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Children Of The Lost (The Agora Trilogy #2)

by David Whitley (Goodreads Author)

3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 · rating details · 86 ratings · 33 reviews

Cast out of the city of Agora where they were left at the end of The Midnight Charter, Mark and Lily must now survive in a dense forest. The strange villages, terrifying nightmares, and powerful witches they find there are even more frightening than Agora with all its slums and secrets. In an adventure that expands with every turn of the page, David Whitley delivers a nove

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Published (first published January 18th 2011)

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Jan 02, 2012 Nicola rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library

Reason for Reading: next in the trilogy.

While The Midnight Charter was good I wasn't entirely thrilled with it but the ending left me eagerly anticipating what could possibly happen for our heroes in the next book. So I requested my library purchase "The Children of the Lost" and I'd almost forgotten about it when I received the call that they had the book in for me. It was with eager anticipation that I began to read and found myself immensely drawn into Lily and Mark's new world as they quest...more

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Mar 19, 2011 Phillip rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I knew going into this second volume of David Whitley's Agora Trilogy (having gotten it hot off the press) that I was going to regret coming to the the last page without being able to hop right into volume three. Mr. Whitley did not disappoint. The rich characterizations and compelling action that he created in part one, "The Midnight Charter," continue to intrigue throughout the second volume, and now I have to find the patience to wait genteelly for part three to come into print. (Storming the...more

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Mar 14, 2011 Debbie Holbrook rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I received this book from a good reads contest. It took three times before the company sent the right book. They sent Midnight Charter by the same author twice.

This book is centered on the two main characters Lily and Mark who have been banished from the city, Agora Mark had been imprisoned and Lily was working on bettering Agora, a city full of greed and selfishness, by working at the Almshouse she helped create. With the encouragement of the Director, ruler of Agora, Lily sets off with Mark on...more

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Oct 03, 2010 Caroline rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

I have this theory about trilogies where no matter how good the story is, the second book is always the weakest link: it doesn't give you quite the same thrill as the first one and it doesn't provide the sense of whole and conclusion which comes with the third.
Hence, I never judge a trilogy on the second book as a rule because I feel it would be unfair, especially since the author imagined the story as an ensemble and that there needs to be a middle part. But let me tell you right now that The C...more I have this theory about trilogies where no matter how good the story is, the second book is always the weakest link: it doesn't give you quite the same thrill as the first one and it doesn't provide the sense of whole and conclusion which comes with the third.
Hence, I never judge a trilogy on the second book as a rule because I feel it would be unfair, especially since the author imagined the story as an ensemble and that there needs to be a middle part. But let me tell you right now that The Children of the Lost isn't even close to this. I have loved this book even more than I loved The Midnight Charter and I feel that it has taken the entire story a step further. It is simply brilliant.

To tell you the truth, I was halfway through it when Mockingjay came out and I was so caught up in the story that I prefered finishing The Children of the Lost before starting the third book of The Hunger Games. Yup, you heard me right.

After a talk with the Director of Receipts in Agora, Lily takes the decision to turn her back on her life and her friends to fulfill her destiny as a Judge who will decide the fate of Agora. Unfortunately, she has to take the decision for Mark as well, who has been thrown into prison but has finally met his own father. As the Judges, the Protagonist and the Antagonist, they are sent out of Agora, beyond the wall of their beloved city.
They had always believed that there was nothing beyond those walls. And it feels as such when they spend days, weeks, in a frightening wood without any trace of any other human being. Lily is also outside because the Director told her she wasn't born in Agora, and she hopes to find her parents.

They are brought in a village, in the land of Giseth, where all the resources are shared and everyone is equal. The village is ruled by a Speaker which speaks the will of all villagers and a monk, Father Wolfram, of an Order. Everything looks idyllic and everyone seems genuinely happy, but are they really? What is this order that that exists in Giseth? Is it the perfect society that Lily has always in mind? The village lives also in autarky: complete auto-sufficiency and complete ban to cross the village's border for beyond it's border, in the forest, lies the Nightmare, a powerful magical entity which brings your worst emotions to the surface and make you act on them.

This new society created by David Whitley is honestly mind-blowing, especially when confronted to the one of Agora. You get a sort of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village (you know, the director of The 6th Sense?) vibe in there. It is truly spooky. The fantastic aspect behind the Nightmare is awesome.
The characters, old and new ones alike (even though most of the book follows Lily and Mark in Giseth, you do get glimpses of what happens in Agora as well) are very well developed and all very interesting, with their flaws and internal conflicts.

As I couldn't explain what was The Midnight Charter in the review of the first book, I cannot explain the title of the second one without giving away major spoilers. All will be explained in the book though, with enough of a cliffhanger at the end to make you long for the third book. I really like how the story developed, this is no simple fantasy story, it is clear that there has been deep thinking on the meaning of it all.

