Avery Grambs has a plan for a better 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.
Jennifer Lynn Barnes (who mostly goes by Jen) was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has been, in turn, a competitive cheerleader, a volleyball player, a dancer, a debutante, a primate cognition researcher, a teen model, a comic book geek, and a lemur aficionado. She's been writing for as long as she can remember, finished her first full book (which she now refers to as a "practice book" and which none of you will ever see) when she was still in high school, and then wrote Golden the summer after her freshman year in college, when she was nineteen.
Jen graduated high school in 2002, and from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science (the study of the brain and thought) in May of 2006. She'll be spending the 2006-2007 school year abroad, doing autism research at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
Oh my word� Put everything else on hold, this series will grab you by the throat from the first book to the last one. After I’d finished reading these I felt like I needed to go lie down and gather my thoughts! A tour de force of a mystery and adventure... Absolutely brilliant!! Had me on the edge of my seat� Gripping!!!
Jameson endgame was the best decision ever made. However his character development was lacking because he was put in a 'step-back' role after book one to keep Grayson and Avery tension a possibility. I did not like the ending of book 3 in the series. Also, the boy's weren't going to have the fortune, but they were still supposed to be forces of nature no matter their situation. Their situations at the end of the series had too little imagination. The thinking was not big enough. No matter what they do it should be on a big scale. Xander should start a company releasing multi-billion dollar cutting-edge ground breaking inventions and discoveries. Grayson can do Harvard and organize a charity fund. Frankly he should start his own risk-management firm. Like I said, Jameson's development was overlooked in the second two books so he should have more going for him than 'risk-taking'. And Avery should finally travel, with an emphasis on travel. She should not be catering to small children on television and play-acting her role as an heiress. She *is* an heiress and should live like one. The giving-away of the fortune was altruistic but not a fun read. It should be understandable to state that the audience gravitated to this series for the subject entering the lives of the wealthy and powerful. As such, the series lost its core in shifting its message to down-to-earth and generous to the poor. Commendations to the author for giving a well-paced ending. There was lots of writing left to develop the set up the conclusion for all the storylines, and the Blake-Avery showdown was in the falling action section of the book which shows the writing was well-planned. However, like I said, I think a couple core messages were lost along the way. Will be rereading books 1 and 2 and everything up to the end of book 3. Or will be staying away from the series bc of the ending.
Blew through the first two! I love books that make you think! Twists and turns and putting puzzle pieces together... can't put them down. On the Final Gambit now - can't wait to see how it ends.
Bardzo wciągająca, ciekawa, ale również posiadająca wiele niedociągnięć.
Postacie są w porządku, bardzo polubiłam Xandera, Graysona oraz Max.
Pierwszy tom był świetny. Im dalej, tym niestety gorzej, ale wciąż dobrze. Ostatni tom podobał mi się najmniej oraz najmniej przyciągnął moją uwagę.
Co do wszelkich zagadek, anagramów i innych spraw, nawet nie próbowałam ich rozwiązywać. Zapewne byłoby to jakieś urozmaicenie i zabawa, ale nie jestem zbyt dobra w takich rzeczach.
Myślę, że będę kontynuowała czytanie książek z tego uniwersum, ale muszę zrobić sobie przerwę...
