awards

Brigid Kennedy is the author of the OF IRISH MYTHS & INCAN LEGENDS series, a historical fantasy rooted in her real family history. Her great-grandfather Robert Patrick Kennedy was a real Irish treasure hunter who married Eudocia Rodrigues at a monastery in Arequipa, Peru in 1910 and disappeared into the Amazon. When her grandmother came to her in a dream and asked her to write the family story, Brigid said yes. She was a violin teacher who had never written a novel in her life.
Her debut novel LOST — The Lost City of Incan Gold launched St. Patrick's Day 2026 with 75 five-star reviews at 100% rating. The full cast audiobook featuring 21 character voices and an original soundtrack is available on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.
Brigid lives in Blacksburg, Virginia with her family. She is currently working on Books 2, 3, and 4 of the series.
Find her at brigidkennedybooks.com and @brigidkennedybooks on all platforms.

Reviews

[Rachel Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review.

Brigid Kennedy's retelling of hunting for the lost city of gold is highly imaginative and full of twists and turns. The story begins with a very slow sailing journey to Peru, but immediately picks up in pace as the siblings reunite to find the Lost City. Together they must learn to work together in order to survive the brutal Amazonian forest.

Kennedy's writing style is extremely descriptive. One can envision the characters and the scenes with ease. I greatly appreciated her creation of strong, female characters who refused to be pigeonholed into gender roles. These characters wanted to hold positions based upon their earned skillsets. Her novel is an inventive take on treasure hunting in the Amazonian forests.

[Darby Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. I enjoyed the story, I felt that it was a unique spin on the treasure hunter trope. My only qualms were that there were some historical inaccuracies, but I don’t believe this is listed as historical fiction, so that is more just a personal issue. However, no 15 year old boy would be making openly gay comments in 1825. Especially not someone of high society. Also, I wish the author had used the Irish spelling of the name Shamus-Seamus, since he is from Ireland. I did feel like I was thrown into the middle of the story and was taken through at 90mph, but I didn’t hate it. It was a quick read. I wish we had gotten a little more character development though.

[MayaRose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an early ARC of this book. I wanted to like this book more than I did. The overall storyline was intriguing but I felt that the story could have been fleshed out some more. There were some abrupt changes of locations or times that didn’t flow smoothly, and there were some phrases that felt out of place in 1825. It could have just been me but I didn’t feel a connection to Cat or any of the other characters. The magical elements were interesting and can hopefully be fleshed out more in the next book.

[Diane Marx · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story composed of myths, legends, and family history. It has a nice pace with a mix of suspense and intrigue balanced with romance and danger.

The characters are adventurous siblings hunting the Amazon for their long lost father who was searching for the mythical Incan city of gold. Through their dangerous adventures the siblings discover their own strengths and the strength of the bond that creates a family.

[Israel Ayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very Impressive book. The lost city, mythical elements, and exploration sequences make you feel like you are uncovering history alongside the characters. The emotional connections between the characters add heart to the adventure, showing that the story is not only about what they find, but also about who they become along the way. Readers who love lost civilizations, ancient mysteries, and fantasy adventures will find plenty to appreciate here.

[Lucas Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Lost: The Lost City of Incan Gold* is an exhilarating blend of fantasy, mythology, adventure, and romance that immediately transports readers into a world where ancient legends are not relics of the past but living forces shaping the future. Brigid Kennedy crafts a story that balances pulse-pounding action with heartfelt emotion, creating a novel that feels as personal as it is epic.

What stayed with me most was Catalina Kennedy's journey toward discovering where she truly belongs. After spending years waiting for answers about her family and questioning her place in the world, Cat's return to Perú becomes far more than a homecoming. It's a search for identity, purpose, and the courage to embrace a destiny she never imagined. Her resilience, determination, and willingness to fight for the people she loves make her an instantly compelling heroine.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is the way it brings together two rich mythological traditions. The collision of Irish folklore with the ancient world of the Incan gods feels fresh and imaginative, creating a mythology that is uniquely its own. The hidden temples, deadly trials, and ancient prophecies give the story a constant sense of wonder while maintaining genuine emotional stakes.

