Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - The Final Gambit

Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

170 reviews

lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I purchased The Inheritance Games set from FairyLoot and have been making my way through the series.
"The Final Gambit" is the riveting conclusion to The Inheritance Games saga. Avery is about to become the richest teenager in the world, officially. Unexpectedly, there is a visitor that arrives at the Hawthorne house that throws everything for a loop. Now, Avery and the Hawthorne brothers have one final mystery to solve before Avery inherits everything.
I really enjoyed this final plot twist and bringing a new character into the already chaotic mix. I think this fourth act introduction was the perfect way to add a new mystery to solve, but not making it feel like the plot is being dragged out.
I really, really enjoyed this series, and I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone looking for a light YA mystery with a tiny hint of romance.

Content Warnings

sillycece's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

hannibanani29's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Diverse cast of characters: No

Content Warnings

luminescify's review against another edition

3.0

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Ugh. I have so many thoughts about this book. I'm rating it a 3 purely because of the mystery and puzzles - the drama took about 10 years off my life.

I agree with many others who have said that Avery was worried entirely too much about someone she wasn't ever dating. I get that she cares about Grayson like she does Jameson but holy crap just let him go. Her obsession made this book frustrating to read - especially so being someone that's always been team Grayson over team Jameson. Speaking of...

JUSTICE FOR GRAYSON HAWTHORNE. I really hope this next book gives him some kind of happiness because it's the absolute least he deserves after the shit show that was his storyline throughout these first three books. I knocked this two stars simply because this third book lacked the intrigue and excitement that the first two made me feel. That never-put-it-down feeling. It was a chore to get through the first 2/3rds of this book and I hate that I'm saying that because I really love these characters, the way Barnes writes, and her storytelling skills. Absolutely no shade to her as an author, I will absolutely be reading more of her work - I'm just being salty about this ending.

Long story short: Grayson deserved better. I'm upset about what happened to Toby, and I really hate Eve. With a firey, burning, all-consuming passion. I hope a cow eats her hair on her granddad's stupid ranch.

Content Warnings

dlrosebyh's review against another edition

3.75

mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

All Avery Kylie Grambs needs to do to inherit billions is staying in Hawthorne House for a few more weeks. The photographers are following her every move. Financial strains are increasing. Danger is an unavoidable part of life. And the only thing keeping Avery going is the Hawthorne brothers. Her existence is inextricably linked to theirs. She is aware of their secrets, and they are aware of her.

But, as the clock approaches the time when Avery will become the world's richest adolescent, disaster arrives in the guise of a visitor who need her assistance—and whose presence at Hawthorne House might change everything. It quickly becomes evident that there is one more puzzle to solve, and Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are lured into a perilous game against an unknown and strong opponent.

In comparison to the prior two novels, I found the mystery in this one to be less intriguing. It was also less action-packed, which made me bored at times. However, the last third of the book was incredibly engaging, since I couldn't stop reading it throughout.

Except for Grayson, I believe everyone had amazing character growth throughout the series. Don't get me wrong, I adore him, but I believe Jennifer Lynn Barnes failed to give him a distinctive personality like she did with the other Hawthorne brothers. His character is always mourning Emily, which is really realistic, but if he isn't mourning, he is usually frigid. We saw him vulnerable once, but I know that's not all there is to him. I wish we saw more of him.

I know a lot of people didn't like the ending, but I felt it fit Avery well. She didn't truly desire the inheritance in the first book. So I assumed that her giving 96% of her inherited money was something she would have done. And I adore the conclusion because it is so simple— although personally, I would be a bit more selfish.

Content Warnings