Villains' Realm

Kingdom Keepers: Inheritance #2

by Ridley Pearson

The second book in this all new KINGDOM KEEPERS INHERITANCE trilogy follows our young heroes to parks around the world as they work to stop the most villainous villain of all—Ursula—from taking over for good!

In this latest book in the series that has sold over a million copies worldwide, Ridley Pearson expands the Kingdom Keepers world in ways no reader—or Disney Parks fan—could have imagined.

Home from their adventures abroad in book one, Eli and his friends are safe and sound at Epcot with their families—or are they? When Eli learns that the CEO of the Walt Disney Company has mysteriously done a 180 and ordered Villains Realms to be built in every park across the globe, he and his friends know something is amiss. It turns out that Ursula, the baddest of the big bads, has recruited an evil chemist to recreate Walt's magical ink, which would allow the Villains to travel between parks and end Disney magic as we know it.

With the help of Cinderella's very own Fairy Godmother—the notorious FGM as she's known in this world—they set out to stop Ursula—jumping from Epcot to Disneyland to Disneyland Paris, where the ultimate battle between good and evil plays out. Will Eli and his friends prevail, or will the Villains finally have their way?

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Dragons, Childrens, Magic

288 pages, Hardcover

Published February 27, 2024

About the author

Ridley Pearson is the author of more than fifty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Killer Weekend; the Lou Boldt crime series; and many books for young readers, including the award-winning children's novels Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, which he cowrote with Dave Barry. Pearson lives with his wife and two daughters, dividing their time between Missouri and Idaho.

Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay wow, this book was better than “The Shimmer”, which is book one in the Inheritance series, but it still had many inconsistencies that were hard to look past.

For example, Lily says her Mom is Storey, when in book one, it’s Mattie. Eli is able to translate French in the prison with Finn, but somehow loses this ability in the later half of the book. The family tree’s also make no sense as Charlene is referred to as Philby’s partner, which we know she isn’t because Blair and Charlie are referred to as her kids in book one, which would mean her and Maybeck are together.

Marissa is also referred to as Marie Claire toward the end of the book, which was her name in the original ARC of book one that I read.

I do like that Charlie was more present in this book though. It felt like there wasn’t a great balance between the Keeper’s kids in the last book, so adding him in balanced it a little more.

I also enjoyed that the parents (Finn and Amanda, really.) were more involved in this book than the first one.

Overall, it was an okay book, but I feel like the series is losing the spark it used to have, where it peaked between book seven and The Return 2

[Ceej Metz · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s basically the second draft with missing chapters. And Marty’s mom changes?? What?

Who cares about Marissa at this point, that character is teased so much and never utilized.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I read the original series when I was younger, and I love seeing the characters all grown up now. The story is really good and I loved all of the references to the original books.

[Courtney]

Book of the Mouse Club Podcast October Selection. Follow our podcast wherever you listen for our upcoming interview with Ridley Pearson.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kingdom Keepers are back. We join Eli and his friends (Kingdom Keepers generation 2) with their efforts to keep the Magic safe. Spanning all of the parks around the world, they need to shut down a new park that will allow the villains even more power than they had before! I really enjoyed this book, especially considering the time jump in this KK series. Ridley Pearson has his Mickey ears to the ground and can hear what’s happening. This had some great characters and I can’t wait to read the next one. Thank you so much Netgalley and Disney for letting me read this early.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

Ridley, if you’re reading this: as a fan of kingdom keepers since 2009 (15 whole years!!!) I am begging you to please proofread for continuity errors and inconsistencies, and please give us more of the original keepers. Please. Just a crumb of Maybeck and Charlene content please. A crumb.

[Riley Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I think this one was slightly better than the first book, overall the characters work a little better and story is more interesting. But overall I don’t know how I feel about the series as a whole.

[Madison Head · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot better than the last one, and made me love kingdom keepers again. Only one more book in the series, how will I ever cope?

[Ragan · Rating 3 out of 5]

lowkey skimmed all of the parts that the real kingdom keepers weren’t in or mentioned

[Joseph Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if it's because I'm growing out of the Kingdom Keepers series (although I still enjoy other middle-grade novels), or if it's the shift away from the contemporary Disney setting into a futuristic version that feels unrealistic and sometimes needlessly different (only fake grass, robot dogs, and no water in pools). But, like with the first book, I have a lot of problems with this new version of the Kingdom Keepers, mainly because of how the world is built. Additionally, the new characters haven't been developed as much as the original ones.

[Charlee D · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wish that I could give this book at least a four star rating (I’m just a very picky person so rarely do I give five stars lol) but the editing is increasingly decreasing throughout this series. From calling Mattie Weaver Story Ming to changing some Fairlies’ abilities, I am having a harder and harder time ignoring the editing. HOWEVER I love his characters, as always (especially Charlie) and I love this adventure 🩵💙 I am happy to say that I cannot wait for the 13th and final book! 💞

[Amber Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely one of the weakest plots of any of the Kingdom Keepers books. Which is sad, as I thought book 1 of this trilogy was really interesting. The characters were all really lacking as well. Truly, I should be ranking this slightly lower, but I’m incapable of doing so with this series, I’m too nostalgic over it.

