Shannon Messenger is the author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series. The books are full of suspense and mystery and are focused on middle school kids. The series consists of ten books and novellas that were published between 2012 and 2022. Sophie Foster, a 12-year-old girl, is the main protagonist in all the books of the series. She has telepathic talents, allowing her to hear people’s thoughts.
This first installment of the bestselling series follows the psychic girl. She sets out to discover why she has become the key to her new universe. Sophie must complete it as soon as possible to prevent the wrong individuals from obtaining the information before her. She meets a boy named Fitz, who seems to come out of nowhere. Because Fitz can read Sophi’s mind, everything in her life begins to change.
Sophie Foster discovers that she has some dark secrets buried in her memory. The second novel, named ‘Exile,’ continues where the first left off. The central character’s life and her telepathic powers continue to be the focus. The novels revolve around her adventures, dangerous events, and mystical friends. The readers will find out if the girl will be able to make life-or-death decisions and save the people around her.
Shannon Messenger has an exceptional writing style and excels at character development. , which played a big role in these novels becoming worldwide bestsellers.
Books in order
Keeper of the Lost Cities Books in order
- Keeper of the Lost Cities (2012)
- Exile (2013)
- Everblaze (2014)
- Neverseen (2015)
- Lodestar (2016)
- Nightfall (2017)
- Flashback (2018)
- Legacy (2019)
- Unlocked (2020)
Similar authors
- Chris Colfer’s The Land of Stories features twins Alex and Conner Bailey. They fall from the real world into a world full of magic.
- Unwanted by Lisa McMann, which Kirkus Reviews calls “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”
See also: Serena Valentino Books in Order.
Most recommended books of the series
- Neverseen (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #4) (4.63 Goodreads score)
- Stellarlune (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #9) (4.61 Goodreads score)
- Lodestar (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #5) (4.59 Goodreads score)
- Nightfall (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #6) (4.59 Goodreads score)
- Everblaze (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #3) (4.56 Goodreads score)
Awards
Keeper of the Lost Cities received the 2017 Middle School/Junior High California Young Reader Medal.
Upcoming releases in the series
The next book of the series, Stellarlune, is expected to be published in 2022.
Book summaries
Keeper of the Lost Cities (2012)
Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she thinks…But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known.But Sophie still has secrets, and they’re buried deep in her memory for good reason: The answers are dangerous and in high-demand. What is her true identity, and why was she hidden among humans? The truth could mean life or death—and time is running out.
Exile (2013)
Sophie is settling in nicely to her new home and her new life in the world of the lost cities. And it helps that living at Havenfield means getting to spend time with rare, precious species–including the first female Alicorn, who shows herself to Sophie and trusts no one but her.Sophie is tasked with helping to train the magical creature so that the Alicorn can be revealed to the people of the lost cities as a sign of hope, and Sophie wants to believe that the recent drama and anguish is gone for good.But the secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memories remain, and before long she’s back in incredible danger, risking everything to find the answers to questions that could save not only her life, but the life of someone close to her…
Everblaze (2014)
Sophie Foster is ready to fight back.Her talents are getting stronger, and with the elusive Black Swan group ignoring her calls for help, she’s determined to find her kidnappers—before they come after her again.But a daring mistake leaves her world teetering on the edge of war, and causes many to fear that she has finally gone too far. And the deeper Sophie searches, the farther the conspiracy stretches, proving that her most dangerous enemy might be closer than she realizes.
Neverseen (2015)
Sophie Foster is on the run—but at least she’s not alone.Her closest friends from the Lost Cities have gone with her to join the Black Swan. They still have doubts about the shadowy organization, but the only way to find answers is to start working with them. And as they settle into their new lives, they uncover secrets bigger than anything they’d imagined.But their enemies are far from done, and unleash a terrifying plague that threatens the safety of an entire species. Sophie and her friends fight with everything they have—with new allies joining them—but every choice has consequences. And trusting the wrong person could prove deadly.
Lodestar (2016)
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.
Nightfall (2017)
Sophie Foster is struggling. Grieving. Scrambling. But she knows one thing: she will not be defeated.The Neverseen have had their victories—but the battle is far from over. It’s time to change tactics. Make sacrifices. Reexamine everything. Maybe even time for Sophie to trust her enemies.All paths lead to Nightfall—an ominous door to an even more ominous place—and Sophie and her friends strike a dangerous bargain to get there. But nothing can prepare them for what they discover. The problems they’re facing stretch deep into their history. And with time running out, and mistakes catching up with them, Sophie and her allies must join forces in ways they never have before.
Flashback (2018)
Sophie Foster doesn’t know what—or whom—to believe. And in a game with this many players, the worst mistake can be focusing on the wrong threat.But when the Neverseen prove that Sophie’s far more vulnerable than she ever imagined, she realizes it’s time to change the rules. Her powerful abilities can only protect her so far. To face down ruthless enemies, she must learn to fight.Unfortunately, battle training can’t help a beloved friend who’s facing a whole different danger—where the only solution involves one of the biggest risks Sophie and her friends have ever taken. And the distraction might be exactly what the villains have been waiting for.
Legacy (2019)
Sophie Foster wants answers. But after a lifetime of lies, sometimes the truth is the most dangerous discovery. Even the smallest secret comes with terrifying new responsibilities.And Sophie’s not the only one with blank spots in her past, or mysteries surrounding her family. She and her friends are part of something much bigger than they imagined—and their roles have already been chosen for them.Every clue drags them deeper into the conspiracy. Every memory forces them to question everything—especially one another. And the harder they fight, the more the lines blur between friend and enemy.
Unlocked (2020)
In this extra special installment of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, the story picks up right from Legacy’s particularly devastating cliffhanger. But chapters alternate between Sophie and Keefe’s perspectives to give listeners deeper insights into both beloved characters. New powers will be discovered. Hard truths from the past will come to light. And all of your favorite characters will find themselves tested in ways they never imagined.
