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Keeper of the Lost Cities #5
Lodestar
Sophie Foster is back in the Lost Cities—but the Lost Cities have changed.
The threat of war hangs heavy over her glittering world, and the Neverseen are wreaking havoc.
The lines between friend and enemy have blurred, and Sophie is unsure whom to trust. But when she’s warned that the people she loves most will be the next victims, she knows she has to act.
A mysterious symbol could be the key—if only she knew how to translate it. Every new clue seems to lead deeper into her world’s underbelly and the Black Swan aren’t the only ones who have plans. The Neverseen have their own Initiative, and if Sophie doesn’t stop it, they might finally have the ultimate means to control her.
The threat of war hangs heavy over her glittering world, and the Neverseen are wreaking havoc.
The lines between friend and enemy have blurred, and Sophie is unsure whom to trust. But when she’s warned that the people she loves most will be the next victims, she knows she has to act.
A mysterious symbol could be the key—if only she knew how to translate it. Every new clue seems to lead deeper into her world’s underbelly and the Black Swan aren’t the only ones who have plans. The Neverseen have their own Initiative, and if Sophie doesn’t stop it, they might finally have the ultimate means to control her.
704 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2016
3292 people are currently reading
15531 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Messenger
37 books19.9k followersHi! I'm the NYT and USA today bestselling author of the KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES series and the SKY FALL series! And yes, I DO accept friend requests here--BUT! Please note: I *never* check my private messages here, so if you send me one, you won't get a reply. My real contact information is on my website: shannonmessenger.com
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October 27, 2016WOO HOO--the book is DONE. I can't WAIT for you guys to read--I hope you love it as much as I do.
Coming 11/1/16!
Coming 11/1/16!
April 12, 2021
I’m just going to keep rating these 5 stars because by the end I am a jaw-dropping, blubbering, confused mess and if that’s not a sign of a 5 star book, I don’t know what is.
June 2, 2022
To zakończenie... niby się spodziewałam, a i tak zabolało
July 7, 2018
Looove it!
Q:
A school isn’t a school until Sophie tries to destroy it. (c)
Q:
Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. (c)
Q:
Actions never tell the whole story. Good can be done for the wrong reason. And bad can be misunderstood. (c)
Q:
It's all a rather dark shade of gray. But that's a color all of us are familiar with, aren't we? (c)
Q:
She wasn't the same girl she'd been the year before, who though failing out of Foxfire would be the end of the world. Now she'd been kidnapped, presumed dead, banished from the Lost Cities, and helped stop a plague from killing off the entire gnomish species. She'd even snuck into the ogres' capital and helped destroy half the city--which happened to be why the Council was struggling to negotiated a new elvin-ogre treaty. (c)
Q:
... remember, change can be a powerful, inspiring thing when we keep an open mind. (c)
Q:
In fact, I seem to remember you telling me that the villains are never all bad.”
“I didn’t say that because I wanted you to join them! (c)
Q:
“I promise, I’m still me. And I can do this.” (c)
Q:
You know this is about more than broken mirrors. (c)
Q:
It’s all a rather dark shade of gray,... But that’s a color all of us are familiar with, aren’t we? ... After all, I helped form an illegal organization. (c)
Q:
The window slumber parties they’d held so they wouldn’t have to face the tougher nights alone. (c)
Q:
Questionable actions can be forgiven when they’re done with good intentions. (c)
Q:
Worry can bring power... Better to embrace it than ignore it. (c)
Q:
How does Fitz not pee his pants every time you do this—or wait, DOES HE?
Don’t be gross.
I’m not. I’m keeping it real. (c)
Q:
Hey, it was my turn to blow up the school. You’ve been hogging all the fun.
This isn’t a joke, Keefe.
It can be if we make it one. We just have to commit! (c)
Q:
There you go, ruining all the fun with your logic.
I guess that’s my job. (c)
Q:
... it is kinda nice having someone look out for me. (c)
Q:
... I’m trying to figure out if it’s possible to strangle you with my thoughts! (c)
Q:
... sooner or later you’re going to have to solve the triangle. Or should we get real and call it a square? (c)
Q:
There you go being all practical and wise.
Hey, one of us has to be. (c)
Q:
It takes a special person to see darkness inside of someone and not condemn them. (c)
Q:
now I try to be the person Bronte thinks I am. (c)
Q:
… your first instinct is to say no to everything. You realize that ninety percent of the time, you give me a big speech on all the reasons why an idea is too dangerous, and then a few weeks later we end up doing it anyway? (c)
Q:
… the Left Hemisphere for those who favored logic and reason, the Right Hemisphere for those who were impulsive and creative, and the Ambi Hemisphere for those who used elements of both approaches. (c)
Q:
… there are degrees of rightness (c)
Q:
I hear all the other T. rexes love them, Sophie transmitted, adding images of happy dinosaurs gobbling them up. (c)
Q:
… they also had each other. And that was something special. (c)
Q:
DEX’S HOUSE WAS even more beautiful on the inside. Everything looked blue and gray and shimmery, with swirls of white like waves in the ocean. (c)
Q:
I had a lot to consider in that moment—but I can’t believe that I would overlook a glowing mark projected across the floor. (c)
Q:
People rarely notice things they don’t expect to see... They’re too distracted by their own perception of reality. (c)
Q:
We can debate theories all day… But it won’t bring us any closer to the truth. (c)
Q:
And teleporting created quite the spectacle, between the whole jumping-off-the-cliff thing, and the booming thunder as they slipped in and out of the void. (c)
Q:
… I don’t even know your name.”
“Well, there’s an easy way to fix that, isn’t there?” (c)
Q:
“You’re going to think I’m crazy.”...
“I usually do. But I also think you’re brilliant—and have solved way more problems than anyone else has. (c)
Q:
“I think the proper term is great-great-grandniece. But she always told me the greats meant I was the best.” (c)
Q:
Next time I fake-join an evil organization, remind me to choose one that hasn’t angered the gnomes, okay? (c)
Q:
And then he said he’s counting on me to live up to my potential.
Potential for what? He didn’t say. ...
He said it’s good to see that I care so strongly about his vision—and of course he didn’t say what his vision is. (c)
Q:
I suspect you could bring down a mountain if you sat in solitude long enough. (c)
Q:
And there she was: the poster child for the New Darkness. (c)
Q:
It’s a moonlark,... “Though now I’m kinda wishing they’d called it Project Boobrie. (c)
Q:
It has less to do with actuality and more to do with potential. (c)
Q:
So you’re asking me to send my wife and daughter into fraught treaty negotiations?” ...
Actually, I’m asking Sophie and Edaline if they’d be willing to participate in a world-changing event... (c)
Q:
… it says Gwynaura.
Another star.
Right again, you little star-memorizing show-off. (c)
Q:
“Wow,” ... “I’ve never seen people fight because they all want to do the crazy, dangerous thing.” (с)
Q:
BAD PEOPLE? Silveny asked.
The worst, Sophie transmitted.
Silveny’s thoughts darkened. BITE THEM?
Maybe once we get back. (c)
Q:
You both push each other to believe in yourselves. Don’t go easy on him now because you’re afraid he’s too fragile. The more you let him prove himself, the more he’ll realize he’s still worthy. (c)
Q:
...Draft the treaty”….
“Looks like we’re in for a late night.”
“Not if you write fast,” (c)
Q:
“We have a new start. A new lead. A new weapon in this fight.”
Also a new world. (c)
Q:
I can be happy with that. Please be happy with me. (c)
Q:
Time is a funny thing. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. But then it passes to someone else. (c)
Q:
Change was definitely a theme in the elvin world. (c)
Q:
The star only rises at Nightfall... (c)
Q:
A school isn’t a school until Sophie tries to destroy it. (c)
Q:
Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. (c)
Q:
Actions never tell the whole story. Good can be done for the wrong reason. And bad can be misunderstood. (c)
Q:
It's all a rather dark shade of gray. But that's a color all of us are familiar with, aren't we? (c)
Q:
She wasn't the same girl she'd been the year before, who though failing out of Foxfire would be the end of the world. Now she'd been kidnapped, presumed dead, banished from the Lost Cities, and helped stop a plague from killing off the entire gnomish species. She'd even snuck into the ogres' capital and helped destroy half the city--which happened to be why the Council was struggling to negotiated a new elvin-ogre treaty. (c)
Q:
... remember, change can be a powerful, inspiring thing when we keep an open mind. (c)
Q:
In fact, I seem to remember you telling me that the villains are never all bad.”
“I didn’t say that because I wanted you to join them! (c)
Q:
“I promise, I’m still me. And I can do this.” (c)
Q:
You know this is about more than broken mirrors. (c)
Q:
It’s all a rather dark shade of gray,... But that’s a color all of us are familiar with, aren’t we? ... After all, I helped form an illegal organization. (c)
Q:
The window slumber parties they’d held so they wouldn’t have to face the tougher nights alone. (c)
Q:
Questionable actions can be forgiven when they’re done with good intentions. (c)
Q:
Worry can bring power... Better to embrace it than ignore it. (c)
Q:
How does Fitz not pee his pants every time you do this—or wait, DOES HE?
Don’t be gross.
I’m not. I’m keeping it real. (c)
Q:
Hey, it was my turn to blow up the school. You’ve been hogging all the fun.
This isn’t a joke, Keefe.
It can be if we make it one. We just have to commit! (c)
Q:
There you go, ruining all the fun with your logic.
I guess that’s my job. (c)
Q:
... it is kinda nice having someone look out for me. (c)
Q:
... I’m trying to figure out if it’s possible to strangle you with my thoughts! (c)
Q:
... sooner or later you’re going to have to solve the triangle. Or should we get real and call it a square? (c)
Q:
There you go being all practical and wise.
