Melanie La'Brooy is an Australian author who has previously written five novels for adults, which were published in Australia and internationally. Her debut children's novel, The Wintrish Girl, won the Aurealis Award for Best Children's Fiction, was shortlisted for the Readings Children's Prize and the DANZ Children's Book Award, and was a CBCA Notable. The Lost History is the sequel to The Wintrish Girl and the second book in the Talismans of Fate series. Melanie has lived in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. She has long been a history nerd who loves exploring cobblestoned old towns and ancient ruins. Some of the most goosebump-inducing historical sites she has visited include the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, Robben Island in South Africa and Petra in Jordan. Melanie's surname is pronounced La-Broy. History buffs will note that it rhymes with the ancient city of Troy.