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The Lost Soul Atlas
A boy awakens in the Afterlife, with a pocketful of vague memories, a key, a raven, and a mysterious Atlas to guide him as he sets out to piece together the mystery of his final moments...Back on Earth, Twiggy is a street kid with a missing dad. But when he meets Flea, a cheerful pickpocket, the pair become fast friends, better even than blood family itself. Together, Twig and Flea raise themselves on the crime-ridden streets, taking what they need and giving the rest to the even-poorer. Life is good, as long as they have each other. But the all-powerful Boss who rules the streets has other plans.Loyalty will be tested, and a cruel twist of fate will lead to an act of ultimate betrayal that will tear the friends apart ... forever?Acclaim for Zana Fraillon's THE BONE ABIA Book of the Year for Older ChildrenWinner, Readings Young Adult Book Prize 2017CBCA Honour Book 2017 - Older ReadersShortlisted for the 2017 Prime Minister's Literary AwardsShortlisted for the 2017 Queensland Literary AwardsShortlisted for the 2017 Victorian Premier's Literary AwardsShortlisted for The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2016Shortlisted for the Gold Inky Award 2017Shortlisted for the 2017 CILIP Carnegie MedalCarnegie Medal Amnesty CILIP Honour Book 2017IBBY Australia Honour Book 2018
Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2020
21 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Zana Fraillon
22 books113 followersZana Fraillon is an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning author of books for children and young adults. Her work has been published in over 15 countries and is in development for both stage and screen. She has also had pieces published in The Big Issue, The Guardian, Island Magazine, Dark Mountain, Abridged and Sans.Press.
Zana has degrees in history and teaching and having completed her PhD exploring future ancestorship and everyday engagement with voices from our deep past, she is now officially a doctor of ghosts.
When Zana isn't reading or writing, she likes to explore the museums and hidden passageways scattered across her home city. They provide the same excitement as that moment before opening a new book - preparing to step into the unknown where a whole world of possibilities awaits.
Zana has degrees in history and teaching and having completed her PhD exploring future ancestorship and everyday engagement with voices from our deep past, she is now officially a doctor of ghosts.
When Zana isn't reading or writing, she likes to explore the museums and hidden passageways scattered across her home city. They provide the same excitement as that moment before opening a new book - preparing to step into the unknown where a whole world of possibilities awaits.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 1, 2020
4.5★
“‘Do you know who I am?’ she asks in her pretend human voice. You can tell straight off it isn’t a real voice because there’s no deepness to it. Not one of us looks at her. Not one of us even breathes, just in case she can suck our souls straight from our mouths and into her own.”
Chapter one begins by saying “The End”. Twig is in a dark so dark he isn’t sure he exists, and then a big, buzzing neon sign flashes “WELCOME TO THE AFTERLIFE!”. While he watches, it flickers with bulbs going out until it reads
“WE COME TO LIFE!”
That’s not helpful to Twig nor to us, and his head hurts and he keeps remembering bits of things until a red arrow lights up, pointing to a path with still more signs to a “WELCOME CENTER”, so off he goes.
A motley bunch of bones falls from the sky and assembles itself into Krruk, a raven who could be called the comic relief. Once he pulls himself together, literally, he explains that he has always been Twig’s guardian.
“‘You won’t remember all those times durin’ your alive years that you saw a raven guidin’ you through the trials and tribulations of livin’ because of the Forgettin’ that happens once you’re . . . well . . . dead, like. But, if I do say, I was quite magnificent.’”
Krruk waffles on until Twig asks a question.
“Twig looked at the skeleton bobbing up and down. ‘So it was your job to keep me . . . alive?’
‘Exactly!’
‘But, I’m . . . dead, right?’
‘That you are. Oh. Right. Well. I see what you’re gettin’ at.’”
Twig wants only to find his Da, his father, who has been involved in some shady dealings to keep them alive and they got separated. Twig doesn’t really know what’s happened, but he is desperate to go back and not forget.
The story moves between life and afterlife with Twig telling the life story and the narrator describing in the third person what becomes his quest to fight the "forgetting". Maps, clues, riddles, magic. It’s all very spooky! There are rules to keep it honest, so to speak. He can’t just “magic” his way anywhere. And he certainly does face some scary moments on both sides of the divide.
Krruk may be a loyal sidekick in the afterlife adventure, but in the real part, Twig becomes a street kid with a group of little kids who form a family. They scrounge, they beg, they steal. They are the urchins of Dickens on the lookout for cops at all times. Dirty, hungry, cold, loyal to each other and to anyone who is kind to them.
Flea becomes a favourite friend and a wonderful character.
“‘Why do they call you Twiggy anyway?’
I shrug. Why is anyone called anything?
‘Is it because you’re skinny as a twig? Or because you were born under a tree? Or is it because you like to eat those twiggy stick things they sell down the markets? Is Twiggy even a proper name?’
This kid talks a million miles an hour. It makes me tired listening. ‘I’ve just always been called Twig.’
‘Oh. That’s boring. I’m Flea.’
I don’t point out that Flea isn’t much of a proper name either.
I look at Flea’s face and clothes and hair and bracelets. ‘So, are you a boy?’
Flea shrugs. ‘Sometimes. And sometimes I’m a girl. And sometimes I’m both at the same time or neither. Mostly I’m just somewhere in between.’”
Twiggy and the others never question this. Flea is just Flea. Flea uses a Magic 8-ball to help make decisions along with a special ‘seeing stone’ with a hole in it. I enjoyed seeing the Magic 8-ball answers again! ‘It is certain’.
Nothing is certain except the determination of these children against crooks and evil-doers and a world that ignores them.
“‘Welcome to the Boneyard!’ Flea smiles, arms spread wide, and I stop and stare. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like a town all of its own. There are shacks built up between every grave, huddled in clumps and leaning into each other.”
I have such a soft spot for stories told by kids trying to find their feet. They say that most successful children’s stories begin with the main character as an orphan, which may be what captures the imagination of kids.
It must be the scariest thing we worry about when we’re little but also the thing we want most – absolute freedom from grown-ups. But then we want safety, too, so reading about Twig and the others is satisfyingly scary.
For grown-up readers, it’s a fable about the world today. In the (Australian) author’s note, she writes:
“It is estimated that there are approximately 150 million children currently living on the streets. That means there are more children who are homeless, than the entire populations of Australia, the UK, The Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Greece combined.
. . .
A single voice really can change the world. No matter how small a person, no matter how small an act, what we do, where we look, what we remember, it all matters. Fight the forgetting.”
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for the preview copy I enjoyed.
“‘Do you know who I am?’ she asks in her pretend human voice. You can tell straight off it isn’t a real voice because there’s no deepness to it. Not one of us looks at her. Not one of us even breathes, just in case she can suck our souls straight from our mouths and into her own.”
Chapter one begins by saying “The End”. Twig is in a dark so dark he isn’t sure he exists, and then a big, buzzing neon sign flashes “WELCOME TO THE AFTERLIFE!”. While he watches, it flickers with bulbs going out until it reads
“WE COME TO LIFE!”
That’s not helpful to Twig nor to us, and his head hurts and he keeps remembering bits of things until a red arrow lights up, pointing to a path with still more signs to a “WELCOME CENTER”, so off he goes.
A motley bunch of bones falls from the sky and assembles itself into Krruk, a raven who could be called the comic relief. Once he pulls himself together, literally, he explains that he has always been Twig’s guardian.