Hey, one of us has to be. (c)
Q:
It takes a special person to see darkness inside of someone and not condemn them. (c)
Q:
now I try to be the person Bronte thinks I am. (c)
Q:
… your first instinct is to say no to everything. You realize that ninety percent of the time, you give me a big speech on all the reasons why an idea is too dangerous, and then a few weeks later we end up doing it anyway? (c)
Q:
… the Left Hemisphere for those who favored logic and reason, the Right Hemisphere for those who were impulsive and creative, and the Ambi Hemisphere for those who used elements of both approaches. (c)
Q:
… there are degrees of rightness (c)
Q:
I hear all the other T. rexes love them, Sophie transmitted, adding images of happy dinosaurs gobbling them up. (c)
Q:
… they also had each other. And that was something special. (c)
Q:
DEX’S HOUSE WAS even more beautiful on the inside. Everything looked blue and gray and shimmery, with swirls of white like waves in the ocean. (c)
Q:
I had a lot to consider in that moment—but I can’t believe that I would overlook a glowing mark projected across the floor. (c)
Q:
People rarely notice things they don’t expect to see... They’re too distracted by their own perception of reality. (c)
Q:
We can debate theories all day… But it won’t bring us any closer to the truth. (c)
Q:
And teleporting created quite the spectacle, between the whole jumping-off-the-cliff thing, and the booming thunder as they slipped in and out of the void. (c)
Q:
… I don’t even know your name.”
“Well, there’s an easy way to fix that, isn’t there?” (c)
Q:
“You’re going to think I’m crazy.”...
“I usually do. But I also think you’re brilliant—and have solved way more problems than anyone else has. (c)
Q:
“I think the proper term is great-great-grandniece. But she always told me the greats meant I was the best.” (c)
Q:
Next time I fake-join an evil organization, remind me to choose one that hasn’t angered the gnomes, okay? (c)
Q:
And then he said he’s counting on me to live up to my potential.
Potential for what? He didn’t say. ...
He said it’s good to see that I care so strongly about his vision—and of course he didn’t say what his vision is. (c)
Q:
I suspect you could bring down a mountain if you sat in solitude long enough. (c)
Q:
And there she was: the poster child for the New Darkness. (c)
Q:
It’s a moonlark,... “Though now I’m kinda wishing they’d called it Project Boobrie. (c)
Q:
It has less to do with actuality and more to do with potential. (c)
Q:
So you’re asking me to send my wife and daughter into fraught treaty negotiations?” ...
Actually, I’m asking Sophie and Edaline if they’d be willing to participate in a world-changing event... (c)
Q:
… it says Gwynaura.
Another star.
Right again, you little star-memorizing show-off. (c)
Q:
“Wow,” ... “I’ve never seen people fight because they all want to do the crazy, dangerous thing.” (с)
Q:
BAD PEOPLE? Silveny asked.
The worst, Sophie transmitted.
Silveny’s thoughts darkened. BITE THEM?
Maybe once we get back. (c)
Q:
You both push each other to believe in yourselves. Don’t go easy on him now because you’re afraid he’s too fragile. The more you let him prove himself, the more he’ll realize he’s still worthy. (c)
Q:
...Draft the treaty”….
“Looks like we’re in for a late night.”
“Not if you write fast,” (c)
Q:
“We have a new start. A new lead. A new weapon in this fight.”
Also a new world. (c)
Q:
I can be happy with that. Please be happy with me. (c)
Q:
Time is a funny thing. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. But then it passes to someone else. (c)
Q:
Change was definitely a theme in the elvin world. (c)
Q:
The star only rises at Nightfall... (c)
February 18, 2019
11/12/15:
I need this book so badly. The cliffhanger from Neverseen is driving me crazy. I need Keefe and I need to know about Prentice.
So, Shannon, I'll just be waiting patiently for you to crush my soul again, even though I'm still not recovered from Nerverseen.
EDIT: 3/2/16
OMG WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL COVER AND IM DYING THIS NEEDS TO COME OUT NOW!
I need this book so badly. The cliffhanger from Neverseen is driving me crazy. I need Keefe and I need to know about Prentice.
So, Shannon, I'll just be waiting patiently for you to crush my soul again, even though I'm still not recovered from Nerverseen.
EDIT: 3/2/16
OMG WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL COVER AND IM DYING THIS NEEDS TO COME OUT NOW!
September 30, 2020
3.9/5 | In which everyone knows wassup between Sophie and Keefe except Sophie (and Fitz, poor boy).
It’s hard to believe that this is only the fifth instalment out of, what, ten planned books? That’s only halfway through (behold my mathematic genius) and already so much has happened! And that’s only all we know of; Shannon Messenger stated she’d put out Keeper books for as long as she could. Part of me is worried that the quality might deteriorate if the series goes on too long but another part of me never wants this to end!
P L O T
Okay, so I had a little more trouble getting into this one than the last three. Lodestar’s plot lacked a definitive structure in which the characters had a plan worked out to achieve this one major objective. In this case, the characters didn’t have a plan—and of course they didn’t after what happened in Neverseen because how does one construct a masterful scheme after such first-class mind-fuckery?
In that respect, it was totally realistic. It was a string of events that kind of just occurred suddenly for no particular reason. It was sporadic which conveyed the characters’ impulsive and frenzied actions. On the downside, it did make the story less memorable. In fact, the only reason I’m not giving this book 5 stars is for that reason; I honestly can’t remember maybe a third of what took place after just having read it.
Regardless, it integrated so many sociopolitical views, exploring various prejudices and adding a whole new level of complexity by addressing the flaws of an otherwise seemingly idealistic world. Remember how I had a moan about the elves’ superiority complex back in my Keeper of the Lost Cities review? Yeah, can’t do that here.
Also: how the SEVEN HELLS is Shannon Messenger so consistent with her excruciating cliffhangers? Every single book ends with such a bang that, from the moment I close the book, I’m antsy for the next one. Eventually, I am going to catch up with everyone else and have to... ugh shudders Wait for the next book to be released.
C H A R A C T E R S
Sophie Foster would be the ultimate Disney princess. I’m dead serious. She is such a sweetheart. She’s so kind to everyone, always tries to see the best in people, believes what she alone chooses to believe in no matter what anyone else thinks. Throughout, I was urging other characters to give her a hug (seeing as I, personally, am not a hugger) and felt so satisfied when Keefe, especially, delivered on that front. I seriously adore her. And them. Both of them.
Ah, but here is the catch. The List of Things Sophie Gets That No One Else Does Because She’s Special is piling up againnnn:
Sophie sets the record for fastest splotcher burst, Sophie is the only one to trigger earthquakes, Sophie “has a unique role in many of the Elvin world’s most recent challenges”, Sophie’s presence was specifically requested at this summit thingie where only the one leader from each nation may attend, Sophie gets a private audience with Queen Hylda, Sophie gets another special ability (for real this time; not like the last few times where I joked about her having 4475892918274592 powers).
But I almost don’t even care.
Almost.
Keefe. I missed Keefe. I love Keefe. I don’t know what else to say. Keefe’s just the best, guys. Did I mention that other peoples’ ravings about him is what gave me the final push to dedicate to this series? Because it was. And it totally delivered.
Sadly enough, Fitz is even more boring than before. How is that possible? What is there to him, really? He’s a gorgeous talent with a temper. In a vague sense, I like him, but it’s been five books and by now I really should be able to say more than that about him.
Biana is... pretty adorable. She’s girly but not strictly prissy, as shown by her handy dandy tackle tactic. She’s actually kind of a little devil girl and she’s finally sparked my interest.
Tam is described as being very similar to Keefe so I automatically really like him. In my status update, I claimed I was joking about this but, the sad truth is, I was 100% for real. I have no shame. But, for real, I like Tam for reasons other than this as well. I really enjoy his general demeanour; there’s something about his presence alone that draws my complete and utter attention. His general look, his moodiness, how he hates the world but loves his sister to pieces and can’t fathom the idea of girls flirting with him. He makes for good comedy with his sarcasm, negativity and his adorable awkwardness.
I wish I could say I liked said sister as much. Linh is noticeably more brief than Tam and I want to see so much more of her! From what I’ve got so far, I feel like I would really like her. She’s on the breathtaking cover of the next book, though, so here’s to hoping!
I feel like majority of the adults are starting to become interchangeable which is kind of sad. They can be divided into three groups:
1. Those that support Sophie,
2. Those that don’t
3. And Grady.
I was annoyed at Grady for being so hard on Keefe until I realised that it's because he sees the spark between Keefe and Sophie and he hates it. Not even with Fitz does he get so worked up because, case and point, Grady knows what’s up. He doesn’t bother to go all overprotective dad on Fitz’s ass—only on Keefe’s.
Look at me, getting ahead of myself with the shipping.
R E L A T I O N S H I P S
“She threw her arms around his shoulders, hugging him as tight as she could. Maybe if she never let go, she could hold the broken pieces together.”
Tam knows wassup, Mr. Forkle knows wassup, Grady knows wassup, Sandor knows wassup. And they’re only the ones that I have physical evidence of.
1. Tam: on more than one occasion teases and or matter-of-factly addresses their obvious unique connection.
“Sophie rubbed the knot under her ribs. “I know you don’t trust Keefe—“
“And I know you do,” Tam interrupted. “I get that you two are really, really close—“
“They’re not that close,” Fitz mumbled.
“Uh... sure...,” Tam said.”
2. Mr. Forkle: basically leaves Sophie’s heart in Keefe’s hands.
“Haven’t you realised that yet? That’s why you and Mr. Sencen work so well together. You both push each other to believe in yourselves.”
3. Grady: directs the brunt of his animosity towards Keefe because he thinks he’s the dude who has a serious chance of getting together with his daughter.
Any sentence with the phrase “That Boy” in it.
4. Sandor: being serious but a sly thing with his probing Sophie to come clean.
“Sophie giggled. “Man, I wish Keefe had been here to hear you say that.”
“Interesting that he was the first boy you thought of.”
4.5. Grady AND Sandor: conspiratorially glancing at one another about how oblivious lil’ Sophie is.
“In case you haven’t noticed, he teases everyone. It doesn’t mean anything. Especially with me.”
“You really believe that, don’t you?” Grady asked, glancing at Sandor when she nodded.
“If you guys look at each other like that again I’m going to punch you,” Sophie warned.”
