The Hawthorne Legacy

 

The Hawthorne Legacy

– Jennifer Lynn Barnes –

The Inheritance Games #2

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Published 7 September 2021

♥♥♥♥♥

 

The Hawthorne Legacy is the brilliant and thrilling sequel to The Inheritance Games by the incomparable Jennifer Lynn Barnes. It is perhaps no secret that I ADORE her writing, complex characters and skill for piecing together a compelling plot that twists, turns and endlessly surprises.

Once again, Jennifer Lynn Barnes has crafted a novel that is totally addictive and she makes me like – nay love – things I usually hate. Like love triangles. Of course, it is a love triangle involving two Hawthorne boys and a girl who doesn’t have time for either of them, so what’s not to love. But the romance is really just a small part of the book. We readers are taken on a thrilling ride as Avery recovers from the news she received in the last book. One puzzle might have been solved, but there are so many more still to unravel.

DNA tests, fund raising galas, new unexpected relatives, deadly attacks, high school, and secret vaults.

Avery and Jameson team up to uncover the secrets of the past and how they relate to Avery’s current position as the beneficiary of the Hawthorne vast estate. Avery gets to explore a little bit more of her inheritance, including a nice snowy hideaway. There isn’t much time for relaxing or skiing, though, as Avery races to stay ahead of the people who want her dead, the people who want her silenced and the clues that seem never ending.

I love that Max, Avery’s best friend, is given a bigger role in the book. She joins Avery at Hawthorne house and she is the perfect loyal, steadfast and lighthearted relief to the Hawthorne brothers’ brooding, mesmerising intensity.

Okay, let’s talk about that love triangle. I love, love, love what Jennifer Lynn Barnes does to explore the relationships Avery has with both Jameson and Grayson. It didn’t go down as I was expecting, and for that I am grateful. It was honest, real and surprising and I loved it.

The Hawthorne Legacy could be the end of The Inheritance Games series or it could equally be the stepping stone for the another book. I am happy to say I am content with (read: LOVED) the ending (unlike a certain other series I won’t name that didn’t get properly ended…cough, cough…The Fixer…cough, cough). But, of course, I would love to return to Avery and the Hawthorne brothers. I would never tire of their banter, puzzle solving, competitiveness and opulent world they live in. And Max and Xander….just saying….

Brilliant. Amazing. I can’t wait to hand this to my mystery readers at school. I know they will be desperate to get their hands of it. For those new to the series, you must absolutely read the books in series order. The launch of this second book is the perfect opportunity to promote again the fantastic series opener, and indeed all of J.L. Barnes’ books.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Young adult fiction

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Themes: Mysteries, inheritances, brothers, love triangle, money, family, DNA, friendship, threats, puzzles,

Reading age guide: Ages 12 and up.

Advisory: Words used to replace coarse language (ship, duck, etc). Coarse language, sl** (2), bi*** (7), ass**** (4), pi** (2). Violence – references to fighting, death, burns, threats, blood, dead animal heart. Sexual references – references to a secondary character sleeping with characters to get pregnant. Kissing.

Published: 7 September 2021 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Format: Hardcover, ebook, audiobook. 368 pages.

ISBN: 9780241480748

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