Keeper of the Lost Cities

Keeper of the Lost Cities

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger introduces Sophie Foster, a 12-year-old telepath living in the human world, who discovers she’s actually an elf. Her abilities far exceed normal elven powers, and soon, she’s quickly shoved into the secretive and advanced world of the Lost Cities. Sophie meets Fitz Vacker, who reveals her true heritage, and she’s taken to Foxfire Academy to learn about her abilities. But Sophie’s arrival stirs up more questions than answers, especially about why she was hidden among humans. As Sophie struggles to fit into the elven world, she learns about the Neverseen, a dangerous rebel group working against the Lost Cities’ government. The Neverseen have sinister plans, and Sophie’s unique powers seem to make her a key figure in their plots. The more Sophie discovers about her past and her abilities, the more she realizes she’s tied to the mysterious group called the Black Swan, who may be her only hope of understanding the truth. Caught between the secrets of the Black Swan and the threats from the Neverseen, Sophie must navigate a web of intrigue, danger, and betrayal while trying to protect the people she loves in a world that’s much more complicated than she ever imagined.

What made me enjoy the book was reading about Sophie’s brave adventures. At a young age, she has to go through many different challenges, from being an outcast in the human world to being hunted down by bad people. One of Sophie’s most courageous acts is her willingness to face the unknown. When Sophie discovers that she is not an ordinary human but an elf with extraordinary abilities, it forces her to leave behind the only life she has ever known and enter the Lost Cities, a completely unfamiliar world. Adapting to this new life, where she often feels out of place and different, requires significant bravery. Furthermore, along with the daunting responsibilities that come with her powers, it creates constant fear and uncertainty, yet Sophie presses forward, demonstrating her strength in the face of the unknown.

Moreover, I find Sophie’s friendships special as they are built on a deep sense of trust and loyalty. They stand by each other despite the dangers and high-risk situations which shows their courage and selflessness. They accept each other’s differences and weaknesses, relying on each other’s strengths and protect one another through their missions which help foster a close family-like relationship.

Overall, I think that this book is interesting and definitely worth reading. This book is an engaging and captivating book and I definitely recommend young avid fantasy-adventure lovers to read.

Karissa Lee

Secondary 3 Grace

2025