Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting sequel keeps momentum of telepathic elf-girl tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 41 kid reviews
Kids say this sequel offers a deep exploration of character relationships and development, particularly between the main character and her friends, while maintaining a warm, comforting tone. However, some readers find it lacks significant plot advancement and action compared to others in the series, making it feel like a filler despite enjoying the character focus.
- character development
- warm tone
- limited action
- some find boring
- comfort read
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster, transported to the elf world in Keeper of the Lost Cities, in which she narrowly escaped death and learned startling secrets about herself, is just hoping for some peace, quiet, and time to hang out with her new friends. But fate -- or maybe the mysterious Black Swan organization, which created Sophie and her unusual powers by engineering her DNA -- has other plans. First there's the discovery of an alicorn, a magical winged horse with a horn on her forehead, who soon is chatting telepathically with Sophie. Struggling to understand the elf world's ways, she worries about her adoptive parents, who still mourn the death of their beloved daughter; then there's the really awful costume she has to wear for the opening ceremonies at school. When a telepathic mission gone wrong shatters the mind of her beloved mentor, Sophie and her friends are determined to bring him back, whatever the cost.
Is It Any Good?
Exciting, fast-paced, and written at a level that's accessible to newer or reluctant readers, KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES: EXILE keeps up the momentum and the spirit of the series' opening volume. Sophie and her friends experience laughs, tears, misunderstandings, suspense, and moral dilemmas as they face many terrors -- and leave more than enough unresolved issues for the next volume, due out fall 2014.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why stories about genetically engineered characters are so popular. How would you feel if you knew you'd been specifically designed by someone? Would it make a difference if you knew why?
Like Harry Potter, Sophie was hidden in the human world to keep her safe. How does her relationship with her human family compare with Harry's relationship with his?
How do the adult characters show both weakness and strength? What happens when they make mistakes? Do you find them believable?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Superheroes , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Aladdin
- Publication date : October 1, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 576
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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