Lodestar: Keeper of the Lost Cities, Book 5

Name: Lodestar: Keeper of the Lost Cities, Book 5
Item: Lodestar: Keeper of the Lost Cities, Book 5
Rating: 4
Author: Mary Eisenhart

Book review by

Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media

Lodestar: Keeper of the Lost Cities, Book 5 Book Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

(i)

Danger and magical creatures mix in thrilling volume.

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age 9+

Based on 5 reviews

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Educational Value

Most of this installment takes place in an imaginary world, but some real-life information comes along in the process, notably about saving threatened species from extinction.

Positive Messages

As we've come to expect from this series, there are strong messages about family, friendship, teamwork, using your talents for good -- and, sometimes, big sacrifice. Kindness, compassion, and courage are core values.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Now 14, genetically engineered elf girl Sophie is relatably conflicted and often confused but determined to do the right thing for her loved ones and for the world. She shows courage, loyalty, resourcefulness, and empathy, even when she's out of her depth. Though they're often a bit one-note, her teen friends and the helpful adults of the elf world share a strong bond and a lot of affection as they try to save their world.

Violence

With a league of magical villains prepared to stop at nothing, there's the constant threat of death and violence, in the course of which some characters are killed and others mentally destroyed. Home invaders kidnap a family. Also, as treachery emerges in unexpected places, the question of whom to trust -- often with not just your own life but entire worlds -- is a constant worry.

Sex

The alicorn (a flying unicorn) is pregnant. Sophie, now 14, is attracted to two very different guys -- both of whom can read her mind. A kiss almost happens but doesn't. While on a mission, teen boys and girls sleep in the same room, with the sleeping bags arranged head to head in a circle. One of the characters is almost old enough for elvin matchmaking customs (mostly meet and greets) to kick in, and he's nervous about it.

Language

Numerous references to poop and butts, especially the glittery poop and butt of the alicorn. Also occasional mentions of pee, farts. A character talks about kicking another in "the junk."

Consumerism

Mentions of events earlier in the series when they're needed for clarification.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Lots of magic healing potions, no recreational substance abuse.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Lodestar is the fifth installment in Shannon Messenger's hugely popular Keeper of the Lost Cities series. There's no rest here for genetically engineered elf heroine-between-two-worlds Sophie, now 14, as she and her friends use brains, talent, teamwork, and superpowers to protect both the elvin and the human worlds from evil forces and dark conspiracies. Violence and betrayal are part of this cosmic conflict. There's the occasional flicker of romantic interest between Sophie and a couple of her male friends, and she'll often hold hands with one or the other for moral support when performing some magical task. An anticipated kiss doesn't happen. Beloved characters die and others sustain grave injury, physical and mental. Some kids are dealing with the effects of having abusive or neglectful parents. Through it all, there are many positive messages about teamwork, friendship, kindness, courage, doing the right thing -- and trying hard to figure out what that is.

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Teen, 13 years old Written byjf2017 December 14, 2016

age 9+

Sophie Foster has returned to the Lost Cities and her loylties are pushed to the limet, the line between friend and enimy is blured.

Lodestar is the thrilling fifth book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series. In Lodestar Sophie Foster has returned to the lost cities but the lost cities have... Continue reading

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Teen, 13 years old Written byPuppie September 16, 2017

age 9+

This was really good, but younger kids might not like the death of an important character

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What's the story?

The opening of LODESTAR finds Sophie Foster, now 14, back from exile with most of her friends and headed back to the elvin Foxfire Academy. Bad-boy Keefe has defected to the evil Neverseen -- or is something else going on? In any case, there's little time for magical school fun, as the kids and their adult allies must use all their talents, powers, clever thinking, and kind hearts to defeat dark forces and save their world. Mortal combat, treachery, telepathic destruction, and heroic feats ensue. Also glitter.

Is it any good?

En route to a huge cliffhanger, Shannon Messenger delivers plenty of social anxieties, thrilling adventures, magical creatures, and fashion makeovers as Sophie Foster's elvin epic continues. As we've come to expect from the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, the plot jumps quickly from one deadly peril to the next, and the underlying issues -- from middle school-type troubles and dysfunctional families to the building of strong communities -- resonate with what's going on in the readers' own worlds.

Supporting characters are often cartoonishly one-note, and Sophie seems to acquire new powers just when the plot requires it here and there. But Lodestar is a good fun read, and her fans will enjoy cheering her on.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about stories of kids with magical powers, like Lodestar. Why are they so popular? And why, even in magical worlds where people are working really hard and using their powers for good, does there always seem to be a villain trying to ruin everything?
How do you think Lodestar compares with earlier books in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series? Have any of the plot developments surprised you?
Do you think there would be downsides to having a magical power? What might go wrong? What would be really, really great?