“‘You won’t remember all those times durin’ your alive years that you saw a raven guidin’ you through the trials and tribulations of livin’ because of the Forgettin’ that happens once you’re . . . well . . . dead, like. But, if I do say, I was quite magnificent.’”
Krruk waffles on until Twig asks a question.
“Twig looked at the skeleton bobbing up and down. ‘So it was your job to keep me . . . alive?’
‘Exactly!’
‘But, I’m . . . dead, right?’
‘That you are. Oh. Right. Well. I see what you’re gettin’ at.’”
Twig wants only to find his Da, his father, who has been involved in some shady dealings to keep them alive and they got separated. Twig doesn’t really know what’s happened, but he is desperate to go back and not forget.
The story moves between life and afterlife with Twig telling the life story and the narrator describing in the third person what becomes his quest to fight the "forgetting". Maps, clues, riddles, magic. It’s all very spooky! There are rules to keep it honest, so to speak. He can’t just “magic” his way anywhere. And he certainly does face some scary moments on both sides of the divide.
Krruk may be a loyal sidekick in the afterlife adventure, but in the real part, Twig becomes a street kid with a group of little kids who form a family. They scrounge, they beg, they steal. They are the urchins of Dickens on the lookout for cops at all times. Dirty, hungry, cold, loyal to each other and to anyone who is kind to them.
Flea becomes a favourite friend and a wonderful character.
“‘Why do they call you Twiggy anyway?’
I shrug. Why is anyone called anything?
‘Is it because you’re skinny as a twig? Or because you were born under a tree? Or is it because you like to eat those twiggy stick things they sell down the markets? Is Twiggy even a proper name?’
This kid talks a million miles an hour. It makes me tired listening. ‘I’ve just always been called Twig.’
‘Oh. That’s boring. I’m Flea.’
I don’t point out that Flea isn’t much of a proper name either.
I look at Flea’s face and clothes and hair and bracelets. ‘So, are you a boy?’
Flea shrugs. ‘Sometimes. And sometimes I’m a girl. And sometimes I’m both at the same time or neither. Mostly I’m just somewhere in between.’”
Twiggy and the others never question this. Flea is just Flea. Flea uses a Magic 8-ball to help make decisions along with a special ‘seeing stone’ with a hole in it. I enjoyed seeing the Magic 8-ball answers again! ‘It is certain’.
Nothing is certain except the determination of these children against crooks and evil-doers and a world that ignores them.
“‘Welcome to the Boneyard!’ Flea smiles, arms spread wide, and I stop and stare. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like a town all of its own. There are shacks built up between every grave, huddled in clumps and leaning into each other.”
I have such a soft spot for stories told by kids trying to find their feet. They say that most successful children’s stories begin with the main character as an orphan, which may be what captures the imagination of kids.
It must be the scariest thing we worry about when we’re little but also the thing we want most – absolute freedom from grown-ups. But then we want safety, too, so reading about Twig and the others is satisfyingly scary.
For grown-up readers, it’s a fable about the world today. In the (Australian) author’s note, she writes:
“It is estimated that there are approximately 150 million children currently living on the streets. That means there are more children who are homeless, than the entire populations of Australia, the UK, The Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Greece combined.
. . .
A single voice really can change the world. No matter how small a person, no matter how small an act, what we do, where we look, what we remember, it all matters. Fight the forgetting.”
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for the preview copy I enjoyed.
October 10, 2020
“Impossible is just what they say when they don’t want you to try.”
The Lost Soul Atlas is the third novel by Australian author, Zana Fraillon. When Twig unexpectedly finds himself in the After Life, he has only scraps of memory of what went before. Now Krruk, his skeletal raven Guardian, is chivvying him along to get to the Golden Gates, where the Gods are eager to consume his memories (everyone’s really), and Twig can relax in “a dressin’ gown and lush fluffy-bunny slippers” to enjoy the train and yoga (Tuesdays) and the gardens and playing bridge.
But before Krruk can stop him, Twig steps off the Path and into the Woods, drawn by the sound of his beloved Da’s tin whistle. He follows the tiny stick figures he learns are Meeples to a mound and, much to Krruk’s consternation, meets the Gatherer and agrees to go on a quest: “Open the Crossings. Release the memories. Only you can do it now. There will be no time to wait for another. And you have already started on your journey.”
“In here are the Bones of Lost Wonders. They carry the whispers and memories and stories and knowings that will soon be lost to the mortal world for ever. You must carry a single bone through each Crossing and leave it in the mortal world so it can be found by those whose eyes look for whispers, and whose ears are wonderwide . . . they will carry the knowings forward.”
Twig knows “With a map anything is possible . . .” He is given an atlas: “The Lost Soul Atlas of the Afterlife A guide to the Outer Wilderlands and s’rounds Withe Crossings new’ly discov’r’d and set forthe Fore Keep’rs of the Knowings” and he is promised that success will take him to his waiting Da.
He will need to open six Crossings, and at each, a Sentry will challenge him with a riddle: solve it and he crosses; fail, and he will be eaten. With the help of Krruk and the Meeples, he is surprisingly successful, and with each Crossing he opens, Twig remembers more: the last time he saw his Da, the eviction from the Tower, meeting up with Flea and living with the Beasts of the City Wildes.
He recalls encounters with the soul-eating Hoblin and the crooked cops, playing the accordion, a joy ride in a flying car, and what brought it all to a horrible end. Can he open the Crossings and save the knowings? A tale of bravery and loyalty and friendship that proves just how talented and imaginative an author Zana Fraillon is.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia.
The Lost Soul Atlas is the third novel by Australian author, Zana Fraillon. When Twig unexpectedly finds himself in the After Life, he has only scraps of memory of what went before. Now Krruk, his skeletal raven Guardian, is chivvying him along to get to the Golden Gates, where the Gods are eager to consume his memories (everyone’s really), and Twig can relax in “a dressin’ gown and lush fluffy-bunny slippers” to enjoy the train and yoga (Tuesdays) and the gardens and playing bridge.
But before Krruk can stop him, Twig steps off the Path and into the Woods, drawn by the sound of his beloved Da’s tin whistle. He follows the tiny stick figures he learns are Meeples to a mound and, much to Krruk’s consternation, meets the Gatherer and agrees to go on a quest: “Open the Crossings. Release the memories. Only you can do it now. There will be no time to wait for another. And you have already started on your journey.”
“In here are the Bones of Lost Wonders. They carry the whispers and memories and stories and knowings that will soon be lost to the mortal world for ever. You must carry a single bone through each Crossing and leave it in the mortal world so it can be found by those whose eyes look for whispers, and whose ears are wonderwide . . . they will carry the knowings forward.”
Twig knows “With a map anything is possible . . .” He is given an atlas: “The Lost Soul Atlas of the Afterlife A guide to the Outer Wilderlands and s’rounds Withe Crossings new’ly discov’r’d and set forthe Fore Keep’rs of the Knowings” and he is promised that success will take him to his waiting Da.
He will need to open six Crossings, and at each, a Sentry will challenge him with a riddle: solve it and he crosses; fail, and he will be eaten. With the help of Krruk and the Meeples, he is surprisingly successful, and with each Crossing he opens, Twig remembers more: the last time he saw his Da, the eviction from the Tower, meeting up with Flea and living with the Beasts of the City Wildes.
