King of Lost Dreams

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About the Book

Eli and his found family must go back in time to uncover his lost past in this “[e]motionally resonant and satisfying” (Kirkus Reviews) sequel to King of Dead Things, a young adult urban fantasy steeped in Afro-Caribbean folklore perfect for fans of Legendborn and Blood at the Root.

Gods and secrets don’t stay buried forever.

The magical underbelly of London is no longer under threat from the malevolent daughter of Death after she was vanquished during an epic nine-night. But in her wake, certain truths have been unearthed that have left Malcolm, Eli, Sunny, and their friends fractured and desperate to lay the past to rest.

For Malcolm—a boy grappling with his inherited death magic—confronting his past means facing heartbreak, realities he isn’t yet ready to acknowledge, and perhaps even first love. On the other hand, Eli, a silver-tongued thief with no memories of his past, is more determined than ever to uncover his lost identity and find out once and for all where he came from, unless his past catches up with him first…

Something is lurking in Eli’s dreams, giving teeth to his nightmares. And when Malcolm finds a mysterious letter in the ruins of a former magical sanctuary full of its own secret histories, he and his friends set out to find a hidden key that may just be the answer to all their problems. If they want a chance against the shadow that’s been hunting Eli, they’ll need to learn the magic of their ancestors and go back to the very beginning: when magic first arrived in London.

About the Author

Photograph by Joseph Berritt

Nevin Holness is from North London. She has a degree in fashion journalism from London College of Fashion and currently works in womenswear. In 2018, she was selected as a finalist in Penguin’s WriteNow mentorship program. She is the author of the King of Dead Things duology.

Series with Books by the Author

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (July 7, 2026)
  • Length: 352 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781665946964
  • Grades: 9 and up
  • Ages: 14 - 99

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Raves and Reviews

JLG Gold Standard Selection 

"Holness’ strong sequel addresses heavy themes, including choices, forgiveness, death, and right vs. wrong, with depth and nuance. The richness of the worldbuilding welcomes returning fans like old friends, building upon the series opener as it infuses the magic and folklore of Caribbean culture into the story. . . Emotionally resonant and satisfying fun." 

Kirkus Reviews

"Many of the relationships in this book are beautifully developed. The dynamics between the core four make up the heart of the narrative as they navigate romance, betrayal, and grief. . . Recommended for readers who enjoy fantasy and coming-of-age stories that include romance, father-son, and sibling dynamics." 

School Library Journal

Awards and Honors

  • Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Nevin Holness

More books in this series: King of Dead Things Duology

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