What can I say about Sokeefe that I haven’t said already? Not mu—actually, SO MUCH. But it requires discussing specifics which I obviously can’t do in a non-spoiler review, so... I think I’ll just leave it at their time apart in this book, while painful for my heart, has made their bond so much stronger. And also that I haven’t shipped anything this hard since friggin’ Percabeth.
Also, THIS: “I’m always serious, Foster. Especially when you think I’m teasing.”
Honestly, how oblivious can one be?
“So.
Much.
Rage.
She wanted to bathe in it, drown in it, let the anger take control until she’d punished anyone and everyone who’d ever hurt her. But she’d held on to one thread of good through the barrage—one wisp of a thought that tethered her to who she needed to be.
Keefe.”
I didn’t know whether to ship Biana with Tam or Dex at first. They’re both cute. Honestly, I don’t HAVE to ship her with anyone... but since when has that ever stopped me?
See, the premise of Dex hating the Vackers but then falling in love with one, in theory, is very interesting indeed, but I’ve decided Tam and Biana are both devil children in their own ways and make a better team.
I love how Fitz was wondering why Keefe reached out to Sophie and not to him. (That was me being sarcastic.) I mean, on one hand, I’m glad he’s showing a little remorse and care towards his relationship with his alleged best friend, but, on the other hand... Really? He repeatedly alienates Keefe (which I suppose I understand after the trust issues that would inevitably develop what with the Vacker family’s most recent devastation) and then when he assures him that he understands his actions, it all falls so flat. All of their interactions in Lodestar do, unfortunately.
But fortunately, the Fitz-Biana friendship is vastly improving. For example, when she teases him mercilessly about his matchmaker process. That’s the kind of sibling banter I’m looking for!
The Grady-Edaline-Sophie relationship warmed my heart yet again, Fitz quite literally 'wow'ing over Linh is not only hilarious but also ridiculously cute, and...
As an afterthought, Fitz and Sophie are meh as ever. Her crush is still technically cute, but...
To whomever divine entity it may concern (I suppose that’s Shannon),
Do NOT let Fitzphie be endgame.
... ...
The binge continues.
It’s hard to believe that this is only the fifth instalment out of, what, ten planned books? That’s only halfway through (behold my mathematic genius) and already so much has happened! And that’s only all we know of; Shannon Messenger stated she’d put out Keeper books for as long as she could. Part of me is worried that the quality might deteriorate if the series goes on too long but another part of me never wants this to end!
P L O T
Okay, so I had a little more trouble getting into this one than the last three. Lodestar’s plot lacked a definitive structure in which the characters had a plan worked out to achieve this one major objective. In this case, the characters didn’t have a plan—and of course they didn’t after what happened in Neverseen because how does one construct a masterful scheme after such first-class mind-fuckery?
In that respect, it was totally realistic. It was a string of events that kind of just occurred suddenly for no particular reason. It was sporadic which conveyed the characters’ impulsive and frenzied actions. On the downside, it did make the story less memorable. In fact, the only reason I’m not giving this book 5 stars is for that reason; I honestly can’t remember maybe a third of what took place after just having read it.
Regardless, it integrated so many sociopolitical views, exploring various prejudices and adding a whole new level of complexity by addressing the flaws of an otherwise seemingly idealistic world. Remember how I had a moan about the elves’ superiority complex back in my Keeper of the Lost Cities review? Yeah, can’t do that here.
Also: how the SEVEN HELLS is Shannon Messenger so consistent with her excruciating cliffhangers? Every single book ends with such a bang that, from the moment I close the book, I’m antsy for the next one. Eventually, I am going to catch up with everyone else and have to... ugh shudders Wait for the next book to be released.
C H A R A C T E R S
Sophie Foster would be the ultimate Disney princess. I’m dead serious. She is such a sweetheart. She’s so kind to everyone, always tries to see the best in people, believes what she alone chooses to believe in no matter what anyone else thinks. Throughout, I was urging other characters to give her a hug (seeing as I, personally, am not a hugger) and felt so satisfied when Keefe, especially, delivered on that front. I seriously adore her. And them. Both of them.
Ah, but here is the catch. The List of Things Sophie Gets That No One Else Does Because She’s Special is piling up againnnn:
Sophie sets the record for fastest splotcher burst, Sophie is the only one to trigger earthquakes, Sophie “has a unique role in many of the Elvin world’s most recent challenges”, Sophie’s presence was specifically requested at this summit thingie where only the one leader from each nation may attend, Sophie gets a private audience with Queen Hylda, Sophie gets another special ability (for real this time; not like the last few times where I joked about her having 4475892918274592 powers).
But I almost don’t even care.
Almost.
Keefe. I missed Keefe. I love Keefe. I don’t know what else to say. Keefe’s just the best, guys. Did I mention that other peoples’ ravings about him is what gave me the final push to dedicate to this series? Because it was. And it totally delivered.
Sadly enough, Fitz is even more boring than before. How is that possible? What is there to him, really? He’s a gorgeous talent with a temper. In a vague sense, I like him, but it’s been five books and by now I really should be able to say more than that about him.
Biana is... pretty adorable. She’s girly but not strictly prissy, as shown by her handy dandy tackle tactic. She’s actually kind of a little devil girl and she’s finally sparked my interest.
Tam is described as being very similar to Keefe so I automatically really like him. In my status update, I claimed I was joking about this but, the sad truth is, I was 100% for real. I have no shame. But, for real, I like Tam for reasons other than this as well. I really enjoy his general demeanour; there’s something about his presence alone that draws my complete and utter attention. His general look, his moodiness, how he hates the world but loves his sister to pieces and can’t fathom the idea of girls flirting with him. He makes for good comedy with his sarcasm, negativity and his adorable awkwardness.
I wish I could say I liked said sister as much. Linh is noticeably more brief than Tam and I want to see so much more of her! From what I’ve got so far, I feel like I would really like her. She’s on the breathtaking cover of the next book, though, so here’s to hoping!
I feel like majority of the adults are starting to become interchangeable which is kind of sad. They can be divided into three groups:
1. Those that support Sophie,
2. Those that don’t
3. And Grady.
I was annoyed at Grady for being so hard on Keefe until I realised that it's because he sees the spark between Keefe and Sophie and he hates it. Not even with Fitz does he get so worked up because, case and point, Grady knows what’s up. He doesn’t bother to go all overprotective dad on Fitz’s ass—only on Keefe’s.
Look at me, getting ahead of myself with the shipping.
R E L A T I O N S H I P S
“She threw her arms around his shoulders, hugging him as tight as she could. Maybe if she never let go, she could hold the broken pieces together.”
Tam knows wassup, Mr. Forkle knows wassup, Grady knows wassup, Sandor knows wassup. And they’re only the ones that I have physical evidence of.
1. Tam: on more than one occasion teases and or matter-of-factly addresses their obvious unique connection.
“Sophie rubbed the knot under her ribs. “I know you don’t trust Keefe—“
“And I know you do,” Tam interrupted. “I get that you two are really, really close—“
“They’re not that close,” Fitz mumbled.
“Uh... sure...,” Tam said.”
2. Mr. Forkle: basically leaves Sophie’s heart in Keefe’s hands.
“Haven’t you realised that yet? That’s why you and Mr. Sencen work so well together. You both push each other to believe in yourselves.”
3. Grady: directs the brunt of his animosity towards Keefe because he thinks he’s the dude who has a serious chance of getting together with his daughter.
Any sentence with the phrase “That Boy” in it.
4. Sandor: being serious but a sly thing with his probing Sophie to come clean.
“Sophie giggled. “Man, I wish Keefe had been here to hear you say that.”
“Interesting that he was the first boy you thought of.”
4.5. Grady AND Sandor: conspiratorially glancing at one another about how oblivious lil’ Sophie is.
“In case you haven’t noticed, he teases everyone. It doesn’t mean anything. Especially with me.”
“You really believe that, don’t you?” Grady asked, glancing at Sandor when she nodded.
“If you guys look at each other like that again I’m going to punch you,” Sophie warned.”
What can I say about Sokeefe that I haven’t said already? Not mu—actually, SO MUCH. But it requires discussing specifics which I obviously can’t do in a non-spoiler review, so... I think I’ll just leave it at their time apart in this book, while painful for my heart, has made their bond so much stronger. And also that I haven’t shipped anything this hard since friggin’ Percabeth.
Also, THIS: “I’m always serious, Foster. Especially when you think I’m teasing.”
Honestly, how oblivious can one be?
“So.
Much.
Rage.
She wanted to bathe in it, drown in it, let the anger take control until she’d punished anyone and everyone who’d ever hurt her. But she’d held on to one thread of good through the barrage—one wisp of a thought that tethered her to who she needed to be.
Keefe.”
I didn’t know whether to ship Biana with Tam or Dex at first. They’re both cute. Honestly, I don’t HAVE to ship her with anyone... but since when has that ever stopped me?
See, the premise of Dex hating the Vackers but then falling in love with one, in theory, is very interesting indeed, but I’ve decided Tam and Biana are both devil children in their own ways and make a better team.
I love how Fitz was wondering why Keefe reached out to Sophie and not to him. (That was me being sarcastic.) I mean, on one hand, I’m glad he’s showing a little remorse and care towards his relationship with his alleged best friend, but, on the other hand... Really? He repeatedly alienates Keefe (which I suppose I understand after the trust issues that would inevitably develop what with the Vacker family’s most recent devastation) and then when he assures him that he understands his actions, it all falls so flat. All of their interactions in Lodestar do, unfortunately.
But fortunately, the Fitz-Biana friendship is vastly improving. For example, when she teases him mercilessly about his matchmaker process. That’s the kind of sibling banter I’m looking for!
The Grady-Edaline-Sophie relationship warmed my heart yet again, Fitz quite literally 'wow'ing over Linh is not only hilarious but also ridiculously cute, and...
As an afterthought, Fitz and Sophie are meh as ever. Her crush is still technically cute, but...
To whomever divine entity it may concern (I suppose that’s Shannon),
Do NOT let Fitzphie be endgame.
