Reviews with content warning for Grief - Keeper of the Lost Cities

looking through the other books in the series it really is like, damn, mediocre books stay getting nice book covers

caveat i'm def not the target audience for this book but i don't think that disqualifies me from criticizing it

i honestly really wanted to like the MC of this book but she was written as such a mary sue it just completely put me off. it was so frustrating bc she had inherently good qualities that i really enjoyed reading about and tween struggles that i think younger readers could relate to. there was also an underlying current of grief that i thought added depth to her character and those around her that pleasantly surprised me, but not much more than that. to

overall, the worldbuilding of the super special and magical fantasy world was poorly executed and not compelling -- the book smugglers review of this book articulates this much better than i can.

i also found it really awkward how often it was pointed out/hinted that the boys at school (specifically her close-ish friends) were crushing on her -- it was so repetitive and discomfiting. this, of course, came along with all the other girls at school disliking her because of that.

i really tried to give this book a shot but i never found more redeeming qualities in it, and having had a peek at reviews of the other books in the series, i don't think i'm missing out on much. good for the author, get your bag, i guess.

Content Warnings

hedyharper's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

tays_dear_reader's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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jasmineslibraryy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

still my all time comfort book & series. can't wait to continue reading on 🫶

Content Warnings

faeriefox's review

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Would round down to 4⭐

Reread of a favorite! Don't really have any commentary to provide, especially since I'm biased from the rest of the series.

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lastcomment314's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Keeper of the Lost Cities is a captivating adventure following Sophie, who has had the ability to read minds ever since an accident when she was five, and her discovery of her true identity, where she really came from, and why she's never felt like she fit in. The twists and turns made this book hard to put down, and the emotional heart of it endeared me to all of the characters and their quirks.

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