He recalls encounters with the soul-eating Hoblin and the crooked cops, playing the accordion, a joy ride in a flying car, and what brought it all to a horrible end. Can he open the Crossings and save the knowings? A tale of bravery and loyalty and friendship that proves just how talented and imaginative an author Zana Fraillon is.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia.
July 3, 2020
A glorious questing fantasy with expertly imagined realms and a story of family and love and belonging which shines a light on homelessness and poverty as a part of our society which is usually banished to the shadowy corners.
This novel has a big-hearted social message AND it is a brilliant, emotionally satisfying adventure for young readers 10+ with snappy smart characters and deeply moving tear-jerking moments
😭Sob....
This novel has a big-hearted social message AND it is a brilliant, emotionally satisfying adventure for young readers 10+ with snappy smart characters and deeply moving tear-jerking moments
😭Sob....
February 5, 2026
The Lost Soul Atlas is a surreal, coming of age story in the vein of The Little Prince and Alice In Wonderland. It felt partly Dystopian, partly Dickensian London to me but after closing the book and researching the author, it seems the book may have been set in Australia. I didn't mind the lack of World Building, as it added to the dreamy, surreal quality the book has.
What this story lacks in World Building, it makes up for in characters. The author is non-binary, like me, and the inclusion of a non-binary character called Flea that just existed, wasn't questioned, was just part of the gang, I really appreciated. I loved Flea and Twiggy's friendship, which mirrored the start of a romantic relationship but didn't feel quite like that. More like how two people can be soulmates, without the romantic intent.
While I felt like the story had a Dickensian feel, the author's notes at the end showed me that these kids are not some remnant of the past, they're very much alive and existing today, in this world. In 2020, it's estimated that 150 million children are currently living in the streets, more than the entire population of my county in the UK. They face a daily battle of hunger, police brutality and street gangs. This is a powerful, thought provoking story that's really going to stick with me.
What this story lacks in World Building, it makes up for in characters. The author is non-binary, like me, and the inclusion of a non-binary character called Flea that just existed, wasn't questioned, was just part of the gang, I really appreciated. I loved Flea and Twiggy's friendship, which mirrored the start of a romantic relationship but didn't feel quite like that. More like how two people can be soulmates, without the romantic intent.
While I felt like the story had a Dickensian feel, the author's notes at the end showed me that these kids are not some remnant of the past, they're very much alive and existing today, in this world. In 2020, it's estimated that 150 million children are currently living in the streets, more than the entire population of my county in the UK. They face a daily battle of hunger, police brutality and street gangs. This is a powerful, thought provoking story that's really going to stick with me.
July 3, 2020
Zana Fraillon writes very interesting middle-grade fiction books that blur the line between fantasy and hard-hitting, real world topics. In her previous books she has covered children living in detention centres and child smuggling, and in The Lost Soul Atlas she explores children living on the streets and the exploitation and hardships that come with that.
Told in both the past and present, we begin with Twiggy, who wakes up in the Afterlife with no memories and a raven for a guide and a mysterious Atlas to guide him along his path. In the past, we learn about the events leading up to his waking in the Afterlife, about his missing father, his life on the street and the found family he discovers. It's a story about loyalty, betrayal and the importance of memories and how they shape who we are.
Admittedly, I found it difficult to get into The Lost Soul Atlas initially, and that may have more to do with reading in ebook format - I think if I could easily jump back and forth between the initially few pages to reread it would have been useful. Because Fraillon throws us straight into the Afterlife sequence with a character who doesn't remember who he is or how he came to be there, we're left feeling a little confused, just like Twiggy, which is always an interesting position to be in as a reader, because you have to trust that the author will get you to a level of understanding quickly enough to continue reading - and Fraillon does this really well.
It's not an easy book to read - I think it's always a challenge when reading books about children who experience trauma or hardship. It's confronting to deal with the reality that there are kids who experience this, but Twiggy is a very determined, very capable young person within the story.
I liked the way we jumped backwards and forwards into Twiggy's past as he recovers his memories while journeying through the Afterlife. I did really enjoy the Afterlife sequences - I think Fraillon came up with a unique perspective and world there that I just wanted to spend more time inside. We get enough information to whet our appetite, but I was left wanting to know more about this 'afterlife world.'
I'm very glad that I had the opportunity to read The Lost Soul Atlas. Fraillon is definitely one of the most interesting Australian middle-grade authors I've read in the last few years, as well as one of the most consistent in terms of quality of writing. I look forward to reading her future releases.
Told in both the past and present, we begin with Twiggy, who wakes up in the Afterlife with no memories and a raven for a guide and a mysterious Atlas to guide him along his path. In the past, we learn about the events leading up to his waking in the Afterlife, about his missing father, his life on the street and the found family he discovers. It's a story about loyalty, betrayal and the importance of memories and how they shape who we are.
Admittedly, I found it difficult to get into The Lost Soul Atlas initially, and that may have more to do with reading in ebook format - I think if I could easily jump back and forth between the initially few pages to reread it would have been useful. Because Fraillon throws us straight into the Afterlife sequence with a character who doesn't remember who he is or how he came to be there, we're left feeling a little confused, just like Twiggy, which is always an interesting position to be in as a reader, because you have to trust that the author will get you to a level of understanding quickly enough to continue reading - and Fraillon does this really well.
It's not an easy book to read - I think it's always a challenge when reading books about children who experience trauma or hardship. It's confronting to deal with the reality that there are kids who experience this, but Twiggy is a very determined, very capable young person within the story.
I liked the way we jumped backwards and forwards into Twiggy's past as he recovers his memories while journeying through the Afterlife. I did really enjoy the Afterlife sequences - I think Fraillon came up with a unique perspective and world there that I just wanted to spend more time inside. We get enough information to whet our appetite, but I was left wanting to know more about this 'afterlife world.'
I'm very glad that I had the opportunity to read The Lost Soul Atlas. Fraillon is definitely one of the most interesting Australian middle-grade authors I've read in the last few years, as well as one of the most consistent in terms of quality of writing. I look forward to reading her future releases.
July 12, 2020
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Thank you Hachette for this book in exchange for an honest review
Alright, hold my beer while I tell you about this beauty!!
This book is the perfect blend of fantasy and world hard hitting topics, wrapped up in a delightful tale that is written by an Aussie!!! Shall I go on or is that enough to convince you to go out and buy the book?!?!
Alright so Twiggy wakes up in the Afterlife with no memories or no idea what the hell is going on, but has an Atlas and a raven, so he sets out to find out about the events that led to him being here in the Afterlife. You get a story of betrayal, hardships, faith, loyalty but most importantly you learn that memories are your most important keep-safe.
I adored Frillon’s writing and I am sooo disappointed in myself for not having all of Fraillon’s books! I am letting myself downnnn. Fraillon cuts all the bullshit out, there are no smoke and mirrors and no fluffy bullshit. You dive right into the story and kick off from there and I love this. Set aside time to read this book because it is one that you don’t want to put down once you get started. The Lost Soul Atlas was bloody brilliant!
Bookstagram
Website
Thank you Hachette for this book in exchange for an honest review
Alright, hold my beer while I tell you about this beauty!!
This book is the perfect blend of fantasy and world hard hitting topics, wrapped up in a delightful tale that is written by an Aussie!!! Shall I go on or is that enough to convince you to go out and buy the book?!?!
