Fantasy
August 2020
THE LOST QUEEN
by Ana Cristina Melo
The world is at peace. There is no hunger or violence, but there is a price to pay. Make no mistake. Nothing is what it seems. Who would not like to live in a country where there is no violence or hunger? This is how it is in Aghaia, a dystopian society, where the country has been divided into districts that provide everything for the population. Ellena lives in District Seven. She and her family walk two hours, round trip, to the fabric factory, where they work 14 hours a day. Her best friend, Vick, is an Expert who works in the old City Hall building. She is about to get married and can't imagine her life any other way; quite different from Ellena, who dreams of becoming an Admitted, to go to work in the Capital. But if this change would free her grandfather Set, who is sick and would be taken by force by the Guardian of the Assistance in case the Government finds out he can't work anymore, on the other hand, King Petrus manipulates this "gift" in a cruel way. Nobody can return to his District, nor send or receive news from their families. On Vick's wedding day, she and Ellena discover they are among the ten new Admitted. As they cross the walls of the District, they begin a round trip to question the politics of the Capital, to uncover well-guarded secrets and to put their friendship to the test. All this while facing the longings, pains and forbidden love triangle between Ellena, Lukhas and Reed, the heir princes of Aghaia. A political and romantic maze, masterfully sewn by Ana Cristina Melo, that will involve young and adult readers, and make them recognize many metaphors for our real world.