As Agora could remind of a pure (hence extremist) form of capitalism/materialism where everything has a value and everything can be traded even human beings and emotions, Giseth reminds of a pure form (again, hence extremist) of communism/socialism where the individual is annihilated to create a stable community where everyone's needs are provided for in an equal way. Very very interesting clash of ideas.
I don't feel there is any World War II reenactement at all over this clash of ideas though, just a very clever story entertwined with political concepts which are today predominant in our societies. Communism/Socialism may be a dirty word today, but some ideas behind the philosophy have stayed, changed name and are used today by governments. I can tell you that this is much better than any class on the subject. I am truly in awe.

I loved this book and I can't wait for the last book of the trilogy, I cannot begin to urge you to discover David Whitley's talent. He may be young, but I feel that he's here to stay! This book is suitable for younger readers (11+) as well as for older readers, boys and girls alike. I am pretty sure that fans of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials might be interested to read this trilogy.(less)

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Sep 16, 2010 Crazyjamie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was a big fan of Whitley's first book, the Midnight Charter, set in a city where anything can be traded, including emotions, memories, and even children. The book showed remarkably potential for a debut fantasy novel, and as such I was looking forward to this book a great deal. Fortunately there is no doubt that the potential shown in the first book has come to fruition in the second.

In Children of the Lost Mark and Liley, the two main characters from the first book, are faced with a land out...more I was a big fan of Whitley's first book, the Midnight Charter, set in a city where anything can be traded, including emotions, memories, and even children. The book showed remarkably potential for a debut fantasy novel, and as such I was looking forward to this book a great deal. Fortunately there is no doubt that the potential shown in the first book has come to fruition in the second.

In Children of the Lost Mark and Liley, the two main characters from the first book, are faced with a land outside of the one that they grew up in. In stark contrast to Agora, the village of Aecer is one in which no trading takes place, and all residents work selflessly towards the good of the village. It is a society that has strong socialist undertones in stark contrast the capitalist nature of Agora, and by comparison it seems to be a perfect and peaceful place.

However, things are obviously never that straightforward in fantasy novels, and this is no exception. The village is plagued by a strange Nightmare that influences people even when they are awake, and Mark and Lily are faced with the realisation that the village that seems so idyllic may in fact be hiding its own share of dark secrets.

Of course the plot is far from restrained to new areas, and all of the major characters from the past book return in the second offering, which regularly switches back to Agora to deal with the characters still within the city boundaries. In fact, the way that the plot spreads to incorporate the new characters and venues is one of its many triumphs. Whitley spent a lot of time padding out background in the first book, which means that in the second the plot twists and developments are integrated seamlessly and at an attractive pace that keeps the pages turning.

In fact, Whitley's new found freedom in writing about a world that he has already introduced results in a novel that is meticulously paced, with set pieces and twists popping regularly to keep the reader gripped and on the edge of their seat. By a third of the way into the book I found that I was hopelessly hung up on the characters and developing plot, with the easy flowing writing style pulling me through a book that become more intriguing with every passing paragraph.

It is easy to get carried away with a single book in a trilogy before the series has been completed, but this book really is work of the highest calibre. The Midnight Charter has just become a series that all fantasy readers, both children and adults, should consider picking up. In only Whitley's second book he has shown remarkable ability as a writer that will leave more experienced authors green with envy. Children of the Lost will leave you waiting impatiently for the finale to the trilogy, and on this form it is going to be worth the wait. (less)

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Nov 20, 2011 Dolores rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was the sequel to "The Midnight Charter" and of course, I'd forgotten a lot of the details of that one, but Whitley did a good job of recapping some of the pertinent details organically in the course of the story. This entry in the series unfolds gradually, but manages to keep the reader engaged because there is such an aura of menace in the air. The reader is just waiting for the other shoe to drop, so it isn't really a surprise when it does--more a relief. From there, Lily and Mark procee...more

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May 08, 2013 Ananya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: almost-good-enough-to-be-a-favourit

Lily and Mark are two teenagers who are lost in the forest and some circumstances find them in a village of Gisethi where all the people are very different from what people were in their village. They expect nothing in return for their help. After staying there for a while, they discover that when the nightmare is around, a nightmare that doesn't leave you even when you wake, even the best can become the worst. So, they stay together and try to stay alive with everybody around impassive and they...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Elvira rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

How does one go about rating the second book of a trilogy without reading the first one? Apparently, it is not such an impossible task, since I have done it twice now.
Alright, I admit I missed some crucial knowledge to understand parts of it, but what I did understand, I enjoyed greatly and this book reads in one sitting (given that you have enough time and are not trying to multitask).