Alright so Twiggy wakes up in the Afterlife with no memories or no idea what the hell is going on, but has an Atlas and a raven, so he sets out to find out about the events that led to him being here in the Afterlife. You get a story of betrayal, hardships, faith, loyalty but most importantly you learn that memories are your most important keep-safe.
I adored Frillon’s writing and I am sooo disappointed in myself for not having all of Fraillon’s books! I am letting myself downnnn. Fraillon cuts all the bullshit out, there are no smoke and mirrors and no fluffy bullshit. You dive right into the story and kick off from there and I love this. Set aside time to read this book because it is one that you don’t want to put down once you get started. The Lost Soul Atlas was bloody brilliant!
June 25, 2020
Copy of the review sent to LoveReading4Schools -
Thought provoking novel exploring the themes of homelessness, belief and belonging
Twig (a boy) wakes in the afterlife with vague memories of his Da, here he meets a Raven, Kruuk, to help guide him into Heaven where he will be part of the great forgetting. But Twig wanders off the path and meets the Gatherer, who gives him the Lost Soul Atlas, a skeleton key and a bag of bones with which to open Crossings between the physical world and the hereafter.
Can Twig open all the Crossings whilst being chased by the Officials? If he opens them will his memories drag him into the real world and keep him there, in which case he will fade before he finds out what happened to him before he died…. He will forget his close ‘blood family’ friend Flea – who is also a street child and a pick pocket.
This is a thought-provoking look at life for street children, how they survive against the odds, the forces lined against them as they try to live, and the lack of choices they have when forced to thieve to keep themselves alive. It is an exploration of loyalty amongst friends and family. There are scares - and lots of caring - but ultimately it is a song to the strength of the human spirit.
The author was once told “to shine a light in all the dark places” – and much as one might expect from knowledge of Fraillon’s previous prize-winning books – this book does exactly that, using a richness of language that both exhilarates and makes you cry. It is both timeless and ageless having a wide appeal. A powerful read I would highly recommend.
10+
NB Not yet on the website....
Thought provoking novel exploring the themes of homelessness, belief and belonging
Twig (a boy) wakes in the afterlife with vague memories of his Da, here he meets a Raven, Kruuk, to help guide him into Heaven where he will be part of the great forgetting. But Twig wanders off the path and meets the Gatherer, who gives him the Lost Soul Atlas, a skeleton key and a bag of bones with which to open Crossings between the physical world and the hereafter.
Can Twig open all the Crossings whilst being chased by the Officials? If he opens them will his memories drag him into the real world and keep him there, in which case he will fade before he finds out what happened to him before he died…. He will forget his close ‘blood family’ friend Flea – who is also a street child and a pick pocket.
This is a thought-provoking look at life for street children, how they survive against the odds, the forces lined against them as they try to live, and the lack of choices they have when forced to thieve to keep themselves alive. It is an exploration of loyalty amongst friends and family. There are scares - and lots of caring - but ultimately it is a song to the strength of the human spirit.
The author was once told “to shine a light in all the dark places” – and much as one might expect from knowledge of Fraillon’s previous prize-winning books – this book does exactly that, using a richness of language that both exhilarates and makes you cry. It is both timeless and ageless having a wide appeal. A powerful read I would highly recommend.
10+
NB Not yet on the website....
June 25, 2020
A wonderfully written book, great descriptions and world building.
A story of loss and heartbeak. A great book.
A story of loss and heartbeak. A great book.
June 21, 2020
Some books have the ability to change the way in which we see the world. Zana Fraillon's latest novel, The Lost Soul Atlas (due for release July 14) is undeniably one of them. A tantalizing blend of fantasy, magical realism and modern day issues, Atlas presents the reader with two thoughtfully crafted realms and a host of intricate, exciting and complex characters. Skeletal ravens, gender identity, maps, riddles and the experience of growing up homeless during late stage capitalism combine in a thrilling, must read novel for the ages. Fraillon's best one yet.
June 26, 2020
This book is an amazing mix of fantasy and realism. It is written so amazingly well that you just can't put it down. It reminds you of the problems some people have described in such a meaningful way.
All the characters have so much depth that you almost become friends with them. The book really makes you feel like you're there. This is my most favourite book ever written. I hope you enjoy it too.
5 stars
All the characters have so much depth that you almost become friends with them. The book really makes you feel like you're there. This is my most favourite book ever written. I hope you enjoy it too.
5 stars
July 5, 2020
I have literally just finished The Lost Soul Atlas by Zana Fraillon and have to say that it took my breath away. It’s aimed at older children/teens/YA but it blew me away. It’s a thoughtful tale about a boy named Twig who finds himself dead, meets his soul guardian (Krruk, a rather feisty skeleton raven) and, before he can be guided to the place where he will lose all his memories forever, he leaves the path (FORBIDDEN) to follow the sound of someone singing.
What happens after this is a quest to find his lost memories, his dad and everything else that was important to him in life. Part of the story takes place in the afterlife and part in the world. We find that Twig and his friends were street children living in a large city where they are preyed upon and treated like vermin. What happens to them and why is a tragic tale, not least because, the author tells us in an afterword:
“Although the people and places in this book exist only in our imaginations, the circumstances that Twig and the Beasts find themselves in are all inspired by real events. Lack of housing and social support funding, unemployment rates, failing mental health care systems, natural disasters, conflict and war have led to a global homelessness crisis that affects every country in the world. It is estimated that there are approximately 150 million children currently living on the streets. That means there are more children who are homeless than the entire populations of Australia, the UK, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Greece combined.”
This shocking fact really brought the awful truth home to me...HOW CAN WE LET THIS HAPPEN? Also, when we know this HAS happened, how can we ignore it and continue with our overpriveliged lives as if nothing is wrong? Regardless of your age please read The Lost Soul Atlas, it carries a very important wake up call. Zana Fraillon is a prize winning author and she writes so beautifully, it’s spell binding. I will definitely be reading her previous titles, to be honest I think we all should.
What happens after this is a quest to find his lost memories, his dad and everything else that was important to him in life. Part of the story takes place in the afterlife and part in the world. We find that Twig and his friends were street children living in a large city where they are preyed upon and treated like vermin. What happens to them and why is a tragic tale, not least because, the author tells us in an afterword:
“Although the people and places in this book exist only in our imaginations, the circumstances that Twig and the Beasts find themselves in are all inspired by real events. Lack of housing and social support funding, unemployment rates, failing mental health care systems, natural disasters, conflict and war have led to a global homelessness crisis that affects every country in the world. It is estimated that there are approximately 150 million children currently living on the streets. That means there are more children who are homeless than the entire populations of Australia, the UK, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Greece combined.”
This shocking fact really brought the awful truth home to me...HOW CAN WE LET THIS HAPPEN? Also, when we know this HAS happened, how can we ignore it and continue with our overpriveliged lives as if nothing is wrong? Regardless of your age please read The Lost Soul Atlas, it carries a very important wake up call. Zana Fraillon is a prize winning author and she writes so beautifully, it’s spell binding. I will definitely be reading her previous titles, to be honest I think we all should.
May 5, 2020
Another heart-breaker from this author.
June 6, 2020
This book is so beautifully written and such a great example of how you can have such a beautiful book that intertwines fantasy and real life in the pages. I recommend you read this book now.
