Unlocked (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #8.5) – A Mixed Bag of Magic and Frustration
When I first picked up Unlocked by Shannon Messenger, I was buzzing with excitement. After immersing myself in the enthralling world of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, I just couldn’t resist the lure of a new installment—even if it was a novella. As a longtime fan, I wanted more of the characters who have become dear to my heart, especially Keefe, who has evolved into the emotional core of the series. But as I turned the pages, I discovered that my love for this world came with some mixed feelings.
First, let’s talk about Keefe. Unlocked shines when it focuses on him—no surprise there! The novella, a 3.5 for me, dives straight into his psyche, exploring the turmoil he faces after a significant breakup. Keefe is carrying the series on his back, and despite my frustrations with the rest of the book, I could feel his struggles. He grapples with deep emotions, shown beautifully in moments where his humor falters, revealing a much more vulnerable side. “He wasn’t ready to feel optimistic…” resonates because it captures the essence of someone carrying an immense burden.
However, the remaining 500+ pages are where my enthusiasm began to wane. Messenger’s promise of exclusive features sounded appealing, but did we really need such extensive recaps of every character’s backstory? I found myself skimming through portions, feeling as if I was revisiting a once-familiar playground now covered in dust. Did we need a full-fledged encyclopedia when reigniting our memories of these beloved characters? I can’t help but echo Keefe’s sentiments: “[AND DON’T TELL LORD BORINGPANTS I READ HIS DUMB BOOK! I MOSTLY SKIMMED.]”
And while I appreciated the beautiful illustrations—who wouldn’t love a coloring page of Iggy?—the pacing felt sluggish. It was hard to feel excited about Sophie’s POV when it became a vehicle for lessons that, frankly, felt redundant. Yes, Sophie is learning, but does she have to learn the same lessons again? I found myself wishing that Messenger had chosen a different approach, perhaps condensing what we didn’t need into a brief prelude to Book 9.
That said, Keefe’s powers and their complex nature reignited my intrigue. The mystery surrounding them is tantalizing, raising questions about how they will develop. “What the fuck IS it?” sums it up perfectly. There’s potential for something monumental, but was Unlocked the place to fully explore it? The ambiguity is thrilling, yet I’m left pondering whether the series is just extending drama instead of meaningful plot development.
As much as I adore Keefe, I’m still waiting for Sophie to reciprocate those tender feelings. Her moments longing for him are brief, and I can’t help but feel she should open her eyes to how much he truly sacrifices. With eight books under our belts, can’t we get some real relationship progress?
Despite my critiques, Unlocked offers enough glimpses of vulnerability, friendship, and emotional depth to keep me engaged. It’s an imperfect book that may resonate more with ardent fans focused on Keefe. If you’re in it for the long haul with this series and enjoy delving deep into characters’ minds, you might find value in Unlocked.
For me, this journey reinvigorated my love for Keefe but also reminded me of the series’ cyclical nature—a reminder that sometimes, magical worlds have their ups and downs. Here’s hoping Book 9 gives us the fireworks we’re all waiting for!
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