Overview

""Starry sparks rest your shine, light will travel through its times. Love will clear the lost storm, bringing the clear sky back home."" History-making theatre practitioner and Amazon best-selling author, Susan Marshall, celebrates Australian childhood and its uniqueness in this captivatingly epic, metaphysical myth in verse for children. Princess Zyra has inherited arid Australian land by the sea, perpetually lit by moonlight. As its new ruler, hoping to keep the land alive, she transforms it into the mystical cosmos of Sea Castle. As Princess Zyra creates Sea Castle's mystical flora and fauna, she discovers that her beloved native Birri are missing. Working with her sister, Jara the Magician and their magical friends, Princess Zyra must save Sea Castle's environment, find the Birri and defeat the unnatural force that plagues her world. As time closes in, Princess Zyra realises that the success of her mission greatly depends on her ability to discover the deeper mystery of being surrounding her own lost storm. Award-winning Susan Marshall's epic, metaphysical myth in verse, Princess Zyra's Lost Storm: An Australian Childhood Myth, is a lyrical narrative and visual feast, enhanced by her distinctively unique illustrations. It is a tale of childhood heroism, adventure and the quest for being and existing as Australia faces drought. Inspired by classical metaphysical philosophies and theories, the moonlit cosmos of Sea Castle transcends the fierce beauty of Australian land and sea, empowering our hero, Princess Zyra as its original mystic, pioneer and adventurer. A captivating tale fuelled by vivid moments of childhood growth, perception, discovery, desire, dreams and imagination to enthrall generations to come.

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9780645404173

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Reviews

""Princess Zyra is an unforgettable, heroic protagonist, who journeys through a mystical, magical and whimsical world that is loveable. To take this journey, is to immerse oneself in breath-taking poetic verse, awe-inspiring moments and beautiful, full colour illustrations that echo timelessly for the reader with their heartfelt meanings. It is a complete escape into a wondrous, emotionally connective and environmentally conscious, mythical world."" -Maggie Vasalla, Independent Reviewer. ""Susan Marshall is a master at making metaphysical literature relatable to us in our real world. In Princess Zyra's Lost Storm: An Australian Childhood Myth, Susan's wondrous combination of refined poetic verse and beautiful illustrations, work to transcend the reader into an emotionally resonant, mythical and enchanting world that exists far beyond the page. Princess Zyra is a wonderful protagonist, who is easily reachable and inspirational for young children. Her myth is one that will pull at the heart strings and stand the test of time."" Hendrick Jorgensen, Independent Reviewer.

Author Information

Susan L. Marshall is the founder of Story Playscapes, an Australian publishing house. As a novelist, adult's and children's fiction writer, poet, dramatist, essayist, theatre practitioner and illustrator, she is globally renown within the world of contemporary metaphysical literature. Susan's body of work explores the major themes of: spirit, soul, nature, internal landscapes and the human experience, often drawing upon natural settings for inspiration. Her writing is celebrated for its unique metaphysical artistry, featuring vivid mystical and lyrical qualities, as she attunes herself to setting the Romantic spirit alight in a range of genres. Susan's professional publications are available in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe. At Story Playscapes, Susan has cultivated a global readership through her work on projects and platforms, such as the My Story Meadow Project and the Romantic Spirit Alight Readers' Garden. She nurtures readers and writers interested in learning about the art and techniques of writing and its progressive development into a professional publication. The My Story Meadow project has seen the birth and success of many of Susan's professional publications, including: ""Bare Spirit: The Selected Poems of Susan Marshall"" (An Amazon best-seller and popular psychology publication) and ""Wild Soul: Contemporary Classical Winter Poetry"" (an Amazon best-seller and #1 Hot New Release). Susan's groundbreaking Theatre Playscapes style places the wellbeing of the young adult at the centre of theatre. The premiere dramatic literature of the series: ""Fleur of Yesterday"" is a monumental publication that officially introduces the Theatre Playscapes style, its principles and conventions, via Susan's accompanying essay: ""Theatre Playscapes: A New Theatrical Style."" The innovative series continues with the second dramatic literature, the inspirational: ""All the Hope We Carry."" Susan has completed a range of poetry and fiction that are published at Vocal Media in the U.S.A. Most notably, in December 2025, Susan received at Top Story Award by the editorial team at Vocal Media for her Metaphysical Romance: ""Wild Love at Christmas Eve: A Romance."" Susan is an honoured recipient of the prestigious Award for Special Civic Service, presented to her by the Mayor of Richmond, Victoria, for her extensive civic contributions to the city of Richmond and the Richmond City Council. The Award particularly recognises her outstanding efforts in assisting young people through her work on the Richmond Youth Work Project and the Richmond Youth Council. Susan is an honoured recipient of the Arthur Andersen prize for Business Studies, awarded in encouragement of her future business career. Susan has also received a National Volunteer Award 'For Outstanding Voluntary Service As Literacy Assistant' by MVRS (supported by Monash City Council). In 2026, Susan Marshall will step into her new era as author and debut illustrator, on the release of her publication: ""Princess Zyra's Lost Storm: An Australian Childhood Myth."" The moonlit cosmos of Sea Castle transcends the fierce beauty of Australian land and sea, empowering our hero, Princess Zyra as its original mystic, pioneer and adventurer. It is a tale of childhood heroism, adventure and the quest for being and existing as Australia faces drought. In 2026, Susan Marshall is also proud to have her novel: ""Adira and the Dark Horse,"" be the feature title of Story Playscapes' signature, Romantic Spirit Collection: Dawn and Dusk Deluxe edition. The curated publication captures the beauty, existence and journey of the timeless Romantic Spirit through the full, unabridged book and the addition of Susan's metaphysical poems: ""A Mosaic of Dawn's Eve"" and ""Evergold Dream."" The edition is adorned with a premium hardbound cover with dusk cover art; a dust jacket with dawn cover art and premium paper for a luxurious and bespoke addition to any bookshelf.

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