A Dark Inheritance

D'Lacey, Chris. A Dark Inheritance (Unicorne Files #1) 
27 May 2014, Scholastic
E Arc from Netgalley.com

Michael and his mother and sister are struggling to get by in the wake of Michael's father's disappearance.  When Michael exhibits superhuman powers while rescuing a dog that is about to jump over a windswept cliff, he comes to the attention of several different people. The most eerie are Amadeus Klimt and his French sidekick Chantelle. Also, by a weird coincidence, Freya, a girl from school is said to have been the owner of the dog, Trace, but she isn't. The dog has been following her and is disturbed in her presence, and Michael finds out that this is because she has a connection to the Nolans who own the dog. Klimt recruits Michael into the paranormal investigating group that Michael's father was in, Unicorne. The purpose of the group is a little vague, but in this case, Michael's job is to make peace between Freya and the Nolans. No doubt there will be more adventures in the next book.
Strengths: Even though I'm not a huge fan of D'Lacey's The Last Dragon series (books with dragons on the covers that are about squirrels. And polar bears. I just never could get past that), I was quickly drawn into this book, and it kept me turning the pages. I could even remember the plot, although there is a lot I don't want to spoil. There's a fair amount of action and adventure, every kind of fantasy element you can imagine, and of course, Michael is about the only one who can save the day. This will get checked out by my avid fantasy fans on the strength of the cover alone.
Weaknesses: This is long and rather confusing. So much is going on. There is a lot that doesn't quite make sense-- I do not buy cellular memory, and I didn't quite see that the newspaper photographer was so evil. There are several deaths in this one, but Michael's longing for his father is not overdone, at least.

Since I liked this one and could remember it, I think I will purchase. So much fantasy out there, though!