Jennifer Lynn Barnes masterfully weaves an intricate tapestry of mystery, romance, and psychological suspense in Glorious Rivals, the second installment of The Grandest Game series. This sequel to The Grandest Game (2024) proves that Barnes hasn’t lost her touch for crafting labyrinthine plots that keep readers guessing until the final page—and even then, leave them desperate for more.
Plot and Pacing: A High-Stakes Game of Survival
Barnes plunges readers directly into phase two of the Grandest Game, where the remaining players must navigate increasingly dangerous challenges on the mysterious Hawthorne Island. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives—Lyra Kane, Grayson Hawthorne, Rohan, Gigi Grayson, and Savannah Grayson—each voice distinct and compelling in its own right.
The plot structure mirrors the complexity of the puzzles within the story itself. Barnes expertly balances the immediate tension of the game with deeper mysteries that have been brewing since the original Inheritance Games trilogy. The revelation that Alice Hawthorne—supposedly dead grandmother of the Hawthorne brothers—may still be alive adds layers of intrigue that extend far beyond the current competition.
What sets this installment apart is Barnes’ ability to maintain breakneck pacing while developing intricate character relationships. The romantic tension between Grayson and Lyra simmers beneath every interaction, while the dangerous alliance between Rohan and Savannah crackles with both attraction and mutual destruction. However, the pacing occasionally suffers from an overabundance of puzzle elements that, while cleverly constructed, sometimes slow the emotional momentum of character arcs.
Character Development: Complex Players in a Deadly Game
Lyra Kane: A Heroine Worth Rooting For
Lyra emerges as a formidable protagonist, driven by her desperate need to save her family home, Mile’s End. Barnes skillfully reveals Lyra’s connection to the larger Hawthorne mythology without making her feel like a mere plot device. Her growing feelings for Grayson feel authentic rather than forced, particularly as she grapples with Savannah’s warning that “he won’t choose you.” Lyra’s strength lies not just in her puzzle-solving abilities, but in her refusal to be intimidated by the Hawthorne family’s wealth and influence.
Grayson Hawthorne: Torn Between Duty and Desire
Barnes continues to peel back the layers of Grayson’s carefully constructed facade. His internal struggle between protecting those he cares about and allowing them agency creates genuine tension. The scene where he admits his nickname from Lyra is “asshole” provides moments of levity that humanize this otherwise stoic character. His relationship with his half-sister Savannah adds complexity to his character, forcing him to confront family loyalties in new ways.
Rohan: A Magnificent Antagonist
Perhaps no character showcases Barnes’ evolution as a writer more than Rohan. This “magnificent bastard” (as he calls himself) walks the fine line between charming and terrifying. His backstory involving the Devil’s Mercy and the mysterious Proprietor adds psychological depth to what could have been a simple villain. His scenes with Savannah pulse with dark energy, creating one of the most compelling antagonistic relationships in recent YA fiction.
The Grayson Sisters: Mirrors and Opposites
Gigi and Savannah represent two sides of dealing with trauma and family expectations. Gigi’s humor masks deep pain over her father’s military actions that resulted in deaths, while Savannah’s calculated coldness hides her own wounds. Their reconciliation scene provides genuine emotional weight to the story.
Writing Style and Atmosphere: Barnes at Her Best
Barnes’ prose has matured significantly since her earlier works. Her descriptions of Hawthorne Island create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and ominous. The island itself becomes a character, with its hidden caves, burned forests, and elaborate mansions serving as perfect backdrops for the psychological games being played.
The author’s background in psychology shines through in her character interactions. Each conversation serves multiple purposes—advancing plot, revealing character, and building tension. The dialogue feels natural while maintaining the elevated, almost gothic tone that fans of the series expect.
Barnes also demonstrates impressive skill in her puzzle construction. While some readers may find the sheer number of riddles, codes, and hidden meanings overwhelming, they serve to create an immersive experience that makes readers feel like participants in the game itself.
Themes: Power, Trust, and the Price of Secrets
Glorious Rivals explores several weighty themes beneath its entertaining surface. The central question of whether people are shaped by their circumstances or their choices runs throughout each character’s arc. Lyra’s father’s suicide note claiming “A Hawthorne did this” forces examination of how family legacies can destroy lives across generations.
The theme of trust versus self-preservation permeates every relationship. Savannah and Rohan’s alliance, built on mutual assured destruction, contrasts sharply with Grayson and Lyra’s growing bond based on genuine care. Barnes doesn’t provide easy answers about which approach is more effective or morally superior.
