About This Book
This thrilling fantasy novel continues the journey of 14-year-old Mark and Lily, banished from the dystopian city-state of Agora, where even emotions and people are bartered. Now, in the seemingly perfect land of Giseth, they face new dangers: fearful inhabitants, strange forest creatures, and recurring dreams from a mysterious woman. These dreams compel them to uncover the secret of 'the children of the lost.' The book explores themes of survival, justice, and the resilience of friendship against a backdrop of dark magic and societal critique. It's a suspenseful adventure that will keep middle-grade readers engaged.
Banished from Agora, the ancient city-state where absolutely everything must be bartered, Mark and Lily are happy to find the apparently perfect land of Giseth except that the inhabitants seem fearful, something strange lurks in the surrounding forest, and a mysterious woman keeps appearing in their dreams urging them to find the children of the lost.
Concepts
Fear & BraveryResilience & PerseveranceLoneliness & BelongingJustice & FairnessGood vs. EvilFreedom & IndependenceCuriosity & WonderFriendship & LoyaltyEmpathy & KindnessSelf-Confidence & IdentityAnger & FrustrationBeing DifferentGrowing UpMaking FriendsFantasy & MagicSurvival & WildernessFriendship & SocialMystery
Discussion Prompts
1
How do Mark and Lily show bravery in the face of so many scary things? What would you do?
2
The city of Agora trades everything, even people's thoughts and feelings. Do you think this is fair? Why or why not?
3
What does it mean to be 'lost' in this story, and why do you think the mysterious woman wants Mark and Lily to find these children?
4
How does the friendship between Mark and Lily help them survive and face challenges?
5
What lessons can we learn about society and fairness from the way Agora is run?
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