[Phillip Scardina · Rating 2 out of 5]

It just doesn’t hit like the old books. I need to reread them soon.

[gabriella venditto · Rating 3 out of 5]

while it was better than book one, i think the original series is just superior.

[emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

my experience reading kingdom keepers inheritance: villains realm can only be described as a rapid decent into madness with the turn of each page.

if you know me, you likely know that i have been a fan of this stupid book series for most of my life. since it was a cornerstone of my childhood, it feels like i kind of owe it to myself to see how it ends. i am unhappy to report that, just like the previous book, i did not enjoy this very much.

the new characters are uninteresting to me. the old characters that i love so much are either given stale, chatGPT-esq dialogue using the prompt “write me dialogue for a worried mom character” or are nowhere to be found at all. the plot felt like running around in circles for 300 pages while barely accomplishing anything. the literal fairy godmother had gone viral on social media and politicians started associating themselves with the character because it was seen as cool and hip. in one of the scenes, mary and her little lambs are there. remember the iconic disney adaptation of mary had a little lamb? i sure don’t! one of the book’s most climactic scenes features an encounter with one of the best disney villains ever, glut. who is glut you may ask? why, the shark from the 2 minute scene in the little mermaid when they’re in the shipwreck and flounder gets his butt stuck in the ship and almost gets eaten. what an iconic character! I am soooo glad that glut is here!!! GLUT GLUT GLUT WOOHOOOOOOO‼️‼️‼️ #glutstan #weloveglut (can you tell i am TIRED OF THINKING ABOUT THIS BOOK)

overall, just a huge waste of potential. will i be seated for the final book? yeah of course, but i just really hope i like it
ridley pearson i love you but get a new editor. I’ll do it for free. the inconsistencies are making me lose my mind

[emma ⋆˚✿˖° · Rating 2 out of 5]

my experience reading kingdom keepers inheritance: villains realm can only be described as a rapid decent into madness with the turn of each page.

if you know me, you likely know that i have been a fan of this stupid book series for most of my life. since it was a cornerstone of my childhood, it feels like i kind of owe it to myself to see how it ends. i am unhappy to report that, just like the previous book, i did not enjoy this very much.

the new characters are uninteresting to me. the old characters that i love so much are either given stale, chatGPT-esq dialogue using the prompt “write me dialogue for a worried mom character” or are nowhere to be found at all. the plot felt like running around in circles for 300 pages while barely accomplishing anything. the literal fairy godmother had gone viral on social media and politicians started associating themselves with the character because it was seen as cool and hip. in one of the scenes, mary and her little lambs are there. remember the iconic disney adaptation of mary had a little lamb? i sure don’t! one of the book’s most climactic scenes features an encounter with one of the best disney villains ever, glut. who is glut you may ask? why, the shark from the 2 minute scene in the little mermaid when they’re in the shipwreck and flounder gets his butt stuck in the ship and almost gets eaten. what an iconic character! I am soooo glad that glut is here!!! GLUT GLUT GLUT WOOHOOOOOOO‼️‼️‼️ #glutstan #weloveglut (can you tell i am TIRED OF THINKING ABOUT THIS BOOK)

overall, just a huge waste of potential. will i be seated for the final book? yeah of course, but i just really hope i like it
ridley pearson i love you but get a new editor. I’ll do it for free. the inconsistencies are making me lose my mind

[Mark Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disney’s CEO has completely changed his mind about opening a Villains’ Realm in each park. The man was opposing it because it was a clear threat, giving the villains a foothold. But now, he’s greenlit them, and constructions has started immediately. In order to stop them from being completed, Eli and his friend Blair are going to have to team up with Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. Can they stop it in time?

If you haven’t been following this saga, you’ll probably be lost trying to follow what is happening. Fans will want to read this book since it sets up the next book. Unfortunately, it falls into middle book trap. We don’t get any real battles with the villains, just stand offs. The climax is abrupt and the story just kind of stops. As usual in the series, the characters are thin as well. Plus some editing left me confused a couple of times. On the positive side, it’s always fun to watch the Kingdom Keepers interacting with Disney characters, and I enjoyed seeing a lot of the action taking place at the California parks. I’m curious to see where things are going, so I’ll be back for the conclusion.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the head of Disney decides that a villain realm will be built in every park, most everyone knew that was odd as he had been opposed to the idea until now. Eli and some of the others parents had been sent home and could do nothing to stop it, but could their kids? Soon the kids were sent to see if they could enlist the help of Cinderella and the notorious FGM (Fairy GodMother). Meanwhile, Ursula the worst of the worst had spelled the head of Disney to get him to build the new realms. But where does the chemist Ursula broke out of prison come in?
So much action and tons of adventure in this book. It is a book for all ages as long as you like Disney and think the parks are cool. I really like this series of books it is always so much fun and I learn more and more about the parks and characters.

