Sophie continues to learn about her elven heritage and powers (including some disturbing ones) while struggling to clarify her connection to the rebel group Black Swan, which may have created her. Despite this installment's excessive length and inconsistent focus, Sophie's coming into her own as an unwitting "chosen one" is a compelling arc, set against a well-developed backdrop of social conflict. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 5-8-This sequel to Keeper of the Lost Cities (S & S, 2012) continues the story of Sophie Foster, the girl who was brought up as human but who is really an elf with engineered DNA, which has conferred enormous power on her. She now lives with the elves in Havenfield, and has been adopted by a couple whose daughter died. Sophie tries to integrate into the elf community and be a regular kid at school. Her powers of telepathy and psychic healing, however, set her firmly apart as she helps to capture and train a unique alicorn (one with wings). As the mystery of the Black Swan group and their true allegiance continues, Sophie tries to help heal the broken minds of certain elves crucial to uncovering the secret. Clearly the middle book in a series, this title works best for readers familiar with the first book. There is plenty of action, but the story of Sophie's origins, the Black Swan and their role, and the struggle to save the world of the elves does not progress significantly. This installment lacks the sense of urgency and emotional connection of the first title.-Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Sophie Foster returns in Messenger's strong sequel to Keeper of the Lost Cities (2012), about a 12-year-old girl who discovers she is able to read minds, a result of her elven heritage. Now living at Havenfield in the Lost Cities, surrounded by her elven guardians and friends and still facing a big learning curve about her new life as an elf, Sophie makes an unprecedented find when she stumbles upon Silveny, the only female alicorn in existence. This new twist carries the story along new paths that are refreshingly clear of the usual doom and gloom accompanying middle books in series, although there are ominous contacts from the furtive Black Swan group. Although her second year at Foxfire Academy figures in, the plot spends more time on Sophie's after-school activities and her relationships with friends Keefe in particular and family. A satisfying follow-up for series fans that sets up anticipation for the next book.--Trevelyan, Julie Copyright 2010 Booklist

Full-blown middle-volume-itis leaves this continuation of the tale of a teenage elf who has been genetically modified for so-far undisclosed purposes dead in the water. As the page count burgeons, significant plot developments slow to a trickle. Thirteen-year-old Sophie manifests yet more magical powers while going head-to-head with hostile members of the Lost Cities Council and her own adoptive elvin father, Grady, over whether the clandestine Black Swan cabal, her apparent creators and (in the previous episode) kidnappers, are allies or enemies. Messenger tries to lighten the tone by dressing Sophie and her classmates at the Hogwarts-ian Foxfire Academy as mastodons for a silly opening ceremony and by having her care for an alicorn--a winged unicorn so magnificent that even its poop sparkles. It's not enough; two sad memorial services, a trip to a dreary underground prison, a rash of adult characters succumbing to mental breakdowns and a frequently weepy protagonist who is increasingly shunned as "the girl who was taken" give the tale a soggy texture. Also, despite several cryptic clues and a late attack by hooded figures, neither the identity nor the agenda of the Black Swan comes closer to being revealed. However tried and true, the Harry Potteresque elements and set pieces don't keep this cumbersome coming-of-age tale afloat, much less under way. (Fantasy 10-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.