The two most important aspects of a book or movie for me are: an awesome plot and well developed, Likable characters. Ms. Messenger has created this amazing world with both plot and characters that are not only believable, but down to earth and inspiring. I'm still piecing together certain aspects of the overall plot...she hints at the Neverseen's motives and goals throughout the series, but I LOVE a challenge so I'm excited to see if what I've been thinking are accurate. Since Ms. Messenger is able to tell her story through a series instead of one book, she can use more time to develop her characters and the relationships between them, making them more of a team than a random bunch of characters thrown together, while still moving the plot along.I love this book because it is clean, yes there is some romance, but it's age appropriate for middle grades. Also she might hint that the characters are swearing, but she doesn't include swear words in her writing, which I LOVE because it's hard to find books for my children to read that are this clean. Sophie, the main characters is what every strong willed girl could use as a role model. She's smart and is in control of herself and the choices that she makes, but she's not perfect. She makes mistakes and learns from them. She tries her best to do the right thing even when her choices seem daunting. She cares about others more than she cares about herself, which isn't very popular in society right now. She surrounds herself with friends that help rather than hinder her self esteem, an excellent thing for girls to think about considering how catty girls can be.Overall Flashback is a wonderful book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and can't wait to share with my kids. There is action, friendship, teamwork, drama, and an overall sense of staying true to yourself and choosing to do the right thing over what is deemed popular. I can't wait for the next one.

So yes, we all know that this series is getting really long already. FLASHBACK is the seventh book. Some people have decided to give up on Shannon Messenger and stop reading it altogether-- which they can choose to do quite easily, since these books are always released a year apart-- but I'm still waiting for Sophie's story. Even if it will have to take an eighth and a ninth installment (which the author did admit to certainty). But come on-- the elvin world is so rich and layered and multifaceted that I have no problem spending some time on reading about it. Yes, there were cliffhangers. Yes, there was an insufferably complicated love triangle-that-became-a-hexagon. Yes, there were so. Many. Unanswered. Questions. ... Actually, there still are. However. Reading this made me incomprehensibly ecstatic because the romance finally PROGRESSED. And I loved it so much! And also, even though about a third of the book is confined to the Healing Center at Foxfire (well, I mean, it wasn't bad seeing Elwin again), there was still plenty of progress made on the team. Except for the fact that DexBianaWylieLinhandMarella were seen very, very little. Although it's slightly forgivable because FitzandKeefeandTam were seen a little more. EVEN THOUGH YOU ALL KNOW I WANT MORE DEX. We learned some preeeetttyyyy surprising secrets too, in this book, and yes, the Vacker family plays a huge role in this book. The Vacker family and memory. Also, the Vacker family official portait by Laura Hollingsworth does make an honorable mention in one of the scenes! So, yeah. Waiting an entire year for an 848-page-long, eleven-dollar book was totally worth it in my opinion. And now... I'll play around while I wonder what next year's book will be...

Couldn't put it down. Moves fast and has lots of character development. Leaves you begging for the next book. Fun to read.

The last sentence was just plain maen. It's the fourth cliffhanger in a row!

This book was probably the best one yet!! I have read all 7 books and love them all!! Please please please read this book!!! Shannon Messenger uses supervisors choice and spectacular cliffhangers for every chapter. I could NOT put this book down! Hint: I was so sleep deprived for those 3 days!! I would recommend this book to anyone that likes good vs. Bad, fantasy, magic, and any book!!