Read
July 5, 2020DNF @ 20%
Thank you to Hachette for sending me this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get into this. I wasn't aware it was a middle grade and went into it blind (the cover looks incredibly YA). The plot was pretty interesting ~ when you could finally understand where it was going. It took at least 20% of the book for me to understand the journey ahead for the protagonist and by the time I got there, I couldn't inspire myself to continue even though the idea and plot was interesting and original for middle grade. The flashbacks or memory scenes were very jarring and I couldn't place them so I got incredibly confused at the beginning. The dialogue flow and unusual character names just made the book even harder to get into.
I'm sure many will enjoy this if they're into middle grade but it wasn't for me.
Thank you to Hachette for sending me this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get into this. I wasn't aware it was a middle grade and went into it blind (the cover looks incredibly YA). The plot was pretty interesting ~ when you could finally understand where it was going. It took at least 20% of the book for me to understand the journey ahead for the protagonist and by the time I got there, I couldn't inspire myself to continue even though the idea and plot was interesting and original for middle grade. The flashbacks or memory scenes were very jarring and I couldn't place them so I got incredibly confused at the beginning. The dialogue flow and unusual character names just made the book even harder to get into.
I'm sure many will enjoy this if they're into middle grade but it wasn't for me.
May 8, 2021
The story starts at the gates of the Afterlife where Twig is met by Krruk, his guardian angel crow, to lead him into the Afterlife where the Gods will consume all his memories which are vague and foggy. However, he is waylaid and takes an alternative journey to return the missing keys to restore memories to those that have passed on and discover his own past and how he ended up here. As he traverses the map on his atlas (a poor addition to the book that warrants far more detail and attention) Twig is faced with a series of deadly guardians and tricky riddles to gain access to each memory keeper. As he progresses the reader is transported back to the the earthly realm as Twig's story unfolds and his memories gradually return to explain what happened to him in life. The ending see the friendship he formed with Flea when searching for his Da regained but whether in life or in death is an enigma.
An intriguing and original story line that takes some time to adjust to, Fraillon's underlying concern with homelessness, abandoned children, surviving on the streets and the power of the underworld to control and manipulate the downtrodden, is present throughout but it is a simmering presence rather than a central focus Twig's tragic and treacherous life unfolds. Fraillon presents interesting mix of confronting realism for exploited children in the contemporary world and fantasy elements in regard to the life after death. Initially hard to engage with, I found the alternate settings a little disruptive so that I couldn't become fully invested in the plight of Twig and his mate Flea.
Shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers award.
An intriguing and original story line that takes some time to adjust to, Fraillon's underlying concern with homelessness, abandoned children, surviving on the streets and the power of the underworld to control and manipulate the downtrodden, is present throughout but it is a simmering presence rather than a central focus Twig's tragic and treacherous life unfolds. Fraillon presents interesting mix of confronting realism for exploited children in the contemporary world and fantasy elements in regard to the life after death. Initially hard to engage with, I found the alternate settings a little disruptive so that I couldn't become fully invested in the plight of Twig and his mate Flea.
Shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers award.
June 20, 2020
The Lost Soul Atlas, by Zana Fraillon, is being released on the 14th of July. It follows Twiggy, a boy who wakes in the afterlife with a smattering of memories and a skeletal Raven to guide him as he sets of on a journey to figure out his last moments.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It is very well written and is an emotional and poignant reminder of the hardships of those living on the streets, a testament to why we should do better. The characters were likeable, although a lot of the secondary characters lacked depth. It jumps in time a bit, between the afterlife and memories, which worked for the story but I struggled with at times. I liked the message, but struggled to follow the story at times and got very lost towards the end. Overall a nice story, but I'm not sure I'd read it again. 3 stars.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It is very well written and is an emotional and poignant reminder of the hardships of those living on the streets, a testament to why we should do better. The characters were likeable, although a lot of the secondary characters lacked depth. It jumps in time a bit, between the afterlife and memories, which worked for the story but I struggled with at times. I liked the message, but struggled to follow the story at times and got very lost towards the end. Overall a nice story, but I'm not sure I'd read it again. 3 stars.
June 5, 2020
Wow.. well this one is going to stay with me for awhile.
June 27, 2020
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
April 16, 2021
This book is multi-layered and explores the ideas of the importance of our memories, homelessness, caring for those people who are poorer than us, storytelling, the love of a family, friendship and death. It is also on the short list for the CBCA Short List, Older Readers for 2021. It is a fantasy book that switches from the present to the past as the main character, Twig, moves from life to the afterlife. Maps, riddles, a quest and magic are all a part of the story.
At the start of the story, Twig wakes to find himself in a dark forest staring at a flashing neon sign that says “Welcome to the Afterlife” and he has vague memories of being killed. He lives in a world where the gods have realised the importance of memories to help them feel, see and enjoy life so they have devised a plan to take the memories of anyone who has died for their own use. Twig doesn’t know this and follows the path through the forest, where a skeleton crow, Kruuk, tells Twig that he is Twig’s Guardian and it is his job to make sure that Twig gets safely to the Afterlife and the Forgetting Place. But, when Twig hears a song floating through the trees and he remembers that his Da sang it to him, he chases it to the Gatherer who is singing it in a tunnel. There, she shows him the Lost Soul Atlas and the bones in the bundle tied at her waist. She explains that the bones have to be taken to six individual places in the Afterlife world and he will have to open a Crossing with one bone, until all six have been used.
The Crossings are all marked in the Atlas and each one will let him go back into the world of the living, where he has to find the right person to give the bone to. Each Crossing is guarded by a Sentry who has a riddle for Twig to work out, before he can go through. If he fails the riddle test, he will be eaten by the Sentry. Kruuk helps him in this quest and together they travel through the six different Crossings to open them all so that everyone in the Afterlife will have their memories back. If Twig fails, he will fade and go to the Unbecoming, where he becomes a part of nature and literally dies. Twig is very determined to achieve his quest.
When he goes through the first Crossing, he meets Flea who then takes him to the Boneyard where he and other families, kids and teenagers live. He has seen Flea before, when his father used to take him to town. Twig’s mother is dead and his Da goes missing, after he is attacked by the Hoblin’s gang, which is controlled by a woman who aims to keep the streets safe and free of robbers, killers, homeless people and anyone who threatens the city. Flea and his friends fit into this group, but they manage to get money and things to sell, in order to survive, without the Hoblin catching them. This sounds very bleak but there is hope in this part of the story and innocent fun that Twig, Flea and their friends have together. When Twig has opened the first Crossing, he is pulled back into the Afterlife and has to find the second Crossing to go back into his life. Each time he does this, he becomes weaker and the story of his life before he died progresses, until we find out the full story of his life.
Then, the two parts of the story converge at the end of the book with a few twists in the story. Twig opens all of the Crossings and is able to remember his friendship with Flea. The Hoblin is killed and her gang put in jail. The story ends with the strong friendship with Twig and Flea and Twig being able to remember everything about his life. It is a very hopeful ending. I enjoyed it and I think that it would appeal to students from grade 7 upwards and even mature grade 6 students.
At the start of the story, Twig wakes to find himself in a dark forest staring at a flashing neon sign that says “Welcome to the Afterlife” and he has vague memories of being killed. He lives in a world where the gods have realised the importance of memories to help them feel, see and enjoy life so they have devised a plan to take the memories of anyone who has died for their own use. Twig doesn’t know this and follows the path through the forest, where a skeleton crow, Kruuk, tells Twig that he is Twig’s Guardian and it is his job to make sure that Twig gets safely to the Afterlife and the Forgetting Place. But, when Twig hears a song floating through the trees and he remembers that his Da sang it to him, he chases it to the Gatherer who is singing it in a tunnel. There, she shows him the Lost Soul Atlas and the bones in the bundle tied at her waist. She explains that the bones have to be taken to six individual places in the Afterlife world and he will have to open a Crossing with one bone, until all six have been used.
