Has Keeper of the Lost Cities ended?

Keeper of the Lost Cities is an upper-middle-grade fantasy series by Shannon Messenger that has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list.[1] The first book in the series was an Association for Library Service to Children tween recommended read in 2013 The seventh book in the series Flashback had a first printing of 150000 copies and Shannon Messenger's three-week tour to promote the book drew crowds of 200-700 people per event.[2][3]

Series[edit]

The series tells the story of Sophie Foster, a twelve-year-old high school senior with the ability to read minds. She lives in San Diego, California until a boy named Fitz Vacker reveals that she is an elf and must leave to go live among the elves in the "Lost Cities", a hidden civilization where elves and other fantasy races live. She has to leave her human family behind and stays with an elvin couple, Grady and Edaline Ruewen, who later adopt her. She starts school at a prestigious elvin academy called Foxfire. She eventually discovers that she has dangerous and illegal secrets hidden in her mind, planted there by the Black Swan, a rebel group who is later revealed to have hidden Sophie originally in the human world. The main antagonist of the series is the Neverseen, an extreme criminal organization.

The story has continued over eight books as of November 2019, with one book released each year, as well as Unlocked—book 8.5—and four short stories in limited editions. The ninth book will be released on November 8, 2022,[4] and the series will conclude with a tenth book in 2023.[5]

Unlocked is book number 8.5 in the series and is a departure from the writing style of the previous books, with chapters alternating between multiple characters' perspectives. Unlocked also includes a series guide and extras like recipes and official art of the characters, drawn by Laura Hollingsworth.[6]

The Barnes & Noble special editions of Nightfall, Flashback and Legacy include short stories from the perspectives of the characters Keefe Sencen, Fitz Vacker, and Tam Song, respectively. The paperback edition of Flashback includes another short story from Keefe's perspective, and the paperback edition of Unlocked includes a short story from Linh Song's perspective. No other special editions are set to release.

An illustrated and annotated trade paperback edition of the first book was released on August 25, 2020.[7]

Reviews[edit]

Reviews to the series have mainly been positive. Kirkus Reviews said of the first book: "wholesome shading to bland", but "well-stocked with exotic creatures and locales, plus an agreeable cast."[8] Booklist Reviews called it a "exciting start to a promising series."

[edit]

In an interview with Denise Davidson of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Messenger answered questions about book 8 of the series, Legacy, and how she writes her books. There she talked about her characters, as well as saying she tries to let the characters drive the plot.[9]

Film adaptation[edit]

On January 11, 2021, it was announced that Ben Affleck would be directing an adaptation of Keeper of the Lost Cities for Disney. The release date and cast have not been announced, but it is set for around 2023/2024.[10][11]

Important Characters[edit]

Main Characters[edit]

Sophie Elizabeth Foster: The protagonist, whose genes were edited by a rebel group called the Black Swan, giving her several powerful Elven special abilities (DNA-based powers) including telepathy, Polyglot, enhancing, inflicting, and teleportation.

Keefe Cassius Sencen: The son of a leader of the Neverseen, but Sophie's close friend, who has a special ability allowing him to detect others feelings (empath). He is also a polyglot, and has manifested an unknown ability.

Dexter (“Dex”) Alvin Dizznee: Sophie’s best and first friend, a talented alchemist with a special ability to be skillful with technology (technopathy).

Fitzroy ("Fitz") Avery Vacker: Sophie's close friend and son of Alden Vacker, expert Telepath. He learns how to get through Sophie's mental blocking, thanks to help from Mr. Forkle.

Biana Amberly Vacker: Fitz’s younger sister and Sophie’s friend, who has a special ability to turn invisible (Vanisher) like her mother, Della.

Tam Dai Song: Sophie’s friend from Exillium, a school for banished and or "unruly" elves, who has a special ability that manipulates shadows (Shade).

Linh Hai Song: Tam’s twin sister (also previously at Exillium), who has the ability to control water (Hydrokinetic).

Side Characters[edit]

Wylie Zoran Endal: The son of Prentice (an important member of the Black Swan), who can sense and manipulate colours of light as per his needs (Flasher).

