Lost Frontier By Martine Carlsson (Book Review)

Last updated on March 7, 2026

Lost frontier by Martine Carlsson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

\”Don\’t blame your fate on me, mate… I started lower than you will ever fall.\”

This book is incredible and I highly recommend it to all horror and dark fantasy fans. Its not just a horror story, or about the life of a set of loggers, or even a forbidden dark romance. Every scene has depth and detail that binds the reader to the story. Carlssons writing impresses time and again the more I read her work. Her research is infallible. Her characters are deliciously human and extraordinary at the same time. The world of Trevalden is a fantasy world like no other and deserves to be explored.

I admit some parts in this book made me uneasy and I\’ve added a trigger warning below. But its dark fantasy, paranormal and horror so most of it was expected. Despite all that, the part that really unsettled me was the last chapter where one of the MCs attacks an old lady because he mistakenly believes she hurt someone dear to him. His reaction was just so natural and scary at the same time and I just couldn\’t see the \’lil Nan\’ getting hurt.

The plot is rather simple considering the depth of the story and the characters that seem to evolve into opposite temperaments. A large group of loggers, with two captains, enters the notorious Ebony Forest, on orders from Lord Pembroke of Embermire to harvest good quality wood. Each person hides their past and pretends to be normal and ready to get the work done. Money is their only motivation at this point. But the forest is sacred ground for the natives, who guard it. The warriors in the closest village appear to be against this unwarranted invasion.

When the loggers stumble upon a site of Ancient ruins and set up camp, they are little aware of the real danger that rests there. Cutting down an ancient oak is all part of the job until one by one the loggers go missing in the treacherous forest. Suddenly, friend becomes foe and money doesn\’t matter anymore. Everyone is thirsty for revenge.

The natives, who got the weight of the blame, through a string of unfortunate misunderstandings, really surprised me with their grit and courage. Halfway through the book, I was thinking this is an excellent representation of how humans are causing the climate change. Those who have lived with nature for centuries, are driven away from their homes in the name of progress. Who are we to blame but ourselves?

The romance is slightly disappointing. Both MCs are true to character and will not give in to eachother. I would have liked to see a friendship develop steadily but probably it\’s not natural to the story.

Dialogues are enchanting, bringing out the impact of the Agroln war, and the reforms carried out by the new King, on each characters life. Carlsson brings the Ebony Forest to life in a rich and striking narrative.

The ending leaves room for more story and I do hope there\’s a part 2 coming soon.

Content warnings: rape, violence, blood, self-injurious behaviour, mental illness, alcoholism, teen abuse.

I received a free ARC in paperback format in exchange for an honest review.

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