Shivam

So, I’ve finally finished The Final Gambit, the last book in The Inheritance Games series, and… yeah, it was underwhelming. The whole series had potential, but this final book just proved that it never really lived up to it.

This book, like the others, is fast-paced and easy to read. After the halfway mark, it became more interesting than the first two books, and there were a few twists that kept me engaged. The puzzles were a little more creative this time (finally, some variety). The romance was also slightly better, but maybe that’s just because I’ve been reading all three books back to back and got used to it.

But there are a lot of issues. The characters still feel flat and underdeveloped, which made emotional moments fall flat too. The mystery and revelations were mostly predictable. I guessed almost everything before it happened, and when the “big reveals” came, they didn’t feel earned. The family dynamics were all over the place—one moment, something feels important, and the next, it’s brushed aside like it never mattered. No consistency.

The convenience in the puzzles and mysteries was frustrating. Everything was just handed to the characters with minimal effort. Speaking of convenience—how many secret doors does this mansion even have?! Every time something needed to be found, a new secret passageway magically appeared. It became a joke at some point. The ending was the biggest letdown. No tension, no real stakes, no struggle. Everything was just smooth sailing, which made the conclusion feel completely underwhelming.

One of my biggest issues with this whole series is that Avery never truly struggles. Everything works out for her way too easily, which makes the story feel lifeless. The author also spoon-feeds the reader every little detail, as if we’re not capable of figuring things out on our own.

If you’re looking for a light mystery-thriller with a sprinkle of romance, then you might enjoy this. It’s fast-paced, easy to read, and not boring—just don’t expect anything deep, clever, or emotionally gripping. If you’re okay with predictable mysteries, generic characters, and a lack of real stakes, then go for it. But if you want something that truly challenges you or makes you feel something? This series probably isn’t for you.

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes was a more engaging read compared to the first book, The Inheritance Games. This time, the mystery and twists kept me more intrigued, and there were plenty of surprises. Some of these twists were genuinely good, while others felt unnecessary and out of place, as if the author was just cramming in as many as possible without proper buildup.

The characters, unfortunately, remained a weak point. They still felt flat and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with any of them. While the romance improved slightly compared to the first book, it was still far from memorable or exciting.

One of my biggest gripes was with the puzzles. They were repetitive and far too similar to those in the first book. It felt like the author didn’t even try to add anything new or creative to this aspect of the story. Considering the puzzles are supposed to be a big selling point of the series, this was a letdown.

That said, the book was incredibly easy and fast to read. After I got halfway through, it became difficult to put down despite its flaws. The pacing was solid, and the story did a good job of keeping me curious enough to finish it. The ending was satisfying, though nothing extraordinary.

Overall, The Hawthorne Legacy was an improvement over the first book in terms of intrigue and twists, but it still had the same issues with underdeveloped characters and lackluster puzzles. I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a fun, light read if you don’t set your expectations too high.

So, I just finished The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and I have some mixed feelings about it. It’s definitely a fast-paced book, super easy to read, and one of those stories where you can breeze through without much effort. But while it started off okay, it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.

Let’s start with the positives: the book is quick, and the short chapters make it easy to keep going. It doesn’t feel overwhelming, and if you’re looking for something light, this definitely works. But here’s where things went downhill for me.

First, the characters. I just couldn’t connect with them. They felt generic—like they were there to fill a role in the story rather than being real, interesting people. I kept waiting for them to show some personality or depth, but it never really happened. And because of that, I wasn’t invested in what was happening to them.

Then there’s the mystery. This is a book that’s all about puzzles and secrets, right? And I was expecting this mind-blowing twist or revelation at the end. But honestly, the big reveal just felt… flat. It was predictable, and while the last few chapters were engaging and did manage to hook me, the payoff wasn’t worth the buildup.

Oh, and the romance? Yeah, it’s there, but barely. It felt undercooked, like the author just threw it in because it’s expected, not because it actually added anything to the story.

Another thing that bugged me was all the unnecessary details. It felt like the author was trying to make the book longer just for the sake of it. Some parts felt like filler and didn’t add anything to the plot or characters.

To be honest, I feel like this book was written with a movie or TV adaptation in mind. It’s got that vibe, like it’s more about the visuals and the drama than creating a really engaging story on paper.

All that said, it’s not the worst book I’ve read. It’s fast-paced, and the last chunk of the book did get my attention for a bit. If you go into it with low expectations and just want something light, it might work for you. But for me, it didn’t hit the mark.

I’d give it 2.5 out of 5 stars. I’ll still read the next book in the series to see where it goes, but I’m not in any rush to pick it up.