The Crossings are all marked in the Atlas and each one will let him go back into the world of the living, where he has to find the right person to give the bone to. Each Crossing is guarded by a Sentry who has a riddle for Twig to work out, before he can go through. If he fails the riddle test, he will be eaten by the Sentry. Kruuk helps him in this quest and together they travel through the six different Crossings to open them all so that everyone in the Afterlife will have their memories back. If Twig fails, he will fade and go to the Unbecoming, where he becomes a part of nature and literally dies. Twig is very determined to achieve his quest.
When he goes through the first Crossing, he meets Flea who then takes him to the Boneyard where he and other families, kids and teenagers live. He has seen Flea before, when his father used to take him to town. Twig’s mother is dead and his Da goes missing, after he is attacked by the Hoblin’s gang, which is controlled by a woman who aims to keep the streets safe and free of robbers, killers, homeless people and anyone who threatens the city. Flea and his friends fit into this group, but they manage to get money and things to sell, in order to survive, without the Hoblin catching them. This sounds very bleak but there is hope in this part of the story and innocent fun that Twig, Flea and their friends have together. When Twig has opened the first Crossing, he is pulled back into the Afterlife and has to find the second Crossing to go back into his life. Each time he does this, he becomes weaker and the story of his life before he died progresses, until we find out the full story of his life.
Then, the two parts of the story converge at the end of the book with a few twists in the story. Twig opens all of the Crossings and is able to remember his friendship with Flea. The Hoblin is killed and her gang put in jail. The story ends with the strong friendship with Twig and Flea and Twig being able to remember everything about his life. It is a very hopeful ending. I enjoyed it and I think that it would appeal to students from grade 7 upwards and even mature grade 6 students.
July 30, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this in advance of publication.
We know little about Twig, but when he wakes up at the start of the book we're told he is in the Afterlife. He is in a world like nothing he's ever seen before, and his guide through is a raven called Kurrk! who gets more than a little frustrated at Twig's refusal to follow the rules expected of him. With just an atlas and an assortment of other objects, Twig determines to find his way to the other side and to avoid the guardians looking for him.
During his journey we learn a little more about Twig and his life on the streets. We're never entirely sure what happened to his Da, and whether the creature he calls the Hoblin is really his gangland grandmother or a made-up thing. We find out a little about his life on the streets and how - along with petty thief Flea - he is forced to steal to survive.
While Twig's life is not one you would aspire to, he has a bond with those he lives with that is to be envied. Fraillon uses these characters to highlight some of the injustices in the modern world, while the magical elements keep it from being too bleak.
We know little about Twig, but when he wakes up at the start of the book we're told he is in the Afterlife. He is in a world like nothing he's ever seen before, and his guide through is a raven called Kurrk! who gets more than a little frustrated at Twig's refusal to follow the rules expected of him. With just an atlas and an assortment of other objects, Twig determines to find his way to the other side and to avoid the guardians looking for him.
During his journey we learn a little more about Twig and his life on the streets. We're never entirely sure what happened to his Da, and whether the creature he calls the Hoblin is really his gangland grandmother or a made-up thing. We find out a little about his life on the streets and how - along with petty thief Flea - he is forced to steal to survive.
While Twig's life is not one you would aspire to, he has a bond with those he lives with that is to be envied. Fraillon uses these characters to highlight some of the injustices in the modern world, while the magical elements keep it from being too bleak.
February 8, 2025
Just such a beautifully, BEAUTIFULLY written book. I remember reading ‘The Bone Sparrow’ in year 6 when I was 11 or something and being so absolutely moved by the characters and their stories and their relationships and it’s the exact same for this one.
Such a heartbreaking story with such important and daunting themes told so wonderfully, with such empathy and intimacy I did have to clench my jaw to hold back tears toward the end. I mean they’re all just kids man!!
It was a bit on the nose with some of its descriptors for things or parallels between realities BUT it is Young Adult Fiction so, duh, of course it is. Also I thought the plot twist at the end of Flea not dying (was relieving! Yes, so relieving! But also) took away a lot of the intensity of the story. And right at the end, too. But again, it’s marketed towards the youngins, we don’t wanna make them even more depressed and isolated than they already are. Not the reason this isn’t 5 stars btw!! Just not in my 5-star category
This one gets many, many chef kisses - muah!
Such a heartbreaking story with such important and daunting themes told so wonderfully, with such empathy and intimacy I did have to clench my jaw to hold back tears toward the end. I mean they’re all just kids man!!
It was a bit on the nose with some of its descriptors for things or parallels between realities BUT it is Young Adult Fiction so, duh, of course it is. Also I thought the plot twist at the end of Flea not dying (was relieving! Yes, so relieving! But also) took away a lot of the intensity of the story. And right at the end, too. But again, it’s marketed towards the youngins, we don’t wanna make them even more depressed and isolated than they already are. Not the reason this isn’t 5 stars btw!! Just not in my 5-star category
This one gets many, many chef kisses - muah!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2020
Twig idolises his Da who makes everything magical, telling him stories born from a vivid imagination. But Twig thinks he knows best, and although forbidden, when he follows Da on his nightly outings, he sets in motion a train of events even Da could not have imagined.
Twig finds himself in the Afterlife, destined to go on an adventure to open the Crossings to release memories The Gods had wanted for themselves. Armed with an atlas and accompanied by Krruk – a skeleton raven, Twig has to find and enter six Crossings to fulfil his quest.
This is a book of fantasy and modern-day reality for many people. Homelessness and the attitudes of others affect a huge number of people across our world and that of the Afterlife. It’s loyalty and a sense of family that will win the day and Twig has to decide where that lies.
Twig and his blood brother Flea are great characters – although I also loved the librarians!
Twig finds himself in the Afterlife, destined to go on an adventure to open the Crossings to release memories The Gods had wanted for themselves. Armed with an atlas and accompanied by Krruk – a skeleton raven, Twig has to find and enter six Crossings to fulfil his quest.
This is a book of fantasy and modern-day reality for many people. Homelessness and the attitudes of others affect a huge number of people across our world and that of the Afterlife. It’s loyalty and a sense of family that will win the day and Twig has to decide where that lies.
Twig and his blood brother Flea are great characters – although I also loved the librarians!
July 9, 2021
Very imaginative, highlights social issues.
October 14, 2020
I remember seeing another blogger (I’m so sorry, I can’t remember who!) tweet about this book a while ago, and there was something about it that I was drawn to and knew I had to pick it up for myself.
The Lost Soul Atlas follows Twig in his journey in the afterlife. Guided by a raven Krruk, all Twig has to do is follow the path and he will be happy forever without any worries. However, he doesn’t want to forget his life on Earth, they want to remember. Twig wants to remember his Da, and best friend Flea, and the times they had on the streets trying to survive but also having fun. However, the Gods have other plans and what if Twig is better off forgetting his final moments…?
