{"product_id":"the-room-of-lost-steps-9781662528651","title":"The Room of Lost Steps","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn 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 \u003ci\u003eThe Palace at the End of the Sea\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBarcelona 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLucky 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Theo's tumultuous coming-of-age journey reaches its end, can his dream to change the world--so far from home--still hold true?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTolkien, Simon:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eSimon Tolkien is the author of \u003ci\u003eNo Man's Land\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eOrders from Berlin\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe King of Diamonds\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Inheritance\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eFinal Witness\u003c\/i\u003e. He studied modern history at Trinity College, Oxford, and went on to become a London barrister specializing in criminal defense. Simon is the grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien and is a director of the Tolkien Estate. In 2022 he was named as series consultant to the Amazon TV series \u003ci\u003eThe Rings of Power\u003c\/i\u003e. He lives with his wife, vintage fashion author Tracy Tolkien, and their two children, Nicholas and Anna, in Southern California. For more information, visit www.simontolkien.com.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lake Union Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51603338461458,"sku":"9781662528651","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_7812dee3-fa61-42ef-9501-a56a78e39ca5.jpg?v=1757434924","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-room-of-lost-steps-9781662528651","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}