The Lost Kingdom Cover


I’m really excited to share the cover for my next middle-grade novel, The Lost Kingdom! This novel is significant to me on a personal level, because an earlier draft of it was the first piece of novel-length fiction I’d ever attempted. It was how I first attracted the attention of my agent, Stephen Fraser, even though he ultimately advised I put it aside and write something new, which I did. But he and I both knew there was still something there, and with time and distance, I was able to see what the story needed and wanted to be. After writing Icefall, I decided to come back to it, and The Lost Kingdom now bears little resemblance to that earlier draft except in the most sweeping and general terms. But it feels good to have hopefully done right by it. So, here is the cover:

The Lost Kingdom final cover

As I’ve said here and elsewhere, I think of this book as a Jules Verne-esque Colonial American fantasy. Here is the synopsis from the cover:

At last Billy Bartram has received the invitation he’s waited for all his life: His father has asked Billy to join him on one of his expeditions into the vast American wilderness. Traveling in a massive flying aeroship, Billy and a secret society of philosophers and scientists venture west in search of the lost kingdom of the Welsh prince Madoc, to seek aid in the coming war with the French. But the wilds of colonial America hide a host of secret dangers — from a terrifying bear-wolf that haunts their every move, to a party of French soldiers hot on their trail, to a spy and traitor in their midst.

Billy will face hazards greater than he has ever imagined as, together with his father, he gets caught up in the fight for the biggest prize of all: America.

Award-winning author Matthew J. Kirby brings his signature storytelling prowess and superb craft to this extraordinary story of fathers and sons, the beginnings of a nation, and remarkable wonder-filled adventure.

What do you guys think?

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13 responses to “The Lost Kingdom Cover”

  1. Aaaahhh! Perfect. Really, I love the cover! Seeing it made me want to pick it up again and dive into their world, and seeing as I finished yesterday, that should tell you something, not only about the cover but the book! I’m so excited.

  2. Oh, the missing Welsh! My research is crossing over a bit with yours. 🙂 I was fascinated with that story, even though it didn’t have really anything to do with mine. So glad you’ve taken it up. Can’t wait to see Billy in print.

    Release date?

  3. Thanks, everyone! I’m glad you like the cover. I love it, too. As for release date, it will be this fall, the beginning of September.

  4. Hi Matt! I just finished reading “The Lost Kingdom” and I loved it! I am constantly amazed that someone I used to babysit is writing such fantastic books. I really enjoyed the story and mostly I enjoyed the descriptive phrases you used. It truly brought everything to life. I read “Cave of Wonders” yesterday and I would highly recommend it to my grandchildren. I think they would get a kick out of it…and learn a little something in the process. I am so proud of you Matt and honored to be your Nannie. 😉

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