... ...
The binge continues.
January 7, 2018
Reread: 1/6/18
Once again, Shannon Messenger has left me staring at the cover of her book, astonished. One surprise after another. That's what Lodestar was about. Not one character in this book hasn't changed in some way. I'm beginning to enjoy Linh's quiet personality, but Tam reminds me a bit too much of Keefe. And...I'm not a huge fan of Keefe. Especially now. As for Fitz, I never cared too much about him- until now, where I'm proud to consider him one of my favorite middle-grade heroes.
But of course Messenger had to end Lodestar on a cliffhanger. I wonder if she's met Rick Riordan before...
Also, did Shannon Messenger read my "before reading" review or something...?
"You can ignore it all you want, Foster, but sooner or later you're going to have to solve the love triangle. Or should we get real and call it a square?"
The romance is escalating, yet Sophie remains oblivious. Don't you just love when that happens?
BEFORE READING:
If Shannon Messenger creates a more distinct love triangle between Sophie, Fitz, and Keefe I'm going to die. D:
Or what if she creates a love square?
Hey, all the cool kids are sleeping with stuffed animals these days.
Once again, Shannon Messenger has left me staring at the cover of her book, astonished. One surprise after another. That's what Lodestar was about. Not one character in this book hasn't changed in some way. I'm beginning to enjoy Linh's quiet personality, but Tam reminds me a bit too much of Keefe. And...I'm not a huge fan of Keefe. Especially now. As for Fitz, I never cared too much about him- until now, where I'm proud to consider him one of my favorite middle-grade heroes.
But of course Messenger had to end Lodestar on a cliffhanger. I wonder if she's met Rick Riordan before...
Also, did Shannon Messenger read my "before reading" review or something...?
"You can ignore it all you want, Foster, but sooner or later you're going to have to solve the love triangle. Or should we get real and call it a square?"
The romance is escalating, yet Sophie remains oblivious. Don't you just love when that happens?
BEFORE READING:
If Shannon Messenger creates a more distinct love triangle between Sophie, Fitz, and Keefe I'm going to die. D:
Or what if she creates a love square?
December 24, 2017
Actions never tell the whole story. Good can be done for the wrong reason. And bad can be misunderstood.
I've been a fan of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series for nearly two years now. I know all the books by heart. I know what I expect from each passing book. And yet, the fifth book might be my least favourite of the series.
Let's start off with the things I found pleasant in Lodestar. One good thing I really admire in the series is the incredible world building and the slowly escalating plot, which seems to get thicker and more complex by each book, keeping readers enraptured and entertained. We get to learn more of the Lost Cities and its history and culture, and how it connects with the present. This book manages to top off all its predecessors in terms of the conflict in the plot-line and the extent at which both the Council and the Neverseen are willing to go.
But that's one thing that I'm troubled about. In this book, the Council has stepped up their game, and so has the Neverseen. However, the Black Swan, the perspective the story is told in, didn't really seem to do anything at all, except for Prentice-related activities. The rest of the plot is pushed on by the new horrible, gory things the Neverseen has done, and the Black Swan merely comes in to solve the mysteries surrounding the Neverseen . Since the story is told in Sophie's point of view, which is the perspective of the Black Swan, the story seemed rather dull in comparison with the last book, when Sophie and her friends had destroyed Ravagog on their own. The climax in this story only happened with the Council's permission, lessening the potential suspense that could've happened.
And maybe that's what I find unappealing about the plot of Lodestar. I felt like it lacked a sort of emotion, as it had been overshadowed by the plot. For example, the first book of the series was in the perspective of a scared, but excited girl who was completely new to a different world. The second book was narrated by a fearful, grieving girl who felt useless, but she was still determined to save a person whom she loved. The third book and the fourth book were filled with much stronger emotion which was triggered by the slowly thickening plot.
Which leads us to the fifth book, which I felt was lacking in character development and the progression and growth of the relationships between the characters. There was some insight into Dex and his family, which I appreciated, but other than that, it just fell flat.
Biana and Linh had no major role to play in the plot, especially Linh, which makes me very disappointed, because they are the only other two female characters that have the opportunity to play a huge part in the plot besides Sophie. Tam and Linh felt especially lacking in character development, which is really sad for me because they're my favourite characters and I would've wanted to see a stronger representation of what they could be. So far, their characters remain undeveloped, and I hope Shannon Messenger can make them realer, and actually include them in the plot.
Only Sophie, Fitz, and Keefe were actually in the plot, which is sad because not everything revolves around the characters involved in the love triangle, however entertaining and amusing it is.
The only relationship I could really relate to and feel for was that between Sophie and Keefe. Their interaction lessens in this book, but I feel that they are really the couple readers should be rooting for. Sophie's determination and desperation to believe in and trust Keefe showed itself clearly throughout the novel. Keefe also experiences determination and desperation, but it is for different reasons, as he wants to infiltrate the Neverseen while doing his best to protect his friends, most especially Sophie, from danger and harm.
"It is kinda nice having someone look out for me."
"You don't make it easy."
"Another thing you and I have in common."
His floating thoughts made it clear how determined he was to protect her. It made her heart somehow both light and heavy at the same time.
Even though Fitz 'steps up his game' in this book, I found their relationship bland and forced, and I personally had an overdose of Fitz in this book.
...Well, I am on Team Foster-Keefe after all, but that's not the point.
There are quite a lot of character deaths in this book, and one person was heavily injured.
Spoiler alert: Prentice is still not healed. I can't be the only one who's exasperated and impatient, after thinking he'd be healed in Lodestar.
The final death is probably the reason I gave this book an extra star, just so because I love suffering and crying. Yep, I practically bawled when the death happened. First time a book made me cry, so it definitely deserves an extra star and a kudos, especially with that cliffhanger ending. That was obviously written to make us suffer in suspense. It was also a consolation gift for the horrible character development.
Shannon, please don't disappoint me again with the sixth book. Also, petition for Dex and Linh to be on the cover. My two cinnamon rolls deserve to be on the cover and you can't say otherwise.
April 18, 2021
~3.5 stars~
(Re-read 12/29/20)
I thought this book was good, but it lacked a certain something and it dragged. Out of all the books in the series, I think this one is the least memorable for reasons I cannot explain. Before my reread, you could point to any of the books and I would be able to give you a vague synopsis, but not this one. Some of the things that happened in this book, I genuinely forgot about. Not to mention the fact that it took me longer to read than all the other books. Also, again with the repition.
But otherwise, I enjoyed it. The plot development, and that cliffhanger, is enough to get me start the next book right away, despite knowing what is going to happen. The adundance to Fitz was not great, but we did get more content from the side characters which is great. I think this book was really fun and I look forward to Nightfall, which if I remember was one of my favorites in this series.
(Re-read 12/29/20)
I thought this book was good, but it lacked a certain something and it dragged. Out of all the books in the series, I think this one is the least memorable for reasons I cannot explain. Before my reread, you could point to any of the books and I would be able to give you a vague synopsis, but not this one. Some of the things that happened in this book, I genuinely forgot about. Not to mention the fact that it took me longer to read than all the other books. Also, again with the repition.
But otherwise, I enjoyed it. The plot development, and that cliffhanger, is enough to get me start the next book right away, despite knowing what is going to happen. The adundance to Fitz was not great, but we did get more content from the side characters which is great. I think this book was really fun and I look forward to Nightfall, which if I remember was one of my favorites in this series.
December 14, 2023
First off HOW COULD YOU SHANNON, MR. FORKLE DID NOT DESERVE TO DIE AND ALL FOR WHAT??
Alright now that I’ve got that off my chest I will start my review. So pretty much this was the first book I’ve ever tabbed, that was really fun. I recommend it. Honestly I had a heck of a time getting through this book I’ve been working on it since May, reading and restarting all that jazz. But I’m so so glad I finished. So many interesting things happened, like the peace summit, and stupid Fintan crashing it…like you are not wanted here sir. Nobody cares about the stupid crap you have to say about humans…shut up dude. This book was a roller coaster of emotions towards the characters *cough* Keefe *cough* I said “awww” to some cute stuff he said about Sophie, but then “idiot” or “shut up SHUT UP” when he was being stupid. Oh yeah and on multiple occasions Fitz or should I say Fitzroy 😂 did some kinda nice (for once) things that I hope were gestures of friendship. The conate rings made me cringe so hard especially “they’re my FAV” 🤢 no Sophie girl just stop. Okay back to Keefe 🥰 now, my poor baby had the WORST memories of his mom and all the terrible things she did to him. I feel bad that he has a photographic memory. I think one of my favorite scenes was when Sophie and her friends raided Keefe’s room. Tam or shall I say “bangs boy” said, “he has more hair products than me.” (I’m too lazy to look up the actual quote sooo you get a paraphrase) But love Grizel (did I spell that wrong??) and Sandor’s relationship as well…ughh they are so cute it hurts. Oh and Keefe stopped Fitz and Sophie from kissing 😅😮💨 thank you Keefe!! Love you man 💕 I think that’s about all I have to say…wait no one more thing…that ending. I was so surprised that Sophie’s sister remembered her, I’m so excited to see how that’s gonna turn out. Okay now I’m done.
