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I will admit when I started the first book in the Grandest Game series, which continued the story of Avery Grambs and the Hawthorne brothers, I was a bit mystified as to why there would need to be three books to cover a simple game. And as it turned out, the game only did cover two of the books (The Grandest Game and Glorious Rivals).
The OG series of The Inheritance Games was really fun, with clever puzzles, snarky characters, unimaginable wealth, and a bit of romance. But I found the elements were just recycled in this set of books, and I was weary of it all.
Even so, I did pick up The Gilded Blade to see what came of it all. And my goodness, this book really brought in all kinds of things. I mean, some was expected, with all the plot elements introduced in the previous two books, but this turned into a huge, sprawling, everything-is-connected saga. And it was a conclusion to the entire collection of books, not just this three-book series.
That said, did I enjoy it? Mostly. But it was darker and much more serious, it felt, than the original books, and almost – almost – seemed to me to overreach. I did get engaged in everything that was happening, all the mysteries, all the plot points. But in part I was kind of reading every evening to just get it done once and for all.
So I recommend The Gilded Blade, if you are a diehard fan of this whole series, and if you like grand conspiracy-type stories. If not, just enjoy the first three books and leave it at that.
Rated: Moderate. Profanity includes about 30 instances of moderate profanity, over 100 uses of mild language, and a use of British profanity. Sexual content includes occasional kisses; sexual activity is implied but there are no details. Violence is frequent and at a “moderate” level, with blood and some descriptions of bodies or injuries. Child abuse is mentioned.
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