The Lovely and the Lost by P. Morgan

Abstract

Morgan, Page. The Lovely and the Lost. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2014. Print.

This young adult fantasy novel is the second in a trilogy, the first of which is The Beautiful and the Cursed. This story follows three siblings: Grayson, Gabby, and Ingrid Waverly, and their roles in a supernatural world of angels, demons, and gargoyles hidden within the streets of Paris in 1900. In the events of the first novel, sisters Ingrid and Gabby rescued their brother Grayson from kidnap and torture at the hands of the fallen angel Axia. At the same time, they became involved with the Alliance, a secret order that seeks to destroy demons. They also learned about Luc and other Dispossessed, better known as gargoyles, who are duty bound by angels to guard old buildings and the people who live in them. Luc was the gargoyle watching over the Waverly family when they moved to an old abbey in Paris.

Although Grayson has been rescued, the Waverly’s are not safe yet. Ingrid is special. She has both demonic and angelic blood, giving her unique powers. Her blood can be used to command gargoyles and Axia still seeks this ability. Others may also wish to use Ingrid for their own ends, including the Alliance, and the Daicrypta, a group of humans who capture demons and attempt to control them. These events are complicated by the emergence of Dusters, or human children with demon blood.

The Waverly’s have the protection of both the Alliance and the Dispossessed, but they must prepare themselves for dealing with Axia. Ingrid is trying to master her lightning demon powers. She also has growing feelings for the gargoyle Luc - a love forbidden by the angels. Gabby wishes to join the Alliance and learn how to fight, but she is also dealing with a disfigurement she suffered in the first book. Suitors from the Alliance also court both the girls. Grayson tries to process how his torture changed him, and fights with the part of himself that is a hellhound. All of this is made more difficult when the Waverly’s narrow-minded and controlling father comes to town, and by the presence of a new gargoyle in the abbey named Marco, assigned to help Luc protect the siblings.

The Lovely and the Lost is a sequel that stands well on its own, and that will appeal to female demographics. It further explores the story’s mythology involving angels, the Dispossessed, and the Alliance. As in the first book, this mythology is influenced by both the Mortal Instruments book series and the 1990s Gargoyles television show, although it is still original. The story is told in multiple viewpoints, which may deter some readers. It also ends with many open-ended and urgent questions. As in the first book, mythology is well explained in approachable language. Themes explored include repercussions of trauma, beauty, madness, forbidden love, love triangles, and a fantastical twist on angels and demons.

Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars
Reviewer: Colette Leung

Colette Leung is a graduate student at the University of Alberta, working in the fields of Library and Information science and Humanities Computing who loves reading, cats, and tea. Her research interests focus around how digital tools can be used to explore fields such as literature, language, and history in new and innovative ways.