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Chronicles of Dessalon #1
The Lost Ones
Back of the book:
In a realm where soulmates grow up together, Cayla and Bren are separated in a desperate hope to keep them safe.
She is sent through a portal into a foreign world without magic, while Bren is kept safe within the walls of the Academy.
As war erupts in Dessalon, Cayla is lost to the Solid. Without memories of her true home, she ends up in a mental institution where she spends the next decade lonely, confused, and baffled by her erratic ability.
Bren spends every day of his life training to become her Protector. His life becomes a cycle of chores and responsibility as the world goes dark, swallowed by Shadow. Now trapped in the last safe haven of Lockireth, the Chancellor one day appears with the news he's been longing to hear.
"We have found her."
Excerpt:
"Easy," he cautioned as if she were a wild beast, and she looked it, too. "I mean you no harm." He kept his movements slow and deliberate and sat down before her, crossed his legs, and placed his arms on each knee. "Do you understand me?"
She simply nodded, her hands against her heart, face twisted in a grimace.
"You are in pain? Where are you hurt?" He reached for her, but again she scooted back.
"Don't touch me," she hissed, with a quiet sort of threat in her tone, taking him by surprise.
"I - ..." Bren looked at her, studying her face for the first time. Her rounded childish features were gone, replaced by a more mature, prominent expression. She looked like her mother.
In a realm where soulmates grow up together, Cayla and Bren are separated in a desperate hope to keep them safe.
She is sent through a portal into a foreign world without magic, while Bren is kept safe within the walls of the Academy.
As war erupts in Dessalon, Cayla is lost to the Solid. Without memories of her true home, she ends up in a mental institution where she spends the next decade lonely, confused, and baffled by her erratic ability.
Bren spends every day of his life training to become her Protector. His life becomes a cycle of chores and responsibility as the world goes dark, swallowed by Shadow. Now trapped in the last safe haven of Lockireth, the Chancellor one day appears with the news he's been longing to hear.
"We have found her."
Excerpt:
"Easy," he cautioned as if she were a wild beast, and she looked it, too. "I mean you no harm." He kept his movements slow and deliberate and sat down before her, crossed his legs, and placed his arms on each knee. "Do you understand me?"
She simply nodded, her hands against her heart, face twisted in a grimace.
"You are in pain? Where are you hurt?" He reached for her, but again she scooted back.
"Don't touch me," she hissed, with a quiet sort of threat in her tone, taking him by surprise.
"I - ..." Bren looked at her, studying her face for the first time. Her rounded childish features were gone, replaced by a more mature, prominent expression. She looked like her mother.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2021
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
L.T. Lindberg
4 books12 followersL.T. Lindberg started writing at a young age and went on to study Broadcast Journalism and Creative Writing at Staffordshire University. After dipping her toes into the large publishing industry, she pulled back and decided to go the independent route.
She founded her own company called Forlaget Gullhår, or ‘Goldilocks Publishing’ in English, and it’s here her stories are born.
She writes mostly YA but will occasionally release a children’s book if she’s found the right illustrator.
She lives in the suburbs of a medium sized city in Norway, with 2 kids, a husband, 4 cats, 6 hens and a rooster.
“I’m only ever balanced if I have one book I’m writing on, one book I’m editing and one project on the house.”
Her fantasy works are always immersive experiences with detailed worldbuilding, magic systems, and emotions ranging from highs to lows.
She writes in English, Swedish and Norwegian.
She founded her own company called Forlaget Gullhår, or ‘Goldilocks Publishing’ in English, and it’s here her stories are born.
She writes mostly YA but will occasionally release a children’s book if she’s found the right illustrator.
She lives in the suburbs of a medium sized city in Norway, with 2 kids, a husband, 4 cats, 6 hens and a rooster.
“I’m only ever balanced if I have one book I’m writing on, one book I’m editing and one project on the house.”
Her fantasy works are always immersive experiences with detailed worldbuilding, magic systems, and emotions ranging from highs to lows.
She writes in English, Swedish and Norwegian.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 1, 2021
Cayla, an institutionalised teen, believes herself from another dimension. From the mirror, she can see a birthmark on her neck that glows but she’s the only one who notices it. No one else can see it, even when she points it out. Although her temperature runs at a healthy three or four degrees below the average human, she appears to be normal enough with the exception of her purportedly imagined origins. As one of the institution’s orderlies, Isaac, says of her:
When a new orderly named Bren arrives at the mental health facility in which Cayla is incarcerated, she is immediately drawn to him.