Moreover, it is also an eye-candy. The letters are in just the right size set on just the right yellowish shade...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Tiphanie Neely rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-ve-read-in-2011, checked-out-from-library, fantasy-sci-fi

In a surprising break away from normal, the sequel to The Midnight Charter is actually several times better than the first one. I loved how Whitley never let on what was real in this world and what was not. How much fantasy is true? Are witches and elves and superstition real? Or is it the clouded hive-mind mentality of the villages? We get pure capitalism in the first book, and now we're introduced to pure communism, and I'm not sure if I like it.

The ending is excellent (endings make or break...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Nikki Bywater rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lily had made her decision to leave the city walls of Agora and after making an agreement with the Director of Receipts on the condition that she takes Mark with her. Lily had seen this as a chance for her to escape the dreadful streets of Agora and a chance for her to find out the truth behind the dark secrets that are in their lives and also an opportunity to find her vanished parents.

Lily and Mark now find themselves outside the walls of the city. Lily had grown up to believe that there was...more Lily had made her decision to leave the city walls of Agora and after making an agreement with the Director of Receipts on the condition that she takes Mark with her. Lily had seen this as a chance for her to escape the dreadful streets of Agora and a chance for her to find out the truth behind the dark secrets that are in their lives and also an opportunity to find her vanished parents.

Lily and Mark now find themselves outside the walls of the city. Lily had grown up to believe that there was nothing beyond the city walls and at first finds it difficult to accept where she is. Mark who was not in on the decision to leave Agora is angry with Lily for taking him with her screams and shouts to be let back in Agora. Mark does not believe in the destiny that is foreseen in The Midnight Charter he thinks it is just a plot to get rid of Lily from the city. Eventually Lily and Mark decide to venture away from Agora to look for food, but they hope to find more people.

When Mark and Lily are attacked and Lily is hurt by a beast in the forest, they are rescued by a man called Father Wolfram and a young lad called Owain. They take them back to Father Wolfram’s sanctuary to heal Lily. In a village called Aecer in the land of Giseth. Lily and Mark are surprised when they are asked for nothing in return for the help and food they are given. They are told they are helped because it was the right thing to do. Lily and Mark are introduced to The Speaker of the village who tells them that she is the mother of the village and that she devotes her time to its well-being, heart and soul. She tells Lily that she hopes she will come to love the village as much as she does. Lily does settle into the village and compared to Agora, Aecer is paradise to her. The people are kind and gentle and the adult age is sixteen so Lily and Mark are treated like children. While Lily settles, Mark is restless and he still wants to return to Agora.

When the village sheep begin to act strangely and Mark finds himself sleep walking and causing himself harm. Lily and Mark learn this is what is known as the Nightmare. The Nightmare prays on people’s weaknesses and on their selfish desires. It starts as a bad dream, and then it takes over unlike a normal nightmare it can not be contained in the dreamers head. The nightmare does not end just because the dreamer wakes up. Mark and Lily are told that the Nightmare is stronger in the forest and they perform rituals to keep it out of the village so they are safer if they stay in the village.

But when a mysterious women dressed in green, appears to both Lily and Mark in their dreams, urging them to find The Children of the Lost will Lily and Mark be prepared to leave the village and go back into the forest and face the Nightmare?

Who are The Children of the Lost?

Will this lead Lily to find her parents?

Will Mark find his way back into Agora?(less)

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Mar 22, 2011 Suzanne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

This sounds like it could be quite the interesting adventure!

I won this book in a good reads giveaway. Thank you so much good reads! However, I received the first book in the series instead of the second one, which was ok because it was incredible. Please note my review of the midnight charter, and as soon as I receive this one there will be more on it here.

Thanks again good reads!
__________________________________________________________________________________

I did receive this book now as wel...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, young-adult

I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway! So thank you Goodreads for the opportunity to read a new series! It took awhile to finally receive the right book, but finally got this one about a month ago. It was SO much better than the first in the series. It still took me awhile to read because something more interesting kept coming up, but once I got into it more I kinda wanted to finish :)

It was weird! In a mostly good way. I spent most of the book trying to figure out what is going on...more

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Apr 15, 2011 Stacey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Children of the Lost, book two in David Whitley's The Agora Trilogy, is even better than book one. Mark and Lily have left Agora - Lily willingly, Mark not - unsure of thier friendship, their role, and their mission. They find that there really is life outside of Agora. On the surface it might seem better but it seems the dark plans of those unknown reach far beyond. Just when you think you have it figured out, roles change. Lily starts out as the strong one, the one wanting to find others b...more

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Apr 16, 2011 R. A. Danger rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, fantasy, dystopia

In the book Lily and Mark travel through the forest until Lily gets hurt and taken to a village called Aecer were Lily thinks is a great place, but Mark doesn’t like the place at all. After spending all winter there they find out something called a Nightmare is attacking livestock and people in the form of dreams and making them act differently.
In the book there is the mysterious stranger that saves Lily’s life, but lives in the forest, a speaker that passes what she believes the village shoul...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Rhys rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review was originally posted on ThirstforFiction.com

Outcast from Agora, Mark and Lily must find their own way through the troubled forest that is haunted by the Nightmare. But when they are adopted by an odd village that teaches them to suppress their selfish desires, they realise that it isn't all it's made out to be...

