Title: American Bloodline: The Rightful Heir Reclaims Europe
Author: Bob Nienaber
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 9781532068645
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 246
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington

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American Bloodline: The Rightful Heir Reclaims Europe is about a boy who becomes a man and struggles to understand the oddities in his life. Ever since he was in his mother’s womb, Charlie had been special. His mother felt strongly that something was different about the baby she was carrying. Then Charlie was born with peculiarities. Charlie is capable of seeing right through facades and glimpse into the very soul of a person. Charlie himself knew he was special. He never did know the extent of his abilities and powers until he learned about the Benjamin’s and the powers that run in his bloodline. Great men sprinkled through history had the same descent. What then will Charlie do with this new information? How will he handle this new power he has? Can Charlie really claim his rightful place despite all the forces against him?

This book is compelling right from the title to the very end. The title is arresting and gripping, not to mention very fitting. The plot of this story is quite brilliant. Author Bob Nienaber displays a healthy imagination with the oddities and nuances of the story. Nienaber goes further to narrate the story in a way that gets a grip on the reader and holds tight until the conclusion has been reached.

Charlie, as a central character, is exceptionally smart. He is the kind of character that does not have to beg for attention but simply gets it. The author has introduced Charlie right from infancy which is a great way to ensure the reader walks with him through his acclimatisation of his powers and acquisition of knowledge about his descent. Charlie displays tremendous strength upon learning of his abilities and determination in understanding the full extent of them. This is a quality that most humans can only aspire to. The ability to embrace a strange situation without flinching rather than turn away in fear and hope for change is rare.

This is a wonderful piece of literary art. The powers Charlie possesses are so diverse with a bit of a divine element. This really does enforce the idea of divine interventions whose operation human beings could not begin to reckon. The author shines a light on this by making Charlie beloved among the people despite being a strange phenomenon. There are very few instances of misspelled words. However, these should not deter the reader from enjoying the intense action and riveting drama that comes after Charlie is finally grown.

With a bit of a salacious surprise, this book is quite the gem. The dusting of humour is well appreciated, like when Charlie speaks of doctors’ empowerment to ask questions and unwillingness to answer them. It is deserving of five stars out five. Quite understandably, most of the joy derived from reading this book is due to interactions with Charlie. The author did a great job on character development. Charlie will appeal to the reader as much as he appeals to everyone around him.