Favorite Book #2--The Lost Conspiracy

"You have been wronged beyond endurance by powerful foes, Hathin. Pity them for not knowing what that means."  -page 242

Image taken from Amazon.com

On the lush Gullstruck Island, tensions strain between the dominating invaders and the original natives. Most outcast of all the tribes are the Lace, who have never been forgiven for a by-gone crime. But at last the Lace have the chance to re-enter society, for a Lost has been born amongst them.

Lost are rare--people born with the ability to send their senses out free of their bodies. They are vital to life on the island, and serve the role of news-bearer, law enforcement, and spying, making their importence rival to the goverment.

But Airlou is not like other Lost. She is nearing fourteen, and she has never shown any indication of having control over her mind. A fear is developing amongst the Lace that she is not a Lost at all, but disabled. This secret is protected carefully by Airlou's younger sister, Hathin.

Then suddenly, disaster strikes, and all eyes turn to the Lace, famed for their ancient treachery. Hathin is forced to run for her life, dragging her helpless sister with her across the range of volcanoes that simmer in their sleep, as she tries to outwit a ruthless bounty hunter. An unknown enemy seeds lies and fears, giving Hathin nowhere to turn--nowhere but to a forbidden band of avengers known as the Reckoning.

With the perilous Reckoning on her side, and with Airlou showing talent, Hathin might be able to give flesh to the lies her enemy spreads and make their worst nightmares come true. But as Hathin pursues her chosen path, she uncovers a terrible truth, and now not only the fate of her people, but the entire island, rests on her small shoulders. But in saving her people will she destroy herself?

~

This incredible novel was recommended to me by a friend, and while I don't usually start books I know nothing about, I decided to give this one a shot. I admit, one-third of the way through, I almost stopped because of a very sad event that put me in a really bad mood. The first third is certainly the hardest part to get through with the strange, pagan culture, and sense of hopelessness.

But I went on to complete it and am so glad I did. 

British Title and Edition taken from Amazon.com

Do you think there isn't an original book out there in the big, wide world? I beg to differ. Frances Hardinge writes some of the most original, complex novels I have ever discovered. Her main characters, twelve-year old girls, often paired with undesirable companions, face huge challenges undermined by twisted political dealings and deceit. Yet, against enormous odds, they prevail. And you believe it. You don't say, "Yeah, like that will ever happen." You just saw it happen! It feels so real, its incredible. The cultures are in-depth, the settings are explored, everything is so well done it leaves me breathless.

This book is my favorite out of the three Frances Hardinge's novels I've read. Her novel, Fly By Night and its sequel Fly Trap were also brilliant, although I did disagree with a few points in Fly By Night. 

The Lost Conspiracy is a tale of cruel prejudice and unfathomable mercy. Its totally clean in sexual content; as a matter of fact, it barely skims romance. It didn't need to. Mild language occurs rarely. There is some strange cultist beliefs among the people that cause some serious trouble that has to be resolved. The Lost are gifted with strange abilities, but that's the only certain fantastical element. There are other supposed beliefs and supposed gods, but whether its real in the book or not must be speculated. Whatever the case, they think its real. I wouldn't even call this book a fantasy, more like an alternate world.  It is a Young Adult book, because of the serious issues it deals with that younger children could find disturbing. For everyone else out there, go look up this stunning book! It is amazing.