Marella Adene Redek: Sophie’s friend, who she meets during her first day at Foxfire, and has a banned ability to call down fire that is first discovered in Nightfall (Pyrokinetic).

Jensi Babblos: Sophie’s friend, who meets her on her first day at Foxfire. He does not manifest a special ability in the current series.

Maruca Chebota: Wylie’s cousin and Biana’s former best friend. She manifests the ability to make force fields (Psionipath) in Legacy.

Stina Destry Heks: A school bully who later becomes Sophie's friend. She has the ability to, when touching someone's arm, tell what they are feeling (Empath) She gains this ability in Lodestar.

Sophie's Elvin Family[edit]

Edaline Kelia Ruewen: Sophie’s adoptive mother, who has the ability to summon items from far away (Conjurer).

Grady Howell Ruewen: Sophie’s adoptive father, who has the ability to control what others do (Mesmer).

Sandor: Sophie’s goblin bodyguard.

Main Councillors[edit]

Councillor Bronte: Ancient elf who can inflict pain (Inflictor) , also an Ancient (senior) Councillor and one of the three Councillors who votes in whether Sophie should be allowed to attend Foxfire. At first he did not like Sophie, but, shortly after Councillor Kenric's death in Everblaze, he began to vote in her favour.

Councillor Oralie: An elf who can read emotions (Empath), Sophie's biological mother, and of the three Councillors who votes in whether Sophie should be allowed to attend Foxfire.

Councillor Alina: An elf who can manipulate people just by the tone of her voice, a Beguiler. She is principal of Foxfire at an earlier point in the series before resigning in order to become a Councillor, replacing Kenric.

The Black Swan[edit]

Mr. Errol Loki Forkle: Two members of the Black Swan's leaders who are identical twin brothers and share an identity (as well as all of their memories and experiences through telepathy), and one/two of Sophie’s creators. Also known as Magnate Leto Kerlof and Sir Astin.

Granite: A member of the Black Swan's leaders also known as Sir Tiergan Andrin Alenefar, Wylie’s adoptive father and Sophie’s and Fitz's Telepathy Mentor at Foxfire.

Prentice Endal: A member of the Black Swan who had the role of storing important information deep in his mind, who sacrificed his sanity to keep Sophie hidden among humans. Prentice is also the father of Wylie Endal.

The Neverseen[edit]

Lady Vespera Neci Folend: An elf who lived in the dungeon of an elven city for thousands of years, who was secretly experimenting on humans, and a leader of the Neverseen. She is an Empath (she can read emotions), but she can no longer feel her own emotions due to her letting herself get overwhelmed by everyone else's emotions

Lady Gisela Minette Sencen: A leader of the Neverseen, Keefe’s mother, and Lord Cassius's wife. Gisela is a Polyglot (she can speak any language), but doesn't seem to have another ability like most Polyglots do (though she could be hiding one).

Fintan Pyren: A Pyrokinetic, originally a member of the Council before pyrokinesis was banned, now a leader of the Neverseen.

Alvar Soren Vacker: Fitz and Biana’s brother, who joined the Neverseen after learning a secret about their family's "legacy".

Brant Alger (last name unknown): The fiancé of Jolie, Grady and Edaline’s daughter (Jolie, who is dead) and an unregistered Pyrokinetic (he can manipulate and create fire). He is crushed by a falling ceiling while in Lumenaria.

Other Adults[edit]

Elwin Heslege: The physician at Foxfire.

Alden Dedrick Vacker: Fitz, Alvar and Biana’s father and a friend to Sophie, has the ability to read minds (Telepathy)

Della Adara Vacker: Fitz, Alvar and Biana’s mother, as well as Alden's wife. She has the ability to vanish (Vanisher).

Dead[edit]

Jolie Lucine Ruewen: Daughter of Grady and Edaline Ruewen, Conjurer. She died in a fire set accidentally by her fiancé, Brant.

Brant Alger (last name unknown): The fiancé of Jolie, Grady and Edaline’s daughter (Jolie, who is dead) and an unregistered Pyrokinetic (he can manipulate and create fire). He is crushed by a falling ceiling while in Lumenaria.