Quotes:
“Be glad I haven’t figured out how to mentally smack you. It’s on my list of goals.” ~ Sophie
“But as the crowned king of good hair land, I can tell when I’m talking to one of my rightful subjects.” ~ Keefe
“It feels like you either want to hug me or strangle me—and personally I’m rooting for the hug.” ~ Keefe
Alright now that I’ve got that off my chest I will start my review. So pretty much this was the first book I’ve ever tabbed, that was really fun. I recommend it. Honestly I had a heck of a time getting through this book I’ve been working on it since May, reading and restarting all that jazz. But I’m so so glad I finished. So many interesting things happened, like the peace summit, and stupid Fintan crashing it…like you are not wanted here sir. Nobody cares about the stupid crap you have to say about humans…shut up dude. This book was a roller coaster of emotions towards the characters *cough* Keefe *cough* I said “awww” to some cute stuff he said about Sophie, but then “idiot” or “shut up SHUT UP” when he was being stupid. Oh yeah and on multiple occasions Fitz or should I say Fitzroy 😂 did some kinda nice (for once) things that I hope were gestures of friendship. The conate rings made me cringe so hard especially “they’re my FAV” 🤢 no Sophie girl just stop. Okay back to Keefe 🥰 now, my poor baby had the WORST memories of his mom and all the terrible things she did to him. I feel bad that he has a photographic memory. I think one of my favorite scenes was when Sophie and her friends raided Keefe’s room. Tam or shall I say “bangs boy” said, “he has more hair products than me.” (I’m too lazy to look up the actual quote sooo you get a paraphrase) But love Grizel (did I spell that wrong??) and Sandor’s relationship as well…ughh they are so cute it hurts. Oh and Keefe stopped Fitz and Sophie from kissing 😅😮💨 thank you Keefe!! Love you man 💕 I think that’s about all I have to say…wait no one more thing…that ending. I was so surprised that Sophie’s sister remembered her, I’m so excited to see how that’s gonna turn out. Okay now I’m done.
Quotes:
“Be glad I haven’t figured out how to mentally smack you. It’s on my list of goals.” ~ Sophie
“But as the crowned king of good hair land, I can tell when I’m talking to one of my rightful subjects.” ~ Keefe
“It feels like you either want to hug me or strangle me—and personally I’m rooting for the hug.” ~ Keefe
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2022
idk Fitz is a little bitch
September 6, 2024
As I neared the end of this 700 paged book, I had a horrible feeling that it would end with tears. Thus I broke one of my most important book rules and Googled the ending of the story by searching "who dies in Lodestar". I gasped out loud and yet still teared up when the scene happened.
The author has a talent for making me laugh out loud and also cry at different moments. I think I've teared up at at least one scene in each book so far (I would love for the sixth book to break that streak, but I have I feeling it won't.)
Update on Keefe vs Fitz: Personally, I'm not seeing all the reasoning for the anti-Fitz committee as Keefe frustrated me to high heavens in this book. (Keep your tomatoes for spaghetti sauce, y'all, don't throw them at me!) Needless to say, I'm not cheering for either of them at this point, but I see why there's fans of both of them.
The next book is 800 pages long. What. Welp, I know what I'll be doing these next few days. Why is this series addicting? Is it because I'm desperately wanting certain answers that haven't been revealed yet? Probably.
Main Content
Basically the same as the prior books, but actually way less fighting and pain/passing-out/Sophie-near-death-situations. There's a few deaths (stabbing, someone being crushed, and someone being killed in a battle, all up to bluntly written semi-detailed with that and the blood), but overall way less dangerous situations for Sophie and the gang. (A couple teens are burned badly, up to semi-detailed) Recapping of the prior books happens, but it's a recap so there aren't many details of those events.
Sophie understands about not wanting to harm others, but says "I also think we all know the hard choices we have to face for this cause. You don't defeat a group of murderers with rainbows and candy."
Lying and deceit is still a common event in this book (mainly because of Keefe and him playing as a double spy, but Sophie also lies a few times for other's safety or for a plan to trick the enemy (she tries to lie to her parents once but is saved from doing that)); When Sophie sneaks off, Grady (her adoptive father) asks her why and makes logical points which makes her say “I didn’t have time to deal with anyone trying to stop me, I know you guys want to keep me safe—but Keefe is putting his life on the line to help us. So . . . if he gives me instructions, I’m going to follow them—grounding or no." Later, another adult tells Sophie “I’m not saying I want you kids regularly disobeying my advice or sneaking away without your bodyguards—and just because everything worked out this time doesn’t mean you should feel free to act on such whims whenever you feel them. But . . . in this case, you made the right decision.” (but that doesn't get her out of her punishment).
One adult says “Questionable actions can be forgiven when they’re done with good intentions." and another says “Actions never tell the whole story. Good can be done for the wrong reason. And bad can be misunderstood.".
A wife has kept a secret from her husband for ten years and he's hurt by it, but she says “I didn’t lie, I was very careful about it. If I said I was going somewhere, I really did go. I just . . . took a detour along the way. It’s not ideal, I know. But I don’t want you thinking you can’t trust me. Everything about the life we’ve shared is real.”
Mentions of murders, deaths, & bodies (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of someone being tortured & their extreme pain (semi-detailed); Mentions of blood & bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of poop, butts, and such things.
There's a few mentions of evolution-based creatures (but no actual mentions of evolution or millions of years); There's a handful of mentions about humans destroying each other and the earth; An elf says that the world chose them to rule the world; A few mentions of others looking like they're meditating.
More mentions of Keefe's terrible parents and their verbal abuse (Keefe calls his dad an idiot once; Sophie tries to encourage Keefe); Sophie talks back to Tam & Linh's father about earning their respect and trust.
A possible almost kiss; Noticing, Nearness, & Touches; Some adults (mainly her parents and Sandor) talk to Sophie about boys (mainly teasing and that they will be having a looooooooong talk with whatever guy she ends up with); There's a bit more of flirting (including between two goblins and then some kids teasing their older brother and trying to flirt with an older girl), blushes, teasing, etc. A few mentions of some elf couples being 100 years apart in age and the matchmaking service making sure that potential couples aren't related; Those that don't do the matchmaking service or do not marry someone not their list are called a "bad match" and it follows the couple and any children around for the rest of their lives; The matchmakers believe that a couple's "purest genetics go to our first child, and after that, our genes grow increasingly diluted. That’s why so many families stop after one kid.”; A mother shares how heartbroken she was when people would make comments about her triplets (multiple births only happen to couples that are deemed a "bad match"); A couple mentions of a kiss that happened on a dare.
A mention of Keefe wanting to kick a guy "in the junk" a few times (Sophie says she wants to do it to because of what the guy has done).
(See my reviews with content details of the rest of this series: Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, Book #6, Book #7, Book #8, Book #8.5, Book #9, Book #9.5, Book #10, Graphic Novel)
The author has a talent for making me laugh out loud and also cry at different moments. I think I've teared up at at least one scene in each book so far (I would love for the sixth book to break that streak, but I have I feeling it won't.)
Update on Keefe vs Fitz: Personally, I'm not seeing all the reasoning for the anti-Fitz committee as Keefe frustrated me to high heavens in this book. (Keep your tomatoes for spaghetti sauce, y'all, don't throw them at me!) Needless to say, I'm not cheering for either of them at this point, but I see why there's fans of both of them.
The next book is 800 pages long. What. Welp, I know what I'll be doing these next few days. Why is this series addicting? Is it because I'm desperately wanting certain answers that haven't been revealed yet? Probably.
Main Content
Basically the same as the prior books, but actually way less fighting and pain/passing-out/Sophie-near-death-situations. There's a few deaths (stabbing, someone being crushed, and someone being killed in a battle, all up to bluntly written semi-detailed with that and the blood), but overall way less dangerous situations for Sophie and the gang. (A couple teens are burned badly, up to semi-detailed) Recapping of the prior books happens, but it's a recap so there aren't many details of those events.
Sophie understands about not wanting to harm others, but says "I also think we all know the hard choices we have to face for this cause. You don't defeat a group of murderers with rainbows and candy."
Lying and deceit is still a common event in this book (mainly because of Keefe and him playing as a double spy, but Sophie also lies a few times for other's safety or for a plan to trick the enemy (she tries to lie to her parents once but is saved from doing that)); When Sophie sneaks off, Grady (her adoptive father) asks her why and makes logical points which makes her say “I didn’t have time to deal with anyone trying to stop me, I know you guys want to keep me safe—but Keefe is putting his life on the line to help us. So . . . if he gives me instructions, I’m going to follow them—grounding or no." Later, another adult tells Sophie “I’m not saying I want you kids regularly disobeying my advice or sneaking away without your bodyguards—and just because everything worked out this time doesn’t mean you should feel free to act on such whims whenever you feel them. But . . . in this case, you made the right decision.” (but that doesn't get her out of her punishment).
One adult says “Questionable actions can be forgiven when they’re done with good intentions." and another says “Actions never tell the whole story. Good can be done for the wrong reason. And bad can be misunderstood.".
A wife has kept a secret from her husband for ten years and he's hurt by it, but she says “I didn’t lie, I was very careful about it. If I said I was going somewhere, I really did go. I just . . . took a detour along the way. It’s not ideal, I know. But I don’t want you thinking you can’t trust me. Everything about the life we’ve shared is real.”
Mentions of murders, deaths, & bodies (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of someone being tortured & their extreme pain (semi-detailed); Mentions of blood & bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of poop, butts, and such things.
There's a few mentions of evolution-based creatures (but no actual mentions of evolution or millions of years); There's a handful of mentions about humans destroying each other and the earth; An elf says that the world chose them to rule the world; A few mentions of others looking like they're meditating.
More mentions of Keefe's terrible parents and their verbal abuse (Keefe calls his dad an idiot once; Sophie tries to encourage Keefe); Sophie talks back to Tam & Linh's father about earning their respect and trust.
A possible almost kiss; Noticing, Nearness, & Touches; Some adults (mainly her parents and Sandor) talk to Sophie about boys (mainly teasing and that they will be having a looooooooong talk with whatever guy she ends up with); There's a bit more of flirting (including between two goblins and then some kids teasing their older brother and trying to flirt with an older girl), blushes, teasing, etc. A few mentions of some elf couples being 100 years apart in age and the matchmaking service making sure that potential couples aren't related; Those that don't do the matchmaking service or do not marry someone not their list are called a "bad match" and it follows the couple and any children around for the rest of their lives; The matchmakers believe that a couple's "purest genetics go to our first child, and after that, our genes grow increasingly diluted. That’s why so many families stop after one kid.”; A mother shares how heartbroken she was when people would make comments about her triplets (multiple births only happen to couples that are deemed a "bad match"); A couple mentions of a kiss that happened on a dare.
A mention of Keefe wanting to kick a guy "in the junk" a few times (Sophie says she wants to do it to because of what the guy has done).