YA series that I read for a high school book club. Read like a video game. Basic premise: Narrator, Avery Kylie Grambs, is an orphaned girl living with her guardian half-sister Libby. She is named as the beneficiary in a Texas billionaire’s will, whom she’s never met. She has to live in Hawthorne House for a year, during which time she and the billionaire’s four grandsons (all attractive) solve a series of puzzles. Read like a video game and would have been better as such. Unnecessary love triangle between narrator and two of the grandsons, Jameson and Grayson. Repeated characterization (“Jameson’s looks are devastating�) and lack of insight into Avery’s motivation. Generally, she lacks a personality, perhaps so that the reader can project him/herself onto her. Best part: characterization of Libby as a cheerful Goth who makes cupcakes when she is guilty, initial intrigue of Hawthorne boy and which one Avery will go for (before she clearly goes for Jameson and remains hung up on Grayson with no explanation), characterization of Hawthorne boys before it repeats and fails to develop, Xander and his love of scones. Family trees are too convoluted. Lots of high emotion but lack of true insight into characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was really invested in the series when I picked up book 1 and 2 last year and was eagerly awaiting book 3. However, I felt as though the last book did not meet up to my expectations. 😔😔
ʰ鳧‼️ PLOT: The plot in the first 2 books was really worth being invested in and devoted to as the twist and turns of the clues and riddles kept me at the edge of my seat. Unfortunately the third book was different. The clues and connection between puzzles were lost and felt very forced and awkward. The revelations of Tobias Hawthorne choosing Avery because of her disposability was very underwhelming and I thought that there was a much bigger build up to a more momentous reveal. The encrypted drives clues and reveals felt disconnected and the second encrypted drive reveal felt as though it was just there for plot convenience sake. The ending felt anticlimactic and predictable. Avery giving away the majority of her inheritance was expected and the epilogue felt unsatisfactory to me personally. CHARACTERS/ CHARACTER DYNAMICS: By the end of the second book, I had sensed that in the love triangle between Avery, Jameson and Grayson, it was going to end with Avery and Jameson but I was still rooting for Grayson. In the third book, I strongly believed that Grayson had no character development at all and in fact has regressed. Grayson had shown to be tough and had nerves of steel but the minute he saw someone that looked like Emily, he crumbled. I felt that that was unlike him and made him look weaker than he actually is. While Avery and Jameson had some cute and sweet moments at the beginning, once their relationship had been made exclusive, it felt as though they didn't have enough scenes together after that. The relationship between Nash and Libby, and Xander and Max really carried the book and they were actually given justice and enough scenes to let their characters shine through. At the end of the book, when Alisa allowed Avery to donate the majority of her inheritance felt pretty uncharacteristic and unrealistic of her. Other than that, I believe that all the other characters had stayed pretty much the same. WHAT I LIKED: While my review may seem pretty negative, I do believe that it is a great trilogy and I would never stop recommending this series. The clues, riddles and reveals were still pretty shocking and suspenseful. The characters were pretty likeable and even they were conventionally unlikable they did eventually grow on you. 📚📖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Definition of Confusion? Father's Day at the Hawthorne estate!
Family values have no part in this novel for Young Teens.
Firstly, the protagonist, Avery Grambs, her father is portrayed as an absentee only interested in financial gains from Avery and is a complete asshole. Her mother has kept secrets from Avery about her "origins" ultimately dying without closure for Avery.
Her half-sister, Libby, is also initially in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend.
Then we come to the Hawthorne's. Their mother, Skye, had the boys to 4 different fathers, all of whom are absentees and the boys have no idea who their fathers are. Skye shows no motherly instinct to any of the boys and the only "parental authority" is their grandfather, billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, and regardless of the so-called Pride he had in the boys, cut them out of his will. Talk about a kick in the guts, your own grandfather thinks you are not worthy of inheritance, he would rather give it to some unfamiliar person. No wonder the Hawthorne boys have psychological issues, with tendencies for suicidal behavior in the "games" they play.
But it doesn't end there, even the supporting cast of characters are all psychologically scarred from their parents, Rebecca trying to gain some recognition from her parents following the death of her sister Emily.
Then we come to the relationships, at one stage Avery thought her father could be Toby Hawthorne, the boys Uncle, but that didn't deter her from developing "feelings" for 2 of them, thus the potential love triangle.
They always say write what you know about and if that is the case I feel sorry for Jennifer Lynn Barnes, if she considers this is acceptable behavior for young adults in her world.
The inheritance games/the hawthorn legacy / the final gambit
Plot - � fantastic plot . An enjoyable read. Some interesting plot twists, the puzzles are fun.
Characters - � - main character Avery - she’s fun, very smart and a bit rash at times but shes got a great sense of humour and a relatable perspective . Some characters are well fleshed out, others are not. Some of the actions of the characters make no sense, especially some of the relationships , no chemistry between the love interests and it’s hard to understand why are/ become a couple.
Writing style � - fast paced, short chapters, really hard to put down. Have to criticise some of the spelling mistakes though, I counted at least 5 in the series which isn’t a lot but when you spend $60 on books you expect there to be no basic English spelling mistakes.