I really loved all of the characters in this novel, especially Twig and Flea. Their friendship was so lovely to see, even if it did cause some heartbreak at times for me! I liked how driven Twig was, both on Earth and in the afterlife, you couldn’t help but root for him and want the best for him. The same can be said for Flea too. Despite the circumstances that Flea has found themselves in, they just try so hard to be cheerful and see the brighter side of things. Which is a quality that is very difficult to come by. Whilst they don’t have a physical presence in the novel, I really liked the way the Gods were portrayed too. The facades they try to maintain of being both happy and in control, when really they’re just desperate.
The way the novel would jump between the present in the afterlife and then back to Twig’s memories of the events leading up to the present was really well done. I felt that you spent enough time in both locations for the pacing to feel right and not drawn out. The way the narrative would shift back from memory to the present just as something was about to be revealed or something big was revealed kept me hooked and eager to keep reading as the novel progressed.
I was caught totally off guard by the final chapters too and gasped several times as I kept getting hit with each twist and revelation. Fraillon does an excellent job of keeping you on your toes right until the final page. Whilst it did seem a lot was thrown at you in a short space of time, the ending makes it all worth it and ties it together nicely.
This novel tells a great story with some wonderful characters that you can’t help but fall in love with within moments of meeting them. I highly recommend this novel to everyone, whilst it is marketed as ‘middle grade’ – adults can also easily enjoy this novel just as much!
The Lost Soul Atlas follows Twig in his journey in the afterlife. Guided by a raven Krruk, all Twig has to do is follow the path and he will be happy forever without any worries. However, he doesn’t want to forget his life on Earth, they want to remember. Twig wants to remember his Da, and best friend Flea, and the times they had on the streets trying to survive but also having fun. However, the Gods have other plans and what if Twig is better off forgetting his final moments…?
I really loved all of the characters in this novel, especially Twig and Flea. Their friendship was so lovely to see, even if it did cause some heartbreak at times for me! I liked how driven Twig was, both on Earth and in the afterlife, you couldn’t help but root for him and want the best for him. The same can be said for Flea too. Despite the circumstances that Flea has found themselves in, they just try so hard to be cheerful and see the brighter side of things. Which is a quality that is very difficult to come by. Whilst they don’t have a physical presence in the novel, I really liked the way the Gods were portrayed too. The facades they try to maintain of being both happy and in control, when really they’re just desperate.
The way the novel would jump between the present in the afterlife and then back to Twig’s memories of the events leading up to the present was really well done. I felt that you spent enough time in both locations for the pacing to feel right and not drawn out. The way the narrative would shift back from memory to the present just as something was about to be revealed or something big was revealed kept me hooked and eager to keep reading as the novel progressed.
I was caught totally off guard by the final chapters too and gasped several times as I kept getting hit with each twist and revelation. Fraillon does an excellent job of keeping you on your toes right until the final page. Whilst it did seem a lot was thrown at you in a short space of time, the ending makes it all worth it and ties it together nicely.
This novel tells a great story with some wonderful characters that you can’t help but fall in love with within moments of meeting them. I highly recommend this novel to everyone, whilst it is marketed as ‘middle grade’ – adults can also easily enjoy this novel just as much!
August 10, 2021
I am conflicted about this story. On the one hand some of the writing is beautiful, so well written and eventually I was pulled into the story but on the other but on the other hand I feel slightly mis-sold on the fantasy aspect of the book and it's based around the Oliver Twist trope which I don't like.
Firstly, the writing. I think Zana Fraillon has a wonderful knack for choosing phrases that will live with you after you've finished the story. "Fight the forgetting." which is a constant throughout the book. "Impossible is what they say when they don't want you to try." "With a map, anything is possible." It's worth reading the book for the beauty of the language.
It took a long time for me to get pulled into the story - too long really - it was page 252 of a 320 page novel. If I hadn't been reading it for review I would probably have given up before then. But I think at the point I was completely pulled in, all the disparate threads are coming together. The characters feel more alive and it also feels more hopeful, and that things are possible. I wanted to know how it was going to end.
I don't like the Oliver Twist trope which is essentially what you have here in the reality based sections of the book. Twig (the Oliver character) causes things to happen and has things happen to them, but it doesn't feel like he has any agency of his own. You could say that that is because of the circumstances he is in - a child on the streets - but Flea (Artful Dodger) is a much more dynamic and engaging character. I felt for most of the book Twig was a passive character who I wasn't that interested in reading about.
I also think if you are buying this for the fantasy aspect of the book, you should be aware that the majority of the story takes place in the real world. Twig is tasked with opening up the Crossings between the Afterlife and our reality, so that when people die they don't forget who they are, as part of this he falls back into his memories of being alive - hence why so much of the book takes place in the real world. This allows the reader to slowly understand what happened to Twig and how he ended up in the Afterlife and combines it with a quest element of opening up the crossings.
As a fantasy reader I was looking forward to seeing more of the dynamics and creatures of the Afterlife, because what we did see was fascinating and unique. As the story is called The Lost Soul Atlas I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that the fantasy elements would play a major part. Instead they are more stepping stones between memories. I think this is one of the reasons I found the first part of the book so disappointing. We'd fall into a memory and be there for several chapters, then return to the Afterlife for one chapter before falling into another memory.
Up to page 252 I would give this book 2 stars, and the last 60 or so pages 4 stars because they brought everything together. So I've given it 3 stars which I think is a fair rating from me.
Overall - it ended up as an okay read from me. Part of me would like to read it again to appreciate how all the story threads fit together, as I said it is cleverly written, but I don't think I could face reading the first 200 pages again.
Firstly, the writing. I think Zana Fraillon has a wonderful knack for choosing phrases that will live with you after you've finished the story. "Fight the forgetting." which is a constant throughout the book. "Impossible is what they say when they don't want you to try." "With a map, anything is possible." It's worth reading the book for the beauty of the language.
It took a long time for me to get pulled into the story - too long really - it was page 252 of a 320 page novel. If I hadn't been reading it for review I would probably have given up before then. But I think at the point I was completely pulled in, all the disparate threads are coming together. The characters feel more alive and it also feels more hopeful, and that things are possible. I wanted to know how it was going to end.
I don't like the Oliver Twist trope which is essentially what you have here in the reality based sections of the book. Twig (the Oliver character) causes things to happen and has things happen to them, but it doesn't feel like he has any agency of his own. You could say that that is because of the circumstances he is in - a child on the streets - but Flea (Artful Dodger) is a much more dynamic and engaging character. I felt for most of the book Twig was a passive character who I wasn't that interested in reading about.
I also think if you are buying this for the fantasy aspect of the book, you should be aware that the majority of the story takes place in the real world. Twig is tasked with opening up the Crossings between the Afterlife and our reality, so that when people die they don't forget who they are, as part of this he falls back into his memories of being alive - hence why so much of the book takes place in the real world. This allows the reader to slowly understand what happened to Twig and how he ended up in the Afterlife and combines it with a quest element of opening up the crossings.
As a fantasy reader I was looking forward to seeing more of the dynamics and creatures of the Afterlife, because what we did see was fascinating and unique. As the story is called The Lost Soul Atlas I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that the fantasy elements would play a major part. Instead they are more stepping stones between memories. I think this is one of the reasons I found the first part of the book so disappointing. We'd fall into a memory and be there for several chapters, then return to the Afterlife for one chapter before falling into another memory.
Up to page 252 I would give this book 2 stars, and the last 60 or so pages 4 stars because they brought everything together. So I've given it 3 stars which I think is a fair rating from me.
