For fans of books with a darker tone, A Dark Inheritance tackles themes like the cost of greed, morality and living with anxiety. Set in the 1920, an unlikely trio come together to try to uncover a murky organisation that deals in death magic because the protagonist Felix will die on his eighteenth birthday because of this death magic; a curse on his family.

The concept was strong, you felt for the characters and the structure of the countdown kept the story moving. I liked that the story wasn’t static, the plot kept moving and so did the characters! I did get a little lost in places or tripped up by phrases/explanations or descriptions. This could be because I was reading an ARC or it could be a me thing. For some reason, i could not get my head around the fact that once, he had 4 brothers but 3 died (no spoilers as this is in the blurb) and that this meant only he and his youngest brother survived. I think I needed it to say he was one of 5 or something. Maybe it’s discalculia but I got really confused! It is good to see a clear representation of anxiety although I felt at times there was a focus on explaining it to the reader when using the first person to really feel the symptoms was more effective. Also, people rarely actually faint from a panic attack but the book did well to show other characters understanding the severity of anxiety by witnessing first hand the impact on the character. More than anything I liked the hope and conscious actions the character took to overcome their anxiety.

I really like the feel of this book and the genre blending of historical fiction, magical realism and dark academia gave it a little twist of something different. I enjoyed the character dynamics more than I expected to and found the first third of the book particularly pacey and exciting. I really wasn’t sure where we were going with the story and that was fun. Overall, I’d happily read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The older I get and the more I realise that there are too many books for me to read and not enough time I have to be picky and so I've gotten harsher with my DNF'ing and sadly this is one that took the DNF axe early on. Interesting premise, but the writing style just put me off for some reason and I stopped reading around 12%.

I wasn't sure what to expect from A Dark Inheritance, but it drew me in almost from the first page. The countdown to Felix's inevitable death on his eighteenth birthday adds a tension right from the opening pages and you can't help but feel for the family who have lost so many children to tragedy. The mystery was well depicted and it very much felt as though you were on a journey with Felix to find the truth of his families apparent curse and perhaps find a way to break it.

Where it fell down slightly was in the setting. In honesty, the novel could have been set in virtually any time period that didn't involve mobile phones. Whilst the places come to life around you, the sense of historical footing doesn't. It's a relatively minor niggle in the main scheme of things as I certainly enjoyed the novel for what it had, but it is a point worth noting if you're reading this for the historical aspects. The ending also felt a tad rushed; there's been all this build up and intrigue and then it's just... over... in a handful of pages.

But I still enjoyed the novel and became embroiled in the race against time to stop the curse before Felix's eighteenth birthday. It's just that more could have been done with it; the historical period could have been more vivid, the side characters more prominent and the ending less rushed. It was a good read, but it absolutely could have been better.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.

This was a really fun ride that I vibe with as well as an aesthetic backdrop. I couldn’t always tell the time period and felt it could feel fresher in that aspect, but it was not time wasted!

An interesting premise unfortunately let down by lacklustre delivery. Characterisation could be improved and the ending felt hurried. Cover is appealing, the Art Deco style works well with the themes of the book.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for provision of an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Full of twists and turns and a great 1920s vibe, this book is billed for late teen readers but as a grown-up I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as much as my children will!

I absolutely LOVED this!!!! Filled with suspense and magic and populated with amazing and intriguing characters I couldn’t put it down. This book had everything! I loved the trio of young people and their blossoming friendships, romances and antics and the book had twists and turns that I never saw coming. What a delightful and intense historical fantasy book!

The premise of this book was really intriguing however I feel like it fell flat for me.
The love story plot line could've been really good but it was kind of just mentioned here and there only for nothing to really come of it.
The potential was there with the family mystery aspect but I would have loved to dive deeper into the secret society, and to learn more about the magic.

It’s definitely a book that will work for some but unfortunately for me I found my reading experience with this to be pretty mid

I am absolutely thrilled to recommend "A Dark Inheritance," a must-read young adult novel that is sure to captivate readers with its intriguing blend of mystery, action, and secrets. This incredible story follows the life of Felix, a 17-year-old boy who is fated to die on his 18th birthday. The way the narrative seamlessly switches between boyish concerns and family scenes to oceanic voyages and criminal capers is nothing short of masterful.

With 30 chapters covering the last month of Felix's life before his 18th birthday, the story unfolds with urgency, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns. The author, Askwith, has an incredible storytelling talent, weaving a tale of hidden truths, unexpected twists, and the unraveling of a dark legacy. The characters are so well-developed that you'll find yourself fully immersed in their lives and invested in their journey.

Beyond the captivating plot, "A Dark Inheritance" also explores important themes of identity, resilience, and the power of uncovering long-buried secrets, making it a truly thought-provoking read. As you turn the pages, you'll be reminded that sometimes, the past holds the key to understanding the present.

I can't recommend this book enough. It's a must-read for anyone looking for an immersive, thought-provoking, and thoroughly entertaining story. So go ahead and dive in - you won't be disappointed!

