Hopeless, Maine: Inheritance
(Hopeless, Maine #2)
by Tom and Nimue Brown
Archaia, 2013
96 Pages
Young Adult (12 and up)
The second book about the town with tentacles undulating from its windows continues the story of Salamandra O’Stoat, (begun in Volume 1: Personal Demons,) and her friend Owen Davies.
During a conversation with Mrs. Davies, Salamandra discovers her relationship to the cook and inventor who lives in the lighthouse at the edge of town. Balthazar Lemon is her grandfather!
Despite her hatred for her parents, or perhaps because of it, Salamandra attempts to find her parents Durosemi and Melisandra at the cemetery. She leaves empty handed.
The two children are suspicious that the town doctor Willoughby is killing people rather than saving them; foremost among those who have died, Owen’s mother. She grows sicker throughout the story and even Annamarie is helpless to save her. Too many children of Hopeless find themselves orphans.
People do not leave Hopeless. It’s almost as if they can’t. The crazy old man relates his observation that there are no ships for his lighthouse. But Salamandra learns that her grandma once left– she promised to return, but has not. She and Owen are desperate to leave, but someone has to stay and focus the magic of the lighthouse. Salamandra agrees to hold the lighthouse, and the boy sails away with Balthazar, also promising to return.
Mr. Davies: “You’ve been writing in blood again, haven’t you?”
Salamandra: “Only a little bit, and it is mine. It’s not like I borrowed it.”
Salamandra moves out of the Orphanage and into the lighthouse and Annamarie agrees to help her learn some magic, though they both agree Sal’ is probably not going to become a witch.
In answer to the question of Founder’s Day, (Salamandra: “Why did they stay?” Owen: “I’d have thrown myself into the sea.”) An appendix appears at the end of the book describing the prominent families of Hopeless and their… prominent characteristics. Like those of the Frogs, with their bug-eyes and slithery ways, The Joneses, and the Chevins.
Though Personal Demons is a stand-alone, the Inheritance storyline is continued in the third book, Sinners.
All these books contain amazing gatefolds, dark and threatening artistry, and an atmosphere of Gothic desperation and angst. You can almost taste how stale the still air is. Be forewarned, the beauty of this miasma will require you to own the hardcovers for yourself!
Related Posts: |
| Interview with Tom & Nimue Brown |
| Hopeless, Maine: Personal Demons |
