Growing Up & Facts of Life
![Shannon Messenger - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B006N1MEGS.jpg)
Legacy (8) (Keeper of the Lost Cities)
Illusions shatter-and Sophie and her friends face impossible choices-in this astonishing eighth book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series.
Sophie Foster wants answers. But after a lifetime of lies, sometimes the truth is the most dangerous discovery. Even the smallest secret comes with terrifying new responsibilities.
And Sophie's not the only one with blank spots in her past, or mysteries surrounding her family. She and her friends are part of something much bigger than they imagined-and their roles have already been chosen for them.
Every clue drags them deeper into the conspiracy. Every memory forces them to question everything-especially one another. And the harder they fight, the more the lines blur between friend and enemy.
Sophie Foster wants answers. But after a lifetime of lies, sometimes the truth is the most dangerous discovery. Even the smallest secret comes with terrifying new responsibilities.
And Sophie's not the only one with blank spots in her past, or mysteries surrounding her family. She and her friends are part of something much bigger than they imagined-and their roles have already been chosen for them.
Every clue drags them deeper into the conspiracy. Every memory forces them to question everything-especially one another. And the harder they fight, the more the lines blur between friend and enemy.
Readers Top Reviews
kathy a bullackNi
As I said in the previous review, my 11 year old granddaughter loves the series and is anxiously awaiting next book in series due out in November. Must be a good read if she has followed books this far
Timothy C Porterk
This is a good book. It is probably one of my favorite books in the series, a close second to nightfall. It starts when Sophie enters Mr. Forkle's office and learns of a possibility that the Neverseen might be making their next target the dwarves. She later gets appointed as a cacophony regent. The council creates a team of reagents called Team Prodigious, later renamed Team Valiant, and appoints Sophie as the leader. Team Valiant travels to the dwarven capital city, Loamnore, and meets with King Enki, only to find Granite/Sir Tiregan already met with him the day before. Afterwards, Sophie almost dies (Keefe started calling it "fostering") while getting her inflicting and enhancing fixed. She later runs into Tam and Lady Gisela in London and inflicts on her. At the moment, I am too tired to remember what happened next. Eventually, Sophie searches Lord Cass's memories, learnes the identity of her mother, and learnes how to shut off her enhancing all in one day. Then the big showdown in Loamnore happens, and Shannon Messenger ends it with a cliffhanger, which, of course, NO ONE SAW COMMING, SHANNON MESSENGER! I recommend this for ages
Pat AllisonTimoth
Strong relationships are explored, between mother and daughter, father and son, girlfriend and boyfriend, friend and friend. Characters are made much more real.
BethPat AllisonTi
I think this book was the most interesting in comparison with the previous ones. It had lots of Sophie & Keefe scenes, which are for me the highest points of any Keeper books, interesting developments related with Sophie biological mother; very happy to find out about her identity, i liked the "upgrade" in Sophie abilities, Sophie's growth, concerning her attitude & decision about her relationship with Fitz (for me they are much better as friends than a coulple. They have more chemistry as friends than as a couple, in my opinion). However, as negative points, i insist in the Neverseen "invicibility". Even the Man of Steel has Kriptonite as a weakness, but the huge difference is C.K is a good guy, so he always wins. Keeper books have a very complex and interesting story, but the universe that was created is for me, 80% credible, because everyone has a weak stop, no one is unstoppable. Sooner or later, the good guys have to win and if book 9 is the last book, it's kind strange to see the bad guys only to be defeated in the final book. I would prefer to read "small victories" over no victories at all. But this book wasn't the worst of the keeper books. We have a "small" victory in the end, after all, concerning Tam and i'm happy that no one died. I like to read books with a "light at end of the tunnel " kinda stories. For the public for whom this books are directed, i think it has some darkness, some weight ( i have more than 20 years old and i think this books are pretty dark ) Anyway, i really hope to see more scenes, diologues and more developments between Sophie & Keefe, because they are the main reason i'm still reading the books ( and i would hate to read Keefe as Sophie Nemesis, because that's been implied; i would hate if that happens. It would increase even further the story’s darkness, just a thought) Curious for book 9 :)
Melani BromfieldB
