I read this beautiful book when I was in eighth grade. Legend of Lost Earth is a combination of science fiction, negative utopia, and Norse mythology in which a society known as the Earth Worshipers strives to escape from Niflhel, the eerie, futuristic, dungeon-like world in which its members must live. Although a wondrous adventure in itself, the book had another curious aspect. I began reading Islandia, Austin T. Wright's celebrated epic, shortly after I finished Legend of Lost Earth, and in my imagination, John Lang bore a striking resemblance to Giles, Hope Campbell's protagonist. Legend of Lost Earth is an inspiring tale that I continue to remember well.