''Gullstruck Island'', (also known as ''The Lost Conspiracy'') was written by
Frances Hardinge
Frances Hardinge (born 1973) is a British children's writer. Her debut novel, '' Fly by Night'', won the 2006 Branford Boase Award and was listed as one of the ''School Library Journal'' Best Books. She has also been shortlisted for and receive ...
and published on 1 June 2009. It was the fourth
fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures.
The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...
book written by Frances Hardinge.
Summary
The Lost are a kind of
oracle
An oracle is a person or thing considered to provide insight, wise counsel or prophetic predictions, most notably including precognition of the future, inspired by deities. If done through occultic means, it is a form of divination.
Descript ...
that can send their minds out across Gullstruck Island in order to do many impossible tasks, such as finding criminals. The Lace are a tribe on Gullstruck Island that have been mistrusted for several centuries after they committed murders against other settlers. In recent years, the Lace have proclaimed that one of their own people, a girl named Arilou, is a Lost, and have managed to obtain some recognition and respect for themselves. With the help of her younger sister/assistant Hathin, Arilou is trained to take part in a special test that will examine her abilities.
The issue with Arilou is that she may not be a Lost at all, but rather an imbecile. Hathin is forced to keep up the lie for her people's sake, especially since the test could well oust Arilou as an imposter and endanger the Lace's future.
External links
Review in the GuardianReview in the Sunday Times
2009 British novels
2009 fantasy novels
2000s adventure novels
2009 children's books
British fantasy novels
English fantasy novels
British adventure novels
English adventure novels
British children's novels
Fantasy adventure novels
Children's fantasy novels
Novels set on islands
Children's books set on islands
Macmillan Publishers books
{{2000s-child-fantasy-novel-stub