Overall - it ended up as an okay read from me. Part of me would like to read it again to appreciate how all the story threads fit together, as I said it is cleverly written, but I don't think I could face reading the first 200 pages again.
July 29, 2020
Thank you to Hachette for providing me with a copy for review.
The Bone Sparrow has been one of my favourite reads of this year so I was very excited to see that the author had a new release in 2020. The Lost Soul Atlas is a completely different genre and takes the reader on a very different journey to the other book. I was unaware that it was middle grade fiction, as it was targeted as YA, so that may have been one reason I struggled to engage with the story.
The idea of the contrasting narratives was a wonderful addition and something unusual for younger readers. The author makes it clear from the outset that the protagonist has passed away but the main idea of the plot is to discover how he got there and why it occurred. The book is part mystery as the reader needs to piece together various clues to gain an understanding of the protagonist’s life and how it unfolded the way it did. While it sounds extremely intriguing, the execution fell short for me. I found myself becoming confused throughout the narrative, trying to work out what was happening and thus becoming disengaged. By the half way point, I felt like the pace was still too slow. I wanted something to happen, to spur on my interest and to keep me reading to discover what happens. This did not eventuate.
The novel appeared to be more plot driven rather than character focused. Despite this, some of the characters were very interesting but I did want to know more about them and their backgrounds. I am unsure whether this would’ve been addressed if I had continued to read on, it is quite possible. Raven was the highlight of the book and I enjoyed reading the short chapters he was included within.
It is very clear that Fraillon is a very talented wordsmith, as she writes beautifully and the reader is able to visualise her writing clearly. She has pursued writing about some challenging issues with other authors may shy away from including the impact of homelessness and abandonment. This is something I wish was present in more books and I applaud Fraillon for dealing with some of these challenging issues in a sensitive way for younger readers.
Overall, unfortunately this book was not for me as I could only manage to read half of the novel but I am certain many others will be in awe of this complex, yet enticing tale!
The Bone Sparrow has been one of my favourite reads of this year so I was very excited to see that the author had a new release in 2020. The Lost Soul Atlas is a completely different genre and takes the reader on a very different journey to the other book. I was unaware that it was middle grade fiction, as it was targeted as YA, so that may have been one reason I struggled to engage with the story.
The idea of the contrasting narratives was a wonderful addition and something unusual for younger readers. The author makes it clear from the outset that the protagonist has passed away but the main idea of the plot is to discover how he got there and why it occurred. The book is part mystery as the reader needs to piece together various clues to gain an understanding of the protagonist’s life and how it unfolded the way it did. While it sounds extremely intriguing, the execution fell short for me. I found myself becoming confused throughout the narrative, trying to work out what was happening and thus becoming disengaged. By the half way point, I felt like the pace was still too slow. I wanted something to happen, to spur on my interest and to keep me reading to discover what happens. This did not eventuate.
The novel appeared to be more plot driven rather than character focused. Despite this, some of the characters were very interesting but I did want to know more about them and their backgrounds. I am unsure whether this would’ve been addressed if I had continued to read on, it is quite possible. Raven was the highlight of the book and I enjoyed reading the short chapters he was included within.
It is very clear that Fraillon is a very talented wordsmith, as she writes beautifully and the reader is able to visualise her writing clearly. She has pursued writing about some challenging issues with other authors may shy away from including the impact of homelessness and abandonment. This is something I wish was present in more books and I applaud Fraillon for dealing with some of these challenging issues in a sensitive way for younger readers.
Overall, unfortunately this book was not for me as I could only manage to read half of the novel but I am certain many others will be in awe of this complex, yet enticing tale!
July 27, 2020
The Lost Soul Atlas is a beautifully crafted novel. Fraillon's prose is lyrical and poetic. She manages to tackle challenging themes with the honesty and seriousness they command without having the reader feel brow-beaten. There are laugh out loud moments of levity and fully rounded characters with whom one can identify and effortlessly empathise. More than anything, this book celebrates loyalty and friendship. As with any great book, the Lost Soul Atlas offers layers of meaning accessible to a broad range of readers. If you are an adult who eschews middle grade or young adult fiction because it is aimed at children then I recommend you begin with Fraillon's work to challenge your view of literature and expand your thinking.
March 16, 2022
This book is exquisitely written with depth and lyrical beauty. The voice is unique and consistent and the world of the story felt full to me. The only reason for my three stars is that, perhaps because of my own tired brain, it took me until about half way through until I really grasped what was going on in the plot. I'm glad I persisted though. It's a story that has stayed with me for weeks after finishing.
May 25, 2020
Magical - really beautiful writing.
Reminded me of Skellig.
We are all made of stardust
Reminded me of Skellig.
We are all made of stardust
July 23, 2020
I have literally just finished The Lost Soul Atlas by Zana Fraillon and have to say that it took my breath away. It’s aimed at older children/teens/YA but it blew me away. It’s a thoughtful tale about a boy named Twig who finds himself dead, meets his soul guardian (Krruk, a rather feisty skeleton raven) and, before he can be guided to the place where he will lose all his memories forever, he leaves the path (FORBIDDEN) to follow the sound of someone singing.
What happens after this is a quest to find his lost memories, his dad and everything else that was important to him in life. Part of the story takes place in the afterlife and part in the world. We find that Twig and his friends were street children living in a large city where they are preyed upon and treated like vermin. What happens to them and why is a tragic tale, not least because, the author tells us in an afterword:
“Although the people and places in this book exist only in our imaginations, the circumstances that Twig and the Beasts find themselves in are all inspired by real events. Lack of housing and social support funding, unemployment rates, failing mental health care systems, natural disasters, conflict and war have led to a global homelessness crisis that affects every country in the world. It is estimated that there are approximately 150 million children currently living on the streets. That means there are more children who are homeless than the entire populations of Australia, the UK, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Greece combined.”
This shocking fact really brought the awful truth home to me...HOW CAN WE LET THIS HAPPEN? Also, when we know this HAS happened, how can we ignore it and continue with our overpriveliged lives as if nothing is wrong? Regardless of your age please read The Lost Soul Atlas, it carries a very important wake up call. Zana Fraillon is a prize winning author and she writes so beautifully, it’s spell binding. I will definitely be reading her previous titles, to be honest I think we all should.
What happens after this is a quest to find his lost memories, his dad and everything else that was important to him in life. Part of the story takes place in the afterlife and part in the world. We find that Twig and his friends were street children living in a large city where they are preyed upon and treated like vermin. What happens to them and why is a tragic tale, not least because, the author tells us in an afterword:
“Although the people and places in this book exist only in our imaginations, the circumstances that Twig and the Beasts find themselves in are all inspired by real events. Lack of housing and social support funding, unemployment rates, failing mental health care systems, natural disasters, conflict and war have led to a global homelessness crisis that affects every country in the world. It is estimated that there are approximately 150 million children currently living on the streets. That means there are more children who are homeless than the entire populations of Australia, the UK, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Greece combined.”
This shocking fact really brought the awful truth home to me...HOW CAN WE LET THIS HAPPEN? Also, when we know this HAS happened, how can we ignore it and continue with our overpriveliged lives as if nothing is wrong? Regardless of your age please read The Lost Soul Atlas, it carries a very important wake up call. Zana Fraillon is a prize winning author and she writes so beautifully, it’s spell binding. I will definitely be reading her previous titles, to be honest I think we all should.
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