The Inheritance Games

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.