Straight Reading from the Library: Inheritance by Joan Cleveland and Marisa Cleveland

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READ THE BLURB

His destiny is to save humankind. But first he must survive middle school... The descendants of the fallen angels never had it so good. At twelve, Grayson Lahash is thrust into an unfamiliar world where battle lines balance precariously in favor of good over evil, and his unexpected arrival and fallen heritage may be just enough to tip the scales. But as Grayson uncovers the secrets of his past, he must decide if he's willing to risk everything for the destiny that is his to inherit.

READ THE REVIEW

I really enjoyed this story by mother/daughter team Joan and Marisa Cleveland (Marisa stopped by to chat with us a few years ago--you can read that interview here). I was really excited to be able to read this book--I'm always looking for new and exciting books for my middle-graders at The Library. This book lived up to its promise.

The main character is dropped off rather unceremoniously at a boarding school which is home to not only human students, but also(as he discovers at the same time he discovers his own heritage) to angels, demons, and nephilim.

I'm not so sure I would have been as easily accepting of the news as he was when I was twelve, but then I'd not been raised on a diet of Harry Potter and other supernatural books and movies. Although he had his moments of doubt, they were short lived.

What I enjoyed most of all was the relationships he developed with the other characters in the book. This, I think, is the essence of the story-- friendship and standing together when the going gets tough. Although the theology might be a little weak, the message is very clearly that the "good" is the side to stay on. And, that's lesson enough for tweens.

I hope this is only the first book of a series. I would love to see these young people fight more of the evil in the world! 4 stars.

READ AN EXCERPT

Zul hovered on the other side. “Ever seen a halo?”

Grayson fought from choking on the stench of their bad breath. “Is that some kind of drug?”

Zul motioned his stubby fingers in a circle above his head. “We mean a genuine, bona fide, it-hovers-over-your-head halo.”

They meant the kind of halos angels wore. How crazy insane was that? For them to ask him if he’d ever seen one?

He scoffed. “Halo? Have I seen one? No way.” He held up his hand. “And don’t even try to tell me you have. I may look small, but I’m not stupid.”

Loshe resumed his lounging position on his desk. Zul moved to the window, snapping the dark green curtains closed in a cloud of dust. With the sunlight banned, the room sank into a shadowy cell. A desk lamp with a single bulb struggled to glow in the far corner of the room.

Grayson’s gaze ran over the room. He counted four desks, two sets of bunk beds, and four closets. Did that mean he would have the pleasure of meeting another delusional meathead? Would the fourth be as accommodating as these two?

Only, if I’m lucky.

“Clearly he knows nothing,” Zul finally said to Loshe.

“Don’t tell me his father never told him anything,” Loshe countered, completely ignoring Grayson. “His father had to have told him something.”

Zul waved a frustrated hand, pointing at Grayson. “The kid thought a halo was a drug.”

MEET THE AUTHORS

Joan Cleveland was born and raised in New Hampshire, where she is a volunteer aide at a small, private school. She spent over twenty-five years assisting teachers in the classroom at the elementary level. The widow of Maurice T. Cleveland, Jr., Joan has three adult children.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marisa Cleveland loves to laugh, hates to cry, and does both often. If she couldn't express herself through writing, music, and dance, she would die. As a former gymnast, cheerleader, and dancer, she understands the importance of balance, and she encourages everyone to stay flexible.

Website: www.marisacleveland.com
Instagram: @thereisnobox
Twitter: @marisacleveland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisacleveland00

Buy the book at Amazon.

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