Review of Keeper of the Lost Cities: Unlocked (Book 8.5)

In this extra special installment of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, the story picks up right from Legacy’s particularly devastating cliffhanger. But chapters alternate between Sophie and Keefe’s perspectives to give readers deeper insights into both beloved characters. New powers will be discovered. Hard truths from the past will come to light. And all of your favorite characters will find themselves tested in ways they never imagined.

And that’s not all!

Unlocked also includes a comprehensive guide to the world of the Lost Cities, featuring new character and world details that have never been revealed before—plus fun bonuses like Keeper-themed recipes, a detailed map of the Lost Cities, gorgeous full-color illustrations, and so much more!

Hello, my fellow book lovers! Today, I will be reviewing the book Unlocked, by Shannon Messenger.

Tone

I've read all of Messenger's other books, and one of my favorite things about them is her tone! She's excellent at making the reader feel immersed in the worlds she creates, and one of the big tools she uses to do that is her tone. Whenever I read one of her books, I can always feel the personality of the characters, the mood of the story, and Messenger's passion.

Characters

The characters in the previous books in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series are all beautifully written, and this add-on doesn't break that pattern one bit! Everyone in this book, from the main characters to the minor ones, are excellently fleshed-out, and they all go through realistic and compelling growth. Something I especially loved about this book was how we got a closer look at some of the more minor characters, such as the councilers and Elwin. Seeing the events of the series from their points-of-view was refreshing and enlightening.
Plot

The plot of Unlocked is also wonderful. Not only was the story itself incredible, with plenty of revelations and surprises, but the excerpts were also amazing! Sophie's medical records were very funny and interesting to read, as was the short story from Oralie's point-of-view. The main section picked up where the last book, Legacy, left off, and was told from the point-of-view of both Sophie and Keefe, and I have to say, I loved it! I felt like Sophie's character grew exponentially, and it also seemed that she was getting more agency in her story! As for Keefe, I really sympathise with the struggles he went through, and although I don't necessarily agree with all the decisions he made, his choices still were understandable and true to his character.

Ending Remarks

I've loved Keeper of the Lost Cities for years now, and this addition to the series did not disappoint. I can't wait to see what Messenger does with this story next!