The attraction – and it’s clearly something more than an attraction – is mutual. Bren is from the same realm as Cayla, as he explains. But time is of the essence; Cayla is the target of a hit from the other dimension’s master of Shadow. It’s why she’s on Earth (or “in the Solid”) in the first place; she was hidden away in our dimension for her protection. Yet the bad guys have located her. Bren, as her protector, must return with her to the capital of Lockireth, where Chancellor Marehm has a specific mission in mind for the pair, who have been bonded to each other from an early age. This Bond is itself formalised in a ceremony before Cayla and Bren set off on a trepidatious journey to rescue kidnapped Primal Lords and battle the novel’s chief villain of Shadow.
Weighing in at a tight 90,000 words, this impressive fantasy novel blends background myth of Promethean proportions with an adventure story featuring giants and mermaids, six-legged horselike beasts, talking owls, pint-sized cavetrolls, maids who employ magic to sew wedding dresses, and evil cardinals who use whips to interrogate their captives.
“She’s too concerned with being right, to think of being clever. She thinks her hair color has changed when it hasn’t, and she claims to have a tattoo on her neck no one else can see.”
When a new orderly named Bren arrives at the mental health facility in which Cayla is incarcerated, she is immediately drawn to him.
The attraction – and it’s clearly something more than an attraction – is mutual. Bren is from the same realm as Cayla, as he explains. But time is of the essence; Cayla is the target of a hit from the other dimension’s master of Shadow. It’s why she’s on Earth (or “in the Solid”) in the first place; she was hidden away in our dimension for her protection. Yet the bad guys have located her. Bren, as her protector, must return with her to the capital of Lockireth, where Chancellor Marehm has a specific mission in mind for the pair, who have been bonded to each other from an early age. This Bond is itself formalised in a ceremony before Cayla and Bren set off on a trepidatious journey to rescue kidnapped Primal Lords and battle the novel’s chief villain of Shadow.
Weighing in at a tight 90,000 words, this impressive fantasy novel blends background myth of Promethean proportions with an adventure story featuring giants and mermaids, six-legged horselike beasts, talking owls, pint-sized cavetrolls, maids who employ magic to sew wedding dresses, and evil cardinals who use whips to interrogate their captives.
May 10, 2021
The lost ones - By @L.tlindberg
This book had a really intriguing synopsis.
Soulmates - Eternal love - Separated for years
In the realm of Dessalon they are born as soulmates. One is a finder and the other is the protector.
They belong together and are destined to be together for eternity.
Due to a raging war against shadows they are separated as childs to try to protect them.
But Cayla is placed in "the solid'' (Earth as we know it) And Bren is kept in Dessalon.
The Problem is only that Cayla remembers bits and pieces from her childhood. And in the solid she is considered "crazy" for talking about magic, magic creatures and portals.
She also gets lost to the magic in Dessalon and they spend years trying to locate her.
When Bren finally locates her he is willing to do whatever it takes to get his other half of his soul back.
This book had a really exciting start, and I love a story of soulmates and bound to find each other.
There was a part in the middle of the book that was really slow and kinda confusing with a mixed variety of details in all aspects of the story.
But in the end the adventure picked up and we met both trolls, giants and mermaids.
I felt like this book is mostly the start of a bigger story, and since the realm and the back story is quite extensive I can understand why this book can feel a bit long in some parts.
But the plot and characters are well made up and I enjoyed the realm of Dessalon. However I feel like i'm still missing vital parts of the story after reading the whole book and I would have wished for more details around the world and background for the shadow master and the earlier war.
Maybe that will be in the next part of this journey?
All in all a wonderful debut to english fantasy by @L.tLindberg and worth to check out.
This book had a really intriguing synopsis.
Soulmates - Eternal love - Separated for years
In the realm of Dessalon they are born as soulmates. One is a finder and the other is the protector.
They belong together and are destined to be together for eternity.
Due to a raging war against shadows they are separated as childs to try to protect them.
But Cayla is placed in "the solid'' (Earth as we know it) And Bren is kept in Dessalon.
The Problem is only that Cayla remembers bits and pieces from her childhood. And in the solid she is considered "crazy" for talking about magic, magic creatures and portals.
She also gets lost to the magic in Dessalon and they spend years trying to locate her.
When Bren finally locates her he is willing to do whatever it takes to get his other half of his soul back.
This book had a really exciting start, and I love a story of soulmates and bound to find each other.
