KotLC Books Worst to Best

Hi everyone! Today I'm ranking Keeper of the Lost Cities books from worst to best. There might be minor spoilers ahead, but it's not too bad. 

9. Flashback.

Flashback was the worst KotLC book, and I'm not just saying that because of, well, you know. It was just filler, if I'm being honest. 400 pages of Sophie & Fitz in the Healing Center and no actual plot. Nothing in this book needed to be as long and drawn-out as it was. I feel like at least some of this book should have been devoted to Biana's character development instead: her healing & realization after Nightfall was something that I really wanted to see. 

Best cover though 👏

8. Unlocked.

I have one word: why? 8.5. Not 9. Freaking 8.5. I wasn't in the fandom when we had the wait from Legacy to Unlocked, but if I had I would've been super disappointed with the novella. You're telling me that you guys had to wait a year for 200 pages of story and a series guide that barely told you anything you didn't already know? Man, I'm glad I discovered this series in 2021. 

Of course I don't think it could have fit at the end of Legacy or at the beginning of Stellarlune, since some of it was Keefe's POV, and Keefe's POV was necessary. But Shannon should have released the novella between Legacy and Stellarlune, and then the series guide after the whole series is finished, because the series guide isn't even going to be accurate anymore after books 9 & 10!

The series guide is kinda helpful, but nobody really needs it. Pretty much all that info can already be found on the Keeper Wiki. 

PLUS THE ENDING 💔

7. Exile.

I like Exile a lot. Keefe was getting more into the story in this one, we met Silveny, and I just love seeing them at Foxfire. I really miss that. There's nothing wrong with Exile, it's just not as memorable as some of the others.

I don't really have much to say about this one lol 

6. Lodestar.

I feel like there were a lot of things that shifted in Lodestar. Sophie's personality slowly changed until I didn't like it anymore. So did Fitz's; Shannon ruined him with this book. And my favorite character was absent from most of this one. 

There are two scenes in particular that I liked: when they were searching Keefe's room (that was very funny), and the sleepover scene at Rimeshire. Can I just say that I love things like that?? Whenever there's a sleepover scene in a book or a TV show it just fills me with joy. 

I actually don't know why I put this one above Exile; they're probably a tie.

5. Everblaze.

Everblaze has a lot of great stuff:

• Bronte's softer side
• Sophie taking Telepathy lessons with Fitz
• Grady's ability for the first time
• More Sandor
• Mr. Snuggles. 

Honestly, Everblaze is iconic, in my opinion.

4. Keeper. 

I don't usually put the first book in a series so high. But the first KotLC book was perfect. It drew me in right from page one and it didn't let go. None of this book was filler at all. Every scene & detail was important and perfectly thought out. The pacing was perfect, plus we got to spend some time with Marella, Dex, & Jensi before they faded into the background - Jensi especially. Poor kid hasn't had a single line since book 5. 

All in all I love rereading this and I love the general atmosphere. Of course Shannon's writing gets better as the series continues, but the amazing plot makes up for it here. 

3. Legacy. 

 It's true, I'm a Certified Fitz Defender™, but I can't excuse him in this one. I cringe during all the scenes with him and his actions are just unwarranted. 

I also find myself hating Sophie in Legacy. Yes, she deserves to know who her genetic parents are, and of course nobody's perfect, but in this book she's incredibly selfish, in my opinion. And I have to sit through an entire book about it because it's told from her POV. 

I also don't like the part where they became Regents; the whole Point of Purity and the Prime Sources and the Articles - UGH. It was long, drawn-out, and unnecessary. I'm actually surprised Shannon kept this part, considering how hard she worked in Keeper to cut the slow stuff and keep the pacing just right.  I found myself waiting the whole time for the E.L. Fudges scene, actually. 

That being said, there's something about Legacy I just can't live without. I'm not going to be like, "Oh, I love Legacy so much!!" But it's cool, y'know?

2. Nightfall.

Nightfall has an AMAZING plot. There were so many little things about it that I liked that it's hard to see the bigger picture sometimes, but one of my all-time favorites made her first appearance in this book: Ro! I also loved how Marella & Biana became a little more important - though, as I said, Biana needs more development that Flashback didn't give her. 

Anyway, everything about this one is amazing.

1. Neverseen!

Neverseen is my #1 favorite. I mean, they went to Italy. THEY GOT GELATO, GUYS. THEY WENT TO ITALY AND THEY GOT GELATO.

Gelato aside, I love Alluveterre and I wish that we could have seen more of that setting. We got introduced to Exillium - and Tam & Linh! It breaks my heart to see the sides of Keefe that he tries to hide, but it makes the book even better. 

I can't even describe my love for this one. 

So, that's it! What's your favorite KotLC book?