BOOK REVIEW: Games Untold by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Unexpected twists and turns, sweet back stories and an are-you-serious cliffhanger - What more could you ask for?
The Inheritance Games series has been one of those solid stories that I have been eagerly and actively reading. It’s also the series that I encouraged my teenage daughter to read, and now she has become an avid reader who always has something in her hands. However, this series will always be that series that “got her into reading.”
With all that said, I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about this one as it is a series of short story based snippets / novellas focused on explaining events or relationships that we haven’t had a chance to see in the main books of the series and a few fun stories that highlight a specific event that was only briefly mentioned. I have always struggled with short stories and anthologies, but this one was so freaking good!!!!
While the structure was expected as a collection of stories, what was extremely effective and unique was the concept of having the first story and the last story in the collection be a continuation of each other. Basically it was one novella broken into part 1 and then its part 2 and used to bookend the entire book. On top of that, this particular two-parter involving Jameson Hawthorn and Avery is directly connected to what we learned in The Brother’s Hawthorne and where we think the story may be going in Glorious Rivals (release date: July 29). It’s the only anthology type book I’ve read that actually ends in a cliffhanger!
Now, if you haven’t read any of the Inheritance Games books, know that they are YA books. They are written in a simpler style that allows for a quick read, but what I love about it is that the puzzles and riddles and challenges are so creative and so unique that I constantly find myself trying to figure them out, looking for connections, and analyzing everyone’s motives and comments. Foreshadowing? It’s found in spades in this series. It’s just such an overall fun story. The puzzles and riddles are not in short supply in this particular installment either.
Nash moves across the aisle to sit next to me. He puts his hand under my chin and raises my eyes to meet his. “Don’t you ever apologize for the things you’ve survived.”
I found that my absolute favorite of all the stories was “The Same Backward and Forward” which is Avery’s mother’s story. This is also the longest of the eight stories coming in at just under 200 pages. What I loved most is learning the connection between Hannah (mother), Avery and Toby and thus the Hawthorne family. The puzzles and games were meaningfully incorporated in a way that supports the ultimate takeaways for the story. I enjoyed seeing the characters be developed and see how and why Avery has grown into the person she is.
Within the stories, the chapters are short making the reading pace quick, the characters are well developed and stay true to who they are in present books even when looking at them in the past. Here are some of the most specific elements that I loved:
The timeline at the beginning of the book to know where each story falls in the scope of the entire series.
The Hawthorne family Secret Santa. I really want to play!
The emotional scenes that were a little unexpected in a story with this structure.
Successfully filling in some plot holes from the main story and the characterization and enhanced / developed character arcs.
The little plot twists.
Nash and Libby!!!! They literally have the sweetest romance.
Needless to say, this was a successful mid-series companion book. I feel it was released at the perfect time, especially since we haven’t gotten too far in to The Grandest Game off shoot of this world. With that said, I know there will be definite connections - I mean what’s up with Eve? Alice? There is still so much to come.
Where does this land on my bookshelf?
Probably not a surprise that it’s on the top shelf. I adore these characters, I think Hannah and Toby may be my ultimate favorites, but I am still pretty fond of Xander. If you haven’t stared the series, and are finding yourself interested, I do recommend reading them in order. Like with any series, there are ups and downs in some of the books, but overall this is a magical series. They are fun, quick and interesting reads with great stories and characters with twists and turns along the way. If you are looking for a series to gift to a teenager in your life. This is definitely the series to look at. It’s perfect for ALL ages!
Don’t forget to check out my other fun sites!
Explore my website for book lovers: www.azdesertbookworm.com
Follow me on Instagram! Check it out - @azdesert_bookworm
Speaking LITerally podcast! Our monthly misadventures into all things literary. Separated the Atlantic, Liz and I come together in our love of reading!!! Find us wherever you listen to your other favorite podcasts! Click here to find us on Spotify! (Link also on my website.)
