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: 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. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[The Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Brady Vetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.