Keeper of the Lost Cities: Legacy Theories

There is nothing more agonizing than waiting for a book to come out after a painful cliffhanger. When waiting for television shows, you can find sneak-peaks or teasers, but books are a completely different story. You won't be able to find any excerpts, and have to wait months in agony before you get the slightest bit of information about the upcoming read. And until then, you have to thrive off fantastical fanfictions, juicy gossip, and theories that sound way too good to be true. A wait so exhilarating and torturing that it makes us fans want to scream.
A wait that is sure to pay off with amazing results; as there is nothing more rewarding than getting your hands on a book you've been waiting for an entire year.
This is exactly the kind of pain author of Keeper of the Lost Cities, Shannon Messenger, likes to put us true. After the tormenting cliffhanger that left book-shaped dents in our walls, we have been awaiting any news about Legacy. At this point, I'd go as far as to say we're desperate. Recently, the cover art of the book has been revealed, as well as the blurb. So maybe we can take some of this weight of our shoulders by theorizing events in this sure-to-be-amazing read.

All characters and settings belong to Shannon Messenger, the author

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

First off, let's observe the amazing cover art. I simply cannot get over how intense it is (and how beautiful they all look) and spent a good ten minutes running around the house, flailing my arms about. The background has the Big Ben implying they are in London. This has been confirmed by Shannon Messenger, leaving us fans to wonder what the gang we love so much is doing in the Swinging City. There is a possibility that it has something to do Keefe's memory of the green door. Also, considering they are in Elvin clothing, they obviously did not plan going there. Perhaps a sign of an unexpected Neverseen attack? Maybe something was so urgent they couldn't wait at all?

The fact that Sophie is Inflicting might prove this. It is very important to note that Keefe and Fitz aren't cringing in pain, so Sophie most likely gained control over her ability. Why are they all holding hand? Maybe Fitz is giving her a mental boost, and Keefe a calming breeze. She isn't wearing gloves, so she might be enhancing them, but she could also be using Tinker or Dex's inventions. 

It must also be noted that Sophie isn't wearing her Cognate rings (which worries me a bit). Did something happen between her and Fitz, such that they lost the ability to be Cognates? I hope not, and that is just a minute detail forgotten. Sophie also appears to be levitating, but Keefe and Fitz are not. Why is this? I'm clueless, but perhaps it is to get a better aim at who she's inflicting. 

Next, the title: Legacy. Majestic enough to bring you to your knees. And the way it merges into the cover art; I am speechless. Sophie, Fitz and Keefe are three characters who each have different legacies planned for them: Fitz the Vacker Legacy, Keefe the legacy Lady Gisela sought out, and Sophie the legacy of being the Moonlark. Each of them has to face these legacies, and further understand them. Maybe this title paves a path for answers; and the blurb may support this.

It states 'the smallest secret comes with terrifying new responsibilities'. Perhaps Legacy is a book of truth, where Sophie and her friends find answers to questions they had their whole lives, and now have to face them. Maybe the truth is harder than they thought.

Whatever it may be, and whether these theories are true or not, it doesn't make the wait any less agonizing. But perhaps that is a good thing. 

Perhaps all this build-up paves a pathway to wonderful things in your heart.

   

Image Credits: https://lost-cities-keeper.fandom.com/wiki/Book_8:_Legacy

Characters by Shannon Messenger: https://shannonmessenger.com/

Art by Jason Chan: http://www.jasonchanart.com/