A Dark Inheritance (UFiles, Book 1) (1) - Hardcover

D'Lacey, Chris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545608767 ISBN 13: 9780545608763

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2014

Synopsis

From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Chris d'Lacey comes a brand-new action-adventure series!

When Michael Malone discovers his supernatural ability to alter reality, he is recruited by an organization 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. A bold and thrilling tale of alternate realities, paranormal mystery, and extraordinary adventure.

About this title

About the Author

Chris d'Lacey is the author of several highly acclaimed books, including the New York Times bestselling Last Dragon Chronicles series; the Dragons of Wayward Crescent series; the UNICORNE Files trilogy; and The Erth Dragons series, The Wearle, Dark Wyng, and The New Age. Chris lives with his wife, Jay, in Devon, England, where they are at work on his next book.

Reviews

Gr 6–8—"It was the day Mom took the coast road to school. The day I tried to save a suicidal husky. One day before I would begin to wonder if my father was still alive." So begins Michael Malone's journey and this first installment in the "UNICORNE Files." Michael's father disappeared three years ago without a trace. Lately, Michael's been experiencing lightheadedness and shortness of breath, which the doctors diagnose as asthma. Even more strangely, Michael begins to notice after these episodes is that his reality has changed—his sister, who never played the instrument before, is a violinist, and an au pair is suddenly part of the family but his mother and sister act as if she's always been there. Baffled, Michael soon meets Amadeus Klimt, the leading member of a covert organization called UNICORNE. Klimt tells Michael that his father may still be alive, but in order to find out for sure, Michael must agree to take on an assignment for the secret agency. This book will hook readers from page one and won't let up until the dramatic conclusion. D'Lacey manages to make the implausible seem possible. While many questions are left unanswered, they are likely to be answered in the next installment. Fans of action-packed adventure will devour this new series.—Kathy Kirchoefer, Henderson County Public Library, NC

When Michael discovers he can alter reality, he catches the attention of the secret society UNICORNE. Its representative, Mr. Klimt, claims to have information about the disappearance of Michael’s father. He offers to share information in exchange for Michael’s help, but Michael soon discovers a deadly secret lurking in his own town. From ghosts to mental powers to dragons to androids, best-selling author d’Lacey throws a lot of things into this first volume of the UFiles series. The plethora of ingredients means that no one element, including the characters, is explored in very much detail, but the story moves along quickly and keeps readers guessing. Though Michael spends much of this volume confused as he trips over one bizarre twist after another, and he and his sister occasionally seem too adult for their years, they are likable and readers will have no trouble rooting for them. Fans of d’Lacey’s fantasy-heavy Last Dragon Chronicles series may be caught off guard by the sci-fi focus, but with tantalizing adventures yet to come, it’s likely they will stick around for future installments. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: D’Lacey has a built-in audience after his Last Dragon Chronicles series hit the New York Times best-seller list. Don’t be surprised if they turn out for this series, too. Grades 5-8. --Snow Wildsmith

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From UNICORNE FILES #1: A DARK INHERITANCE"What about Dad?" "What about him, Michael?" "There must be some way to bring him back. You said I could find him. What do I do?" "Nothing," he said. "You do nothing about your father, unless we request it. UNICORNE will continue the search for now." So why was I even in the car? "I need to know where he is, Mr. Klimt. You have to let me help you. You have to. Please." "And how do you propose I go about this?" "Do tests. Whatever. Like you did with Dad. Let me be a part of your organization. Make me a member of UNICORNE." He looked down into his lap and smiled. "You would be a boy in an unsafe world. You have no idea what dangers could await you." "I don't care. I'll do anything to get Dad home. Let me prove myself to you. Give me a job. There must be something I can do." The car rolled to a halt. "Please, Mr. Klimt." His eyes looked up to a gap in the screen a signal to the driver not to open the door yet. "Very well," he said. "I will give you a task. But there are rules, Michael. Serious rules. If you break them you will put yourself in jeopardy, and all chance of finding your father will be gone. There are people out there, other organizations, who would stop at nothing to access your abilities. This episode with the dog will not have gone unnoticed." I gulped and gave a quick nod. "Rule number one. You do not speak about UNICORNE to anyone, not even to your family, and certainly not to your friends. Anything you find, you share only with me, Chantelle, or Mulrooney. Do I have your word on this?" "Yes. Where do I start?" "Find out about the dog."

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0545608767
• ISBN 13: 9780545608763
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304