The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Pages: 372

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Contemporary mystery

Notes for Parents: Some mature scenes.

The Back Cover

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her luck changes in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves her virtually his entire fortune. The only catch? Avery must move into his sprawling mansion, full of secret passages, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that was just disinherited. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic boys who grew up with every expectation that, one day, they would inherit billions.

Heir apparent Grayson is convinced that Avery is a con woman, and he’s determined to take her down. But his brother Jameson views her as their grandfather’s last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

What you should know:

This is the first book in a trilogy. Book #2 is called The Hawthorne Legacy (2021) and Book #3 is The Final Gambit (2022).

The Review

It’s a good thing Avery loves riddles because there are plenty to sift through as she searches for the reason why a billionaire left her nearly his entire fortune. Unfortunately, there are a host of characters who are trying to get in the way of her claiming the inheritance and discovering the truth. Avery is a well-constructed protagonist who is confident and clever. The supporting characters, including the Hawthorne family, come in a variety of depths that will likely improve as the trilogy unfolds. Short chapters make it a quick and easy read.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺ (4/5)

There was plenty of mystery, some danger, a little romance, and an entertaining adventure. If you don’t mind a love triangle (and a cliffhanger ending), it’s a great read.

Barnes, Jennifer Lynn. The Inheritance Games. New York: Little Brown and Company, 2020.

Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

Pages: 383

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Historical / Survival

Notes for Parents: Some violence and mature scenes.

The Back Cover

San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes.
On April 18, a historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Though fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, Mercy can’t sit by while they wait for the army to bring help—she still has the “bossy” cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenage girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?

What you should know:

The story is fiction but the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was very real, killing more than 3000 people and destroying over 80% of the city.

The Review

Mercy is a strong-minded and intrepid teen resolved to make her future bright. Mercy’s story is one of dogged determination and resourcefulness, first to get herself into a top school, then to survive a major earthquake. The reader gets a strong sense of the times, especially of the systemic racism that existed. Chinese culture and tradition are beautifully integrated into everything Mercy does, and her love for her family and community is inspiring. The earthquake doesn’t hit until page 174, so it felt like a bit of a slog getting to that point, but it did provide a chance to get to know the characters beforehand. Once the tragedy hits, the story is fast-paced and dramatic. There are some mature scenes, but it never gets too graphic.

Recommendation ☺☺☺ (3.5/5)

Mercy’s experiences as an indomitable teen, a child of Chinese immigrants, and an earthquake survivor are riveting and grab the readers heart almost instantly. The first half of the story is interesting, but a bit slow. Things pick up and the end is worth it.

Lee, Stacey. Outrun the Moon. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016.

Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

Pages: 216

Intended Audience: Tweens

Genre: Mystery

Notes for Parents: Some mild violence and a few mature scenes.

The Back Cover

When Enola Holmes, sister to the detective Sherlock Holmes, discovers her mother has disappeared, she quickly sets off to find her in London—but nothing can prepare her for what awaits. For when she arrives, she finds herself involved in the kidnapping of a young marquess, and must flee murderous villains and elude her shrewd older brothers—all while trying to piece together clues to her mother’s disappearance. Amid all the chaos, can Enola find the marquess and her mother?

What you should know:

There are six books in the series, and the first has been made into a Netflix film, with a second film in the works.

The Review

Fourteen-year-old Enola is a plucky and intelligent girl who sets off on her own to solve the mystery of her missing mother. She’s determined and resourceful as she braves the streets of 19^th century London. The story is easy-to-read and moves at a good pace. The plot and subplots are simple and interesting, and the characters are well-drawn and likeable. Some words and terms used are rather archaic, or uniquely British, and may be a bit of a challenge for some readers. Regardless, the story is relatable and fun.

Recommendation ☺☺☺ (3.5/5)

It’s a lovely middle-school novel with an intelligent and tenacious protagonist. Compared to the Netflix film, it’s a much tamer, less complex story. Recommended…but the film was much more exciting.

Springer, Nancy. Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess. New York: Puffin Books, 2006.