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tjwallace04 's review for:
Unlocked
by Shannon Messenger
funny
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't realize until I started "Unlocked" that 70% of it was going to be a bloated, kind of self-indulgent "reference" work on the world of "Keeper of the Lost Cities." But I read the whole thing (with just a tiiiiiny bit of skimming) because I am insane, and that's what I do. I don't DNF, and if I am going to count a book as "read," then I read every word of it.
The "reference" part of the book includes: a section with the Council's registry files on each of the main characters (so basically bios and summaries of each character's activities over the last 8 books); map and place descriptions; an exhaustively thorough overview on life in the Lost Cities including sections on food, magical creatures, sports, and government; a few interactive activities like quizzes and recipes; pictures, etc. The only parts that were moderately entertaining involved Keefe (Shannon Messenger is well aware he is her golden goose), like his overwritten registry file and his descriptions of his memory sketches. Oh, and I actually appreciated Sophie's notes on the two rebel groups, even though it was delivered in the most bland, Sophie-ish way ever, because this shiz has gotten complicated, and it was a nice succinct overview of what the two groups have done.
But the novella was fantastic! Mostly worth the previous 500-page slog. It was so entertaining and exciting that I read it in one sitting, and then I came SO close to downloading and immediately starting "Stellarlune" because, of course, "Unlocked" ended on a major cliffhanger involving our beloved Keefe. AGAIN. I really enjoyed the alternating narration between Keefe and Sophie, and the plot developments were very interesting and seem like they are paving the way for a great final showdown in the last two books. (It IS ending with book 10, right?!?) Oh Keefe. Stay strong!
The "reference" part of the book includes: a section with the Council's registry files on each of the main characters (so basically bios and summaries of each character's activities over the last 8 books); map and place descriptions; an exhaustively thorough overview on life in the Lost Cities including sections on food, magical creatures, sports, and government; a few interactive activities like quizzes and recipes; pictures, etc. The only parts that were moderately entertaining involved Keefe (Shannon Messenger is well aware he is her golden goose), like his overwritten registry file and his descriptions of his memory sketches. Oh, and I actually appreciated Sophie's notes on the two rebel groups, even though it was delivered in the most bland, Sophie-ish way ever, because this shiz has gotten complicated, and it was a nice succinct overview of what the two groups have done.
But the novella was fantastic! Mostly worth the previous 500-page slog. It was so entertaining and exciting that I read it in one sitting, and then I came SO close to downloading and immediately starting "Stellarlune" because, of course, "Unlocked" ended on a major cliffhanger involving our beloved Keefe. AGAIN. I really enjoyed the alternating narration between Keefe and Sophie, and the plot developments were very interesting and seem like they are paving the way for a great final showdown in the last two books. (It IS ending with book 10, right?!?) Oh Keefe. Stay strong!