We usually think of coming-of-age stories as distinctly human-based—a youngster heads out into the great wide world and learns how to be a grown-up in the midst of all its troubles and strife. Jenkins takes that notion and applies it to a demon, who has to explore the world, figure out how to interact with others, and find out how wonderful life can be.
There's also a clever reversal in Repossessed. In most coming-of-age stories, the hero starts out at home and goes out into the world, but here the hero starts out in the world, and eventually finds his way home. Plus, he already knows the world to be a dark and mysterious place, so his process if all about learning to love it through his journey.
Questions About Coming of Age
- When does Kiriel grow up? What changes does he make that show us he's matured?
- What encourages Kiriel to come of age? Who or what in Shaun's life makes Kiriel rethink his goals and perspective?
- How does Kiriel change over the course of the novel? What remains the same?
Chew on This
What begins as trying to shirk his responsibilities for a bit, transforms into Kiriel really embracing the power he taps into as a person.
The tough times Kiriel experiences while dealing with bullies and Jason help him mature into a more considerate and selfless person.