The Lost Legend

by S.D. Smith, Zach Franzen (Illustrator)

Heather and Picket must protect their precious charge in the forbidding wilderness, then return to face off against the crystal key conspirators. Intrepid detective Fiona Black looks for clues to unlock an ancient mystery’s connection to the present. Helmer, Jo, and the faithful heroes of the cause all fight on as rabbitkind’s resistance teeters on the edge of collapse.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Christian, Christian Fiction, Middle Grade

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

S. D. Smith is the author of The Green Ember Series, a million+ selling adventure saga featuring heroic #RabbitsWithSwords. The Green Ember spent time as the number one bestselling audiobook in the world on Audible. He is also the author of the madcap Mooses with Bazookas: And Other Stories Children Should Never Read as well as the touching throwback adventure, The Found Boys. Finally, he has co-authored two fantasy adventure novels with his son (J. C. Smith), Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key and Jack Zulu and the Girl with Golden Wings. Smith’s stories are captivating readers across the globe who are hungry for “new stories with an old soul.”

Though packed with old school virtue and moral imagination, Smith doesn't merely create "safe" stories, but bold, daring, truthful tales of light that help shape children who become dangerous—dangerous to the darkness.

Smith is a founder and owner of Story Warren, a publishing, events, and IP development house based in rural West Virginia. Story Warren exists to serve families as “allies in imagination.” 

S. D. Smith lives in Gran

Reviews

[Eva M.]

My best friends have returned!
I will never EVER get tired of reading about Heather, Picket, and Jo!

[Paula]

This was pretty good, I’m not really sure where this whole crystal key conspirator/prophet with an alternate ancient cause thing is going, but hey, I’m here for it if it has my favorite wholesome characters. Marlan is kind of a jerk but I did like getting to know Fiona more. Picket is still my GOAT

[Amy Russell]

Another must-read for any and all Green Ember fans. If you've already read books by S. D. Smith, then you know what to expect in this one. If you haven't, then go start with "The Green Ember." You won't be able to put it down. And then you'll have to go get the next one. And the next. And the next. Great stories for kids of all ages.

[Liberty-Sylvie [Semi-Haitus for Oct CWM]]

Marlan…😭 I liked you…

[Ollie V]

Quite good.

[Katie]

3.5 ⭐

[Jayden Mitchellson]

My pre-ordered copy of this book arrived really early, so I got to read it before the actual release date. Wow! I never get tired of these Green Ember stories, and this one was no different. It had an engaging plot with well-written characters, and an unbelievable plot twist at the end. I have a theory that Marlan is going to be the one to write the Picket Packslayer song.
The Green Ember is also a good story with actually good moral lessons, something that is lost in so many stories today. The Green Ember truly is a new story with an old soul. My copy came in the mail along with a bookmark that says "get lost in stories that won't get you lost." I love that.
I cannot wait for the final book in this Lost Tales series!

[Jonathan Bohannon]

This book was absolutely phenomenal and deserves five out of five stars.
5/5 ⭐
As with the last two installments of the series, they start off feeling intended for a younger audience. But after the first chapter or so, the books bring me back in. And I see the same story, characters, and writing that brought me in so many years ago when I first started the story world.

This book is an absolutely phenomenal addition to the Green Ember story world.

I couldn’t imagine it being written any better. And I can’t wait for Green Ember Lost Tales Book 3.

I would highly recommend to anybody who wants to get the entire Green Ember Expanded Universe, read this book. It’s an absolutely phenomenal story.

[Brady Vetter]

I've been sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting for the next Green Ember book and now it's here! The Lost Legend follows Fiona Black as she looks for clues, Picket and his sister Heather as they barely survive trying to reunite a family. All while looking for the Keeper of The Crystal Key. Who is this Keeper? What is this Key? And where does this conspiracy start? This may be my favorite book in the series yet with all the action going on. With 200 pages is all it needs for all the answers you need to know to come alive in S.D. Smith's nail bitting 13th book.

[Amber Plummer]

So good. S.D. Smith has yet to disappoint. I raced ahead of where I’m at in reading it with my kids and finished. I give four stars only because his short novels sometimes don’t have the depth of the bigger ones. Nothing wrong in that. I just don’t enjoy them quite as much. They are quirky, fun, light reads with those beautiful, deep ideas still floating all through them. We LOVE these books. They are the only current books we are always itching for the next one to come out.

[Maria]

4.5 stars!! Such a fun continuation of this world and I had the best time being back with Heather and Pickett! Can't wait to see where book three goes!

[Kalmar Shuffler]

Another great Green Ember book! Can't wait to see how the story ends!

[Amy Wass]

These still continue to be enjoyed as read-alouds in our family.

[Kale Zizzle]

Awesome.

I think it would be so cool if S. D. Smith wrote a book about the Mended Wood, where it tells about Heather and Smalls ruling.

I love all the Green Ember books!!!!!

[Kami Mauldin]

We love all things by S.D. Smith. Read the Green Ember series before you read the rest!

[Alyssa]

I hope S.D. Smith keeps doing the holy and good work. God has said before him. Stories are such a powerful medium, and he stands out as a modern day truth teller. Kids and adults can benefit greatly from the wisdom present in his engaging and beautifully written stories. This was no exception. I need more and more. I would love to see more longform novels about Natalia. Until then, I will take everything I can get.

[Keira]

I love the lost legend it is so funny and a little bet sad

[Megan]

S.D. Smith is back! I wasn't the biggest fan of his projects outside of the Green Ember series, but after this book as well as the Helmer prequel, my doubts have been erased. This lost tale is full of the clever dialogue, sweet moments, and page-turning twists that fans of the Green Ember have come to love.

Content Notes:
Some rabbits killed; discussion about their bodies
Mild violence

Themes:
Honor
Responsibility
Compassion for the weak

Favorite Character (in this tale specifically):
Jo Shanks