[Bethea Scovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to an audiobook of the first book in this series last year and enjoyed it. So, I was interested in reading this sequel. I was disappointed with how much the book jumps around. The transitions aren’t smooth and it makes the story more difficult to follow. I can understand a certain amount of that in a book written for children, however with the use of more complex vocabulary, it just makes the book disjointed. I like the plot and idea behind the series, I just feel that it could use quite a bit more editing to help the story flow more smoothly. Children will enjoy the cast of characters and the sense of adventure.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #DisneyHyperion for an eARC of #KingdomKeeper’sInheritance:Villians’Realm by #RidleyPearson in exchange for honest feedback - 2.5 stars rounded up to 3

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Kingdom Keep Series. I have been struggling with some of the writing in the last couple of books that have come out. They just read really disjointed. This book is a lot smoother there are still some of the same jumping around issues, but I was able to stay with Eli and his journey a bit easier. I also enjoy where this book series is taking us. Having the necessity for more ink, and the journey Eli and friends must go on in order to acquire more I think is quite fun. I love the throw back to how the original art was done when Walt was alive. I also love having more Kingdom Keeper books to read to my kid once they are old enough to enjoy them.
Thank you to Disney Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

[Amelia Klish · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels bittersweet to read the penultimate in the series of books that I grew up reading. This series shaped my middle school years and helped me during COVID and the whole pandemic when I didn't have friends I could talk to. It was a way for me to escape outside of my own world. It's been a wonder reading the children of the kids I felt so attached to.

It is obvious, though, how Ridley Pearson's style in writing has affected my own. I see so many similarities between our styles, which makes sense if I was learning to write long essays at the same time that I was reading Kingdom Keepers. This book has been a blast to read, and I can't wait to see how the Kingdom Keepers' stories will end.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read for fans of the original Kingdom Keepers series, though I prefer the originals over this new series. While the action is very similar, I have not yet clicked with the characters, the children of the original Kingdom Keepers.

Another disconnect for me is likely the time jump. One of the main selling points of the original series was that the action took place in the actual Disney parks. Having been to them, I could visualize the locations and story set pieces. As the new trilogy leaps into 2040, the parks are reimagined in this future state.

All things said, these are still fun reads and I look forward to reading the final entry into the Kingdom Keepers universe.

[Katelyn Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this better than book 1 of Inheritance for sure. I think I enjoyed it more because Eli got to work with Finn and kind of experience what he did all the years ago. It was a full circle moment for Eli and Finn to have similar experiences saving Disney. I thought the added part with the Chemist Ink was very good and gave a little more magic and mystery to the story I felt “The Return” lacked compared to the original series. The moment of Ariel asking for Willa was beautiful and just wraps everything together perfectly. Overall it’s the best one so far and i’m so sad it’s about to be over after book 3 🥺

[Lily D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prefacing that I LOVE that the Kingdom Keepers are still going, but, I feel like this series suffers from being a reboot where the tone feels younger than the original, and the ogs are barely in it. The vast majority of the keepers are barely referenced (Willa got one reference), and some of the references are inconsistent with the actual og series. I don’t find any of the new kids interesting, and would rather have had a new series with the og keepers now working for Disney. ONE THING I loved is how the plot centers around Disney building villains realms and how the keepers are freaking out, because that is happening in real life

[Evan Sustar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one, in my opinion, easily trumps the first one of this series. This one was FUN! The amount of Disney characters in it was fantastic, the overall story was great, I still felt like there was some action missing. Whether with Ursula staying as Vanessa, not changing back (I would have loved to see that), or with Blair and Marty (they lowkey disappeared 3/4 through the book), but overall a great one for all the Disney fans out there! The ENDING, that quote from FGM is one to always remember! I will be on the lookout for the third one’s release!

[Kimberly Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this second book in the series. Love the continuation of the KK kids and all the characters who help them versus the villains who try to ruin their plans. Enjoy the wand and ink story and really liked that this one was back to normal well known parks versus North Africa- though I did like having some Shroud Cameos. Can’t wait to hear how the 13th and final books brings things to a close.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kingdom Keeper books bring back great memories of when I used to chair the Scholastic Bookfair every year when my kids were in elementary school. As a Disney family we love all of the books. I’m so happy nine years later that I can continue to follow the journey of the Kingdom Keepers and their families.

[Emily Frances]

I read this series as the October 2025 selection for my podcast, Book of the Mouse Club (a book club podcast dedicated to Disney themed books). Listen to episode#119 for an interview with the author, Ridley Pearson, about this finale trilogy in the Kingdom Keepers series and his upcoming work. You can find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. Rhys was another action packed book with Eli and pals. Overtakers are causing more trouble and the kids are in for more adventures.