“In epic fashion worthy of his namesake, Tolkien crafts a remarkable novel of an American boy swept up by love and circumstance and cast into the crucible of the Spanish Civil War. Intense, vivid, and moving.” ―Mark Sullivan, bestselling author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky and All the Glimmering Stars
“Tolkien includes real-life events and people to anchor the story. Through detailed descriptions of place and of Theo’s evolving perspective, Tolkien crystallizes the horrors of war, the toll it takes on those in the middle of it, and the importance of finding a place that feels like home.” ―Booklist
An American boy with impossible dreams is thrust into the cauldron of the Spanish Civil War in this arresting and thrilling historical coming-of-age epic and sequel to The Palace at the End of the Sea.
Critically acclaimed author Simon Tolkien, grandson of literary legend J.R.R. Tolkien, continues the beautifully written historical saga and coming of age story of Theo Sterling he began with The Palace At The End Of The Sea (Lake Union | June 1, 2025) with the second installment in this two-part series, THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS (Lake Union | September 16, 2025).
About this duology, Simon explains: “The kernel of the idea for Theo Sterling’s story came to me a long time ago when I read an article about the Abraham Lincoln Brigade – Americans who volunteered in the last years of the 1930s to fight for the democratically elected Spanish Republic, that was under attack from the Spanish army supported by Hitler and Mussolini. Thousands of them from many different walks of life – university graduates and mill hands, teachers and truck drivers, even a governor’s son – crossed the sea without any previous experience of soldiering and risked their lives to fight for their ideals; many never came back. I was astonished by their courage and sacrifice, and I thought that their story would make a wonderful subject for a novel.”
THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS is a remarkable story of belief and disillusionment, of hope and loss, and what is left of a man when his ideals are stripped away; it’s historical fiction at its best.
Barcelona 1936. Theo helps the Anarchist workers defeat the army that is trying to overthrow the democratically elected government, and he is reunited with his true love, Maria. But all too soon, his joy turns to terror as the Anarchists turn on him, led by a rival for Maria’s affection.
Lucky to escape with his life, Theo returns to England to study at Oxford. But his heart is in Spain, now torn apart by a bloody civil war, and he is quick to abandon his new life when his old schoolmate Esmond offers him the chance to fight the Fascists. He is unprepared for the nightmare of war that crushes his spirit and his hope until, back in Barcelona, Theo is confronted with a final terrible choice that will define his life forever.
As Theo’s tumultuous coming-of-age journey reaches its end, can his dream to change the world―so far from home―still hold true?
With a careful eye for historical detail and masterful storytelling, Tolkien completes the stunning and immersive coming of age story of Theo Sterling with THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS.
To celebrate the release of THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS, we are hosting a virtual book tour starting in September through the beginning of October featuring this outstanding list of book influencers. Follow along for features, reviews, excerpts, and GIVEAWAYS!
Tuesday, September 2 Books and Coffee MX
Wednesday, September 3 Dive Into A Good Book
Thursday, September 4 Love My Books 2020
Friday, September 5 Nissa The Bookworm
Monday, September 8 Cassie’s Book Reviews
Monday, September 8 What Is That Book About
Tuesday, September 9 The Maddie Hatter
Wednesday, September 10 Lexijava
Thursday, September 11 Gwnedalyn Books
Friday, September 12 Book Girl Brown Reviews
Sunday, September 14 Subakka Bookstuff
Monday, September 15 Armed With A Book
Tuesday, September 16 Enjoying Books Again
Wednesday, September 17 Sarah’s Bookish Reviews
Thursday, September 18 Suzy Approved Book Reviews
Friday, September 19 Linda’s Book Obsession
Monday, September 22 Athena Noone Asked You
Tuesday, September 23 Gloriana Wong
Wednesday, September 24 Danish Mustard Reads
Thursday, September 25 WBTB Book Reviews
Friday, September 26 Karen’s Library
Monday, September 29 Rebekah Dolmat
Tuesday, September 30 Kim Reads And Reads
Wednesday, October 1 Books and Biewers
Thursday, October 2 Book Notions
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