Where Is Your Bookmark: A Peek Into Keeper of the Lost Cities / The Tropes I Enjoy Most (and then some)

Today's featured book is the first in my daughter's favorite series, Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. She FINALLY has agreed to let me read it, and I am looking forward to starting it soon. She has the annotated and illustrated version. 

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

Blurry, fractured memories swam through Sophie's mind, but she couldn't piece them together. She tried opening her eyes and found only darkness. [opening lines from Preface of Keeper of the Lost Cities]

and 

"Miss Foster!" Mr. Sweeney's nasal voice cut through Sophie's blaring music as he yanked her earbuds out by the cords. "Have you decided that you're too smart to pay attention to this information?" 

Sophie forced her eyes open. [opening of first chapter in Keeper of the Lost Cities]

I purposefully added the last lines in both because I like symmetry of her opening her eyes in these two very different scenes. It was probably unintentional on the author's part, but I always like it I come across that sort of thing. I imagine from the preface, Sophie is not in a good place. A bit of foreshadowing would be my guess. The first chapter opens with a fairly everyday moment. Both of these together make me want to keep reading. 

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

"Is it going to be hard to get into Foxfire?" she asked.

"Counciller Bronte will be difficult to impress," Alden admitted. "He feels your upbringing and lack of proper education should disqualify you. Plus, he doesn't like surprises. The Council had no idea you existed until today, and he's more than  a little miffed about it. But you only need two out of three votes. Just do the best you can."

The Council didn't know about her? Then why did Fitz say they'd been looking for her for twelve years? [excerpt from page 56 of Keeper of the Lost Cities]

This excerpt makes me wonder if Sophie is part of a some sort of a prophecy. I look forward to finding out!

Keeper of the Lost Cities (#1) by Shannon Messenger

Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she thinks…

 
But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known.

 
But Sophie still has secrets, and they’re buried deep in her memory for good reason: The answers are dangerous and in high-demand. What is her true identity, and why was she hidden among humans? The truth could mean life or death—and time is running out. [Goodreads Summary]

Have you read Keeper of the Lost Cities? Does it sound like something you might like? 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is co-hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life, and Karen from For What It’s Worth. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

Which tropes do you enjoy most?

This would be an easier question to answer if I was asked to list the ones I tend to avoid because I like many different tropes (not to be confused with subgenres--because I have a long list of favorites on that subject too). I did my best to narrow the list down, but I am sure I missed some. 

Romance: I enjoy fake relationships the most (at least right now). But I also really like second chance love, friends to lovers, and enemies to lovers. Add in a bookish theme and I am even happier! Destiny/soulmate tropes work especially well in paranormal or supernatural romance, I think, and is one of my favorites. 

Mysteries: Small circle and isolated locales are among my favorite types of mysteries. The Everybody Did It trope can be quite fun if done right. I am also happy with the mystery where everyone has a reason to want the person dead but in which only one person did it. The nosy reporter is another mystery trope I really enjoy. As much as I love cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths (whether in cozies or another subgenre of mysteries) can be hit and miss for me depending on how they are used--but I really like them when they work for me. A good heist trope is another favorite of mine.

Fantasy: Mix in fantasy with any of the genres I read and I am in reader heaven. But looking strictly at fantasy tropes, magic is by far my favorite. Magic schools, magic libraries, magic/supernatural beings and creatures, magic artifacts, witches, warlocks, wizards--I cannot get enough. I know some might say they are overdone, but I really like the Chosen One and Reluctant Hero tropes. Dragons and quests are also fantasy tropes I am drawn to. When it comes to quests, a ragtag group of strangers coming together is my ideal. While I am not a huge fan of the damsel in distress trope, I do like role reversal tales quite a bit. Oh, and I can't forget the redeemed villain! Or time slips!

Science Fiction: I am not well read in the science fiction genre, admittedly, but I do enjoy what I have read. Put a ragtag group together to go on a heist, quest or to battle a common foe and I am already hooked. Space travel, time travel, and alternate universes are among my favorite science fiction tropes.

Horror/Thrillers: I like thrills more than I like gore, so my horror trope tastes run along those lines. Abandoned or old houses have to be at the top of the list, especially when those houses are like characters themselves. Supernatural beings or monsters can be a lot of fun. Or that mysterious neighbor. Ancient evil and cursed or forbidden artifacts need to be included here too.

Historical Fiction: I especially enjoy historical fiction with protagonists out of their time. I find historical fiction that uses social and political upheavals to be very appealing. And I just love a dual time line. 

Some of my other favorite tropes include revenge, overcoming adversity, underdogs, groundhog day type tropes, family secrets, hidden diaries found, generational sagas, stormy weather, and saving that cute animal.

So much for narrowing it down--although, to be fair to me, I didn't list them ALL. 

What are some of your favorite tropes? 

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Are you reading more e-books lately? ((submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

Surprisingly, I am reading less e-books than I normally do. Usually the e-books easily make up the majority of my reading. However, so far this year, 58.8% of my reading has been print books; digital books have made up 38.2% of my reading; and only 3% in audio. 

What format of books have you been reading most of lately? 

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

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