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(4)
4-6
Keeper of the Lost Cities series.
In book six, elf Sophie vows to rescue her human parents, who've been kidnapped by the Neverseen. But Sophie quickly realizes that it's equally important to discover the Neverseen's larger plan if she's going to finally defeat the villains for good. The plot unwinds slowly (over nearly 800 pages), but Sophie's fears and anxieties about her loved ones are portrayed realistically.
(4)
4-6
Keeper of the Lost Cities series.
Sophie, having grown into her telepathic abilities, is trying to save the elven Lost Cities from the hostile Neverseen faction. She still doesn't understand why she is so important to the conflict; now, her friend Keefe is undercover with Sophie's crew. This overlong fifth book suffers from glacial plot development, but series fans will enjoy the minutiae of this immersive world and its many characters.
(4)
4-6
Keeper of the Lost Cities series.
In trouble with the ruling elven Council for the events of Everblaze, Sophie and her friends flee to the insurgent group the Black Swan. The detailed world-building, a series strength, continues to expand, and the shifting dynamics of friendship, trust, and betrayal lend emotional heft to the sometimes overwhelming level of detail. Banter lightens the mood but also drags the pace.
(4)
4-6
Keeper of the Lost Cities series.
Sophie, whose psychic talents are getting stronger, continues to probe the complexities and secrets of Elven society in this Harry Potter–esque mix of school drama and larger-than-life peril. Sophie and her friends are amiable, wise-cracking, and occasionally petty, drawing readers in, but uneven pacing and a large cast of vaguely defined secondary characters gum up the works of this hefty third book.
572 pp.
| Simon/Aladdin
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-4596-3$17.99
(4)
4-6
Keeper of the Lost Cities series.
Sophie continues to learn about her elven heritage and powers (including some disturbing ones) while struggling to clarify her connection to the rebel group Black Swan, which may have created her. Despite this installment's excessive length and inconsistent focus, Sophie's coming into her own as an unwitting "chosen one" is a compelling arc, set against a well-developed backdrop of social conflict.