Gwen Lark

Gwen Lark is the protagonist of Vera Nazarian's Atlantis Grail series, an ordinary teenager who enters a brutal alien qualification contest to save herself and her family from Earth's destruction.

Gwen Lark is the protagonist of Vera Nazarian’s Atlantis Grail series. When an asteroid threatens to wipe out all life on Earth, Gwen enters the brutal Qualification trials run by an advanced alien race descended from the lost civilization of Atlantis. She is one of millions of teenagers competing for a limited number of spots on the ships that will carry survivors to safety.

Gwen is not an obvious hero. She comes from a poor family, she is responsible for her younger siblings, and she lacks the physical prowess of many competitors. What she has is stubbornness, intelligence, and an ability to think her way through problems that brute force cannot solve. Across four novels, she rises from anonymous candidate to a figure at the center of the conflict between Earth and Atlantis. The Atlantis Grail series follows her through every stage of the competition and beyond.

Reading Order

See the complete Atlantis Grail reading order for all books in the series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Gwen Lark?

Gwen Lark is a teenager from a struggling family who enters the Atlantean Qualification trials when an asteroid threatens to destroy Earth. She is not the strongest, fastest, or most talented candidate, but her determination, creativity, and refusal to quit make her a formidable competitor.

How many books feature Gwen Lark?

Gwen is the protagonist of the four main Atlantis Grail novels: Qualify (2014), Compete (2015), Win (2017), and Survive (2020). She also appears in the adult editions and related novellas.

What makes Gwen Lark a compelling character?

Gwen is an underdog in every sense. She lacks the physical abilities and social advantages of many other candidates, and she is responsible for her younger siblings. Her resourcefulness and stubbornness in the face of overwhelming odds drive the series, as she repeatedly finds ways to succeed when everyone expects her to fail.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive commissions for purchases made through links on this site.

Privacy Policy