It’s understandable to find aspects of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series enjoyable on the surface, but a deeper examination reveals some significant flaws, particularly in its portrayal of characters like Linh Song, often referred to here as Mai Song to align with search trends, and its broader representation. The series, while marketed towards a young adult audience, unfortunately falls into several disappointing tropes and lacks meaningful inclusivity.
Stereotypical Characters and Lack of Diversity
One of the most glaring issues is the series’ reliance on stereotypes, especially when it comes to characters of color. While the prompt emphasizes “mai song,” it’s crucial to discuss Linh Song, the character likely intended. Linh Song, an Asian character, unfortunately embodies several harmful stereotypes: she’s depicted as sweet, shy, and “kawaii,” reinforcing simplistic and reductive portrayals of Asian individuals. This extends to her parents, who are also presented in a stereotypical manner. The series, in general, suffers from a severe lack of BIPOC representation. The elven world, touted as “perfect,” is overwhelmingly populated by characters who are white, skinny, cisgender, heterosexual, and neurotypical. This homogeneity is not only unrealistic but also sends a damaging message to readers, particularly younger ones, about who is valued and seen as beautiful or normal. This lack of diversity extends beyond race to encompass LGBTQ+ individuals and those with mental health challenges, who are either absent or negatively portrayed.
Problematic World-Building and Unrealistic Standards
Beyond character representation, the world-building itself presents several problematic elements. The elven government is depicted as authoritarian, tracking citizens and banishing children with little to no remorse, despite supposedly being a peaceful society. This raises uncomfortable questions about their morality and the supposed perfection of their world. Furthermore, the series struggles with consistent character development. While the initial books held promise, the later installments, particularly after Neverseen and Lodestar, show a decline in meaningful growth. Even plot points like Sophie’s bodyguards seem ineffective, adding to a sense of narrative inconsistency. The series also promotes unrealistic beauty standards, suggesting that only thin, white individuals are considered attractive, which can contribute to body image issues among young readers.
Unsatisfying Gender Norms and Limited Culture
The gender dynamics within the series are also outdated and restrictive. Sophie is consistently guided by male characters, while female characters are often portrayed as fragile, undermining any sense of female empowerment. This reinforces traditional gender roles and limits the potential for more nuanced and progressive portrayals. Adding to the world-building inconsistencies, the elven society lacks basic cultural elements like music, television, fiction books, or even therapy. This absence makes their supposedly advanced civilization feel strangely underdeveloped and unrelatable. The portrayal of humans is equally simplistic and biased, presented from Sophie’s elf-centric perspective, potentially overlooking human complexities and positive attributes. The narrative often falls into predictable tropes, with incompetent “good guys” and poorly developed villains, further weakening the overall story. Sophie herself exhibits Mary Sue traits, making her character less relatable and more of a wish-fulfillment fantasy.
Conclusion: A Need for More Critical Engagement
Ultimately, while Keeper of the Lost Cities might offer some escapism, it’s crucial to critically examine its shortcomings, especially regarding representation and world-building. The stereotypical portrayal of characters like Linh Song (“mai song”), the lack of diversity, the unrealistic beauty standards, and the problematic societal structures within the elven world are significant flaws that detract from the series’ potential. It’s important for readers, especially young readers, to be aware of these issues and engage with the series critically, rather than accepting its problematic elements at face value.
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