Sunday, June 4, 2023

Keeper of the Lost Cities Book #5 Lodestar Kindle Notes

These are the passages that I marked in my Kindle book.  The passages were marked either because I felt they contained significant information or because I simply found them interesting or amusing.  Seeing which passages I marked are not spoilers for later books, although they could lead readers to wonder about certain things.  The final part of this post is marked with a spoiler warning so that you can stop reading if you have not yet read the later books.

Page 5   But the registry attack remained a mystery.  The Councillors kept careful records on every elf ever born, and no one would tell her if any files had been altered or stolen.

Page 34   "I've been meaning to redecorate my office since I took over as principal.  I've never been a fan of my reflection—especially in this form."

Page 36   "After all, I helped form an illegal organization.  Experimented with the genetics of an innocent child.  Secreted her away in the Forbidden Cities to be raised by humans.  Erased two of her memories without her permission—"

Page 36   "Not necessarily," Magnate Leto said.  "Questionable actions can be forgiven when they're done with good intentions.  Think of the Ancient Councillors' reasons for not warning the gnomes that the ogres possessed the plague.  With time, most have come to understand their complicated motivations."

Page 42   Magnate Leto nodded.  "I'm betting that they—like myself—assume Kenric would've known his cache is far more valuable to you if you have a way to access the information inside.  This could be their plan to force you to open it for them."

Page 42   "If it weren't that, it would be something else," Magnate Leto assured him.  "They've been after Miss Foster from the beginning.  And honestly, the more valuable they see her as, the safer she is—relatively speaking."

Page 42   Still, Magnate Leto's theory raised other questions—the kind that made her voice get thick and squeaky.  "I know you don't want to tell me who my genetic parents are—"  "Wrong," Magnate Leto interrupted.  "I can't tell you."

Page 43   "Was Kenric my father?  He was a Telepath.  And he was always so kind to me."  Her throat closed off as she remembered his bright smiles.  The red-haired Councillor had been one of Sophie's strongest supporters, right up until the day she'd lost him to Fintan's inferno of Everblaze.  Magnate Leto reached for Sophie's hand, tracing a finger across the star-shaped scar he'd accidentally given her when he healed her abilities.  "Kenric wasn't involved with Project Moonlark.  And that's all I can tell you.  Some secrets must remain hidden."

Page 60   But there he was, looking wrinkled and puffy and reeking with the dirty-feet scent of ruckleberries.  Strangely, Sophie liked him better that way.  This was the face she'd known her whole life.

Page 61   The elf who'd driven her crazy with his riddles and secrets—but who seemed to know her better than anyone.  "As I told you before," Mr. Forkle said, "it's easier for me to compartmentalize my life.  When I'm in the Lost Cities, I rely on my established identities.  But today we're going to the Stone House."

Page 61   She probably should've figured out his secret identity right then.  But Magnate Leto had given her some story about how the Black Swan had brought him along to help cover for Tiergan and Wylie's visit.  Sometimes it was better if she didn't think about how good he was at lying.

Page 77   "The Council is watching your pendant feeds very closely, and while they may not be actively working against our order, we also cannot truly count them on our side."

Page 77   Mr. Forkle shot Blur a look that seemed to say, That was top secret information! before his voice filled her head.  We've given Mr. Dizznee access to all of the eldest Mr. Vacker's registry records, hoping he'll be able to determine why the Neverseen went to such lengths to destroy the files.  Is that why they broke in to the registry?  Sophie asked.  In part.  The investigators were unable to determine if any additional files were accessed.  But all of Brant's, Fintan's, Ruy's, and Mr. Vacker's records were erased.  It's quite fortunate we'd made our own copies before the break-in.  And I'm sure you can understand why we asked Mr. Dizznee to keep this project quiet.

Page 80   Out of everyone in the room, Granite had the strongest connection to Prentice.  He'd resigned from Foxfire after Prentice's Memory break, and despised the Vacker family for years because of Alden's involvement with what had happened.  He'd also adopted Wylie and raised him as his own son.