I started this book series accidentally (saw it at Barnes & Nobles and decided to give it a try) and after about the first ten pages I basically threw myself down on my knees and begged my mom to buy it. I have been enthusiastically fangirling this series to everyone I meet ever since. The plot line is enticingly dangerous, with a hint of mystery. ( ok, scratch that, a lot of mystery) Shannon Messanger had me hanging on to every word, and although there’s the whole ‘ other world’ thing, the characters are highly relatable. I would say Sophie’s my favorite character, but unfortunately, that spots already taken. Keefe was by far the best, though the story doesn’t focus on him as much as it should. This series is fantastically exiting, and has amazing description. Sophie forms friendships that develop beautifully over the course of the series. I’ve basically forced a lot of my friends and family to read it, but for most of them, they didn’t have to be forced after they read the, oh, first page. Me, my brother and friends all recommend it for young readers who like fantasy adventure. It’s aimed at middle school readers but I would say it’s a good read for all ages. Sophie’s struggles aren’t hard to identify with, though obviously she lives an entirely different life than mine. I have to say once more that this series was SO. WELL. WRITTEN. I felt like I have lived through her adventures with Sophie and wait eagerly for the next book (Unlocked), which is supposed to have all sorts of things (recipes, illustrations, Etc.). Now I must stop this endless rambling about how amazing this book series is ... because SERIOUSLY. SO. AMAZING. Please read! It will change your life, I think. I mean, it did for me. Oh man, I’m sorry, I said I would stop there, but that’s impossible. This is such a good book. I mean, to be fair, at points I feel like screaming at Shannon Messanger for all the cliffhangers and Fitzphie “moments.” But at other times I’m laughing my head off, so... There were also a few parts that made me cry, because seriously WHY DID CALLA DIE?!? But it’s a great series and- Ok, sorry, stopping. For real this time. Nope, can’t do it. Have to rant some more. Sophie is also horribly oblivious, which is annoying, but also sorta sweet. I mean, I hate it, but not. I’m just saying that I hope Shannon fixes that, and I fully expect her to do so, given what I’ve heard about book 8.5. But anyway, once again: Read this! Ok, ok, I’m done.
Short Excerpt Teaser
Chapter One ONE
YOU LOOK CONFUSED," MR. FORKLE said, and the lilt of his tone made Sophie wonder if his lips were twitching with a smile-but she couldn't pull her eyes away from the round, gilded door he'd brought her to, tucked into the side of a rolling, grassy hill.
The place reminded her of a hobbit hole. But Sophie had been living in the Lost Cities long enough to know better than to voice that observation. All it would earn her was laughter. Or perhaps some impossible-to-believe story about how Mr. Forkle had once brought J. R. R. Tolkien there and provided him with the inspiration.
"I thought you were taking me to your office," she told him, shifting her gaze toward the windblown meadow and searching the swaying wildflowers for clues as to where they were.
"I did."
Sophie opened her mouth to argue-then realized what he meant.
He'd brought her to his office. Not Magnate Leto's office at Foxfire, like she'd been expecting. Which was an easy mistake to make, considering the fact that Mr. Forkle and Magnate Leto were actually the same person-and "Mr. Forkle" was his much more enigmatic side.
"So, this is your secret office," she clarified, feeling goose bumps prickle her skin at the thought.
"One of them," Mr. Forkle confirmed, winking as he shuffled his ruckleberry-bloated body closer to the door. He leaned in and licked a spot on the left side of the door, which must've been a camouflaged DNA sensor because a rectangular panel slid open in the center, revealing five spinning, fist-size cogs lined up in a neat row: one silver, one copper, one iron, one bronze, and one steel.
"Did Tinker design this place?" Sophie asked, remembering the abundance of gleaming gears she'd seen decorating the walls of Widgetmoor, as well as the Technopath's clear fondness for the number five. But that wasn't the question she should've been focusing on, so she quickly added, "And why are we here?"
Mr. Forkle twisted the cogs one by one, entering some sort of complicated combination. "You said we needed to talk. Isn't that why you requested this meeting?"
"It is, but…" Sophie's words trailed off as the last cog clicked into place, making the ground rumble and the golden door sink into a slit that appeared in the damp earth. Cold air blasted her face from the dark room beyond, blowing strands of her blond hair into her eyes as she took an eager step forward and-
"Stop!" a familiar squeaky voice shouted behind her.
Sophie froze.
She'd learned that it was much easier to let the seven-foot-tall, heavily armed gray goblin lead the way-along with a hulking ogre warrior and a tiny green-toothed gnome. Sandor, Bo, and Flori were three of her five multispeciesial bodyguards, and they took their jobs very seriously.
So did her other bodyguards, of course. But Nubiti kept watch from a position deep underground, since dwarves' eyes were highly sensitive to light. And Tarina still hadn't been allowed to return to duty after what everyone was calling the "Scandal at Everglen"-though "scandal" really wasn't a strong enough word. It didn't capture the shock that came with discovering an illegal troll hive hidden at the estate of one of their world's most prominent families. And it definitely didn't evoke the horror of the genetically altered, bloodthirsty trolls who went on a murderous rampage once the door to the hive was opened.