(See my reviews with content details of the rest of this series: Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, Book #6, Book #7, Book #8, Book #8.5, Book #9, Book #9.5, Book #10, Graphic Novel)
February 13, 2021
Guess Shannon Messenger is not done breaking me yet.
November 3, 2022
Incidentally, this is the book out of the whole series I've read the most, for no apparent reason.
Which is very much influential to the event that during this reread my poor paperback copy just gave up and the back cover ripped off.
Let's commemorate this loss with a moment of silence.
*silence*
Which is very much influential to the event that during this reread my poor paperback copy just gave up and the back cover ripped off.
Let's commemorate this loss with a moment of silence.
*silence*
April 4, 2024
KEEFE MY CHILD STOP DOING THIS TO ME THAT IS ALL.
November 27, 2024
"He does need to make it up to you. Haven’t you realized that yet? That’s why you and Mr. Sencen work so well together. You both push each other to believe in yourselves. Don’t go easy on him now because you’re afraid he’s too fragile. The more you let him prove himself, the more he’ll realize he’s still worthy."
Buddy read with Rue.
Buddy read with Rue.
January 24, 2022
Fast paced, still great characters. The group of kids is getting a bit older and they feel very age appropriate - impulsive, a teensy big angsty, crushes on each other, etc. I loved it!
January 27, 2023
4,5 Sterne
Diese Ende!!!
Diese Ende!!!
November 16, 2024
NAHHH NO WAY IT ENDED LIKE THAT
THIS WAS SOOO GOOD
RTC
THIS WAS SOOO GOOD
RTC
March 22, 2021
"A school isn’t a school until Sophie tries to destroy it."
How does Shannon Mesenger manage to write her books in such a way that her sequels get even better than her previous books? Like how?! Neverseen was perfection and somehow this managed to be just as good!
The plot was impeccable, although I wish Keefe was more present in this book. There's a huge reason for his absence, but still I love him and he makes all scenes better with his teasing. Wow, I'm already talking about Keefe. How long did it take me? Two sentences? Well, I love him and there's nothing I can do about it. Why does he have to be fictional? I'm serious. Why couldn't he be real?
The humor as always as magnificent. All the Keeper of the Lost Cities books so far have been full of humor and this book was no exception. I was laughing so hard, especially when Grady had the talk about boys with Sophie.
I will forever be Team Foster-Keefe. I will forever ship them together. I like Fitz, but seriously, he is not right for Sophie. I like Sophie and Fitz as friends, but I am against anything more. Team Foster-Keefe is superior!
My heart was again breaking for Keefe in this book. Why does he have to deal with so much crap? He is so precious, he doesn't desearve this. He deserves to be happy! Everytime he says he is not worth it, I wanna slap him back to his sense so he could maybe realise he is worth it! Ok, I should seriously stop talking about Keefe. More than half of this review is about Keefe. But, well, he is worth talking about.
I wanna have a best friend like Dex. He is such a cinnamon roll and he cares so much about his friends and family! And, by the way, I would love to have an ability like his. Being a Technopath sounds so cool. Although if I were to choose between all the abilities that we know so far I would probably wanna be a Vanisher. Invisibility is the power I wanted to have since I was a kid and I always felt it was an underrated power.
God, how did I forget about that ending?! My heart broke. In pieces. Why? Why make me suffer? Why make Sophie suffer? Hasn't she been through enough?! And how can you leave the book with that ending. I'm not sure which had a more heartbreaking ending. Which book left me with more questions. Neverseen or this book.
This series has, so quickly, become one of my favourite series of all time. It is literally at the same level with The Dark Artifices and The Illuminae Files which are my all time favourite series. I cannot chose a favourite series between three series, I love them equally. And I know I say this in every review that I have for the books in this series, but please read this series if you have not yet. Trust me, it's worth it.
How does Shannon Mesenger manage to write her books in such a way that her sequels get even better than her previous books? Like how?! Neverseen was perfection and somehow this managed to be just as good!
The plot was impeccable, although I wish Keefe was more present in this book. There's a huge reason for his absence, but still I love him and he makes all scenes better with his teasing. Wow, I'm already talking about Keefe. How long did it take me? Two sentences? Well, I love him and there's nothing I can do about it. Why does he have to be fictional? I'm serious. Why couldn't he be real?
The humor as always as magnificent. All the Keeper of the Lost Cities books so far have been full of humor and this book was no exception. I was laughing so hard, especially when Grady had the talk about boys with Sophie.
I will forever be Team Foster-Keefe. I will forever ship them together. I like Fitz, but seriously, he is not right for Sophie. I like Sophie and Fitz as friends, but I am against anything more. Team Foster-Keefe is superior!
My heart was again breaking for Keefe in this book. Why does he have to deal with so much crap? He is so precious, he doesn't desearve this. He deserves to be happy! Everytime he says he is not worth it, I wanna slap him back to his sense so he could maybe realise he is worth it! Ok, I should seriously stop talking about Keefe. More than half of this review is about Keefe. But, well, he is worth talking about.
I wanna have a best friend like Dex. He is such a cinnamon roll and he cares so much about his friends and family! And, by the way, I would love to have an ability like his. Being a Technopath sounds so cool. Although if I were to choose between all the abilities that we know so far I would probably wanna be a Vanisher. Invisibility is the power I wanted to have since I was a kid and I always felt it was an underrated power.
God, how did I forget about that ending?! My heart broke. In pieces. Why? Why make me suffer? Why make Sophie suffer? Hasn't she been through enough?! And how can you leave the book with that ending. I'm not sure which had a more heartbreaking ending. Which book left me with more questions. Neverseen or this book.
This series has, so quickly, become one of my favourite series of all time. It is literally at the same level with The Dark Artifices and The Illuminae Files which are my all time favourite series. I cannot chose a favourite series between three series, I love them equally. And I know I say this in every review that I have for the books in this series, but please read this series if you have not yet. Trust me, it's worth it.
July 26, 2019
5 stars
I promise someday to read a book that is not from this series. (Today is not that day.) Apologies to all of my Goodreads friends for just endlessly blasting these stories in your feed. I can’t stop reading them. This one was also great.
Lodestar is the fifth book in Sophie Foster's adventures in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, and in my opinion it just keeps upping the ante. At this point, I'm honestly in awe of Shannon Messenger's relentless imagination. What can possibly happen next? When will I get my questions answered about Sophie's role in her world? And MOST IMPORTANTLY, when will we finally get our Keefe/Sophie love arc? (There's another love interest named Fitz and let's just say he's not my favorite angle of the triangle.)
I can't go into much about the details into Lodestar without running into at least one spoiler for the previous books, so just take my word for it when I say that Sophie's adventures in this one are great. Keefe's arc in this story is extremely angsty (so great) and the negative forces at play are incredibly devious (also great) and honestly not very middle grade in content—I think we're at the point in the series where if these books weren't connected to early books in the series aimed at younger readers, they'd be shelved as YA. Also, I definitely cried at the end due to a specific character death that I was NOT ready for—poor Sophie.
If you're new to Keeper of the Lost Cities, check out my thoughts on the earlier books!
Keeper of the Lost Cities (#1)
Exile (#2)
Everblaze (#3)
Neverseen (#4)
I promise someday to read a book that is not from this series. (Today is not that day.) Apologies to all of my Goodreads friends for just endlessly blasting these stories in your feed. I can’t stop reading them. This one was also great.
Lodestar is the fifth book in Sophie Foster's adventures in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, and in my opinion it just keeps upping the ante. At this point, I'm honestly in awe of Shannon Messenger's relentless imagination. What can possibly happen next? When will I get my questions answered about Sophie's role in her world? And MOST IMPORTANTLY, when will we finally get our Keefe/Sophie love arc? (There's another love interest named Fitz and let's just say he's not my favorite angle of the triangle.)
I can't go into much about the details into Lodestar without running into at least one spoiler for the previous books, so just take my word for it when I say that Sophie's adventures in this one are great. Keefe's arc in this story is extremely angsty (so great) and the negative forces at play are incredibly devious (also great) and honestly not very middle grade in content—I think we're at the point in the series where if these books weren't connected to early books in the series aimed at younger readers, they'd be shelved as YA. Also, I definitely cried at the end due to a specific character death that I was NOT ready for—poor Sophie.
If you're new to Keeper of the Lost Cities, check out my thoughts on the earlier books!
Keeper of the Lost Cities (#1)
Exile (#2)
Everblaze (#3)
Neverseen (#4)
March 1, 2019
In this book we learn why making buildings entirely out of crystal and glass is a stupid idea.
Probably my least favorite book so far. The pacing was a bit off from the previous books. They take a while to accomplish anything in this book's mystery and there is not even a mid-book climax as we have had in the previous 4 books. We do at least finally (finally) know what the bad guy's plan is... sort of. I need to remind myself why I keep reading these books. Oh, right. Keefe. Keefe shines above all the other characters as this beautifully complex character and I'm excited to see how everything pans out for him and his mother. Nonetheless, enough exciting shit goes down at the end that I'm hopeful for the next book.
When do these kids even go to school?
It just felt like we took two steps back with this book. The main group goes back to their normal lives in the lost cities in this book, after a whole book of living with the rebellion. The gnomes go back to work as if their species wasn't almost wiped out in biological warfare. The main group also goes back to Foxfire... or at least that's what we are told anyway. I think? It's a bit hard to keep track of the passage of time in these books, so I'm not really sure when they actually go to school. There's only one scene at Foxfire in the book, and it's not even in a classroom. At no other point is anything related to going to school at Foxfire even mentioned. No classes, no homework, no nothing.
Tam and Linh
Tam and Linh also get a pitiful amount of screen time, considering they are new characters. I really like the two of them and especially after the climax of book 4, I really want to see more of them. But Linh is on the cover of the next book so I'm hoping they get more focus.
World-building stuff
Somehow the book has the gall to remind us of the 100% NOT slavery gnome situation after the events of book 4. brb gonna flip some tables. See my reviews of Everblaze and Neverseen for all my problems with the world-building, so I don't have to reiterate.
