The Grandest Game (Volume 1) (The Grandest Game, 1)

Ahhh that ending!!!! I need answers now! This was absolutely amazing. If life didn’t get in the way I’d have read this book cover to cover in one sitting. I did not want to put it down. This was so fast paced and every chapter left me wanting more. Barnes writes the most intriguing, most inteligente, and most incredible mysteries. I love the riddles, the puzzles, the games!This was so much fun!

If you’ve read the earlier books about the Hawthornes, you know that Avery Grambs, the heiress to the Hawthorne fortune, established an annual game of puzzles and riddle in which the winner would win a whole lot of money. This book is about one of those games.I finished this book late last night, and the first thing you need to know is that it ends in the middle of the game! Barnes calls this a new series, and obviously, it’s the kind of series in which books are tightly linked. The next book comes out next July. So forewarned.I found I had to concentrate at the book’s start because there’s a lot to sort out. There are 8 players, mostly new characters Hawthornes there, mostly in background with Grayson having a bigger role.There are also three points of view. So it took me quite a while to be sure I knew who was who and what their backstory was. I’m not actually sure I understand all of them even now, partly because Barnes withholds some information for the next bookStill, page by page, I enjoyed this book. I liked solving the puzzles and was pleased with myself when I did it faster than the characters did though that wasn’t as often as I’d like. The books takes place over 2 days, I think, but there’s some insta-attraction I guess, which is interesting.The ending was unsatisfactory for me, and Barnes obviously intended it to be that way. I’ll undoubtedly pick up the second book next year, but I’ll have to reread this one to have any hope of following it.

THAT WAS CRAZYWOW JUST WOWYOU MUST READ ITThe plot twists were incredibleI loved it SO much

As always, the Hawthorne stories are full of fun puzzles, twists and turns. Barnes writes in a way that the reader can become immersed in the story and invested in the characters.However, it was not in the book description that this is NOT a stand-alone book. Even the cover of the book notes that only one can win. Who wins??? We have no idea, and even when the next book is released in a year, we have no assurance that there will be a resolution. The other Hawthorne books are very much connected, but each book ends with some type of wrap-up and sense of completion. This one does not.This book was not presented as the first half (Third? Fourth?) of the story. As another reviewer said, I would have waited until next summer to get the set.

Although most of the characters are new, the classic puzzle mystery is true to the Hawthorne style. Each character has an interesting reason for playing the game. The ending is slightly unsatisfying because it sets up for the next installment of the story.

Great characters and inventive mystery. Great for any mature teen and up!

Quick read, could be read as stand alone without the other stories. Can’t wait for phase 2. 2025 can’t come soon enouh

It took me awhile to get used to all the new characters, even the 3 from the previous book. I missed Avery and the four brothers being more involved in the story. I look forward to reading the next installment, next year.

I love all of this authors books so far, and this is no exception. I love the story, the characters and as always, the humour. Such a great read! Definitely one of my favourite reads of the year and I cannot wait until the next book next year!

Read the title

Loved this book however felt like it was only half the story. Understand that it is a series but it really is only half a book and now need to wait until next year for the rest of it. I will probably have to read it again before I read the next one. Feel a bit ripped off having to buy two books for one story line. I do love the whole series tho.

This book is soooo good!!! It had more Grayson in it, which I loved! The whole thing is just so stinking magnificent!! The book came in perfect condition, and the jacket art is so beautiful! Can't wait for the second part! (the cliffhanger is killing me already!)