Book Review: Keeper of the Lost Cities

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She's already been through the library collecting the books she wants.  She wasn't after anything particular this time, just a couple of good books.  Maybe even some new series to enjoy.

Now her family is backing up to go.  This time, unlike most times, she has only one book.  It feels so strange!   Usually she has an armload of three-inch-thick books, which she's read within three-four weeks.  She almost feels a little... guilty?  Of course, there's no reason for her to feel guilty.  Maybe she feels disappointed with herself.  

All of a sudden, a book cover catches her eye.  She knows that one is not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but to be honest, she does.  Now, normally, she takes the time to research a new book before taking it home to read it, but one glance at the first sentence of the description makes her take the book and stash it with the rest of the books her siblings are taking out.

It's name:  Keeper of the Lost Cities.

I wasn't disappointed either!  Keeper of the Lost Cities tells the story of Sophie, a twelve-year-old prodigy bound for college next school year.  She had the opportunity for Yale, but her parents preferred to keep her closer to home.  

Sophie has always felt she didn't belong- and for good reasons!  Secretly, she is a telepath.  It's a talent she's never been able to explain.  However, when she meets a mysterious young boy named Fitz, she finds out the truth:  she is an elf.

Before she knows it, Sophie has been thrown into the complicated hidden society of Elves- where everything she's ever known turns out to be flawed.    Yet she finds that even there, she is an oddity.  There are secrets buried in her memory that people would kill for, and it's up to her to unlock those secrets before it's too late.

Some people would describe this as the female version of Harry Potter, but don't let that throw you off.  This book is an original, genuinely good story, written by a rising author named Shannon Messenger.  She has done a fantastic job of combining mystery, relationships, school scenarios, and action in this refreshing tale.  There were absolutely no negatives about this book.  It's meant for kids, but older teens can enjoy this as well.  It gets a full five stars from me, and I continue to wait for it's sequel, Keeper of the Lost Cities: Exile, coming out in October.  :D

So if you're looking for a good book to read, go pick this one up!  It lives up to it's beautiful cover art.  This is one case where you can judge a book by its cover!

-Rayne Speryll