Criticisms - yes this is an enjoyable read but not as thrilling as the series wants to be. Overall the stakes felt relatively low. The reveals were underwhelming most of the time. I was also disappointed by some important reveals/ twists just being relayed verbally to the main character. Rather than her discovering the information herself someone would just tell her. Underwhelming. Also, I became tired of Avery saying the same thing about the boys in the house. Every page she said something like “I can’t believe how close we are standing� or “I can feel his arm brush against mine� or “our fingers grazed eachother� or “i can feel his body heat that’s how close we are� Ugh it was infuriating.
Do you like puzzle games, scavenger hunts, ones that challenge you to think not just outside the box but beyond the definition of what a box is? Well, billionaire Tobias Hawthorne certainly did and raised his grandsons on these puzzle games. And, in the end, he left his biggest games to them and a girl that they had never met. In playing out these final games, Avery Grambs becomes family to the four boys as they all learn about themselves and long-buried secrets come to light. The trilogy was a fun read, following the adventures, chasing down puzzle solutions, and watching the relationships develop and change. The stories in this trilogy are three different scavenger hunts, technically, but they build on each other and tell one cohesive story; only revealing in the later part of the third book the answer to the question that has been brewing from the beginning of the first, "why Avery?" The story is told in first-person from Avery's pov in a very readable style and good pacing. This is a great series for readers who like their adventures filled with obstacles that the characters need to think their way out of rather than fight their way through, and stories of families born and found.
This book series isn’t my all-time favorite and probably always will be. I read it two times and I did not regret it. I loved it. It had just the right balance of mystery and Romance and it never got boring to read. I finished it really fast much faster than normal, I love the main character Avery. She’s such a strong female character and I think that books need more of that Hawthorne grand and they have every character in the book had such a deep personality and no one in the book was just left out. It was amazing. it felt like the books were taking place over a couple years even though it was like a year and honestly like I just love the romance the love triangle it was incredible. I loved how in the book there was so much stuff that you could small things that you could figure out including like how everyone is related and all the family stuff and honestly this book is so good. I would 10 or 10 recommend it for anyone who likes mystery romance, but like modern day it was so good!!!!!
I loved it. I loved the mistery. I loved how it was revealed pice by pice. How the characters had been introduced and that they were so dynamic, evolving throughout the entire story, so you never knew what to expect really. How they would act.
I didn’t like the Grayson and Avery plot though. I feel like it was unnecessary as they never became lovers nor friends really. They had that passion, the chemistry between them, yet it never came to the surface. Felt like unnecessary as nothing happened on that front and yet it was there, making the readers want something to happen, leaving us a little bit disappointed.
And also the ending. The reasoning I understand, however it felt strange. To give up on all of it. Becoming friends with the boys and still not involve them into the decision making. Take away their life without their agreement.
But otherwise I absolutely recommend the whole series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
J'ai vraiment adoré cette lecture. Les chapitres sont courts, les défis et les énigmes s'enchaînent, et on se retrouve plongé dans la recherche de solutions avec Avery et les garçons à chaque coup d'échecs. Cette trilogie se dévore d'une traite, les personnages sont percutants et pleins d'humour. Des secrets resurgissent et tous en subissent les conséquences. Avery devra percer les mystères des Hawthorne pour trouver son bonheur et la vie qu'elle désire tant. Elle découvre surtout une famille de cœur. Mais à qui peut-elle réellement accorder sa confiance?Une saga merveilleusement bien écrite, palpitante, pleine de rebondissements. Même si j'ai préféré le dernier tome (ce qui est rare avec les séries), ce n'est pas le cas ici. Jennifer Lynn Barnes a su captiver son lecteur de la première à la dernière page, impossible de s'ennuyer, je vous le garantis !
I loved the characters and how the slow burn romance was. Though I do crave more� The puzzles were exhilarating. You would figure a peice of the puzzle but than the game would change and there would be 10 puzzles. It keeps you spiraling and wanting more! Definitely reading The Brothers Hawthorne! 4th book not in main series. You get to read Jameson POV and it’s very romantic. When i say that i mean he flirts with her in his mind. I dunno if you like that but it you do� also there is Grayson but who cares! If you all enjoy this series there is Grandest Game and it contains Avery giving away her inheritance. Can’t say much or it would be a spoiler!
This series was so much fun. The riddles, mysteries, and romance were great. It was an easy read for me as it took me right out from my reading slump. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The writing was so easy, I loved it.
BUT, it had so many twists that were just unnecessary, and I just can't keep up with it since it gave me whiplash every time I turned a page.