The corrupting influence of wealth and power remains a constant undercurrent. The Grandest Game itself represents how the ultra-wealthy turn human lives into entertainment, while the players must decide how much of their humanity they’re willing to sacrifice for financial security.
Critical Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Brilliantly
- Intricate Plot Construction: Barnes has created a story that rewards careful readers while remaining accessible to those who simply want an entertaining page-turner.
- Character Chemistry: The romantic and platonic relationships feel authentic and earned rather than manufactured for drama.
- Atmosphere: The gothic mansion mystery aesthetic perfectly complements the psychological thriller elements.
- Multiple Perspectives: Each narrator brings distinct voice and viewpoint that adds depth to the overall narrative.
Areas for Improvement
- Puzzle Overload: While the intricate games are impressive, they occasionally overshadow character development and emotional beats.
- Pacing Issues: Some sections feel rushed while others drag, particularly during extended puzzle-solving sequences.
- Information Management: The sheer volume of secrets, connections, and revelations can become overwhelming, potentially alienating readers who haven’t memorized every detail from previous books.
- Secondary Character Development: Some supporting characters, particularly Brady Daniels, feel more like plot devices than fully realized people.
Connections to Barnes’ Other Works
Fans of Barnes’ previous series will find familiar psychological complexity here. Like The Naturals series, Glorious Rivals explores how extraordinary circumstances reveal hidden aspects of personality. The intricate family dynamics echo themes from The Debutantes series, while the puzzle-solving elements that made The Inheritance Games trilogy successful are refined and elevated.
Barnes’ academic background in psychology continues to inform her character work, particularly in her exploration of trauma responses and coping mechanisms. The way different characters handle stress and moral compromises feels grounded in genuine psychological understanding.
The Alice Mystery: Building Toward Something Big
The revelation about Alice Hawthorne’s possible survival represents Barnes’ strongest plotting. Rather than simply adding another mystery, it recontextualizes everything readers thought they knew about the Hawthorne family. The epilogue, with Avery trapped in a white room carved with maze patterns, promises that the final volume will be explosive.
The connection between Lyra’s father’s death, Calla Thorp, and Alice Hawthorne suggests a conspiracy spanning decades. Barnes skillfully plants seeds for future revelations while maintaining the immediate stakes of the current game.
Romance: Love as a Dangerous Game
The romantic elements feel organic rather than obligatory. Grayson and Lyra’s relationship develops through shared challenges and genuine admiration rather than instalove. Their banter feels authentic, particularly Lyra’s refusal to be impressed by Hawthorne wealth and Grayson’s growing respect for her independence.
Rohan and Savannah’s darker attraction provides an interesting counterpoint. Their relationship is built on mutual recognition of each other’s capacity for destruction, creating a dynamic that’s simultaneously fascinating and deeply unhealthy.
Conclusion: A Worthy Middle Volume
Glorious Rivals succeeds where many middle volumes fail by advancing both the immediate stakes and the larger series arc. While it occasionally buckles under the weight of its own complexity, Barnes’ strong character work and atmospheric writing carry the story through its weaker moments.
The book serves both as a satisfying continuation of established relationships and an effective setup for what promises to be an explosive conclusion. Readers who enjoyed the intricate plotting of the original trilogy will find plenty to love, while newcomers may struggle with the dense mythology and numerous references to past events.
Barnes has created a story that respects her readers’ intelligence while delivering the emotional satisfaction they crave. Glorious Rivals proves that the Inheritance Games saga still has surprises to reveal and hearts to break.
Similar Reading Recommendations
Readers who enjoyed Glorious Rivals should consider:
- The Inheritance Games trilogy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (essential reading)
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (psychological mystery with wealthy family dynamics)
- The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (classic puzzle mystery)
- Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson (boarding school mystery with complex puzzles)
- The Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (psychological thriller elements)
- One of Us Is Lying series by Karen M. McManus (multiple perspectives, mystery)
- Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (high-stakes psychological thriller)
Bottom Line: Glorious Rivals is a complex, engaging middle volume that successfully raises the stakes while deepening character relationships. Despite occasional pacing issues and puzzle overload, Barnes delivers a story that will leave readers eagerly awaiting The Gilded Blade. Fans of psychological thrillers with romantic elements will find much to appreciate in this intricate game of hearts, minds, and survival.
