The Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Genres: Romance, High and Heroic Fantasy, Youth Literature
Yes, Book 1 of 10, Currently an Ongoing Series
Summary: If you’re a Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fan, this is the series for you! Sophie Foster is a brilliant 16-year-old girl. She just graduated from High School, is about to go to community college, and seems to be living the dream. However, she can read minds and is unable to block them out. Until one day, she meets a boy whose mind is quiet. This boy takes her to the land of elves, whose portrayal does not meet your typical preconceptions. In this magical land Sophie finds a new family, learns to control her powers, and starts to get a hold on her new life. However, she soon discovers that not everything is as perfect in this new world as the council wants everyone to believe. Join the adventure as Sophie learns which side she can trust and who her allies are in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series!
Lainie’s Lowdown: This book series is phenomenal! True to teenage fashion, there are all the awkward feelings that come with the love triangle Sophie finds herself caught in. There is a small amount of minimally descriptive kissing. She foresees a much more intimate scene, but nothing too involved or detailed is described. As Sophie and her allies fight against their foes, the violence is kept subdued, although a few deaths do occur. The first book also depicts a kidnapping with a little bit of torture that can be seen as disturbing but nothing graphic.