Flashback (7) (Keeper of the Lost Cities) Paperback – October 8, 2019

Flashback (7) in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series is an absolute masterpiece that exceeded all my expectations! Shannon Messenger has once again delivered a gripping and magical story that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.The characters continue to grow and evolve in fascinating ways. Sophie, in particular, shines brighter than ever as she faces incredible challenges and makes tough decisions that test her courage and strength. The dynamics between the characters are rich and complex, making their relationships feel incredibly real and relatable.The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers guessing and eagerly turning pages. The world-building is exquisite, with vivid descriptions that make the Lost Cities come alive. Messenger's writing style is engaging and fluid, making it easy to get lost in the enchanting world she has created.One of the standout aspects of Flashback is the emotional depth. The book explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil with such nuance and sensitivity. I found myself deeply invested in the characters' journeys, feeling their triumphs and heartaches as if they were my own.Overall, Flashback (7) is a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike. It combines heart-pounding action, heartfelt moments, and magical adventures into a compelling story that is impossible to put down. Shannon Messenger has truly outdone herself with this installment, and I can't wait to see where the story goes next! Five stars all the way!

So yes, we all know that this series is getting really long already. FLASHBACK is the seventh book. Some people have decided to give up on Shannon Messenger and stop reading it altogether-- which they can choose to do quite easily, since these books are always released a year apart-- but I'm still waiting for Sophie's story. Even if it will have to take an eighth and a ninth installment (which the author did admit to certainty).But come on-- the elvin world is so rich and layered and multifaceted that I have no problem spending some time on reading about it. Yes, there were cliffhangers. Yes, there was an insufferably complicated love triangle-that-became-a-hexagon. Yes, there were so. Many. Unanswered. Questions.... Actually, there still are.However. Reading this made me incomprehensibly ecstatic because the romance finally PROGRESSED. And I loved it so much! And also, even though about a third of the book is confined to the Healing Center at Foxfire (well, I mean, it wasn't bad seeing Elwin again), there was still plenty of progress made on the team. Except for the fact that DexBianaWylieLinhandMarella were seen very, very little. Although it's slightly forgivable because FitzandKeefeandTam were seen a little more. EVEN THOUGH YOU ALL KNOW I WANT MORE DEX.We learned some preeeetttyyyy surprising secrets too, in this book, and yes, the Vacker family plays a huge role in this book. The Vacker family and memory. Also, the Vacker family official portait by Laura Hollingsworth does make an honorable mention in one of the scenes!So, yeah. Waiting an entire year for an 848-page-long, eleven-dollar book was totally worth it in my opinion. And now... I'll play around while I wonder what next year's book will be...

Interesting book

Letting my daughter write this:I am 12 years old. I’m a huge fan of Shannon’s writing, and had a count down until the book to come out starting at 280 days. I couldn’t wait for it to arrive! I fell in love with the book, like all her other writings, and couldn’t put the book down!! The way it started was nice. I loved how there was action starting at chapter 6!! It was really great! Some parts seemed to drag on but overall it was amazing!!! Nothing to complain about in this amazing book(even though my favorite couple wasn’t mentioned a lot , I still love my girl Sophie!!) Let’s just say this book is AMAZING!! KOTLC is the best series I’ve ever read. I’ve re-read it 6 times and still can’t put the book down!! So if you read this long dragged on review,(I thank you if so!) the main point is this series is amazing and nothing can beat it!!!

Big and lightweight. Good for teens who like to carry a lot of stuff.My teen loves it!

There's so much to love about this series. It's funny smart, immersive, thought-provoking, and even romantic in a tweenage kind of way. The many different creatures and magical powers are captivating and detailed. It's so fun to explore this world. I absolutely love how mental magic is handled. The process of infiltrating, exploring, and damaging other people's minds is explored more intricately in this book than pretty much any other fantasy series I've read. The action is also a whole lot of fun, and Sophie Foster is impossible to dislike, even if she is the most special person in the universe. She's just so kind and insecure and doggedly determined to be good that you can't help but feel for her. She's a sweetheart.Shannon Messenger also has one that special gift that some authors have, and she's only gotten better at it: she compels you to keep reading. I gobbled this book down, eager to get answers to my million questions.Which brings me to my biggest complaint:So. Many. Unanswered. Questions.Can't really explain without getting too spoilery, but Messenger has been dragging out about a dozen plot threads for yeaaaaaars. She's great at tantalizing hints, but I don't want this series to end up like a TV show with too many seasons. It was actually kind of nice to see more progress on the romantic side of the story, even if it wasn't really the relationship I'd prefer. But in terms of the main plot, things have a way of reversing themselves so many times they just go back to the status quo. I'd love to see more development, more answers, and a better view of the finish line (which I'm sure will be amazing.)