Both the elvin and trollish worlds were still reeling from the disaster, since the Neverseen had managed to broadcast the nightmarish battle to everyone gathered for the Celestial Festival. And no one could agree on how to punish those who'd been involved. A Tribunal had already been held for Luzia Vacker, but her sentence had yet to be finalized. And numerous additional investigations seemed to be endlessly "ongoing." Foxfire, the elves' most prestigious academy, had even been put on an extended hiatus because parents were worried the school might be targeted. Plus, treaty renegotiations still needed to be arranged between the elvin Council and the trolls' supreme leader, but everyone was wary of another Peace Summit after what happened at the last one.
"This office is perfectly safe," Mr. Forkle assured Sophie's bodyguards. "Watchward Heath is protected by five different kinds of security. And only six people in the world know how to find it. Well, seven now, given Miss Foster's knack for teleporting."
"Then the office should have no problem passing my inspection," Sandor called ov...
YOU LOOK CONFUSED," MR. FORKLE said, and the lilt of his tone made Sophie wonder if his lips were twitching with a smile-but she couldn't pull her eyes away from the round, gilded door he'd brought her to, tucked into the side of a rolling, grassy hill.
The place reminded her of a hobbit hole. But Sophie had been living in the Lost Cities long enough to know better than to voice that observation. All it would earn her was laughter. Or perhaps some impossible-to-believe story about how Mr. Forkle had once brought J. R. R. Tolkien there and provided him with the inspiration.
"I thought you were taking me to your office," she told him, shifting her gaze toward the windblown meadow and searching the swaying wildflowers for clues as to where they were.
"I did."
Sophie opened her mouth to argue-then realized what he meant.
He'd brought her to his office. Not Magnate Leto's office at Foxfire, like she'd been expecting. Which was an easy mistake to make, considering the fact that Mr. Forkle and Magnate Leto were actually the same person-and "Mr. Forkle" was his much more enigmatic side.
"So, this is your secret office," she clarified, feeling goose bumps prickle her skin at the thought.
"One of them," Mr. Forkle confirmed, winking as he shuffled his ruckleberry-bloated body closer to the door. He leaned in and licked a spot on the left side of the door, which must've been a camouflaged DNA sensor because a rectangular panel slid open in the center, revealing five spinning, fist-size cogs lined up in a neat row: one silver, one copper, one iron, one bronze, and one steel.
"Did Tinker design this place?" Sophie asked, remembering the abundance of gleaming gears she'd seen decorating the walls of Widgetmoor, as well as the Technopath's clear fondness for the number five. But that wasn't the question she should've been focusing on, so she quickly added, "And why are we here?"
Mr. Forkle twisted the cogs one by one, entering some sort of complicated combination. "You said we needed to talk. Isn't that why you requested this meeting?"
"It is, but…" Sophie's words trailed off as the last cog clicked into place, making the ground rumble and the golden door sink into a slit that appeared in the damp earth. Cold air blasted her face from the dark room beyond, blowing strands of her blond hair into her eyes as she took an eager step forward and-
"Stop!" a familiar squeaky voice shouted behind her.
Sophie froze.
She'd learned that it was much easier to let the seven-foot-tall, heavily armed gray goblin lead the way-along with a hulking ogre warrior and a tiny green-toothed gnome. Sandor, Bo, and Flori were three of her five multispeciesial bodyguards, and they took their jobs very seriously.
So did her other bodyguards, of course. But Nubiti kept watch from a position deep underground, since dwarves' eyes were highly sensitive to light. And Tarina still hadn't been allowed to return to duty after what everyone was calling the "Scandal at Everglen"-though "scandal" really wasn't a strong enough word. It didn't capture the shock that came with discovering an illegal troll hive hidden at the estate of one of their world's most prominent families. And it definitely didn't evoke the horror of the genetically altered, bloodthirsty trolls who went on a murderous rampage once the door to the hive was opened.
Both the elvin and trollish worlds were still reeling from the disaster, since the Neverseen had managed to broadcast the nightmarish battle to everyone gathered for the Celestial Festival. And no one could agree on how to punish those who'd been involved. A Tribunal had already been held for Luzia Vacker, but her sentence had yet to be finalized. And numerous additional investigations seemed to be endlessly "ongoing." Foxfire, the elves' most prestigious academy, had even been put on an extended hiatus because parents were worried the school might be targeted. Plus, treaty renegotiations still needed to be arranged between the elvin Council and the trolls' supreme leader, but everyone was wary of another Peace Summit after what happened at the last one.
"This office is perfectly safe," Mr. Forkle assured Sophie's bodyguards. "Watchward Heath is protected by five different kinds of security. And only six people in the world know how to find it. Well, seven now, given Miss Foster's knack for teleporting."
"Then the office should have no problem passing my inspection," Sandor called ov...