#ADarkInheritance #NetGalley #teensandya #bookreview #booksofinsta #bookblogger
Tw:: death of a sibling (in the past), death of a parent, mentions of war, gun violence, blood, gore, suicide, mental health, anxiety.

This book was good! It was well paced and well written, despite some features lacking. For a 1920s setting, it felt as though it was only solidly clear through the constant date reminders for the most part, and without them and not being told it wouldn’t have been as obvious, but the dates do serve an important purpose as it counts for Felix. The cover was one of the main things that caught my eye and it’s sleek and screams something darker is going on!
Again I enjoyed the story, and would recommend !

A Dark Inheritance is a gripping fast paced novel filled with intrigue and action. Following Felix as he tries to avoid his fate - to die on his 18th birthday, the plot seamlessly switches from boyish concerns and family scenes to oceanic voyages and criminal capers.

Sectioned into 30 chapters following Felix's last month as a 17 year old, the narrative is propelled forward with an increasing sense of urgency to discover if the curse might be lifted and if so at what cost.

A fun read that will keep the reader guessing up to the very end.

This has the same vibes as the Hawthorne Legacy series and Knives Out so if you enjoy those things, you will definitely like this one. This historical murder mystery will keep you flipping the pages to find out more about these characters!

Wow what a book thank you ever so much for the opportunity to review. I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend to others!

I loved the concept of this novel. I liked the Gatsby-ish vibe to the story.  It is a very compelling story with great pacing. The writing style was a little hit or miss for me, though.

Dark, emotional and filled with twists and turns.

If you enjoy books that tackle grief and anxiety whilst taking you on a mystery filled journey, then this book could be for you.

I enjoyed the main characters inner monologue and his growth throughout the story. I would have liked a little more from his love interest, as he had more chemistry with his 'new friend' than he did with her. But overall I enjoyed the book very much.

"A Dark Inheritance" by H. F. Askwith is a gripping and suspenseful young adult novel that delves into the realms of mystery, secrets, and the tangled web of family history. Askwith's storytelling prowess shines as they craft a tale of hidden truths, unexpected twists, and the unraveling of a dark legacy. The book's intriguing plot and well-developed characters create an immersive reading experience that resonates with teens and young adults. Askwith skillfully explores themes of identity, resilience, and the power of uncovering long-buried secrets, adding depth to the narrative. "A Dark Inheritance" is a compelling reminder that sometimes, the past holds the key to understanding the present, leaving readers with a sense of curiosity and anticipation for the unfolding mysteries that lie within the pages of this captivating YA novel.

A really very dark story of loss, anxiety, war, family and knowing there's a time on your life.

There was something missing from this, I found the writing style somewhat unengaging maybe? It read it in a few hours, and feel like the emotion wasn't present, everything was a bit too matter of fact.

Found the plot itself really interesting, and wish there had been more development of this.

Thanks for the chance to read this, i'll keep my eyes open for any more books by this author cos they have really interesting ideas.

What a gripping, evocative thriller. Loved the setting, and the high stakes combined with a rather sensitive study in fear anxiety meant this book is far more than what it may seem at first glance. Highly recommend

"Once I had four brothers. Three of them are dead. I am next."

A great premise, and an intriguing story, as I was reading it, but the ending felt pretty abrupt.

I didn't really feel the time period, other than with some of the references to privilege - the grand house, the collection, money etc. it felt 'old money' but wasn't necessarily placed in a particular time vividly enough for me to remember that I was experiencing the 1920s. I'm not sure about the comparison to "The Great Gatsby meets The Inheritance Games" I haven't read The Inheritance Games, but I didn't get much of a sense of The Great Gatsby other than being told it was set in the 1920s, and the blurb also mentions: "Soon long-buried secrets will take Felix to the darkest underbelly of Jazz-Age New York" well, he does go to a shadowy part of New York (trying not to spoil anything), but Jazz-Age conjurs up certain imagery for me, that includes music, for one thing, and there was no sense of Jazz or the Jazz Age present for me personally, or at least, not as far as I remember.

And that brings me to my main point, I enjoyed it, I read it quickly, but I don't remember that much about it. I remember the death magic being intriguing at first, and wondered about Felix's family's connection to it, but then I don't remember feeling like it lived up much to it's promise (for me).

I can see plenty of people enjoying this, and I would still recommend it, it just didn't place a hold on me one way or another.

I really enjoyed this book and was originally given an Arc copy through Netgalley.

I have since bought my physical copy and also got an ebook version of this book when it was on a day deal of £0.99.

The book was a bit dark so read the trigger warnings at the beginning.

The book was based on a family that have nothing but bad luck with death, first the 3 eldest sons on their 18th birthdays; and you later find out there is a curse on the family where death magic kills off any and all to inherit the family fortune, and then their father after he comes back from the war. Felix then goes into finding out if he can save himself and his younger brother Nick, finding a group Imperium Mortis are behind the curse and the use of death magic that are to blame for all the family deaths. He has 30 days in order to stop the curse save himself and his brother.

Loved the character development and enjoyed the twists and turns of the book. Small chapters helped in reading it faster when I got back into reading this after a reading slump I have been in this year.