The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Book Review

Title: The Inheritance Games
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 
Release Date: September 1, 2020
Pages: 376

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.

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My Thoughts

Avery Grambs' future is already set. Finish high school, get a scholarship, and move away from home. But overnight, she becomes a billionaire, thanks to Tobias Hawthorne who left his entire fortune to her.

Everything’s a game, Avery Grambs. The only thing we get to decide in this life is if we play to win.

However, Avery must pass a series of puzzles and riddles, including living in the Hawthorne House for a year, to receive the inheritance. But there are four grandsons of Tobias Hawthorne: Nash, Grayson, Jameson, and Xander who have expected an inheritance the day they were born. 

We aren’t normal. This place isn’t normal, and you’re not a player, kid. You’re the glass ballerina—or the knife.

What is Avery's connection to all of this? Is she also a Hawthorne too?

He left you the fortune, Avery, and all he left us is you.

Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5)

I had so much fun reading this! I love Avery- she's smart, sarcastic, and hard to read, making her perfect for the games. 

The riddles and puzzles in the game were left behind by Tobias Hawthorne, the grandfather of the four boys. He is a complete mystery to Avery but as she dives deeper into the game, she realizes that it may not be as simple at all.

Overall, The Inheritance Games was an amazing first book in The Inheritance Games trilogy. I love the intricate planning Tobias had made over the years and the adventures Avery and the boys go on. Can't wait for the next book in the series!

About the Author

Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty acclaimed young adult novels, including The Inheritance Games trilogy, Little White Lies, Deadly Little Scandals, The Lovely and the Lost, and The Naturals series: The Naturals, Killer Instinct, All In, Bad Blood and the e-novella, Twelve. Jen is also a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science. She received her Ph.D. from Yale University in 2012 and is currently a professor of psychology and professional writing at the University of Oklahoma. You can find her online at http://www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com or follow her on Twitter @jenlynnbarnes.