What do you think?
Rate this book
Lost War #1
The Lost War
It was supposed to be a weekend of costumed fun. Instead these medieval historical reenactors are flung into a wilderness by magic they don't understand. They must struggle to survive and deal with monsters who consider them prey . . . or worse.
***
"Karl Gallagher's first production, the Torchship Trilogy, was good enough so that I read and reread it. He has now turned his hand from science fiction to fantasy."
- Professor David D. Friedman, Professor, Santa Clara University, author of The Machinery of Freedom and Salamander
- Also known as Duke Cariadoc of the Bow, KSCA, OL, OP, founder of the Pennsic War.
***
"Karl Gallagher's first production, the Torchship Trilogy, was good enough so that I read and reread it. He has now turned his hand from science fiction to fantasy."
- Professor David D. Friedman, Professor, Santa Clara University, author of The Machinery of Freedom and Salamander
- Also known as Duke Cariadoc of the Bow, KSCA, OL, OP, founder of the Pennsic War.
- GenresFantasy
207 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2019
25 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Karl K. Gallagher
23 books66 followersKarl K. Gallagher is a systems engineer, currently performing data analysis for a major aerospace company. In the past he calculated trajectories for a commercial launch rocket start-up, operated satellites as a US Air Force officer, and selected orbits for government and commercial satellites. Karl lives in Minnesota with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 21, 2021
Rating 2.5 stars
This book had a good idea, there were just a few things that didn't work for me. One of the things I do when I read a book is try and put myself in the story and compare how I would handle the situation vs what is written. I do this more with the litrpg books than others but I still do it. Sometimes the characters don't react how I would but I understand the reasons behind their actions. Then there are the times I can't imagine anyone doing what the characters in the story did. That happened in this book. There were a few things that happened that were just unbelievable from that perspective.
The story starts with a group of friends going away to a medieval LARP group. The MC is new to this event and is going with his girlfriend as it is her passion. The group tries to make it as real as possible so they have actual armor that they wear as well as swords, blacksmith, etc. Nobody is allowed to use their real name so the MC is given the name Newman Greenhorn. The group is transported to another world after a Pagan practitioner from the group does a spell. The group then needs to survive on this new world. Here's is where I have some problems
This book had a good idea, there were just a few things that didn't work for me. One of the things I do when I read a book is try and put myself in the story and compare how I would handle the situation vs what is written. I do this more with the litrpg books than others but I still do it. Sometimes the characters don't react how I would but I understand the reasons behind their actions. Then there are the times I can't imagine anyone doing what the characters in the story did. That happened in this book. There were a few things that happened that were just unbelievable from that perspective.
The story starts with a group of friends going away to a medieval LARP group. The MC is new to this event and is going with his girlfriend as it is her passion. The group tries to make it as real as possible so they have actual armor that they wear as well as swords, blacksmith, etc. Nobody is allowed to use their real name so the MC is given the name Newman Greenhorn. The group is transported to another world after a Pagan practitioner from the group does a spell. The group then needs to survive on this new world. Here's is where I have some problems
April 21, 2021
Book one
Mistakes: I didn't find anything wrong with this book.
Plot: people who complain about suicide in this kind of book need to go back to reading kid books. People crack for all kinds of reasons. I think being dumped on another planet would do it for a lot of people. Others blossom and thrive under pressure.
Characters: I found that I liked all the characters.
8/10 I would have gone higher if the book has been longer.
Mistakes: I didn't find anything wrong with this book.
Plot: people who complain about suicide in this kind of book need to go back to reading kid books. People crack for all kinds of reasons. I think being dumped on another planet would do it for a lot of people. Others blossom and thrive under pressure.
Characters: I found that I liked all the characters.
8/10 I would have gone higher if the book has been longer.
August 19, 2021
I like authors that do their research or have experience in the world they write about and it looks like Gallagher does understand SCA types and survival methods. Plot? A group of Renaissance reenactors via magic are transported light years away to a magical world and their encampment is put down in the middle of nowhere. The 200 weekenders have no way home and quickly have to adjust to life on a Earth-like planet, except this one has some quirks, like the nastiest version of Orcs ever. I liked it for the most part and will most likely buy the sequel. Caveat: this isn't a pleasant fairy-tale world they wind up in. There are brutal deaths and dismemberments.
April 23, 2019
This was the most realistic fantasy I've read in a long time.
I give it kudos for being able to accurately portray what it would look like if a group of people who gathered for what they assumed would be a normal "Kingdom" weekend (that is, they are role-players in a Society for Creative Anachronism-type organization where they playact as though they lived in medieval times, at a lower level of technology) suddenly found themselves (and their entire encampment) transported on a one-way trip to another planet in another galaxy.
One which has magic, no less.
I particularly liked that the main male protagonist is joining the group for his first weekend (on his fifth date with one of the regular females in the group) because he's ex-military and his background proves vital for the group's survival.
It also helps that the woman who runs the first aid station is an ER doctor in her mundane (real life) life. She keeps her wits about her even as her advanced medicines (such as antibiotics) are becoming depleted, making such substitutes as she is able from materials at hand.
