I am really glad I read Inheritance and doubly glad I am not Kimberly. Her father and brothers are crazy violent. Because of the abusive parts of the novel some of the reviewers out there have disagreed about the age-appropriateness of the story. Kimberly is 14 herself, but I think that kids younger than that would be perfectly fine with Inheritance. As usual my advice is that if you are an adult wanting to get this for a child that you read it yourself first (or read it with whomever the intended audience is).
I wonder what it would be like to know that I was going to die at a specific time? Hal Stone does. He tells his “fox” friend Ip that he will die that same evening. Rather than fight it, he makes certain the last of his preparations are finished.
Hal Stone is the author of a YA fantasy series about the land of Auviarra. His success in the book-world is not reflected in his family. His son, Nathan, is utterly and completely mad/insanse/sociopathic … Just add any adjective in this category and you could describe him. Two of Hal’s grandchildren seem to follow in the shadow of their father while the last one seems to be less under his influence and more under the influence of Hal. This, of course, is Kimberly.
Kimberly is a typical child of an abuser. She will do anything to avoid enraging her father all the time knowing that nothing she does stops his rages when he wants to get at her. Novels like Inheritance make me wonder about the future of such children. Even when she gets to Auviarra, and apparently away from her abusive family, Kimberly still cannot get away from their influence.
Ip transfers his loyalty from Hal to Kimberly. Ip is much more than the fox that Kimberly thinks him. He is a creature originally from Auverria and is some sort of shape-shifter. When Kimberly ends up in Auviarra he comes along for the ride.
I try to remember my mentality at 14. How would I have managed to deal with the life Kimberly has been dealt? Hmmmm. Difficult to say – partly because it has been an eternity since I was 14.
I like Kimberly. I also like the troupe she ends up with. They are a combination of different qualities, making their whole so much more than one of them.
- File Size: 349 KB
- Print Length: 192 pages
- Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1466429267
- Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B005YP6WMQ
humanitysdarkerside 
When the world is set up this way, with abusers a part of so much of the life experience, I feel it is important to witness the abuse and learn what you can from it, perhaps in terms of empathy and compassion, rather than shielding ourselves from these things. But you’re right it is probably better to do it at an older age, if possible.
LikeLike
What I find difficult is knowing what an appropriate age is. Which is why I am such a fan of parents reading to and with their children.
LikeLike
I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for taking the time to read and review my book. It means a lot to me.
LikeLike
You’re welcome.
LikeLike