Keeper of the Lost Cities: The Chronological Order of the Forgotten Secrets

Here are my previous posts on the Forgotten Secrets.    

The Forgotten Secrets
More on the Forgotten Secrets

This post contains MAJOR SERIES SPOILERS.  Stop reading NOW if you have not already read all of the books including #8.5 and #9.

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I started thinking about the chronological order of the Forgotten Secrets after reading a post on Reddit that pointed out an inconsistency.  Sophie, Dex, and Oralie view the Forgotten Secrets in random order based on which color crystal they select. 

We know for certain that the secret with Bronte, Kenric, and the dead gnome comes first chronologically.  This is because Kenric's hair is in a ponytail, and the event occurs before Oralie becomes a Councillor.

If we go by what is stated in Stellarlune, then Kenric and Prentice in Kenric's library comes last chronologically.

Kenric and Prentice in Kenric's library

Stellarlune, Page 251:   He just held up the cache and studied the glints of color.  There were only six secrets at that point.  The blue crystal was missing—which made sense, since it was the memory they were currently watching.

This is impossible, however, since the memory cannot be the final one saved.  Kenric mentions Prentice's exile in one of the other secrets.  Prentice was exiled after Kenric recruited him as Keeper.

Kenric and Oralie questioning Fintan about stellarlune/Kenric reveals to Oralie that he knows about Project Moonlark

Unlocked, Page 531:   "I saw how upset you were when Prentice was exiled.  And I saw the look on your face when Alden brought us that strand of DNA."

The secret presented in Unlocked must come after the secret from Kenric's library, even though the secret from Kenric's library was supposedly saved last.  This does appear to be a plot inconsistency.  However, Kenric is a tricky fellow.  Perhaps Kenric figured out a way to remove secrets that he had already placed in his cache.  This would allow for more secrets to be saved after the one with Prentice in the library, resulting in the seven secrets.

Here I give what I think is the true chronological order of the Forgotten Secrets.  I have included a few new observations I made on this rereading of the Forgotten Secrets.  I also have included the colors of the crystals, since the colors used must have meaning.

1st:  Bronte and Kenric dealing with a dead gnome (green crystal)

This one must come first because Kenric's hair is long and in a ponytail.  He cut it short after Oralie became a Councillor and made fun of it.

2nd:  Kenric and Oralie arguing in Kenric's readying room (red crystal)

This secret is from Oralie's first-year-as-Councillor celebration.  Kenric's hair is short in this secret.  Kenric and Oralie don't get along at all.

3rd:  Kenric requesting a matchmaker give him the hypothetical match lists for himself and Oralie (pink crystal)

Kenric is now in love with Oralie.  In this memory, he makes sure that number one matches will provide the DNA for Project Moonlark. 

4th:  Kenric and Prentice in Kenric's library (blue crystal)

Kenric ostensibly asks Prentice to be his personal Keeper, although he is actually recruiting Prentice to be the Keeper of the Black Swan.  This could have occurred before Project Moonlark was initiated, but I'm going on the assumption that Kenric recruits Prentice after he sets Project Moonlark into motion.

5th:  Kenric and Oralie questioning Fintan about stellarlune/Kenric reveals to Oralie that he knows about Project Moonlark (orange crystal)

This memory is from after Sophie's birth, since the Moonlark is mentioned.  Prentice's exile is mentioned, so this memory is after Kenric recruits Prentice.

Orange as the crystal color must refer to the orange glow of the Noxflares.

On this reading of the scene with Fintan, the following passage stands out.

Stellarlune, Page 239:  "Have you ever heard of Stellarlune?"  "Stellarlune?" Fintan repeated, dragging out the syllables.  "Can't say that I have."

Later in the book, Mr. Forkle makes this remark.

Stellarlune, Page 291:  "Stellarlune," Mr. Forkle repeated, dragging out each syllable.  "You'll have to forgive me—sometimes the abundance of strange terms gets the better of me.  Stellarlune is one of Lady Gisela's projects, isn't it?"

I wrote in my previous post, "Mr. Forkle is definitely playing dumb by dragging out the syllables in 'stellarlune.'  He's heard of it."  Fintan is playing dumb as well.  Ah, these former Councillors and their games...   

6th:  Oralie and Kenric in Elysian (yellow crystal)

I believe that Kenric gained some information about Elysian from Fintan's memory when he and and Oralie questioned Fintan.  If so, then this memory comes after the one with Fintan.

7th:  the map of Elysian (purple crystal)

I assume that Kenric created a map of Elysian after he and Oralie visited Elysian.