The Lost King by Elizabeth Creith is the second installment in the Wings of Valenia fantasy series, taking readers deeper into a richly imagined world of magic and political intrigue. Princess Kiar faces mounting challenges as both human invaders and supernatural bog-walkers threaten the stability of her kingdom, Valenia. As danger closes in on her family and realm, Kiar must forge alliances with the mysterious swanfolk while working alongside her destined partner, Tuan, and a trusted old ally to confront the dark magic emerging from the treacherous bog. The story explores themes of leadership, destiny, and the price of power as Kiar's magical abilities continue to develop and her character is tested by increasingly difficult choices. This atmospheric fantasy weaves together elements of political drama, romance, and supernatural mystery.

Author Elizabeth Creith creates such a vivid and enchanting world that I found myself completely lost in the misty realms of Valenia. I was hooked in the emotion of the tale immediately by the careful attention to character development that shines through in Kiar's journey. Watching her go from an uncertain princess to a confident leader makes every triumph and setback deeply personal for the reader, and brilliant narration and dialogue presentation convey these emotions naturally. The way Creith balances political intrigue with magical elements keeps the story grounded while allowing for moments of wonder and supernatural tension. Something that particularly impressed me was how the fate of an entire kingdom feels intimately connected to the personal growth of the characters, especially in scenes involving the mysterious bog-walkers and swanfolk. Creith's talent for building suspense through both political machinations and supernatural threats creates a narrative that's impossible to put down. Overall, The Lost King is a must-read for fantasy lovers who appreciate character-driven stories with rich world-building and complex magical systems, and I would certainly recommend it.

The Lost King: Wings of Valenia Book Two by Elizabeth Creith follows Kiar as she tries to find her way through the current circumstances in her life. Nothing is how it was before and with a rough autumn on the horizon, things don’t seem to be getting any easier. What’s worse is that there have been sightings of bog-like creatures that have begun to emerge and Kiar is the only one they seem to fear. Can she handle all the trials and tribulations that seem to be coming her way? Can she protect her people as well as the swan folk?

The Lost King by Elizabeth Creith is a compelling novel as Kiar tries to protect her nation and that of the swan folk. Kiar is both a brave and vulnerable character, and her growth as a leader is a prominent aspect throughout the story. Her relationships with her family, especially her sister Adana and love interest Tuan, add layers of personal struggles that allow for character growth. I particularly enjoyed seeing her relationship with Tuan develop through the many hardships they faced together. I think Creith did a wonderful job with the characters in this story. The world-building was also well thought out, unique and intricate. The swan folk and their history was something very new to me and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about them. Finally, I enjoyed the fact that despite this being the second book, Creith ensures that readers will be able to follow along without missing any information. You go into this book with all the knowledge you need from the previous book, ensuring that you can enjoy it to the fullest, which I definitely did.