Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intrigue, puzzles, new locations in exciting continuation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 35 kid reviews
Kids say that this sequel provides an engaging mix of romance and suspense, though it can be more mature than the first book, featuring instances of swearing, intimate scenes, and suggestive content. While some readers felt the focus shifted too much toward romance and away from mystery, many still found it compelling and recommended it for older teens who can handle its themes.
- suspenseful and engaging
- mature themes
- focus on romance
- character development
- reading age 12+
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY, it's been just a few weeks since 16-year-old Avery's life changed forever. That was when she learned that she'd inherited biliions from a man she'd never even heard of, and was whisked away from her home in Connecticut to live in the mansion of deceased Texas billioinaire Tobias Hawthorne, alongside his disinherited daughters and grandsons. It seemed like they'd followed Tobias's clues and solved the mystery of why Avery had been brought there, but a lot of questions still remained. And another puzzle from Tobias himself. This one pointing even farther back into the past, and seeming to hinge on the death of Tobias's only son. This time, the puzzles and clues will take Avery and the four Hawthorne grandsons to new rooms in the mansion, a luxury vacation home in the Colorado Rockies, and a desolate island off the coast of Oregon. And no one needs to solve any puzzles to realize that there's still someone out there, and possibly more than one, who will do anything to get Avery out of the picture, permanently.
Is It Any Good?
This second installment of a mystery series keeps the puzzles coming but adds travel to exciting new locations and adventure to keep the pages turning. The Hawthorne Legacy is full of twists and turns, and even more surprises than in the first volume. Plus a love triangle that continues to pull Avery between two swoon-worthy brothers adds to the suspense. Readers will enjoy immersing themselves in the fabulous jet-setting lifestyle as much as in the mystery and intrigue, and they can admire the way Avery keeps a level head on her shoulders through it all. Favorite characters from the first book return, and colorful, well-realized new ones are introduced, too. The ending's satisfying, but fans will be happy to know that a third installment is planned.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about role models in The Hawthorne Legacy. Is Avery a positive role model? What are her character strengths and weaknesses?
Did you read The Inheritance Games first? If you did, which book do you like better? If you didn't, would you like to now?
Why are mysteries so popular in books and other media? Why do we love them? What are some of your favorite mystery books or series?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown and Company
- Publication date : September 7, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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