ladygrey
As far as second novels go, The Hawthorne Legacy is falls pretty well into that “the second story is best” cliche. Barnes is less repetitive than the first book (at least after the first act) so we don't have the same statements (from the first book! there aren't even new significant statements from this book) foisted upon us again and again. Though things still happen too fast to have the impact they could. And there's still not a strong emotional resonance. The secrets, though were a bit better. I really liked Toby and his blacklight diary and the revelation with Avery's postcards because it felt like they revealed something with a bit of depth that wasn't entirely a part of the puzzle but paid off well.
The Hawthorne boys, which were the draw of the first book, are still the most interesting part of the story as it sinks a little deeper into their brotherly dynamics. They're a good depiction of teenage boys and that dynamic between teenage brothers is fun. Especially, their \rituals and games were amusing. And adding Max to the mix was fun.
Avery, though, is frustrating. BIG things happen like secret pictures and secret people get out and for being “clever” she doesn't even ATTEMPT to figure out who or how. Even though not knowing puts her in danger. Then, the way things happen too quickly in this series, it's just answered for her. In some ways, even though Avery is chasing the mystery and trying to solve the puzzle, she isn't involved or assertive enough.
I found the mystery in this book more interesting than the first, but the climax less. Sheffield kidnapping Avery in a warehouse and Mellie (who I never trusted) and Eli turning against her felt oddly out of place in the story. Like this, this is what it comes down to? A barren warehouse and people getting shot? In a story about BILLIONS of dollars, a house with secret passageways and exotic vacation homes, this is where we end up? Not to mention for the big deal made about Oren and his security, it seems like pretty shoddy for how often Avery gets shot and kidnapped and blown up.
I did appreciate that the love triangle, such as it is, gets (mostly) resolved. I liked that it wasn't just Grayson making his own choice and telling her what could and couldn't happen. I like that she made her own choice, for her own reasons.
By the second book, I've come to expect that there isn't anything for the reader to solve. So I was content following along as the story unwound and it was entertaining enough.
