Half Lost

Half Lost concludes Sally Green's trilogy about Nathan Byrn, a young witch caught between black and white witch factions in a brutal war. The story follows Nathan's journey after his father's death as he seeks both revenge and survival while mastering his newly acquired powers. Nathan must navigate shifting alliances and personal relationships within the fractured Alliance of witches, all while pursuing the powerful black witch Ledger. The search for a mystical amulet becomes central to his mission as he races against time to protect those he loves and defeat his enemies. The novel explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between good and evil in a war-torn magical world. The complex moral questions raised by Nathan's dual nature and choices resonate beyond the fantasy genre, creating a layered examination of what it means to belong.

Readers describe this conclusion to the Half Bad trilogy as emotionally intense and darker than previous books. Many found the ending devastating but fitting for the series. Readers appreciated: - The complex portrayal of war's impact on young people - Nathan's character development and internal struggles - The authentic LGBTQ+ romance - Green's unflinching approach to violence and loss Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in the middle sections - Less action than previous books - Too much focus on romance over plot - The ending left some readers feeling betrayed "The ending destroyed me but it made sense for these characters" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much angst and relationship drama, not enough of the magic system" - Amazon review Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (500+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) The book polarized fans, with most 1-star reviews focused on the ending while 5-star reviews praised the emotional depth.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo A group of morally complex magical outcasts navigate dark forces and betrayal in a gritty fantasy world of criminal enterprises.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater Four private school students and a psychic's daughter become entangled in a quest involving ancient magic, curses, and the price of power.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black A sister and brother protect their town from dangerous fae while confronting their own roles in an age-old magical conflict.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown A young warrior infiltrates a ruling class and sparks a rebellion while struggling with the cost of revenge and power.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir Two individuals from opposing sides of a brutal empire discover their fates intertwined as they confront magic, tyranny, and their own identities.

🔮 The author Sally Green worked as an accountant before becoming a writer and didn't begin writing until she was 39 years old. 📚 Half Lost is part of the Half Bad trilogy, which has been translated into more than 50 languages and sold in over 50 countries worldwide. ⚔️ The series draws inspiration from historical witch hunts in Europe, particularly the persecution of individuals accused of witchcraft in 16th and 17th century England. 🌟 The first book in the trilogy, Half Bad, set a Guinness World Record for "Most Translated Book by a Debut Author, Pre-publication," with rights sold in 45 languages before its release. 🎬 The trilogy has been adapted into a Netflix series titled "The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself," which premiered in October 2022.