Kingdom Lost

A Young Adult Medieval Fantasy (Lost Stones of Argonia, Book 1)

She's young, she's inexperienced, and she has no army. But she must get her kingdom back!

At seventeen, Princess Lyric rides a horse better and faster than do any of her father’s prized knights. She knows how to dance at the palace balls, how to flirt with the guards, and how to cajole the king into giving her almost anything.

But she’s never learned that non-human, intelligent beings—some of them savage—live in her world. She doesn’t know the gem in her necklace is far more than a family heirloom. And she doesn’t realize the visiting prince who has come to court her wants much more than her hand in marriage.

Overnight, her kingdom is torn from her and her only option is to run. Accompanied by a maidservant and a handsome lieutenant in her father’s palace guard, she must learn to fight, to lead, and to trust those who join her—human or not. If she doesn’t, she won’t live long enough to reclaim her throne.

Soaring adventure, mystery, and hints of romance-to-come abound in this captivating opener to Dawn Shipman’s Cascade Award-winning Lost Stones of Argonia series.

©2021 Dawn Shipman (P)2026 Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.

Wow, this book was a fantastic read!

First of all, it just has fantastic worldbuilding! I'm so interested in learning more about the non human races, they all felt unique and distinct!

Lyric was also a great character. Her whole life falls apart, first by losing her home, and then again when she discovers the world is nothing like she believed it to be. I love seeing her come to see her companions as friends, not just servants. I love her determination to see her quest through, despite the oppertunity that arrises to just... let it go and stay safe. I can't wait to see where her story goes next!

I loved the narration! The character voices where so great and really bring them to life. The narrator also used an effect for Lyric's internal thoughts, which I really liked because it made it easy to tell what was just a thought, and what was being spoken aloud.