Starting out my review with a quote from the book:
“Then again, why not here? Why did France and Germany and all those places get to have fairytales but not West Virginia? Wild, West Virginia. Wonderful, West Virginia. Beautiful and dangerous and dark and strange West Virginia. Why didn’t they get to have magic here, where the hills rolled like ocean waves and the morning mist was as thick as the silence of a family keeping secrets.”
I was actually really surprised by this book. Before picking it up, I had read a few reviews, which is not something I normally do. I usually prefer going into a book completely blind, without any expectations or preconceived ideas. But in this case, I’m glad I broke my own rule. The reviews I read were full of praise, and honestly, they were spot on.
The Lost Story is a cute and cozy fantasy, but it also weaves in elements of adventure, heartbreak, deep emotional trauma, and human resilience. Meg Shaffer does an incredible job of creating a world that feels both magical and grounded. It is the kind of story that gives you that warm, nostalgic feeling, but still manages to tug at your heart in unexpected ways.
From the start, I was drawn into the characters’ lives. Their relationships, their pain, their growth...all of it felt real and raw, even with the fantastical setting layered on top. I loved the way the author balanced whimsy and reality, and how she didn’t shy away from exploring darker themes.
That being said, the one thing that kept me from giving this book a full five stars was the amount of dialogue in the first part. Personally, I find it hard to stay focused when I’m reading long stretches of back-and-forth conversation. I understand that dialogue is an important part of character development and world-building, and to be fair, the dialogue in this book was often witty and fun. But after several pages of it, I found my attention drifting. It felt like it slowed the pacing a bit and pulled me out of the story just when I wanted to dive deeper.
Still, that’s a small complaint in the grand scheme of things. Once the story found its rhythm, I was completely hooked. The emotional arcs were powerful, and I found myself genuinely caring about what would happen next.
Overall, The Lost Story was a fantastic read, and I’m really glad I gave it a chance. It’s one of those books that sneaks up on you; quiet at first, but deeply moving by the end. If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming yet emotionally rich fantasy, I would absolutely recommend picking this one up.
Have you read it? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!
-The Scribbler
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