A review by theespressoedition
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

A little head's up that the entirety of this review will most likely contain spoilers since it is the final book in the trilogy.

Now that is what I call a satisfying end to a series! I can't tell you how many times I've read a series and been wildly frustrated after finishing the final book, either because everything wrapped up too perfectly, or because there were so many plot holes or questions left unanswered. However, The Final Gambit gave me everything I wanted--and more.

Let's talk about the chess analogy. What a brilliant addition to the puzzles that Tobias Hawthorne left behind. While I'm not someone who plays chess, I was completely enthralled by what was happening. It made the book more interesting, using a game that's not always the most exciting.

While Avery was never necessarily a weak character, she was never particularly strong either... until The Final Gambit. Her character development in this book alone really wowed me. From the way she handled her relationships with both Grayson and Jameson to the steps she took to ensure the safety of those that she loved. It was such a joy to watch as she really blossomed into this powerful energy that even someone like Oren began to respect with few questions (and that's saying quite a lot). The ending, in particular, showed what kind of person she was and it made me appreciate her even more. Even though I was pretty sure I knew what she would do with her fortune, there were a few moments in her final interview that pleasantly surprised me.

In regards to that final interview: though the author has now let her audience know that more books are coming in the form of stories told from the Hawthorne brothers' perspectives, I do hope that she eventually touches on Avery's final "move" so-to-speak. That was such an interesting touch and it reminded me a little bit of Ready Player One. I'd love to see how it turns out.

You didn't think I'd write my review and not include a bit on the Hawthorne brothers themselves, did you? This might be a hot take, but I'm incredibly satisfied with who Avery chose to date long-term.
While Grayson was an initial favorite of mine, I grew increasingly frustrated with his moody, angsty vibe and really wound up appreciating Jameson's influence on Avery in The Hawthorne Legacy. Throughout the first half of this book, Avery repeatedly assured Jameson of her feelings for him, while battling inwardly over Grayson. I began to get a little irritated and worried that she would swap guys halfway through. However, I was thankful that in the end, she chose to stay with Jameson. I believe it was the right decision and that she would've done herself and the reader a disservice if she'd reneged on her original assurances to be with someone else.
I've actually never had an issue with love triangles and I think this one was done especially well. But of course, I might just be biased because for once the protagonist actually ended up with the love interest I hoped for!

Of course, there were a few topics left slightly open-ended, such as Toby's fate, Eve's decisions, and even Xander's relationship with his father. My hope is that they're mentioned in the coming books. If not though, I can't say I'll be ridiculously disappointed. I think this story was tied up really well, with some realistic "open endings" for the reader to ponder. 

If I had to give the entire trilogy a rating, I think that I'd have to give it *gasp* a full five stars! This is a rare occurrence for me with a series. Usually, a sequel or third book leaves me feeling let down in some way, but this full trilogy blew me away! It's a must-read.
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