Canon Ships That I Adore (And Why!)

Chapter 12

WARNING: Spoilers for Keeper of the Lost Cities, Wings of Fire, and Harry Potter ahead!

Have you ever fallen off the couch, rolled around on the floor, curled your toes in, and blushed like a tomato before continuing to read your book? This has, in fact, happened to me before—and no, there wasn’t anyone around so it was perfectly safe and un-embarrassing to do so.

But…why does this happen?

Intermission: crickets chirping.

Ah yes, probably because you’re reading a romantic or flirty interaction between two book characters you simply…

SHIP!!!

Before I begin my rant about three canon ships over three different book series I simply adore, let’s break this down—what is a ship? A ship is a romantic pairing between two people. Creating this match is called shipping, and the one who supports the ship is a shipper.

You can ship anyone—your BFF and their crush, two singers who are just a little too close to each other, or movie stars! But the best people to ship aren’t actually people…

They’re book characters!

1. Wings Of Fire - Sunlow

(Small spoiler ahead!)

Have you read Wings Of Fire (WOF)? You’re amazing. Ship Moonibli? Yeah, I do too :D Ship SUNLOW?

Let’s be friends!!

Sunlow, in my humble opinion, is undoubtedly the BEST ship in the whole WOF series due to its... oh, how can I possibly explain it? Sundew and Willow are just perfect for each other! Sundew is a protective, angry, stubborn, and brave individual, and Willow is sweet, gentle, kind, and thoughtful. These two dragons are opposites...but opposites attract! Willow calms Sundew down when she gets mad. All the tension in her scales—all the thoughts racing through her head—simply just disappear, all because of her loving girlfriend Willow. Plus, their relationship is very developed and deep, and showcases lots of chemistry, unlike lots of other ships. SUNLOW FOREVER!!! <333

2. Harry Potter - Hinny
(Big spoiler ahead!)
Harry Potter, Harry Potter...such an engaging book series. The reason we’re all here, in fact. Not to mention that he is such a cool person. And Ginny? Feisty, fiery, unafraid!

But... Hinny?

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!

Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley are the perfect duo. Harry adores Ginny because of her confidence, cheerfulness, and humour. She is very FIERY, and a true Gryffindor. Ginny had a crush on Harry before she even met him because of his pictures, and his conquest of the Dark Lord. In my personal opinion, she was drawn to him because of his bravery and kind nature, not simply a superficial looks-based liking. These two care for each other heaps, and are more than happy to sacrifice themselves for one another. Let’s not forget Ginny’s heartbreaking scream when Voldemort announced that Harry was dead. GO HINNY!!!

3. Keeper Of The Lost Cities - Sokeefe

(Big, big, big spoilers ahead!!! This is the best book series in the whole entire world! Please have read all the books before reading this, or else you will be SERIOUSLY spoiled! This is also the best ship ever (seconded by the editor)!!)

Sophie Foster. Telepath. Moonlark.

Keefe Sencen. Empath. Lord Hunkyhair.

Sokeefe? Team Foster-Keefe? Keephie?

SHIP!!!

Get ready for an epic rant guys!

Team Foster-Keefe is the best romantic pairing in KOTLC...and in the whole history of books.
Okay, I think I’ve already made that clear so let me explain how.
Sophie and Keefe met in the middle of the first book of KOTLC. Sophie had been sent to the healing centre because of her burn, and Keefe, being Keefe, had just been ditching class.
Was it fate that brought them together? Who knows, for the next second Keefe noticed the new girl walking through the corridor, seemingly lost, with... a special sort of air around her, Keefe became good friends with Sophie. He always teased her—well, okay, let’s be real, he always subtly flirted with her, unbeknownst to Sophie because of the Great Foster Oblivion (also known as: chronic crush cluelessness?). He wasn’t that prominent throughout the first book, although he was heartbroken and depressed after she supposedly ‘died’ along with Dex.

Throughout the series, Sophie and Keefe continue to support each other and comfort one another after tons of troublesome and traumatic events. Sophie gets closer to Keefe, and even starts to develop feelings for him—all of which is hidden under her dramatic crush on Fitz Vacker. Keefe clearly likes her, but Sophie is too oblivious to notice. His love for her is clearly shown every time they have “moments”, every time he makes her heart go pitter-patter, and every time he is there for her, plus lots of other instances.

In Flashback, Fitz and Sophie start dating, which causes a breach in the relationship between Sophie and Keefe. Keefe insists that he supports Fitzphie despite his broken heart because Fitz is his best friend.

"I'm not sabotaging anything! Sophie is not some prize that Fitz and I get to fight over. She's a person. And she has her own feelings—and no one knows those feelings better than I do!"

Sophie and Fitz break up because it isn’t the right time for a relationship...and also because of the matchmaking system, as well as Fitz’s treatment towards her.
When Keefe is about to run away from the lost cities at the end of Unlocked, he leaves a note for Sophie only, telling her that he’s running away because of his unpredictable new powers.
And here is THE line in the note that made Sophie realise, after so many years, that Keefe loved her:
“And since this is the last time I’ll ever talk to you, I just…I want to say that I’m really going to miss you. You mean a lot to me, Foster. More than you’ll ever know.”
Sophie and her friends found Keefe, thankfully... and the two lovebirds were extremely happy to see each other again <3
And then. It HAPPENED.
Chapter 42 of Stellarlune. CHAPTER 42 OF STELLARLUNE. We are NEVER getting over this!!
Sophie confessed her love for Keefe in the Grove... and they kissed.
I honestly don’t think I need to say anymore, Team Foster-Keefe shippers...
Sophie + Keefe = True Love.

Aww, we’re already at the end of this lovey-dovey chapter? Well, that’s alright. You can always just pop out a romance book from your bookshelf and start shipping perfect pairs ;) For now, goodbye and happy Valentine’s Day!

Written by Hazel Antler.
Edited by Sara Rowan.
Proofread by Daphne Clarke.