Children of the Lost is in some respects very different from the Midnight Charter. But it is also achingly similar; a beautiful tale that culminates in a fantastic and awe i...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Mrs. ReaderPants rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011, hidden-gems, 5-stars

SOOOOO AMAZING! I was sucked into the story, right from the very first page. I didn't even read the first book in this trilogy (Children of the Lost is the second), so I didn't quite understand some of the political details. Still, OMG--sooooo amazing. Reminds me of the Chaos Walking Trilogy, which I absolutely loved. The third one does not come out until August 2011, and even that looks like it may be a non-U.S. release date. In the meantime, I'll definitely be reading the first one. WOW.

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Jun 20, 2011 Beth Grenfell rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I won this book a while back, but have dragged my feet in writting the review simply because I feel terrible giving a bad review to a book that was given to me. Not to mention that I truly commend and applaud David for having the guts to write a book and go through with the publication process at such a young age. Unfortunately, I think he should have spent a bit more time on it. The book is written for children, when honestly it's a bit too creepy and unentertaining to capture the audience of c...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Lyndsey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: firstreads

This series is highly imaginative and tons of fun. I think if I were younger, I would have been absolutely in love with these books. The characters were adorable and the plot was actually pretty exciting. I don't think I'm exactly the target audience for this series, so maybe that's why I didn't co poetry love it, but I did enjoy it regardless.

It's been a while since I actually read any middle grade fiction and this reminded me of exactly what I've been missing! I'm excited about reading more bo...more

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Apr 18, 2011 April rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

While some of the characters were good, others were very cardboard and I had to force myself to finish as I didn't truly care enough to wonder how it all ends.

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Mar 15, 2011 BCPL Youth Services Librarian added it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Click to see book in BCPL's online catalog

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Jan 28, 2011 Chrissy marked it as to-read · review of another edition

I've been dying to find a new trilogy to read! I know this is the second, but I've grabbed the first and hope to get started ASAP! :)

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Nov 02, 2010 Jekloneo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: food-for-thought

One of the rare second books which do not pale in comparison to the first, a precious commodity in this age, I should think.

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Mar 14, 2011 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, childrens

I won this through goodreads. Luckily, I was given the first book of the series instead of this actual book because I have not yet read the first one. You will find my review for it there.

Update- I just received this book in the mail today! Super excited to be able to read both books of this series!

Finally finished this book. I am really enjoying this series. This booked picked right up unlike the first one and had you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end (and I'm still there!). Can't...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Soybean Soybean rated it 4 of 5 stars

fascinating read! spooky too! i cant wait to read the sequel!

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Jan 21, 2013 Andrew rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Mostly I just found this book boring. I didn't crave reading any of the parts about what was still going on in Agora. The only interesting parts took place in the forest with Lily and Mark. The magic seems to be just a way to move the story forward rather than a creative world of magic as in Harry Potter. Also, there is too much of a reliance on dreams. I realize there is one more book to go, but the ending was disappointing in that it did not reveal as much I had hoped.

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Mar 01, 2011 Mary marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, sci-fi-fantasy-horror, own

I have just won Children of the Lost from First Reads. I look forward to its arrival. Now I will have to hurry and get the first book The Midnight Charter read.

This is very odd. I received The Midnight Charter instead of Children of the Lost.

Update 3/1/11: I just received Children of the Lost.

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Jun 16, 2011 Polly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens-books, fantasy, fiction

Overall, I like this better than the first one, although there are still some annoying things about it. I don't want to smack the main characters nearly as much as I did in the first one, however.

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Jul 25, 2012 Diogo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

The 1st one was interesting but his was amazing! It hooked me from the first chapters until the end. Mistery, deception, thriller and amazing new concepts and places. Absolutely loved the ending (so well crafted). Just can't wait for the last book!

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Jul 23, 2011 Child960801 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Can't wait for the final one. This one raised lots more questions.

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Mar 23, 2011 Renher marked it as to-read · review of another edition

I won this book from First Reads. Good story. Good series. I read both the first book and this one. Waiting for the last book to read. Thank you.

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