There was a part in the middle of the book that was really slow and kinda confusing with a mixed variety of details in all aspects of the story.
But in the end the adventure picked up and we met both trolls, giants and mermaids.
I felt like this book is mostly the start of a bigger story, and since the realm and the back story is quite extensive I can understand why this book can feel a bit long in some parts.
But the plot and characters are well made up and I enjoyed the realm of Dessalon. However I feel like i'm still missing vital parts of the story after reading the whole book and I would have wished for more details around the world and background for the shadow master and the earlier war.
Maybe that will be in the next part of this journey?
All in all a wonderful debut to english fantasy by @L.tLindberg and worth to check out.
April 2, 2021
Wow!! What a great read. This book had me gripped from the first page - and not many books can do that!
I was sent this book free from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review!
The characters were so totally believable and real! The Keeper is a strange one. Not sure what to make of him. He appears to be caring and tender towards Carlyle but as he is The Keeper of Shadow, I doubt he truly is.
Cayla was torn from Dessalon at the age of six, and at the start of the story finds herself in The Solid, in a mental institute. She knows something isn’t right with her body and remember very little of her past, but she truly believes she does not belong. When Bren arrives, she finds it difficult to trust him and therefore makes many mistakes. But these mistakes are what makes her and Bren’s relationship so real.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one! Will Cayla and Bren save the Lords.. only time (and the next book) will tell us, I guess!
I was sent this book free from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review!
The characters were so totally believable and real! The Keeper is a strange one. Not sure what to make of him. He appears to be caring and tender towards Carlyle but as he is The Keeper of Shadow, I doubt he truly is.
Cayla was torn from Dessalon at the age of six, and at the start of the story finds herself in The Solid, in a mental institute. She knows something isn’t right with her body and remember very little of her past, but she truly believes she does not belong. When Bren arrives, she finds it difficult to trust him and therefore makes many mistakes. But these mistakes are what makes her and Bren’s relationship so real.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one! Will Cayla and Bren save the Lords.. only time (and the next book) will tell us, I guess!
February 24, 2021
The Lost Ones by L.T. Lindbergh is an absolutely phenomenal novel! If you are fan of Bridget Kemmerers novel A Curse so Dark and Lonley you are going to love this novel!
To begin, I just need to state that it physically hurt to put my phone down to function as an adult. I have hardly ever had this happen and have rarely been speechless when reading a series. The Lost Ones consists of all the best aspects of the ABC series Once Upon a Time! Time went by so quickly when reading this novel.
Lindbergh created a multi- perspective storyline. With doing this, it is almost impossible not to develop a bond with the main characters! The novel is set in a way that the reader learns the prior events to the novel as the MC does.
This novel feels like your on an adventure and to sum it up the word I have is OMG!
To begin, I just need to state that it physically hurt to put my phone down to function as an adult. I have hardly ever had this happen and have rarely been speechless when reading a series. The Lost Ones consists of all the best aspects of the ABC series Once Upon a Time! Time went by so quickly when reading this novel.
Lindbergh created a multi- perspective storyline. With doing this, it is almost impossible not to develop a bond with the main characters! The novel is set in a way that the reader learns the prior events to the novel as the MC does.
This novel feels like your on an adventure and to sum it up the word I have is OMG!
February 24, 2021
Amazing Book!
The Lost Ones by L.T. Lindbergh is an absolutely phenomenal novel! If you are fan of Bridget Kemmerers novel A Curse so Dark and Lonley you are going to love this novel!
To begin, I just need to state that it physically hurt to put my phone down to function as an adult. I have hardly ever had this happen and have rarely been speechless when reading a series. The Lost Ones consists of all the best aspects of the ABC series Once Upon a Time! Time went by so quickly when reading this novel.
Lindbergh created a multi- perspective storyline. With doing this, it is almost impossible not to develop a bond with the main characters! The novel is set in a way that the reader learns the prior events to the novel as the MC does.
This novel feels like your on an adventure and to sum it up the word I have is OMG!
The Lost Ones by L.T. Lindbergh is an absolutely phenomenal novel! If you are fan of Bridget Kemmerers novel A Curse so Dark and Lonley you are going to love this novel!
To begin, I just need to state that it physically hurt to put my phone down to function as an adult. I have hardly ever had this happen and have rarely been speechless when reading a series. The Lost Ones consists of all the best aspects of the ABC series Once Upon a Time! Time went by so quickly when reading this novel.
Lindbergh created a multi- perspective storyline. With doing this, it is almost impossible not to develop a bond with the main characters! The novel is set in a way that the reader learns the prior events to the novel as the MC does.
