Review of The Legend of the Lost Child

Erin Dydek · Post by **Erin Dydek** » 20 Oct 2022, 15:17

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Legend of the Lost Child" by Annie O'Connell.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Moving back to Emerald Creek, a place of safety for all types of paranormal beings, was supposed to give Jace Northall a chance to find belonging with his wolf pack. His 12-year absence has made him a local legend, and Jace doesn’t appreciate the celebrity status—especially when a series of mysterious attacks reveals his extraordinary powers. While some claim Jace’s presence has brought the sinister forces to the haven, it seems more likely that someone within the community is out to kill the untrained teenage wolf-witch hybrid. When Jace’s actions put his best friends at risk, he must find a way to clear his head and put a stop to the madness before it’s too late. But sometimes, even the most valiant efforts achieve only bitter-sweet results.

Read The Legend of the Lost Child by Annie O’Connell to discover the never-ending trials of a magically gifted teen trying to find his place in the world. You’ll find an exciting adventure in this young adult urban fantasy story for readers who love fast-paced, action-packed novels. Most of all, I loved the author’s vivid descriptions that brought the settings to life throughout the book. I could easily picture the rustic wooden manor that was home to Jace and other new arrivals in Emerald Creek, the artistically crafted Athena fountain in Witches Way, and the cozy tavern that served as a local hangout in Bear Country. The twisted tree in the enchanted forest and the plethora of beasts and other oddities that confronted Jace throughout his journey also created a vivid atmosphere that gives readers a front-row seat to the action. O’Connell did a fantastic job keeping track of an enormous cast of characters, plot details, and action sequences, making this book a riveting read.

Although I enjoyed most of the book, I was confused by a few elements leading into the conclusion sequence. Things became clear by the end, but a few strange events remained explained. Still, I enjoyed the cliffhanger ending, which made me want to read further into the series. The only thing that truly bothered me about the book was the author’s overuse of the verb “shift,” which also described the characters transforming from human to beast. Especially in the battle scenes, it was confusing when Jace or the other characters would “shift” in the traditional sense. I had to keep reminding myself that Jace and the other wolf shifters were not transforming while running or fighting; they were changing direction or altering their courses.

Unfortunately, there were also a few lingering typos throughout the book. While these errors did not detract much from the book’s readability, there were more than ten. Between the confusion I experienced, the overuse of the term “shift” and its variants, and the minor typos, I rate The Legend of the Lost Child three out of four stars.

I’d recommend this book to teens and adults who love paranormal fantasy novels with non-stop action. You won’t have much time to catch your breath between action sequences, but you can rest assured that there is no erotic content and few swear words. Since this is the second book in the series, you may want to start with book one, The Lunar Codex, to fully enjoy the novel.

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The Legend of the Lost Child
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O-Brian · Post by **O-Brian** » 23 Oct 2022, 00:08

The legend of the Seeker, the legend of Tarzan, the legend of Hercules...legends simply strike a chord with me. The legend of the Lost Child, whose title alone made me zealous, is no different. From what is described in this fantastic review, this work is a mystery-filled, action-packed adventure into the world of magic and shape-shifters! I love it! Thanks for the recommendation.

Kendal Low · Post by **Kendal Low** » 23 Oct 2022, 05:56

Wow, this looks like a book that would be right up my alley, typos and all. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the great review!

Katherine Powell-Polkey · Post by **Katherine Powell-Polkey** » 24 Oct 2022, 14:34

Your review has piqued my interest. I love fantasy novels and look forward to reading this. Thank you for mentioning that this is a sequel and for giving the name of the first book!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 21 Dec 2022, 16:19

This seems like an engaging fantasy story with strong supernatural elements and a lot of action. I'll look into this series. Thank you for your great review!