The whole world of 17-year-old Avery Kylie Grambs is turned upside down with the opening of a letter. It was a normal day for Avery, working at the diner and attending school, when an important guest walks into her seemingly normal, and uninteresting life. The guest being none-other than Grayson Davenport Hawthorne, one of the four young, handsome, and mysterious Hawthorne brothers—grandchildren of multi billionaire Tobias Hawthorne. 

Apparently, Avery is to attend the reading of the will of Tobias Hawthorne, a man she has never met before. When the day comes, and the reading begins, it is revealed that Tobias Hawthorne has left his family virtually nothing. The room is silent, her heart pounding, and Avery’s portion of the will is read. She is to inherit Tobias Hawthorne’s $4.2 billion, including all his assets. 

The Inheritance Games written by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a twisting clue-oriented mystery speckled with love, games, family secrets, and of course, the intricate clues of Mr. Tobias Hawthorne. Taking place in Hawthorne House, Avery—with the help of the infamous four Hawthorne brothers—is in search of the reason she was chosen to inherit. 

Barnes creates a unique set of absorbing and amusing characters, each with their own peculiarities that keep readers engaged with the dialogue and unfolding of the plot. Specifically, the varying brothers that begin to shape Avery’s experiences in Hawthorne House. 

When asked for her favorite part of the book, Librarian Ms. Jennifer Milikan enjoys the variety of characters as well as the mystery that intertwines them. She gives the book 5 out of 5 stars.

“I loved the dynamic between Avery and all of the Hawthorne brothers, as well as her relationships with her sister and friend. I love the suspense surrounding what happens next. It was truly page-turning,” Ms. Millikan said. “I didn’t like that it ended.” 

The Inheritance Games is the first book of three, and a fast-paced mystery, which is not what I usually pick up off a shelf when deciding on a book to read; however, I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars. It was brilliantly thought out, and kept me intrigued although I did not find the writing style as engaging as the characters. 

Nevertheless, I agree with Junior Mary Ellen Gaertner regarding her favorite part of the book. 

“I loved that it was a mystery because I don’t read those a lot.” Mary Ellen Said. 

This read was encompassed with mysteries ready to unfold at your fingertips with each flip of a page. Barnes’ writing style leaves readers hanging at the end of every chapter, waiting to find out more. Readers discover the answers as Avery does, joining the characters on their hunt for solutions, and digging through the secrets embedded into the foundation of the Hawthorne name. The goal: to find out why Avery was chosen. Questions circle readers’ minds:. Why would Tobias Hawthone disinherit his family, especially Grayson, the heir apparent? Why would he take such a chance? 

A very risky gamble?