Review: The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Overview:
Rating: 3 out of 5.
This book was okay but did not live up to the expectations set by The Inheritance Games. The plot was subpar and I wanted more information about certain characters. I did, however, enjoy the romance elements of the story.
Content Warning:
The Hawthorne Legacy contains gun violence, child death, death of a family member, fire/fire injury, classism, alcoholism, murder, and violence.
Book Description:
The Hawthorne Legacy is a young adult mystery novel and the second book in Lynn Barnes’ Inheritance Games series.
Avery Grambs became the inheritor of a billion dollar fortune overnight. All clues from the deceased Tobias Hawthorne point in one direction: towards his son. To understand why Avery was chosen, she and the Hawthorne siblings must determine what really happened to Tobias Jr.. As this second game unfolds, Avery will dive further into her past than ever before. What she learns may change her future forever.
On the Plot Development:
I have two major beefs with the plot of this book. First: it creeps along at a snail’s pace for a couple hundred pages, only to explode with revelations about a mafia, forbidden love, and attempted homicide in the last ten chapters. Second: the means by which the plot does move forward are often very convoluted. While The Inheritance Games is chock full of intricate clues and clever detective work, this sequel’s mystery feels so much more random and nonsensical. YES, I want the story to move forward and, YES, I want the stakes to be raised as the story progresses. However, the components of the new game presented in this book felt too far-fetched and the characters’ jumps in logic too huge for the reader (or any human of average intelligence) to participate in the solving of the mystery. After an already slow start, any delayed gratification I would have felt at the book’s conclusion was overshadowed by an overwhelming sense of “what the heck did I just read?”
On the Romance [spoilers]:
As the reviews for this book grow, I’ve read so many conflicting perspectives on the main love interests and, ultimately, which boy Avery appears to “choose.” A lot of folks have complained that Avery’s feelings are wishy washy and uncertain…. an experience that many teenagers I’m sure have actually lived through. Romance is messy, especially when you’re young and raging with hormones. In a world of high stakes and extreme games, the fickle and confusing relationships are the most relatable plot point. Lynn Barnes grounds the unbelievable situation Avery finds herself in to the everyday. It is unflattering and honest and soft and lovely.
On the Characters [spoilers]:
I love that the reader gets a (albeit small) glimpse into the lives of some of the secondary characters in this book. I really do believe that the inclusion of Rebecca, Max, and their families creates perspective and highlights that the impact of the Hawthorne’s empire extends beyond the family (on which most of the books solely focus on). HOWEVER, I want so much more about these characters than is given. I want to know more about Max’s strict parents and Rebecca’s hidden love life. I’m interested in their stories, I just hope Lynn Barnes expands on them and doesn’t utilize their unique identities and experiences to add “flavor” to the story without ever actually giving their arcs satisfactory exploration.
On Who Might Enjoy The Hawthorne Legacy:
I recommend you read this book if you:
enjoy Knives Out and movies/media with similar aesthetics.
want an easy read with archetypal characters and over the top plot points
like a good whodunnit
PLEASE NOTE: Image sources for the photo edit on this post can be found here.