Discover the Keepers of the Lost Cities Series by Shannon Messenger

Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned—among other things—that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She studied art, screenwriting, and television production but realized her real passion was writing for kids and teens. She’s the internationally, New York Times, and USA TODAY bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall young adult series. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many languages. She lives in Southern California with her family and an embarrassing number of cats.

The first book in the Keepers of the Lost Cities series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, was published in 2012 and sets the tone for the whole series. Each book is perfect for young readers who are fans of Harry Potter, Rick Riordan and Amari and the Night Brothers. Collect them all for a wonderful gift to be read, re-read, and treasured for years to come.

Recommended for ages 9+, this series celebrates all things magic and fantastical. Below, we have listed all of the books in the series so you can see what they’re about! The newest book, Keeper of the Lost Cities #9.5: Unravelled, comes out in December 2024!

Keeper of the Lost Cities

Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She is a Telepath, and has the power to hear the thoughts of everyone around her – something that she’s never spoken about, even to her own family. But everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who also reads minds. She discovers there’s somewhere she does belong, and staying where she is will put her in grave danger. In the blink of an eye, Sophie is forced to leave behind everything and start a new life in a magical world. Sophie has new rules to learn, and not everyone is thrilled with her “homecoming”. There are secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memory, secrets that other people desperately want. Would even kill for…

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #2: Exile

Sophie Foster thought she was safe. Her life finally seems to be coming together. She’s settled into her home at Havenfield, surrounded by friends, and using her unique telepathic abilities to train Silveny – the first female alicorn ever seen in the Lost Cities. But Sophie’s kidnappers are still out there, and before long she’s back in incredible danger. Sophie must risk everything to find the answers to questions that could save not only her life, but the life of someone close to her…

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities #2: Exile here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #3: Everblaze

Sophie Foster is ready to fight back. Her talents are getting stronger, and with the elusive Black Swan group ignoring her calls for help, she’s determined to find her kidnappers – before they come after her again. But a daring mistake leaves her world teetering on the edge of war, and causes many to fear that she has finally gone too far. And the deeper Sophie searches, the farther the conspiracy stretches, proving that her most dangerous enemy might be closer than she realizes. In this nail-biting book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must fight the flames of rebellion, before they destroy everyone and everything she loves.

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities #3: Everblaze here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #4: Neverseen

Sophie Foster is on the run – but at least she’s not alone. Her closest friends from the Lost Cities have gone with her to join the Black Swan. They still have doubts about the shadowy organization, but the only way to find answers is to start working with them. And as they settle into their new lives, they uncover secrets bigger than anything they’d imagined. But their enemies are far from done, and unleash a terrifying plague that threatens the safety of an entire species. Sophie and her friends fight with everything they have – with new allies joining them – but every choice has consequences. And trusting the wrong person could prove deadly. In this game-changing fourth book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must question everything to find a truth that will either save her world – or shatter it.

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities #4: Neverseen here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #5: Lodestar

Sophie Foster is back in the Lost Cities – but the Lost Cities have changed. The threat of war hangs heavy over her glittering world, and the Neverseen are wreaking havoc. The lines between friend and enemy have blurred, and Sophie is unsure whom to trust. But when she’s warned that the people she loves most will be the next victims, she knows she has to act. A mysterious symbol could be the key – if only she knew how to translate it. Every new clue seems to lead deeper into her world’s underbelly and the Black Swan aren’t the only ones who have plans. The Neverseen have their own Initiative, and if Sophie doesn’t stop it, they might finally have the ultimate means to control her.

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities #5: Lodestar here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #6: Nightfall

Sophie Foster is struggling. Grieving. Scrambling. But she knows one thing: she will not be defeated. The Neverseen have had their victories – but the battle is far from over. It’s time to change tactics. Make sacrifices. Re-examine everything. Maybe even time for Sophie to trust her enemies. All paths lead to Nightfall – an ominous door to an even more ominous place – and Sophie and her friends strike a dangerous bargain to get there. But nothing can prepare them for what they discover. The problems they’re facing stretch deep into their history. And with time running out, and mistakes catching up with them, Sophie and her allies must join forces in ways they never have before. Sophie must uncover the truth about the Lost Cities’ insidious past, before it repeats itself and changes reality.

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities #6: Nightfall here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #7: Flashback

Sophie Foster doesn’t know what – or whom – to believe. And in a game with this many players, the worst mistake can be focusing on the wrong threat. But when the Neverseen prove that Sophie’s far more vulnerable than she ever imagined, she realizes it’s time to change the rules. Her powerful abilities can only protect her so far. To face down ruthless enemies, she must learn to fight. Unfortunately, battle training can’t help a beloved friend who’s facing a whole different danger – where the only solution involves one of the biggest risks Sophie and her friends have ever taken. And the distraction might be exactly what the villains have been waiting for.

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities #7: Flashback here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #8: Legacy

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.

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities #8: Legacy here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #8.5: Unlocked

Told in an exciting new way, the saga continues with plenty of huge reveals and shocking new twists plus a complete series guide with beautiful color and black-and-white illustrations and other awesome bonuses! 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!

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities #8.5: Unlocked here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #9: Stellarlune

Sophie Foster changed the game. Now she’s facing impossible choices: When to act. When to trust. When to let go. Her friends are divided and scattered, and the Black Swan wants Sophie to focus on their projects. But her instincts are leading her somewhere else. Stellarlune – and the mysterious Elysian – might be the key to everything. But finding truth in the Lost Cities always requires sacrifice. And as the Neverseen’s plans sharpen into terrifying focus, it appears that everyone has miscalculated. The Lost Cities’ greatest lie could destroy everything. And in the battle that follows, only one thing is certain: nothing will ever be the same.

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities #9: Stellarlune here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #9.5: Unravelled

Unravelled is a new, full-length novel in the New York Times bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series, following fan-favourite Keefe on his adventures in the human world during the events of Stellarlune. Perfect for fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and Skandar. While his friends faced their own challenges in Stellarlune, Keefe was in the human world. Where did he go, who did he see…and what shocking secrets were revealed to him? This can’t-miss installment of the series is told entirely from Keefe’s point of view and contains crucial clues about truths buried deep in the elvin world.