Book Review: The Inheritance Games 

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes 

5 Stars 

The Inheritance Games is a fast-paced mystery novel that hooks you from the very start. This novel starts with Avery Grambs, an ordinary high schooler that struggled financially. From her mother passing away and having an absent father, Avery lived with her older sister Libby in their car. However, her life drastically changes overnight when a well-known billionaire Tobias Hawthorne leaves her his entire fortune despite the fact that she has never heard or met him. With this unimaginable amount of wealth Avery has inherited, she slowly finds out that there is a clever blend of puzzles, riddles and family secrets in the Hawthorne house. Each member from the house is determined to figure out why Avery, out of all people, inherited the wealth and not themselves.  

This book stands out because of the constant sense of mystery and puzzles to be solved. The Hawthorne house, which is a ginormous mansion, feels like a maze of secrets, with every room offering a new clue or twist. The story keeps you engaged through the shifting alliances and unexpected discoveries. The relationships between each Hawthorne brother add emotional depth to the story, since each brother has their own struggles and reasons for wanting answers to who Avery is and her relation to their grandfather. The novel has a strong sense of trust and deception, especially when Avery realizes that everyone around her might be hiding something. The book has a strong theme of hidden motives, which helps keep the suspense high.  

What makes this novel so addicting to read is its fast and engaging pace. Many chapters end with surprising reveals or cliffhangers, and the story moves forward without it feeling rushed. In my opinion, the author did an amazing job with Avery's character development, showing how she went from a quiet outsider into someone brave enough to take risks and discover the truth. Overall, I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who really enjoys mystery and puzzle solving, it's very addicting to read, and I did not get bored from it. 

Reviewed by Fatima as part of the Teen Reviewer, opens a new window program.

View in Library Catalogue: Print | eBook | Downloadable Audiobook