Jameson + Avery are goals but can we talk about Nash? Criminally underrated character. He gets the least scene in the series but delivers great lines as he should. Grayson Davenport Hawthorne deserves the world.
but THE ACTUAL PLOT TWIST WAS WHN I FOUND OUT that there IS ANOTHER 2 BOOKS ARE BEING RELEASED. I feel like it's unnecessary since the story tied up well. idk why the author loves to milk the stories
This multifaceted, adventurous, and complex (with romance that drives the plot) trilogy makes you never want to put any of the books down. The Inheritance Games starts off with Avery not having two nickels to put together and living in her car. It ends with her living in a giant mansion as a billionaire. The Hawthorne Legacy starts with her confused. It ends with her having answers. The Final Gambit starts off with her being unhappy. It ends with her being joyful. This trilogy has so many twists and turns that you start to feel dizzy, but in a good way. All of the characters are a key importance to this story. No stone gets left unturned, no mystery is left unsolved.
🗝� The whole series consistently keeps you guessing and wanting to read even more. � 🗝� There’s a lot of different romances going on. � 🗝� The cliffhangers at the end of each book but particularly the last book leave you completely awestruck. � 🗝� Hawthorne mansion is humongous, has all sorts of different rooms but I also really like the secret passageways the characters can use as well. � 🗝� The overall storyline and how connected all three of the books are has been done incredibly well. �
“Est unus ex nobis. Nos defendat eius.� (She’s one of us. We have to protect her). OH COME ON. This book had me at the edge of my seat. I read it so fast that I genuinely do not remember the minute details� Also I finished this in December because school came and forced me into a inevitable book slump fml. I love this series but the Final Gambit was much harder for me to read through than the first two. In my opinion, it fell out as the series progressed. Loved the characters either way! And I’m definitely team Jameson.
Anyone looking for thrilling drama and mystery needs to read this series!!!🎭 once you read the first book, you’ll want to devour the rest. Buy the set and be prepared🫣
Afther Reading the serie I just wanted to do my own escape room game. Seriously, it’s the definition of a page-turner “impossible to put down� Great plot full of twists and turns with a sprinkle of romance ❤️ I definitely recommend these books to ya readers!!
It has: -plot twists -love triangel -mistery -family drama -romance -puzzles &riddles -found family
When I tell you I read each of these books start to finish in one sitting because they had me HOOKED. The plot twists, the characters, the storyline, Jennifer is an absolutely QUEEN for writing such a brilliant series. I cannot praise it enough. What I love most about it is that it doesn’t need magical kingdoms or special powers to be enticing. The depth in each character and the meticulous thought she puts into every small aspect of this story and world is just phenomenal. My fave series in a while!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I know some people may disagree with the endgame ship of Avery and Jameson, but I really think that all the choices that were made in regards to the characters were masterfully done. This book series made me freeze at certain parts and laugh in others, and I couldn't help but be drawn into the intricacies of the mysteries that Tobias Hawthorne left for Avery, the Hawthorne brothers, and the reader. It's a book series that refuses to be put down and to be honest, I let it captivate me for hours on end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Inheritance Games series centers on Avery Grambs, a regular girl who suddenly finds herself in the middle of a high-stakes mystery after inheriting a billionaire's fortune. She has to solve a series of clever puzzles while dealing with the billionaire’s scheming family. I LOVE this series. It quickly became my favorite mystery series and one of my all-time favorites too—I couldn’t put these books down.
تا الان دو جلد رو خوندم ولی واقعا تا اینجای کار خفن بود به خصوص جلد دو🙏🏽❤️� به جلد اول علاقه زیادی ندارم اما معمولا به مجموعه ها فرصت میدم تا از جلد دوم به بعد بدرخشن و بارنز واقعا تو جلد دو محشر بود😭💘 من دائما تو جلد دو اینجوری بودم که: چیشد؟! کجا؟! کی؟! خلاصه که آره حتما این مجموعه معمایی رو بخونید اما انتظار یک شاهکار کریستی طور نداشته باشید و فقط بعنوان یک مجموعه عاشقان فان اونو بخونید👍🏼
I read the first book when it just came out and i immediately fell in love. It literally made me fall in love with reading again. And i will forever be grateful to the author for creating such a beautiful story. Not only did it have great short chapters but also so much thought was put in the plot and the clues. � i wish that i could read the books again for the first time😩