How are the elves ok with wearing GPS trackers that their government can track whenever they want?!
"Keeper" is at last mentioned again. Here we are on book 5 and I still have no idea what a "keeper of the lost cities" is. All we get is that a keeper protects crucial secrets. Not at all like that secret keeper thing you may have heard of in Harry Potter, which this series is not derivative of at all. *eyeroll*
"His obliviousness was both reliable and annoying."
Sophie actually says the above quote in regards to Fitz. The sheer hypocrisy! I am so tired of Sophie pretending to be oblivious to all the boys that have crushes on her. How is this supposed to make her likable or relatable? In the previous book we had a horrible scene where she gets jealous of Tam eyeing Biana. And in this book, we get yet another vomit inducing scene where she gets jealous of Fitz paying attention to Linh. She seems to get jealous anytime she is not the center of all love and attention. Get over yourself Sophie. If only Keefe were the main character of this series.
She seems so used to people treating her like a super special snowflake that she barely even listens to anyone's advice anymore. Usually it goes down like this: stuff happens, Sophie decides a course of action must be taken, others preach caution and that she might be doing exactly what the villains want, Sophie cannot distinguish between doing something for the sake of doing something and actual logical reasoning, Sophie goes and does whatever she decided anyway, other characters tell her she is so smart and was right all along, Sophie's head inflates further.
There are a lot of weird scenes where a character will call out the hypocrisy of Sophie's blind hatred towards the ogres. Sometimes she'll stubbornly stick to her hatred, seeming to lack any sort of introspection. And then in another scene she'll mention how the elves always acting superior to other species makes her uncomfortable. I realize this is probably intended to be a point of character growth, but the book seems to be lacking self-awareness of the actual character arc she should be having seeing how often it goes back and forth on whether Sophie is aware of the hypocrisy of her feelings or not.
Fitz is still boring
I was hoping after the big reveal at the end of book 4 that Fitz would have some kind of emotional trauma or... anything? Anything besides just being boring and perfect. But nope.
The prologues
Every book so far has had a really short prologue that sort of just throws you into some exciting thing that happens late in the book, but is also really vague so you don't really get what's going on. I know this is a literary trick to try and draw readers in, but I've never really felt like it worked here. The prologues are SO vague and SO short that I honestly never even remember what happens in them by the end of the book.
What is this series trying to say?
If the intent of the prologues was to draw readers in, I think this series would've been vastly improved by tightening up the pacing more. There is no reason for these books to be 500-700 pages each (the next book is 800 pages!!!!).
I think the series also struggles a bit in what it wants to say. I think the moral is basically the same as Harry Potter (shocking) , in that there is no superior race/species/group, but the book really struggles with delivering the message when our main character cannot even keep her character arc, in which she accepts another species as not universally evil, straight. The message is also not helped by the fact that it took FIVE BOOKS to even establish what the bad guys are after (sort of, since we only got a hint).
I think the series also struggles in what it wants to be. This started as a magical school series and at this point you cannot even pretend that Foxfire is relevant to the plot anymore.
Other weird things
"I think I just leaped us using starlight absorbed by a shadow."
What.
Forgot until it was mentioned again here that Sophie was calledThe Boy Who Lived The Girl Who Was Taken.
Are they kids or not? Why are the adults so useless?
I wish the adults would decide whether to treat the main group like kids or adults. On the one hand they let them infiltrate the enemy capital and steal the ogre king's most guarded treasure with little more than a "have fun!" and now they're back to grounding them for life when they do anything dangerous.
Spoilery thoughts
KEEFE IS THE BEST.
Probably my least favorite book so far. The pacing was a bit off from the previous books. They take a while to accomplish anything in this book's mystery and there is not even a mid-book climax as we have had in the previous 4 books. We do at least finally (finally) know what the bad guy's plan is... sort of. I need to remind myself why I keep reading these books. Oh, right. Keefe. Keefe shines above all the other characters as this beautifully complex character and I'm excited to see how everything pans out for him and his mother. Nonetheless, enough exciting shit goes down at the end that I'm hopeful for the next book.
When do these kids even go to school?
It just felt like we took two steps back with this book. The main group goes back to their normal lives in the lost cities in this book, after a whole book of living with the rebellion. The gnomes go back to work as if their species wasn't almost wiped out in biological warfare. The main group also goes back to Foxfire... or at least that's what we are told anyway. I think? It's a bit hard to keep track of the passage of time in these books, so I'm not really sure when they actually go to school. There's only one scene at Foxfire in the book, and it's not even in a classroom. At no other point is anything related to going to school at Foxfire even mentioned. No classes, no homework, no nothing.
Tam and Linh
Tam and Linh also get a pitiful amount of screen time, considering they are new characters. I really like the two of them and especially after the climax of book 4, I really want to see more of them. But Linh is on the cover of the next book so I'm hoping they get more focus.
World-building stuff
Somehow the book has the gall to remind us of the 100% NOT slavery gnome situation after the events of book 4. brb gonna flip some tables. See my reviews of Everblaze and Neverseen for all my problems with the world-building, so I don't have to reiterate.
How are the elves ok with wearing GPS trackers that their government can track whenever they want?!
"The elven mind couldn't process violence. Their thoughts were too sensitive. Their consciousness too strong."Honestly, I wish this wasn't a thing in this book. It doesn't really make sense and the plot just keeps refuting it anyway. Plenty of elves seem ready to be violent and/or suffer no adverse effects to witnessing violence or feeling grief beyond what the normal human reaction would be. The plot would lose nothing by having never mentioned this.
"Keeper" is at last mentioned again. Here we are on book 5 and I still have no idea what a "keeper of the lost cities" is. All we get is that a keeper protects crucial secrets. Not at all like that secret keeper thing you may have heard of in Harry Potter, which this series is not derivative of at all. *eyeroll*
"His obliviousness was both reliable and annoying."
Sophie actually says the above quote in regards to Fitz. The sheer hypocrisy! I am so tired of Sophie pretending to be oblivious to all the boys that have crushes on her. How is this supposed to make her likable or relatable? In the previous book we had a horrible scene where she gets jealous of Tam eyeing Biana. And in this book, we get yet another vomit inducing scene where she gets jealous of Fitz paying attention to Linh. She seems to get jealous anytime she is not the center of all love and attention. Get over yourself Sophie. If only Keefe were the main character of this series.
She seems so used to people treating her like a super special snowflake that she barely even listens to anyone's advice anymore. Usually it goes down like this: stuff happens, Sophie decides a course of action must be taken, others preach caution and that she might be doing exactly what the villains want, Sophie cannot distinguish between doing something for the sake of doing something and actual logical reasoning, Sophie goes and does whatever she decided anyway, other characters tell her she is so smart and was right all along, Sophie's head inflates further.
There are a lot of weird scenes where a character will call out the hypocrisy of Sophie's blind hatred towards the ogres. Sometimes she'll stubbornly stick to her hatred, seeming to lack any sort of introspection. And then in another scene she'll mention how the elves always acting superior to other species makes her uncomfortable. I realize this is probably intended to be a point of character growth, but the book seems to be lacking self-awareness of the actual character arc she should be having seeing how often it goes back and forth on whether Sophie is aware of the hypocrisy of her feelings or not.
Fitz is still boring
I was hoping after the big reveal at the end of book 4 that Fitz would have some kind of emotional trauma or... anything? Anything besides just being boring and perfect. But nope.
The prologues
Every book so far has had a really short prologue that sort of just throws you into some exciting thing that happens late in the book, but is also really vague so you don't really get what's going on. I know this is a literary trick to try and draw readers in, but I've never really felt like it worked here. The prologues are SO vague and SO short that I honestly never even remember what happens in them by the end of the book.
What is this series trying to say?
If the intent of the prologues was to draw readers in, I think this series would've been vastly improved by tightening up the pacing more. There is no reason for these books to be 500-700 pages each (the next book is 800 pages!!!!).
I think the series also struggles a bit in what it wants to say. I think the moral is basically the same as Harry Potter (shocking) , in that there is no superior race/species/group, but the book really struggles with delivering the message when our main character cannot even keep her character arc, in which she accepts another species as not universally evil, straight. The message is also not helped by the fact that it took FIVE BOOKS to even establish what the bad guys are after (sort of, since we only got a hint).
I think the series also struggles in what it wants to be. This started as a magical school series and at this point you cannot even pretend that Foxfire is relevant to the plot anymore.
Other weird things
"I think I just leaped us using starlight absorbed by a shadow."
What.
Forgot until it was mentioned again here that Sophie was called
Are they kids or not? Why are the adults so useless?
I wish the adults would decide whether to treat the main group like kids or adults. On the one hand they let them infiltrate the enemy capital and steal the ogre king's most guarded treasure with little more than a "have fun!" and now they're back to grounding them for life when they do anything dangerous.
Spoilery thoughts
KEEFE IS THE BEST.
October 28, 2023
Oh. Mein. Gott.
Ich weiß nicht, was ich fühlen soll❤️💔❤️
Und verdammt, war das wieder voller Rätsel, voller Spannung und voller Gefühle - ich brauche einfach mehr davon!
Diese Wendungen, dieser Cliffhanger, es ist einfach der Wahnsinn🧚🏼♂️🧚🏼♀️🧚🏻♂️
Ich weiß nicht, was ich fühlen soll❤️💔❤️
Und verdammt, war das wieder voller Rätsel, voller Spannung und voller Gefühle - ich brauche einfach mehr davon!
