Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Final Gambit

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

145 reviews

mysugarmagnolias's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

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

mrsalexisrjones's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Read this book. This series is so good! It will leave you hungry for more puzzles, riddles, clues, and Hawthornes.

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

maim_mona's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Phew! I dunno i wish i would be happier that it's over. There was too little Grayson or Jameson and i get it the story is about Avery, i just wished the string character development would carry through you know? For some reason this book felt more choppy than the other two. A really good mystery no doubt with a nail biting finish, this book focuses finally on the puzzles and riddles and kudos to the author for spanning and planning them so well, i was hooked. However despite the puzzles this is somehow my least favourite if the 3 the ending was the most logical well thought out ending but just not executed in a way that felt natural. I felt that way about

Jameson and Avery getting together as well how did their relationship feel more natural earlier than it did in this book?
There was so much pining for Grayson and while the author explains that she goes for Jameson beacusw she related to him he has the hunger she does and he makes her happy blah blah, i couldn't justify it, it seemed too much like a teenage going and two people trying too hard to stay together and graysons just in the mix??? I genuinely didn't feel the tension was resolved and was actually impressed by jamesons character development and the linws he has in this book. At least someone pointed out the obvious

loved how Alicia and Oren are brought to the forefront along with Nan and everything is tied in wonderfully! A well thought out end just wished it was smoother in execution.

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