Lodestar (5) (Keeper of the Lost Cities)

AHHHHH!! This book had me waiting forever to get it, so when I did, you can imagine how excited I was! I've loved all the other books in the series, and love this one as well. Just so you know, all you Sophitz fans are so ignorant of how awesome, sweet, caring, funny, and overall charming Keefe really is. I swear if he was real, I would be trying to get his attention all the time! (I'd probably be one of those fangirls that he would end up loving, at least I'd hope!) If anyone agrees with me on Keefe being better, select helpful please! Anyways, now that I'm done gushing about Keefe, here is what I thought. During the whole book, I was on the edge of my seat, and it was awesome. I LOVED the plot twists and new Collective characters identities being shown. I wish that the one character didn't die in the end, and that it wasn't such a cliffhanger, but I guess that's what I secretly like about these books. The cliffhangers. I promise you that you'll love this book, and if you are reading this and the next book is already out, quite reading this gushy ranty post, and start reading the book!

I unashamedly LOVE KotLC. All of my friends are probably sick of hearing me say it by now. Reading this series is like coming home on a cold winter night and climbing into your nice toasty bed under piles of blankets. It's what I look forward too, it's familiar, it never disappoints.I bought Lodestar because I couldn't stand waiting in the massive line to check it out at the library(it took me forever to get Neverseen) and because at this stage, it'd take a miracle for Shannon Messenger to majorly fail me.Lodestar was even better than Neverseen. There was lots of little pieces that really hit home for me. I love Shannon's ability to not only create a completely engaging story that draws in even old people like me, but also that she finds a way to add elements that we all so desperately need to see in fiction. She makes them easy to understand and does it naturally so that it's not like she's hitting me over the head with a moral.For example, one of Dex's brothers is being flirty and goes to wrap his arm around Biana. It's a little thing and completely appropriate for a MG audience. And Dex's dad steps in and says, "No, we do not touch women without their permission." It fit the story, it was easy to slip in there, and it's a good way to show a young audience(or an older one) that it's not okay to just touch people in a "sensual" way without asking. It showed a perfect example so people won't be confused with friends hugging, or high fives, etc.I loved getting to see more of Dex's family and some of the non-elvin cultures. I was really hoping that Sophie would take Lady Cadence's advice to heart and was sad that things had to end the way they did with a particular group(trying to avoid spoilers).Mysteries are solved, and new mysteries are born. Shannon did a great job of giving me some answers while creating enough questions where again I'm sitting here wishing that the next book was out already.I miss Dex. He's been sidelined the past two books and I'm sure that's just to start narrowing down who Sophie ends up with and shift more people to Keefe or Fitz. I'm not a fan, at all, of love triangles(I even went so far last book to call it a square and laughed when a character called it that in Lodestar). Luckily, Shannon puts very little emphasis on it and Sophie's not leading anyone along. It's been obvious from the very start that Fitz has always been the one she's got a crush on. And crush is what it is. Sophie was like what . . . 11? 12? in the first book. She's a child and I'm not in a hurry to matchmake for a child and I'm quite happy to see her just be Sophie(though Dophie made me laugh also) for now.Maybe in 4-5 years or so she'll be ready for a real romantic relationship and realize she's been blind to the awesomeness that is Dex.And kudos to Shannon for adding in the scene where Sophie stands up to the Songs. I read that part to my mom and my husband because what Sophie says can be applied to so many situations and it really struck home. It's a message that kids need when parents have failed to be parents. They need to know they're worth more. They need to know that they can stand on their own and there's nothing wrong with separating themselves from harmful parents(if possible). Adults need to know this too!I'm so excited to see 2 more books are at least going to be added!! I hope this series never ends. I'd be happy to read about an 18 year old Sophie, and a 20 year old sophie, and considering Elves live forever, let's be real, who wouldn't be happy to read about Sophie for the rest of our lives at any age?

Great series. My daughter loves these books!

A bit slower than the first books, but got much better toward the back…when I couldn’t put it down! On to book 6!!!

As of most of the Keeper Of The Lost Cities books, this was excellent. If you like Harry Potter you will love this.

I like this book because it's super funny. I'm 10 years old and love this series. It turns me into a book zombie - off into my own world. The ending surprised me. This book makes it so you can't stop reading. You have to read these books in order. I would definitely recommend this book!

Good book.loved it like all the books in the series.it’s one of the dramatic books in the series!my favorite part was when Fitz leaned to kiss Sophie but then Keefe cleared his throat🤣a bit to much about neverseen but still awesome!

Shannon Messenger has done it again and now I have to go download the next book! Can't wait to see what happens and the budding romance that I see happening!