Page 114   She flipped back the cover and found that Keefe had glued all the pages together, then cut out their center, creating a hollow space he'd packed with vials of elixirs.

Page 155   "Of course.  This is the only identity the Councillors are allowed to know.  And, if I'm being honest, it also makes the whole process of haggling with them much more entertaining.  Councillor Emery looks so delightfully frustrated as he tries to push past my mental blocking.  And Councillor Alina loves to pretend like she almost recognizes me.  I'm certain she'll fall out of her chair when she realizes they nearly elected me instead of her."

Page 156   "I truly had no idea.  In all my years with the order, it never crossed my mind that any of my identities might be considered for the Council.  It stirred quite the controversy among the Collective.  Personally, I didn't fret too much, since I assumed I'd never win.  But if I'd been wrong, I would've accepted the position.  The same means that allowed me to live among humans for twelve years would surely have allowed me to be both Black Swan and Councillor."

Page 158   But I was able to ask him how Fintan's mind didn't shatter after what he did to Kenric.  He told me Fintan knows how to wipe his own memories, and locks anything dark-but-crucial away in his cache before he purges it from his mind so he doesn't have to live with it.

Page 175   "Some of them, yes.  Now please act normal—we do not need to create a spectacle."

Page 190   "As do I.  But I wish for many things. . . ."  He stared into the distance, tempting her to violate the rules of telepathy and see what he was thinking.

Page 203   "He told me that after years and years of training, he reached a point where the slightest aggravation or annoyance would flare his temper, and he'd unleash his rage.  His low point was when he lashed out at his mother."

Page 204   "Bronte said he built up so much anger and frustration that he has to keep it all tangled up in a knot deep inside of him—a constant pressure he fights every day to keep from unraveling.  And he told me he's had to teach you the same technique because of all the emotions you're battling."

Page 232   "And Forkle went to save you because his mental blocking is stronger than mine, and we weren't sure if he'd have to confront your kidnappers.  But if I'd known he was going to leave you both alone in Paris, I never would've let him go without me.  When he came back empty-handed, I slapped him so hard he had my handprint on his cheek for three days."

Page 301   "I went to that stall," Biana said.  "My dad took me when I was little—I still have the combs he bought.  And I remember being surprised we went to Mysterium instead of Atlantis."

Page 304   "Marella's mom is on it."  He pointed to the name Caprise Redek, glowing among a dozen other names.

Page 319   "Because... you're a Councillor.  I didn't think you guys were open for visitors."  "I've gotten many lectures about my lack of constant security, and how I leave myself too vulnerable.  But I think it's important that we make ourselves available to our people.  After all, we never know what we're going to learn."

Page 320   "I'm sure some of my fellow Councillors would call for my circlet for saying so, but fear has inspired some of our worst decisions.  And there are some who feel drastic measures are the only solution."

Page 321   "People asking hard questions and taking risks and never letting anything stop them—not because they want power or glory.  Because they know it's the right thing to do."

Page 322   "The Imparter you gave me before we fled to the Black Swan was conveniently missing from my bag when they sent home my things."  "That sounds like them," Oralie said, half a smile curving her lips.

Page 323   "But either way, don't let him make Kenric's mistake."  "What mistake was that?" Sophie managed to whisper.  Oralie let her go and turned away.  "He underestimated Fintan."

Page 331   What was she supposed to say?  Found a leaping crystal from the Neverseen and decided to use it—don't know where I’m going or when I'll be back!  That should go over really well.

Page 343   "Plus, humans fascinate Fintan.  He hates them, but he's also obsessed with knowing everything about them."

Page 356   "It doesn't matter yet," Lady Gisela told him.  "Someday this place will be the solution our world needs.  But for the moment, we're just here for security."

Page 421   "though I'd kinda been rooting for Phaser—like my brother—"

Page 430   "You . . . have a very weird life," Maruca told Sophie as she stared at the cloud of gravelly dust he'd left in his wake.