I'm trusting that our SCA-like folks get to meet the wizard and his apprentices in book two whom we see interacting with their encampment from afar!
Highly recommended for those who enjoy watching a group fighting for their own survival on a sticks-and-stones level of technology in a brand-new world which has magic (and to make it more interesting some in the group are becoming magic users themselves)!
I give it kudos for being able to accurately portray what it would look like if a group of people who gathered for what they assumed would be a normal "Kingdom" weekend (that is, they are role-players in a Society for Creative Anachronism-type organization where they playact as though they lived in medieval times, at a lower level of technology) suddenly found themselves (and their entire encampment) transported on a one-way trip to another planet in another galaxy.
One which has magic, no less.
I particularly liked that the main male protagonist is joining the group for his first weekend (on his fifth date with one of the regular females in the group) because he's ex-military and his background proves vital for the group's survival.
It also helps that the woman who runs the first aid station is an ER doctor in her mundane (real life) life. She keeps her wits about her even as her advanced medicines (such as antibiotics) are becoming depleted, making such substitutes as she is able from materials at hand.
I'm trusting that our SCA-like folks get to meet the wizard and his apprentices in book two whom we see interacting with their encampment from afar!
Highly recommended for those who enjoy watching a group fighting for their own survival on a sticks-and-stones level of technology in a brand-new world which has magic (and to make it more interesting some in the group are becoming magic users themselves)!
July 17, 2019
"All true horror is biological"
And all true wealth. A party of historical re-enactors are translated from the woodland camp of their big-annual kingdom meetup to alien world. They quickly discover that it's going to take every hand to survive: food, shelter, hygiene are no longer the stuff of 21st century American supply chains. These are decent people, mostly good friends or at least friendly acquaintances, but all the personal politics, petty sins and great (gossip, greed) now have life-or-death impact. In Mr. Gallagher's hands, that's a page-turning story on it's own. But with alien fantasy worlds come magical "stobor",and this author is one of the few to actually get the terrifying potential of predatory life forms.
But unlike standard horror, the horrific challenges here only make the lead characters determination to survive and succeed all the sweeter. I read this book in one gulp, and eagerly await the sequel, in which I expect the fascinating alien world will be further revealed.
And all true wealth. A party of historical re-enactors are translated from the woodland camp of their big-annual kingdom meetup to alien world. They quickly discover that it's going to take every hand to survive: food, shelter, hygiene are no longer the stuff of 21st century American supply chains. These are decent people, mostly good friends or at least friendly acquaintances, but all the personal politics, petty sins and great (gossip, greed) now have life-or-death impact. In Mr. Gallagher's hands, that's a page-turning story on it's own. But with alien fantasy worlds come magical "stobor",and this author is one of the few to actually get the terrifying potential of predatory life forms.
But unlike standard horror, the horrific challenges here only make the lead characters determination to survive and succeed all the sweeter. I read this book in one gulp, and eagerly await the sequel, in which I expect the fascinating alien world will be further revealed.
April 28, 2021
Overall I enjoyed this. I have very little (and rather old now) experience with SCA types, but this rang true to that one "War" weekend in Pennsylvania 30 years ago. At least in terms of the personalities and shenanigans of those who take it seriously, something I just can't for the same reason as the MC.
Newman being a veteran of real wars is < impressed with the feudal aspects but plays the game when push comes to shove. I found him a bit of a "grey man" character for much of the book, as his personality only really comes out in a pinch. This is however a trait of enough real people that it makes sense, and he gains more colour as the story progresses.
The real test is if I'll read a sequel, and in this case I will. Let's see where that goes, as I can envision many possibilities as this world opens up. And yeah, don't mess with his girlfriend; if you read to the end you'll know why.
Newman being a veteran of real wars is < impressed with the feudal aspects but plays the game when push comes to shove. I found him a bit of a "grey man" character for much of the book, as his personality only really comes out in a pinch. This is however a trait of enough real people that it makes sense, and he gains more colour as the story progresses.
The real test is if I'll read a sequel, and in this case I will. Let's see where that goes, as I can envision many possibilities as this world opens up. And yeah, don't mess with his girlfriend; if you read to the end you'll know why.
May 8, 2019
Different, yet fun adventure with a large Renaissance reenactment group being transplanted to another world with magic. I like the MC, but some of the things that happened were disgusting. Like the suicides, gory murders and the life cycle of the Orcs (rape and a parasite in any living being). I really enjoyed the Magic that people started to develop when scared. Will read book two, but just an okay story.
May 25, 2022
Didn't finish.
Gave it a couple of tries, but I guess it is not for me. Too bad. I was expecting something better as I quite liked Gallagher's Torchship series.
Also, IMHO, the audio narration wasn't very good.
YMMV.
Gave it a couple of tries, but I guess it is not for me. Too bad. I was expecting something better as I quite liked Gallagher's Torchship series.
Also, IMHO, the audio narration wasn't very good.
YMMV.
January 11, 2020
Four stars!!
Good. Story. Magic and survival, people and problems with people and horny orks. I like folks coming up with magic of their own.
Good. Story. Magic and survival, people and problems with people and horny orks. I like folks coming up with magic of their own.
December 8, 2024
Gimme a minute. RTC
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews