ROAD OF THE LOST

A girl discovers her true identity and where she belongs in Azad’s latest fantasy.

Croi is a brownie, a being invisible to humans, who has lived in the Wilde Forest with the Hag, her guardian who is made of stone, memory, and tree—and the only family she’s ever known. Much to the Hag’s displeasure, Croi frequently ventures into the human city, visiting her only friend, a maid who has been turned to stone. When she overhears that the stone maid is to be moved from her current location, Croi begs her friend to consider trying to become invisible too. Upon touching the maid’s hand, Croi succeeds in making her disappear, but Croi’s own veil of invisibility drops, and she’s seen by nearby humans. When Croi reveals to the Hag what happened, she learns that she is not actually a brownie but has been glamoured to appear as one. The Hag gives Croi two books with useful information: A Compendium of the Peoples and the Magicks of the Otherworld and The Talamh Crown. The following day Croi is compelled to leave the forest by a summoning spell, embarking on a dangerous journey to explore the world of the high fae and discover her true origins. Divided into three acts, the lush narrative demonstrates an exceptional balance between being plot- and character-driven and also offers a light dose of romance. The mostly magical cast is colorful in every way.

An intricate and enchanting origin story.