Diese Wendungen, dieser Cliffhanger, es ist einfach der Wahnsinn🧚🏼♂️🧚🏼♀️🧚🏻♂️
January 11, 2022
a not-so-perfect day made infinitely better. these books are such wonderful comfort reads ❥
November 6, 2022
Was war das wieder für ein Ritt!! Zugegeben, die Story schleicht im Schneckentempo voran. Kaum haben Sofie und ihre Freunde ein Geheimnis gelüftet, tauchen drei bis einhundert Neue auf. Aber die Charaktere sind pures Gold und neben dem wundervollen Schreibstil, lohnt sich alleine schon dafür das Dranbleiben. Die Reihe hat sich zu einer meiner absoluten Lieblingsreihen entwickelt. Sie hat alles, was man sich wünschen kann. Die gesamte Emotionspalette, und es macht so viel Freude, Sofie bei ihren Abenteuern zu begleiten, auch wenn es stellenweise sehr dramatisch zugeht, man sich von liebgewonnen Figuren verabschieden muss und die Autorin deswegen ab und an verflucht. Und dann immer diese fiesen "Cliffhanger" zum Schluss, aaaargh! Für Nachschub ist zum Glück schon gesorgt.
December 27, 2020
Hey! Sorry I haven't been active, it's been crazy! But I'm okay, and I'm doing a lot better!
Edit: Okay, looks like everyone was freaked. I'm sorry! 😅
Non Spoilers:
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Uncle Rick, watch out, Shannon has some mean cliffhangers for you.
This book was such a wild ride, I'm an emotional mess. I absolutely love the series, and am a certified stan!!!! I was completely wrong when I said I'd never join the fandom. They really do get better.
But my heart is broken. What else is new?
Wish I could say more, but as this is the fifth book, I can't. But I can't, really.
Spoilers!!!!!!
Sophie Character Analysis:
I honestly don't get why people hate Sophie. Character Development? Check. Badass queen? Check. Just go ahead and check all the boxes. She has to be one of my favorite protagonists ever. I just love her. And she's been through so much!! I feel like in some books, people underestimate how much a character has seen, and this book is included. She's just such a good person! I'll always love her!! I'm super late to the fandom, but that's not anything new.
It took me 12 days to finish this book. Why? I don't know. But I'm finally out of my mini-slump! I screamed when I finished this book and immediately jumped to the next. (Love her sister by the way) Gahhhh, I don't know what else to say except I love Sophie, and you should too.
Only one thing: SOKEEFE FOREVER STOP BEING BLIND GIRL!!!!!
Keefe Character Analysis: HALELUHIAH PRAISE THE LORD ALMIGHTY, HE LEFT THE NEVERSEEN YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As you can tell, I'm super happy. I've long forgiven Keefe, and my overwhelming love for his character is solidified! I didn't the get the hype for his character, or anything related to this series at first, and wow, has that changed. Nowadays, I run on purely KOTLC. My family is probably really tired of hearing all my rants, so you guys will have to suffer. I went through hell and back with this book. And these characters. I'm in love, and the hype is so worth it.
I just love all the characters, (well most of them) and the series as a whole!
Thoughts on Plot:
Even if it's heartbreaking, it gets better every book.
Final Thoughts:
Rip Forkle. I'll miss you.
Edit: Okay, looks like everyone was freaked. I'm sorry! 😅
Non Spoilers:
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Uncle Rick, watch out, Shannon has some mean cliffhangers for you.
This book was such a wild ride, I'm an emotional mess. I absolutely love the series, and am a certified stan!!!! I was completely wrong when I said I'd never join the fandom. They really do get better.
But my heart is broken. What else is new?
Wish I could say more, but as this is the fifth book, I can't. But I can't, really.
Spoilers!!!!!!
Sophie Character Analysis:
I honestly don't get why people hate Sophie. Character Development? Check. Badass queen? Check. Just go ahead and check all the boxes. She has to be one of my favorite protagonists ever. I just love her. And she's been through so much!! I feel like in some books, people underestimate how much a character has seen, and this book is included. She's just such a good person! I'll always love her!! I'm super late to the fandom, but that's not anything new.
It took me 12 days to finish this book. Why? I don't know. But I'm finally out of my mini-slump! I screamed when I finished this book and immediately jumped to the next. (Love her sister by the way) Gahhhh, I don't know what else to say except I love Sophie, and you should too.
Only one thing: SOKEEFE FOREVER STOP BEING BLIND GIRL!!!!!
Keefe Character Analysis: HALELUHIAH PRAISE THE LORD ALMIGHTY, HE LEFT THE NEVERSEEN YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As you can tell, I'm super happy. I've long forgiven Keefe, and my overwhelming love for his character is solidified! I didn't the get the hype for his character, or anything related to this series at first, and wow, has that changed. Nowadays, I run on purely KOTLC. My family is probably really tired of hearing all my rants, so you guys will have to suffer. I went through hell and back with this book. And these characters. I'm in love, and the hype is so worth it.
I just love all the characters, (well most of them) and the series as a whole!
Thoughts on Plot:
Even if it's heartbreaking, it gets better every book.
Final Thoughts:
Rip Forkle. I'll miss you.
August 26, 2019
I HAVE NO WORDS FOR HOW GOOD THIS BOOK IS...... I HAVE ABSOULOUTLY NO IDEA HOW IM GOING TO SURVIVE ANOTHER YEAR OF WAITING FOR THE NEXT ONE!!!!!!!!
LODESTAR SPOILERS:
LODESTAR SPOILERS:
December 3, 2016
Don't talk to me. I need to cry. And rage.
Shannon Messenger, you are my least favorite person right now.
Review to come, when it isn't, oh, 3 AM ON A SCHOOL NIGHT.
Shannon Messenger, what do you do to me.
(But I DEVOURED this. I started at about midnight and ended at three. Pretty good, if I do say so myself.)
Shannon Messenger, you are my least favorite person right now.
Review to come, when it isn't, oh, 3 AM ON A SCHOOL NIGHT.
Shannon Messenger, what do you do to me.
(But I DEVOURED this. I started at about midnight and ended at three. Pretty good, if I do say so myself.)
March 6, 2019
5 Stars!
This SERIES! My god, I can't even begin to explain how unexpected this is. Honestly it's such a whirlwind of emotions, and by far, this book made me the most emotional!
Some points;
- Keefe and Sandor remain strong favourites.
- Sophie is becoming such a stronger character in the sense that I'm beginning to like her a lot more
- We see more of Tam in this book and THAT is something that liked, his ability is SO interesting and I need more please
- All of the unraveling, I've said before I found some of the books and plot points a bit predictable, this however had my jaw to the floor and being like oh my god, and cursing quite a lot!
- I don't know what it is with this series BUT the last 100 pages are always INCREDIBLE, I can't explain, I know books are supposed to draw you in, but the endings always have me gagged and I love it.
- How to word this, I don't know so the easiest way is to say we see more; Goblins, Ogres, Dwarves, Neverseen, Gnomes it was just brilliant!
- Silver Pants and dancing, this I need to see
- Even though there's serious moments we still have some light hearted parts which is very nice!
Overall, I can hands down say I am loving this series, it's just so gripping and once you're in your hooked! I'm taking a very short break to read Radio Silence with Alexis (which I am very very excited about), but I can't wait to pick up the next book!
This SERIES! My god, I can't even begin to explain how unexpected this is. Honestly it's such a whirlwind of emotions, and by far, this book made me the most emotional!
Some points;
- Keefe and Sandor remain strong favourites.
- Sophie is becoming such a stronger character in the sense that I'm beginning to like her a lot more
- We see more of Tam in this book and THAT is something that liked, his ability is SO interesting and I need more please
- All of the unraveling, I've said before I found some of the books and plot points a bit predictable, this however had my jaw to the floor and being like oh my god, and cursing quite a lot!
- I don't know what it is with this series BUT the last 100 pages are always INCREDIBLE, I can't explain, I know books are supposed to draw you in, but the endings always have me gagged and I love it.
- How to word this, I don't know so the easiest way is to say we see more; Goblins, Ogres, Dwarves, Neverseen, Gnomes it was just brilliant!
- Silver Pants and dancing, this I need to see
- Even though there's serious moments we still have some light hearted parts which is very nice!
Overall, I can hands down say I am loving this series, it's just so gripping and once you're in your hooked! I'm taking a very short break to read Radio Silence with Alexis (which I am very very excited about), but I can't wait to pick up the next book!
August 20, 2020
I JUST CANT
(3/3/16)
omg just look at that BEAUTIFUL COVER OMG OMG OMG OMG
AND WOOOOWWW TAM LOOKS TOO CUTE FOR ME ISHH AND FITZ LOOKS READY TO EXPLODE whereas Sophie seems SO grown up already!!! Go Sophie!!!!
I.CANT.WAIT.FOR.THIS.COUNTINGDOWN 242 days people!!!
(31/1/16)
Soooooo,Lodestar huh?I was expecting "Moonlark" though,but meh,atleast there's the title!!!!EEEEPPPPPP THIS IS SO EXITING LIKE ERHMAGAWD..AND PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HAVE FITZ ON THE COVER...Preferably holding Sophie's hands or just having physical contact yeah?And i have a feeling this is the KEEPER FINALE.....Which means all us Keeper fans will cry by the end of the book and DONT WORRY WE'LL PRESSURE MRS SHANNON TO WRITE A SPIN-OFF SERIES LIKE CAMON GUYS!!!! AND....TEAM SOPHITZ!!!!!
(3/3/16)
omg just look at that BEAUTIFUL COVER OMG OMG OMG OMG
AND WOOOOWWW TAM LOOKS TOO CUTE FOR ME ISHH AND FITZ LOOKS READY TO EXPLODE whereas Sophie seems SO grown up already!!! Go Sophie!!!!
I.CANT.WAIT.FOR.THIS.COUNTINGDOWN 242 days people!!!
(31/1/16)
Soooooo,Lodestar huh?I was expecting "Moonlark" though,but meh,atleast there's the title!!!!EEEEPPPPPP THIS IS SO EXITING LIKE ERHMAGAWD..AND PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HAVE FITZ ON THE COVER...Preferably holding Sophie's hands or just having physical contact yeah?And i have a feeling this is the KEEPER FINALE.....Which means all us Keeper fans will cry by the end of the book and DONT WORRY WE'LL PRESSURE MRS SHANNON TO WRITE A SPIN-OFF SERIES LIKE CAMON GUYS!!!! AND....TEAM SOPHITZ!!!!!
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