Keeper of the Lost Cities Illustrated & Annotated Edition by Shannon Messenger
Synopsis:
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.
Review:
Sophie is an extremely intelligent preteen who also has the ability to read people’s minds – something she has hid from everyone. But when she meets a boy with similar abilities, he whisks her away and opens her eyes to a whole new world.
This edition of Keeper of the Lost Cities is illustrated and annotated by the author. There are 16 black and white illustrations throughout the novel that help depict certain scenes in a great way. I actually didn’t care too much for the annotations, as the were very sporadic and didn’t add to the actual story. The notes are definitely for young children, who are already fans and have read the book already.
I enjoyed this start to a fun, middle grade fantasy series. The story is complex and full of suspense, intrigue, and drama. And there are several memorable character with bold personalities. I haven’t read the rest of the series yet, but I’m hoping the fantasy world is fleshed out more, as there is quite a bit left to be explored. And while there is a bit of nice resolution to this first installment, there is still a lot of mystery unresolved.