The Inheritance Games is a terrific young adult mystery that will appeal to all ages. I love the witty dialogue and impossible riddles. This novel is like none I have read before, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
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- Title: The Inheritance Games
- Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers on September 1st, 2020
- Genre: Young Adult Thriller
- Pages: 384
- Format: e-Arc
- Rating: 5/5
Many thanks to TheWriteReadsTours for inviting me on this tour and to NetGalley for gifting me a free copy of The Inheritance Games in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger Warnings: Death, Attempted Murder, Domestic Abuse, Violence
Available Now: Order on Amazon
Synopsis of The Inheritance Games
A Cinderella story with deadly stakes and thrilling twists, perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out.
Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why–or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man’s touch–and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes.
Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con-woman, and he’s determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather’s last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.
Quoted from Goodreads
My Review
Barnes delivers a novel for the ages. From the blurb, I had pictured a completely different book, but I am pleased with the story the author gave me. The expected family turmoil was there, but not in a way I ever expected.
When Avery learns that she is the beneficiary of the will, she didn’t know what was happening. You can imagine my surprise when I learned it was something unexpected. The grandsons of Tobias Hawthorne are incredulous at Avery inheriting the money. Though, after the initial shock, the boys realize that Avery is a puzzle for them to solve.
The many twists and turns while the boys and Avery try to solve the puzzle are interesting and dangerous. It seems that for every clue they solve, it brings twice as many unanswered questions.
I was sure I would enjoy this book when I thought it would be something else. But, I can say that I enjoyed the novel better when I learned of its actual trajectory. The writing is good. I don’t like cliffhangers, but I love this one, and I am excited about the sequel.
I am happy to award The Inheritance Games a full 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good mystery. The author targets a young adult audience, but I know that adults will love this book too.