This novel feels like your on an adventure and to sum it up the word I have is OMG!
February 12, 2021
An exceptional book, that starts off with a headlong dive into a magical world, from the perspective of a woman who never could have imagined the adventure she was truly destined to be on, alongside her one true soulmate! It grabs you immediately with intense worldbuilding, a strong urge to keep reading, to learn more and to feel the world come alive together with the characters that you follow.
I cannot recommend this book enough, it is the first book in a long time that I have read and it was so very worth it, from the moment that I saw the eye catching cover, to the very last sentence of the book.
Amazing book
I cannot recommend this book enough, it is the first book in a long time that I have read and it was so very worth it, from the moment that I saw the eye catching cover, to the very last sentence of the book.
Amazing book
April 11, 2021
My thanks to L.T Lindberg and Voracious Readers Only for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The positive aspect of this book was definitely the fluid writing, showcasing the author's natural talent for crafting a story together. What was most frustrating was the constant insecurity between the two main character's, Bren and Cayla, which overshadowed most of the plot's progress. Cayla's weakness was mostly paired with Bren's possessiveness, by which point I ended up skimming towards the end, a little tired of the uninspiring 'alpha male and fragile female' relationship between them.
The positive aspect of this book was definitely the fluid writing, showcasing the author's natural talent for crafting a story together. What was most frustrating was the constant insecurity between the two main character's, Bren and Cayla, which overshadowed most of the plot's progress. Cayla's weakness was mostly paired with Bren's possessiveness, by which point I ended up skimming towards the end, a little tired of the uninspiring 'alpha male and fragile female' relationship between them.
June 16, 2022
I received a complementary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers only in exchange for an honest review.
This book was definitely interesting and had a great concept. I really liked the characters and enjoyed the story, trying to figure out the twists and turns of the plot. Overall, it was a little confusing at times because it felt that the world but,ding was a little rushed. I felt confused as Cayla sometimes, which led me to re read the paragraph or whole page again to figure out what was happening. Generally I really liked the novel and look forward to the next book in the series.
This book was definitely interesting and had a great concept. I really liked the characters and enjoyed the story, trying to figure out the twists and turns of the plot. Overall, it was a little confusing at times because it felt that the world but,ding was a little rushed. I felt confused as Cayla sometimes, which led me to re read the paragraph or whole page again to figure out what was happening. Generally I really liked the novel and look forward to the next book in the series.
February 12, 2021
I should start off by saying that I am a sucker for portal stories. Getting thrust into another world is my jam. This one started off strong, we meet Cayla who is being held in a detention center and she has memories of a different world. She rescued by a childhood friend and is taken back home. But her home has been covered in shadow.
You meet a lot of interesting characters and creatures along the way to an ending that leaves you wanting more.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You meet a lot of interesting characters and creatures along the way to an ending that leaves you wanting more.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
April 23, 2021
This is a very sad book, but a book that shows determination of characters. This book is about two soulmates who are separated to save their lives. One stays in the academy of magic but the other is sent to a world without magic and soon is sent to an mental institution. Her soulmate is brought up to protect her and does his best to find her and to bring her home. I received this complementary copy from Voracious Readers Only.
March 14, 2021
An interesting read, a fantastic concept and well executed. All POVs are great characters. Also liked the inclusion of real world culture in a fantasy setting. I enjoyed reading this
April 16, 2021
I received a free copy from voracious readers. I enjoyed the book very much. Entertaining
June 16, 2022
From a whirlwind beginning, the reader joins Cayla in an institution. Whether or not she is sane is up for debate, as she seems quite typical for a teen - with a healthy rebellious streak - except for what comes across as 'delusions' or 'episodes.' Meanwhile, we're introduced to Bren, her fated protector, bonded early in their lives, and how he infiltrates the institution to be reunited with her and take her back to where they both came from.
I enjoyed their meeting especially - how you could taste her incredulity that someone was 'indulging' her fantasies and waiting for the other shoe to drop and for Bren to tell her she's not 'normal', as everyone else has always done to her. It was heartbreaking to watch her understand what she knew to be true was actually true.
I am enjoying it!
I enjoyed their meeting especially - how you could taste her incredulity that someone was 'indulging' her fantasies and waiting for the other shoe to drop and for Bren to tell her she's not 'normal', as everyone else has always done to her. It was heartbreaking to watch her understand what she knew to be true was actually true.
I am enjoying it!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews