When Michael Malone discovers his supernatural ability to alter reality, he is recruited by an organisation dedicated to investigating strange and paranormal phenomena. He joins in hopes of finding his father, who mysteriously vanished three years earlier.
Michael's first task is to solve the mystery of a dog he rescued from a precarious clifftop - a mystery that leads him to a strange and sickly classmate and a young girl who was killed in a devastating accident. Stakes are high as Michael learns to harness his newfound ability and uncover the deadly truth about his father's disappearance.
Gripping and immersive, A Dark Inheritance is children's literature at its very best.
I loved Chris d'Lacey's Last Dragon Chronicles as a child; to this day, they are still some of my favourite books. So, although I rarely read children's fiction nowadays, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to delve into a brand new world from the author.
A Dark Inheritance certainly didn't disappoint.
The story focuses on Michael, a schoolboy whose world turns upside down when he rescues a dog one morning. There is plenty of world-building and character introductions at the start, setting things up for both this book and the rest of the series. However, it's expertly woven into the story to add colour and detail, rather than simply padding out the book.
The characters are interesting and three-dimensional; from Michael and his sister to Freya, Chantelle and the mysterious Mr Klimt, each has bags of personality. This makes the characters more relatable and also shifts the focus from being too action-focused. Instead, the book strikes a fine balance between action and emotion.
Although this is a children's book, there are some quite adult themes present in the story. Grief and loss run throughout, and these difficult themes are addressed with the utmost sensitivity. The smallest details add up to paint a picture of grief and coming to terms with loss, whether it's a flower placed on a grave or a room preserved in someone's memory. It's beautifully written.
The second book in the series has just zoomed to the top of my to-read wishlist, and I can't wait to find out what happens next!
Rating: 5 stars
A Dark Inheritance is available to buy now.
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Will you be reading the book? Let me know in the comments below!
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