The Lost Realm

Crown of Three #2

by J.D. Rinehart, Graham Edwards

Family secrets combine with fantasy in this epic tale of battle, magic, strange creatures, power, and fate, in a sweeping new middle grade series that Publishers Weekly called “ Game of Thrones on a mellow day.”

The kingdom of Toronia is being torn apart by civil war. The kingdom’s only hope comes in the form of illegitimate triplets, who are prophesied to kill the king and rule together in peace. Separated at birth and scattered throughout the realms, the triplets face a desperate fight to secure their destiny. Will they survive long enough to rule?

The resurrected King Brutan and his army of the dead control the city of Idilliam. Outside, Eloide and Tarlan are trying to hold their own army together and find a way to rescue their brother Gulph who is trapped inside the city. Or is he? Gulph has found a passageway to the lost realm of Celestis, which lies beneath Idilliam. There he is reunited with the mother he has never known—but she can’t remember him. If Gulph stays in the city, will he also forget those above ground whom he loves?

Meanwhile, Tarlan and the wizard Melchior set out on a quest to restore the wizard’s powers, leaving Eloide and her army to keep watch. But Eloide is betrayed, her troops slaughtered, and she is taken captive by Lord Vicerin, her former guardian, who is determined to use her to get to the throne.

Seemingly further from the throne than ever, the triplets will need to use all of their strength and abilities if they are to survive—let alone rule.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Magic, Adventure, Young Adult

496 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2016

About the author

J.D. Rinehart is the pseudonym used by author Graham Edwards to write the middle grade series The Crown of Three.

Read his blog post on the series here: https://graham-edwards.com/2016/01/26...

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book but equally riveting. I was expecting a bit more, but it really still exceeded my initial expectations. I'll be releasing a review for the series once I've read the last book, which is starting now.

[Vi ~ Inkvotary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

Very bloody, cruel and with three kids who fight for their kingdom. Some scenes seem way to bloody for children. Kind of shocked and feeling weird.

I am not sure why I wanted to read this book. Maybe because I like to finish what I´ve started.

So even with the fact in mind, that the first book wasn´t a real hit to me, I read this one, too, in the hope it would be better.


Tarlan, Elodie and Gulph face a catastrophic situation. The bridge is destroyed; Gulph is stuck on the wrong side, his siblings on the other. And during Tarlan and Elodie do their best to free their brother; Gulph is trying to find a way out. But that isn´t easy considering that the city of Idilliam was built on the mountain top and the only way out was the now destroyed bridge. But Gulph is desperate to get away from his dead father as far as possible. And if that means that he has to go down, instead of out, he will do it. At the end of his way he´ll find the lost city and secrets he never knew exist.


An invisible narrator tells the story and starts with a prologue in which you get to know some more things about the time when the Three were born and what happened right after it. Then the novel turns into the present of the story and the reader is right in the middle of the war and the scenes where the first book had ended.

Soon the Three have to go separate ways. Gulph is already being separated from his siblings and looking for a way out of the city where the dead now ruling. Every step could be his last and he has to be very carefully.

The author shows in The Lost Realm the story about the triplets through three different lines of action. One is all about Tarlan, the other about Elodie and the third about Gulph. Towards the end they come together again and something happens you don´t expect to as a reader.

The writing-style is clear, sometimes blunt and very bloody and the words are easy to understand. Oka, I admit, some scenes sound a bit weird. And on some pages you have your troubles to believe what you are reading. But this is a fantasy novel, so that can happen.


For some reasons some figures in this second book seem to be more stupid then they were in the first one. Three kids fight for their heritage, for something their father wants for himself. Three kids who grew up in completely different environments, were raised in totally different ways and yet now, where they are together, or at least two of them, they proof that not everything is different.

Tarlan wants to do everything to free his brother. He and his Thorrods do everything but very soon he has to accept that you sometimes have to step back and look at things from another ankle. He still loves to fly, being alone and huge crowds give him the creeps.

Elodie has to learn the very hard way that the life outside the palace, outside the town where she grew up is not as colorful as she´s used to. No fancy clothes, no delicious food or men who know how to behave in the presents of a lady. Because that´s what Elodie calls herself. Life outside the palace is cruel, hard and everyday a struggle to survive. Her change during the story was remarkable and I hope she can keep that up and stay that way.


The Lost Realm is probably not for everyone a good pick. But I guess, all those who love the TV series Game of Thrones, will have fun reading the Crown of Three books. For me those books are not a real hit, guess that is obvious. Though I recommend this trilogy to every child that loves fantasybooks.



