Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
“In this futuristic follow-up, Pearson pries open the most haunting element of Jenna Fox's world: disembodied minds trapped in computers. Questions of human identity and nightmarish medical technology drive this riveting, thought-provoking sequel.”
—Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games
Review
Praise for the audiobook edition of THE FOX INHERITANCE:
“Matthew Brown narrates with a smooth, mellow voice that is very appropriate for this YA sci-fi novel. His rendition of the distressed Locke is spot on, and he provides equally appropriate voices for the books various characters: adults, kids, males, female, and even robots. Browns reading also captures the thoughtful reflection of the authors prose, while still creating excitement and tension when the story hits suspenseful passages.” - Publishers Weekly
“Fans of Mary Pearsons The Adoration of Jenna Fox will relish this futuristic sequel…The story is told from Lockes perspective, and Matthew Browns youthful voice captures Lockes bewilderment and frustration…Libraries circulating the first title will definitely want to add this to their collections.” - School Library Journal
"Narrator Matt Brown is outstanding as humans, robots, and other futuristic life forms in this stunning sequel to The Adoration of Jenna Fox...This is science fiction even for those who aren't sci-fi fans. Both book and narrator cannot be overpraised." -- AudioFile Magazine, AudioFile Earphone Award Winner
“Narrator Matthew Brown captures Locke perfectly, portraying his early, childlike mentality, his bewilderment over a familiar and unfamiliar world, and his ultimate disillusionment, pain and personal loss.” - Rubys Reads
Praise for the print edition of THE FOX INHERITANCE:“This is a mesmerizing story that will be greeted enthusiastically by Jenna Fox fans.” --VOYA "The ethical debates around whether science should be limited by conscience and not just ability are well integrated into a story that is equally strong as an exploration of home, identity, and the meaning of survival." --BCCB
“A gripping story that begs the question: Do you really know what lies at the genesis of your friend's biology, psyche or even their heart?” -Shelf Awareness
“…the story is gripping, urgent, and highly appealing…” --School Library Journal
"...it is through his [Lockes] viewpoint that we experience the confusing futuristic world, the thrilling suspense of the chase, the charged emotional reunion of the friends, and the admirably complex playing out of the issues of trust, ethics, and betrayal.” --Horn Book Magazine“A dazzling blend of science fiction, mystery, and teen friendship drama…” --Publishers Weekly, starred review "...the book's timely and haunting questions will leave thoughtful readers with much to ponder." --Kirkus Reviews “In this futuristic follow-up, Pearson pries open the most haunting element of Jenna Fox's world: disembodied minds trapped in computers. Questions of human identity and nightmarish medical technology drive this riveting, thought-provoking sequel.” —Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games
Review
Praise for the audiobook edition of THE FOX INHERITANCE:
“Matthew Brown narrates with a smooth, mellow voice that is very appropriate for this YA sci-fi novel. His rendition of the distressed Locke is spot on, and he provides equally appropriate voices for the books various characters: adults, kids, males, female, and even robots. Browns reading also captures the thoughtful reflection of the authors prose, while still creating excitement and tension when the story hits suspenseful passages.” - Publishers Weekly
“Fans of Mary Pearsons The Adoration of Jenna Fox will relish this futuristic sequel…The story is told from Lockes perspective, and Matthew Browns youthful voice captures Lockes bewilderment and frustration…Libraries circulating the first title will definitely want to add this to their collections.” - School Library Journal
“Narrator Matthew Brown captures Locke perfectly, portraying his early, childlike mentality, his bewilderment over a familiar and unfamiliar world, and his ultimate disillusionment, pain and personal loss.” - Rubys Reads
Praise for the print edition of THE FOX INHERITANCE:“This is a mesmerizing story that will be greeted enthusiastically by Jenna Fox fans.” --VOYA "The ethical debates around whether science should be limited by conscience and not just ability are well integrated into a story that is equally strong as an exploration of home, identity, and the meaning of survival." --BCCB
“A gripping story that begs the question: Do you really know what lies at the genesis of your friend's biology, psyche or even their heart?” -Shelf Awareness
“…the story is gripping, urgent, and highly appealing…” --School Library Journal
"...it is through his [Lockes] viewpoint that we experience the confusing futuristic world, the thrilling suspense of the chase, the charged emotional reunion of the friends, and the admirably complex playing out of the issues of trust, ethics, and betrayal.” --Horn Book Magazine“A dazzling blend of science fiction, mystery, and teen friendship drama…” --Publishers Weekly, starred review "...the book's timely and haunting questions will leave thoughtful readers with much to ponder." --Kirkus Reviews “In this futuristic follow-up, Pearson pries open the most haunting element of Jenna Fox's world: disembodied minds trapped in computers. Questions of human identity and nightmarish medical technology drive this riveting, thought-provoking sequel.” —Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games
Review
“This is a mesmerizing story that will be greeted enthusiastically by Jenna Fox fans.” --
VOYA "The ethical debates around whether science should be limited by conscience and not just ability are well integrated into a story that is equally strong as an exploration of home, identity, and the meaning of survival." --
BCCB“A gripping story that begs the question: Do you really know what lies at the genesis of your friend's biology, psyche or even their heart?” -Shelf Awareness
“…the story is gripping, urgent, and highly appealing…” --School Library Journal
"...it is through his [Lockes] viewpoint that we experience the confusing futuristic world, the thrilling suspense of the chase, the charged emotional reunion of the friends, and the admirably complex playing out of the issues of trust, ethics, and betrayal.” --Horn Book Magazine “A dazzling blend of science fiction, mystery, and teen friendship drama…” --Publishers Weekly, starred review "...the book's timely and haunting questions will leave thoughtful readers with much to ponder." --Kirkus Reviews “In this futuristic follow-up, Pearson pries open the most haunting element of Jenna Fox's world: disembodied minds trapped in computers. Questions of human identity and nightmarish medical technology drive this riveting, thought-provoking sequel.”
—Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games
Synopsis
A thrilling follow-up to The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Synopsis
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.
About the Author
Mary E. Pearson is the author of bestselling, award-winning novels for teens. The Miles Between was named a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, and The Adoration of Jenna Fox was listed as a Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year, an IRA Young Adult Choice, NYPL Stuff for the Teen Age, and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. She is also the author of A Room on Lorelei Street, David v. God, and Scribbler of Dreams. Pearson studied at Long Beach State University and San Diego State University. She writes full-time from her home in Carlsbad, California, where she lives with her husband and two dogs.
Reading Group Guide
1. What is the significance of the title of the book? What might the inheritance of Jenna Fox be literally? Figuratively?
2. Locke refers to himself and Kara as being part of Dr. Gatsbros “collection.” What does he mean? How can Locke and Kara be objects within a collection? Have you ever felt as if you were “on display” as Locke and Kara do? Describe that situation.
3. The author does not provide many details about the world as it exists 260 years after the accident that took the physical lives of Locke and Kara. Hints about changes are given at various points in the novel. Based on clues from Lockes early observations, what conclusions can be drawn about life in this future society? How does the author flesh out the details as Locke and Kara travel to the “outside”?
4. Dr. Gatsbro collects orchids and doorknobs among other things. Think about the literal and figurative significance of each object. What might these two interests reveal about his character and why?
5. In this future world, humans can opt for a life span of more than 100 years because of advances in medicine and health. Discuss what problems might be associated with longer life spans (i.e., overpopulation).
6. In the opening chapters, what clues does Locke provide the reader about his and Karas condition? How about the time they spent in the “black cubes”?
7. Why does Kara not want to see the cubes, while Locke feels he must? How does this one decision indicate the difference that divides the two despite their obvious connections?\
8. Dr. Gatsbro has provided a narrative—a story—for Locke and Kara to explain their new existence. What elements are true? Which parts of the story serve to gloss over unpleasant aspects of their life and creation? Why has the doctor been so careful to give Locke and Kara these stories?
9. The first two sections of the novel, THE ESTATE and THE OUTSIDE, end with shattering events. How do these two events foreshadow what is to come?
10. Through Lockes narration, we see how technology has shaped the future world. How do these technological advances (Beebots, robots, transportation grids, etc.) help establish the setting more fully?
11. Locke has disturbing dreams. In one, he is choking Jenna over and over with his bare hands. What importance does this dream have? How does it foreshadow events to come once Locke and Kara are reunited with Jenna?
12. As Locke continues on his journey to find Jenna in California, he discovers that air transportation is severely restricted and that most people travel by other means. What could have occurred over the intervening 200+ years to create this type of transportation system?
13. ID cards are key. No one is free to travel from one place to another without a valid ID card. Of course, this poses some problems for Locke and Kara until they are able to obtain IDs that are not their own. In contemporary society, there has been a great deal of debate about ID and voting rights. How does this parallel with what is happening in the future world of Jenna, Locke, and Kara?
14. Locke, Kara, and Jenna go to a bazaar to do some shopping. Given the existence of V‐ads and other technologies, why do bazaars still exist? What purpose do they serve?
15. On page 265, Locke observes that there is a line between miracle and monster. What does he mean by this? Are Locke, Kara, and Jenna miracles or monsters? Or a combination of both? Defend your response.
16. Pearson does not reveal the entire account of the car accident that killed Locke, Kara, and Jenna. Instead, she reveals some of the events a bit at a time. Why does the author elect to do this? What purpose does it serve?
17. Euphemisms abound in the story. Release and recycle are just two examples of words whose real meaning is much more sinister than the way in which the word is used. What do these words really mean? Why are euphemisms being used?