Councillor Kenric Elgar Fathdon: A supporter of Sophie's, who dies in a fire in Oblivimyre, Eternalia. The fire was Everblaze, set by Fintan, who is at the time also thought dead. In Neverseen, it is revealed that Fintan survived (but not Kenric).

Calla: A gnome, and part of the Black Swan. When the ogres release a deadly plague to kill the gnomes, she sacrifices herself to be the cure.

Meanings[edit]

Many of the names in Keeper of the Lost Cities have meanings in other languages and are presumably derived from them.

• The surname "Tam" (Tam song, Linh’s twin brother) means "twin".
• The surname "Sophie" means "wise".
• The surname "Keefe" (One of Sophie’s friends) means "handsome" and "gentle".
• The surname "Vacker" (Fitz and Biana Vacker) means "beautiful" in Swedish.
• The surname "Heks" (Stina Heks) means "witch" in Dutch.
• The given name "Luzia" (Luzia Vacker) means "bright" or "light" and is of Latin origin, a reference to her ability to manipulate light.
• The surname "Ignis" (Ruy Ignis) seems to be roughly derived from Latin for 'fire'.
• The surname "Ondsinn" (Gethen Inar Ondsinn) roughly means "evil" in Norwegian.
• The given name "Gisela (Lady Gisela Sencen) means "pledge" in German

Locations[edit]

Eternalia: The elves’ capital city, known in human myths as Shangri-La. It’s divided by a river, with the Councillors’ castles on one side and buildings like the elven courtroom for criminal cases, the Tribunal Hall.

Atlantis: An underwater city originally meant to be shared with humans before they started a war with the elves. It was sunk soon afterward but is still inhabited.

Mysterium: A city usually occupied by elves without special abilities, or Talentless, and looked down on by some members of the elven nobility.

Lumenaria: A castle that inspired human legends of Camelot, where species come together to negotiate, and where some prisoners are kept.

Foxfire: The elves’ most prestigious school, which students must attend to be members of the elven nobility.

Exillium: The school for students banished from the Lost Cities. This school was originally attended by Tam and Linh Song.

The Sanctuary: An animal preserve hidden in the Himalayas for species humans believe to be mythical or extinct.

Exile: The most secure interspecies prison.

Havenfield: Sophie and her parents' home and the place where animals are domesticated and trained to live in the Sanctuary.

Everglen: The Vackers’ home. A large manor with a lake.

Alluveterre: One of the Black Swan’s hideouts.

Solreef: Sir Tiergan's house.

Sterling Gables: The Heks' house.

Watchward Heath: Mr. Forkle's office.

Splendor Plains: Elwin Hesledge's house.

Notes[edit]

This series doesn't get enough attention! It is a perfect and amazing book with a complex plot and a fantasy twist that readers would DROOL over. Let's give it the attention it deserves!

References[edit]

1. ^ "Children's Series Books - Best Sellers - Books - Dec. 6, 2020 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
2. ^ Rosen, Judith. "Children's Institute 2018: Authors and Illustrators to Meet". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
3. ^ Kantor, Emma. "On Tour with Shannon Messenger". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
4. ^ Keeper of the Lost Cities #9. 2022-11-08. ISBN 978-1-5344-3852-1.
5. ^ "One last 'Keeper of the Lost Cities' scheduled for 2023". AP News. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
6. ^ Unlocked Book 8.5. 2020-11-17. ISBN 978-1-5344-6342-4.
7. ^ Keeper of the Lost Cities Illustrated & Annotated Edition. 2020-08-04. ISBN 978-1-5344-7984-5.
8. ^ Keeper of the Lost Cities. Kirkus Reviews.
9. ^ "Shannon Messenger, keeper of 'The Lost Cities,' talks about Legacy". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2019-12-15. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
10. ^ Jackson, Angelique (2021-01-11). "Ben Affleck to Direct 'Keeper of the Lost Cities' Adaptation for Disney". Variety. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
11. ^ Kroll, Justin (2021-01-11). "Ben Affleck To Direct Adaptation Of 'Keeper Of The Lost Cities' For Disney". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-10-05.

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