Originally posted on Gone With The Books

[Jan farnworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book with my 14-year-old and at times I actually glad he choose to read this story when he was bit older then if he chooses to read it at say age 9 or 10. I even went and looked and Amazon has it rated for ages 9-12. Now saying that it is a very violent story that centers around a zombie-like king with an army of undead that attacks the kingdom that these three triplets are trying to save so they can fulfill the prophecy. You can get all that information from the blurb so nothing is being hidden but I think in the in-depth ness of the descriptions of what the king looks like example his brain was filled with wiggling maggots, my son that was awesome description me as his mom was cringing saying must I read this really. I really think will appeal to boys more so then girls as at one point a lot of characters are decimated in the war against this king and not only is it human characters that are dying one of the characters has the ability to talk to animals so a whole horde of animals is brought into this war. I guess what I trying to say if you think your child will have an issue with death or gross descriptions you might want to pass. The whole battle with demon king makes you wonder if he ever going to be destroyed and he will be but be warned it takes the entire book for this to happen. We are left with a closing scene from Elodie that ties in nicely with a character who been with us through the whole book. I am excited to see how these triplets fulfill their prophecy in the last book I will be sure to let you know if the gruesomeness is mostly in this book or do we have some that carry over, I am. not trying to discourage anyone from reading this series it an awesome middle grade and I did enjoy I just get squirmy with maggots and zombies.

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat darker than the first, but an excellent read. Full of action, adventure and magic, and intrigue, this is truly a great series for kids who want a Game of Thrones like read. I'm looking forward to the third book whenever that may be.

[Shivali Sisodraker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay but like how is this a children’s book? Don’t get me wrong I love this but holy crap the executions? The torture? The themes of war and violence? Bruhhhhhhh

[Lire-une-passion · Rating 4 out of 5]

"En résumé, un tome 2 à la hauteur du premier, voire même plus. Je déplore que cette série n'ait pas eu la publicité qu'elle mérite, car nous avons ici une très bonne trilogie qui tient son lecteur en haleine. C'est de la jeunesse, certes, mais qui ne laisse pas ses lecteurs indifférents. Action, hémoglobine, bagarres et révélations sont au programme ! Pour ma part, j'ai déjà hâte de me plonger dans le dernier tome. Rendez-vous donc bientôt pour mon avis sur ce grand final."

http://lire-une-passion.weebly.com/fa...

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

[Mr.Rato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than vol 1

[Anya]

This is definitely not a book I'd give a middle grade reader given the whole being burned at the stake opening. It does explain the more simplistic writing, but this is too trope filled for me to be interested.

[P.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it. The characters, Tarlan, Gulph, and Elodie, are distinctly drawn and very likable. The villains are malevolent. What's not to like about Tarlan's pack? I look forward to the next book.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever turn the last page of a book, close the cover, and sigh? Feel like you’re saying goodbye to a dear friend? Wish it could go on and on? And you just don’t want it to end?

That’s what finishing the third and final installment in J.D. Rinehart’s Crown of Three trilogy is like. It’s a little Lord of the Rings-ish. The three triplets also reminded us a little of the Pevensie kiddos of Narnia renown. And that’s pretty rarefied company, indeed.

Like: Can thirteen year-old triplets from an ancient prophecy – two boys and a girl – overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to end The Thousand Year War and finally usher in – The Age of Peace for Toronia?

Separated at birth and raised in secret to protect them from the murderous wrath of their villainous father, King Vicerin, Elodie, Gulph and Tarlan live in three different realms. Can they unite the realms in peace with the Crown of Three?

There’s also wyverns with wings of green crystal. Snow-filled songs. Ghosts. Revenge. Red-gold hair. Webs of light. Rainbow storms. Shimmering stars. Crystal towers and three glittering thrones. An ancient prophecy. Soldiers from the Realm of the Dead. Light and color. Heat. Sand. Desert. Forest. Swamps. Jewels. A sea of silver water. Desert magic. A sand spear. A wise, wizened old wizard named Melchior.

And my favorite triplet: Tarlan and his pack. Oh yeah.

Scene stealer: Theeta. Tarlan’s faithful friend and loyal ally, Theeta’s a winged thorrod with a heart of gold.

Note that this book is basically 432 pages of near-constant battle. You barely have time to draw breath from the last fight when you’re chucked into another. It’s exhausting.

I would’ve liked to have seen more of Tarlan’s animal pack in this book, especially Greythorn the Wolf, Filos the blue and white striped Tigron, and Brock the Bear. It was nice to see the triplets finally reunited with their long-lost mum, Kalia. She’s been MIA since Book 1.

Prodigious world-building skills yield an intricate, multi-layered and multi-textured fantasy kingdom teeming with fantastic creatures, dastardly villains, sibling love and unity, loyalty, creativity, and danger lurking around every corner.

The third book tucks in the tail of the trilogy neatly, tying all the loose ends up in a perfect bow. No story arcs are left dangling.

As this magical epic trilogy wound down, I felt feel like I wasn't ready to say goodbye. I was so invested in some of these characters like Gulph and Elodie and Tarlan, I didn’t want to let them go. They were my friends. I didn’t want to bid them adieu. Or the book to end.

And that is the mark of a Great Read.

[Auryn Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good sequel, although at first I had no idea in what direction the story would be able to go after the ending. I have a bit more of an idea about where the next book will go this time. I was really surprised by how little the creature featured on the cover of the book was actually involved in the story. There were a lot of other surprises too, along with a few parts that were predictable.
Now I just need to wait until the school library gets the third book so I can see what happens after this book's ending.
Also, the whole first part of this book seemed really slow. It took until I was about two hundred pages in to get really invested in the story again.

