GIVEAWAY & BOOK REVIEW: THE FOX INHERITANCE by Mary E. Pearson

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Wow! Do I have a special treat for you! Not only am I posting a review of Mary E. Pearson's latest release, but Mary is sending some swag (bookmarks &wristbands) as PRIZES for some very lucky readers! I'm not sure yet how many winners there will be, but to keep this simple, just leave a comment with your email address below to be eligible.

Mary has also graciously taken time out of her very busy schedule to visit with us today. So, without further ado...

THE FOX INHERITANCE
Mary E. Pearson
Henry Holt & Co.
304 pp.
Ages 12 & up

Once there were three. Three friends who loved each other—Jenna, Locke, and Kara. And after a terrible accident destroyed their bodies, their three minds were kept alive, spinning in a digital netherworld. Even in that disembodied nightmare, they were still together. At least at first. When Jenna disappeared, Locke and Kara had to go on without her. Decades passed, and then centuries. 

Two-hundred-and-sixty years later, they have been released at last. Given new, perfect bodies, Locke and Kara awaken to a world they know nothing about, where everyone they once knew and loved is long dead. 

Everyone except Jenna Fox.

MY REVIEW:

Let me begin by saying that I read THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX a couple of years ago and loved it. Really terrific story. I was thrilled with the release of the sequel, THE FOX INHERITANCE, but was at first disappointed that it picks up 260 years after the first book. I really wanted to know what happened to Jenna during all those years! Instead, the sequel is not Jenna's story, but Locke's - Jenna's friend who "died" in the car accident along with Jenna. His mind was recorded (along with Kara's) in hopes of restoring it to a biogel body in the future. At the end of the first book, we are led to believe that these recordings have been destroyed. But we learn in THE FOX INHERITANCE that copies were made.

Once I got over missing Jenna Fox (she does show up in book 2 eventually), I enjoyed getting to know Locke and Kara. It took me a while to get into it - but not because of any flaw in the story. It is the first book I've read on my Nook and I kept starting and stopping. It took me months to read it because - well, I really prefer "real" books over the e-reader. So, I apologize to the author for dragging it out so long.

I really liked THE FOX INHERITANCE, not quite as much as the first book, but the characters and plot were fascinating and engaging. I loved Dot the Bot, an escaped robotic cab driver with a charming personality. I felt torn about Kara - On one hand I feared her, disliked her, yet on the other hand I ached for her and understood why did what she did.

This story does not wrap everything up nicely with a bow at the end - and I like that. It felt real that way. Not every story has a happy ending. Life is sometimes complicated and tragic. And yet THE FOX INHERITANCE was definitely satisfying. In fact, I would love a third book in the series. But message to Mary Pearson - I really want to know more about Jenna and what happened to her during those 260 years!!!

* Note: Just found out that the third book - FOX FOREVER - is coming out next March! Yea!

All in all I give THE FOX INHERITANCE  a very strong 4 out of 5 stars!

Profanity:  None

Sex:  None

Violence:  Mild (there are some fight scenes, and a few characters die - won't say who!)