Page 435   "And Forkle's really okay with all of this?" Grady asked.  "I'm sure he will be once I inform him," Oralie said.  "I have a meeting with him later this afternoon."

Page 436   "Well," Oralie said, standing and removing a pink-wanded pathfinder from her cape.  "Family debates aren't really my area of expertise."

Page 437   "You're finally stepping into the role we imagined for you.  Now let's see what you can do."

Page 470   "So you say.  But wouldn't it be ironic if someday I used that blade to chop off your pretty head?"

Page 474   "Yes you have," Mr. Forkle said.  "I can see the twitch in your eye.  I bet you have no idea how long you've been in here.  Maybe you should've thought to count the seconds."

Page 482   "Am I to infer that you have a theory as to my identity?" Mr. Forkle asked.  "I've had many theories," Oralie said as they reached the top of the stairs.  "But this one feels right."

Page 578   Mr. Forkle's eyes flicked to Granite, and Granite scrambled for his pathfinder.  "Excuse me," he told the Councillors.  "I must check on my son."  "Your son?" Councillor Terik asked, catching Granite's slip.

Page 584   "Blur has offered to serve as their guardian, and the Council will be assigning them goblin bodyguards."

Page 608   "Thank you," she whispered.  "For what?"  "For giving me this life—crazy and confusing as it always is."  It was Mr. Forkle's turn to look away, swiping at his eyes.

Page 623   "Simply put: We're better, on every level.  Smarter.  More powerful.  With talents and skills none of you can even comprehend."

Page 627   Fintan's eyes focused on Sophie, his lips curling into a smile that gave her prickles.  "The problem is humans."

Page 630   "I don't fear the Council—I fear what they'll let you grow to become.  And more than that, I fear what lengths he'll go to"—he pointed to Fintan—"in order to stop you.  And I want no part of it."

Page 632   "Did either of you notice how many of the leaders nodded along when Fintan went into his tangent about humans?"  Edaline asked quietly.

Page 658   "It won't be as bad as you think."  His voice had a horrible gurgle to it, but Sophie ordered herself not to think about it.

Page 660   "I've lived five lives."

Page 661   Mr. Forkle nodded, closing his eyes as he reached for Oralie.  "Take care of my moonlark."

Page 661   "You'll do great things with it, Sophie.  Wonderful, incredible things."

Page 661   "You've already done it," he said.  "Thank you for being brave enough to find me this one last time.  You gave me the gift of goodbye."

Next, I give my thoughts about what some of this might mean.  Stop reading NOW if you have not read through at least the first 9 books.

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On page 34, Leto confesses that he doesn't like his reflection, especially in his Leto identity.  I feel that this indicates that Leto is not his true identity.  I also wonder if maybe he prefers his hair to be loose and not glued to his head with gel.

On page 36, Leto says, "Questionable actions can be forgiven when they're done with good intentions."  If Forkle/Leto is Kenric, then this is how he justifies hurting Oralie by faking his own death.

On page 43, Sophie asks Leto if Kenric was her father.  Leto replies, "Kenric wasn't involved with Project Moonlark.  And that's all I can tell you."  This isn't an answer, and he doesn't directly deny it.  Even if he had, we know that Forkle/Leto has lied to Sophie.  On page 61, Sophie reflects,  "Sometimes it was better if she didn't think about how good he was at lying."  Forkle/Leto's denial means very little since he lies.

On page 158, we learn that Fintan knows how to wipe his own memories.  I suspect that Kenric knows how to wipe his own memories as well.

On page 474, Mr. Forkle says, "I bet you have no idea how long you've been in here.  Maybe you should've thought to count the seconds."  Sophie likes to count the seconds.  In a later book, a memory from Kendric's cache shows him counting the seconds.  So, Sophie and Kenric like to count seconds while Forkle suggests counting the seconds.  Nobody else mentions seconds.  Hmm...

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