I also appreciated the balance between adventure and character development. The fast-paced quest never overshadows the relationships at the heart of the novel. Cat's bond with her brother Robby adds warmth and authenticity, while the romance develops naturally amidst danger, sacrifice, and shared purpose. Every challenge the characters face strengthens both the emotional core and the momentum of the story.

Beyond its exciting action sequences, *Lost* explores themes of family, belonging, destiny, courage, and the choices that define who we become. It's a story about reclaiming one's heritage while forging an identity independent of the past, making the adventure feel emotionally rewarding as well as thrilling.

Brigid Kennedy has created a captivating debut that combines rich mythology, memorable characters, cinematic adventure, and heartfelt emotion into a thoroughly entertaining read. Fans of mythological fantasy, archaeological adventures, romantic fantasy, and stories featuring courageous heroines will find plenty to love in *Lost: The Lost City of Incan Gold*. It's the kind of novel that leaves readers eager to continue the journey long after the final page.

[IGE AYOMIDE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost: The Lost City of Incan Gold is an exciting blend of fantasy, adventure, mythology, and romance. I really enjoyed the way Brigid Kennedy brings Irish myths and Incan legends together while taking readers on a dangerous journey filled with mystery, ancient secrets, and unexpected discoveries.

Catalina is a strong and determined heroine, and her journey of finding her family, her identity, and her place in a world filled with ancient powers kept me interested. The Amazon setting and treasure-hunting elements added a great sense of adventure, while the emotional relationships gave the story heart.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and imaginative read with a unique premise, memorable characters, and plenty of action. A great choice for readers who love fantasy, mythology, adventure, and romance.

[Babayemi Ayomide · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Lost: The Lost City of Incan Gold* is an enjoyable adventure that brings together Irish myths, Incan legends, mystery, and the excitement of searching for something long hidden.

I really enjoyed the way Brigid Kennedy blends different mythological traditions into the story. There’s a strong sense of mystery and discovery throughout, and the idea of exploring the legends surrounding the lost city makes the book especially intriguing.

The combination of history, mythology, and adventure gives the story its own unique atmosphere. I also appreciated how the book creates a larger world that feels like there is still much more to uncover.

Overall, *Lost* was an entertaining read and a great starting point for readers who enjoy **ancient legends, mythology, mystery, and adventure**. It definitely made me curious about the stories that follow.

[IGE AYOMIDE · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNTOLD is an intriguing collection that adds more depth to the world introduced in *Lost: The Lost City of Incan Gold*. I enjoyed the way Irish myths and Incan legends are brought together, giving the stories a unique cultural and mysterious atmosphere. The accompanying stories add interesting layers to the overall world and leave you curious to discover more. A good read for anyone who enjoys mythology, legends, adventure, and stories rooted in different cultures.

[Vanessa’s Lit Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an Arc. However I didn’t realize it was a YA novel and that is completely on me.
My review is from the standpoint that I would’ve enjoyed this when I was younger and the style of writing is engaging for a YA audience but for what I read now as an adult, it was predictable.
But all of that is again on me for missing the book type.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the magic system and other fantasy elements of this book. I did not like the animal death in this book. It was very entertaining overall. I loved the writing style and romantic scenes.

[Reese Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm typically a romance reader, but when I came across this one, having read about The Lost City years ago, the title drew me in. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it! The book is well written, and learning that the author drew from her family story made it even better!

[Herb Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced adventure blending Irish mythology with Incan legends. You'll not want to put it down!

[Forest Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Loved the concept and the writing. An enjoyable read overall!

[Rebecca Briant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book..... I absolutely loved it! It has a bit of everything for everyone. I really loved the mixing of two mythologies and the storyline. PS I received an ARC for an honest review

[Brigid Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

75 five-star reviews on Amazon for launch week!