[Amelia G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A lot better than the first one! Not that the first was bad.... just it was more of a prelude, and this one had mmmmuuuucccchhh more action. Think the ending of the first one carried out throughout the whole of the second one. and Fesssssssaaann... *cries quietly* Though I expect Elodie will probably bring him back to life or some other hoodoo magic

[BookmarkedOne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Bought the book because I was expecting dragons...sadly disappointed. Also a bit dry and more of a tactical high-stakes battle depiction than anything else.
And lots of fire, blood, death, and zombies.
Rantish review of books 1 and 2 of trilogy if anyone wants it: https://bookmarkedone.home.blog/2020/....

[Asya Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys I know what I will say is stupid but how do I read this book I am new and I want to read it but I can’t cause I don’t know how I read 57% of it in the book but the book got lost and I don’t know how to read it on the app can u help me?

[Lizzy Meester · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. So far this whole series has been amazing and had me on the edge of my seat. It truly is one of my favorite series now. The cliff hangers are amazing, but J.D. Rinehart when I catch.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is very exciting, but it's book 2 of a trilogy, so it doesn't end.

[Cristy Benoit · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better

[Radynka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tohle bylo jedno z největších pozitivních překvapení za dlouhou dobu. Je to skvělý! 4,5*

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

[Anouk · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was. Intense and gross. Especially for a middle grade book.

[Emma Andje · Rating 3 out of 5]

*actual rating is 2.5 stars*

This is so dark and graphic for a children’s book. This is about on par with LOTR movies gore (it’s like a watered down version ofwhat I would think Game of Thrones is like). And, there is a semi-incestuous relationship with an underage character and a middle aged adult. Not something I would personally recommend for kids.

[Tessa McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Escaping the zombie plagued Idilliam, Gulph finds a shaky sanctuary in the lost underground realm of Celestis. Meanwhile, the wizard, Melchior, arrives at the Trident camp and takes Tarlan on a journey to rejuvenate his wizarding powers. Once Tarlan leaves, Elodie’s adopted father, Lord Vicerin, attacks the Trident troops but Elodie pretends to turn on her soldiers to spare their lives. When Elodie returns with Vicerin, his true intentions are revealed.

More suspenseful adventures unfold as the royal Toronia triplets attempt to claim their prophesied birthright. But many insurmountable obstacles lie in their path to the throne: a zombie father, an undead army, a psychopathic adopted father, an unfeeling underground realm, and even more invading forces. However, as the problems get harder, the triplets’ inner powers get sharper. Gulph learns he can become invisible. Tarlan hones his skill to speak and gather animals. And Elodie’s gift of summoning ghosts may save her and her friends from Vicerin’s evil plans. What would have aided this series is a map showcasing the travels and locations of the triplets. This visual aid would have helped readers keep track of the triplets’ movements and better understand the distances they traveled while facing their different challenges.

(Review found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)

[Carolienvanderwaarde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spannend, hier en daar behoorlijk bloederig, meeslepend tweede deel in de serie Driesterren Kroon. Gulf, Elodie en Tarlan weten inmiddels alle drie van het bestaan van hun drieling-schap, maar nog steeds is het ze niet gelukt om samen te komen. Terwijl Tarlan met Melchior op zoek gaat naar het opnieuw verwerven van Melchiors magische krachten vindt de invasie van de Galadroniërs plaats. En Elodie ontdekt dat haar stiefvader Vicerin over lijken gaat om zichzelf tot koning te kronen....waarbij Elodie uiteraard als koningin aan zijn zijde hoort.... Gulf gaat terug naar Brutan, de vader van de drieling, om zijn oude vrienden te bevrijden. Maar dat loopt helemaal verkeerd af.
Het verhaal leest als een film en doet niet onder voor de vechtacties die je in veel games tegen komt. Voor heldhaftige jongens en meisjes vanaf 11 jaar.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elodie must betray her people in order to save them from being slaughtered; Gulph attempts to bring his captured friends to a mysterious chasm beneath the kingdom; and Tarlan travels with Melchior the wizard to regain his powers before the realms can be invaded - and the further the triplets are from each other, the stronger their enemies become...Rinehart continues this engaging adventure with tons of action and dark magic that will capture the attention of any fantasy fan. Just how many more sacrifices must the royal siblings make before they gain the upper hand?

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful. Continues following the three sibs on their separate adventures. Could use a little more descriptive detail in parts, but very exciting. I think this will be a series to re-read as each book emerges.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent fantasy...rousing action, good character development, and intricately interwoven plot lines as the characters are often on separate adventures. Hope there's a third in the works, as there are unfinished plot lines.

[Homewood Public Library - Children's Dept. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great sequel to book 1, The Crown of Three. Highly recommended for grades 4-6.

[Bonnie Cacchione · Rating 4 out of 5]

very fast moving and creative. enjoyed it.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as strong as the first book in the series, but still a fast paced adventure. I look forward t0 the last book in the series because this one definitely leaves you at a cliff hanger.