Pascack Valley High School’s Cover 2 Cover Book Club has officially read its first book of the year, The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
Cover 2 Cover meets monthly to discuss its latest read while eating snacks.
To choose the books, the club uses a Google Document on which members can add books they would like to read, categorized by genre. This process ensures that the club reads books from genres that the members enjoy.
Each month, the members anonymously vote for a genre and then for a specific book on a Google Form using the genre’s book recommendations. The process and the meetings are organized and facilitated by PV English teacher Bonnie Slockett, the club’s advisor, and the three seniors who lead the club: Michaella Darian, Ainsley Kim, and Emma Metz.
In October, the club voted on The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes as its first book. The book is the first in a series, which some members chose to read in full. The book was categorized as a Mystery in the genre document.
Summary of The Inheritance Games
The book follows Avery Kylie Grambs, an average high school student trying to survive. However, her life is turned upside down when she finds out that billionaire Tobias Hawthorne left her the bulk of his fortune. The problem is Avery doesn’t know who Tobias Hawthorne is or why he left his fortune to her.
A clause in his will states that Avery has to move into Hawthorne House, which is filled with secret tunnels and passageways. However, it’s not just Avery living at the house. Tobias Hawthorne’s four grandsons and other family members also live at the estate.
Grayson Hawthorne is one of the grandchildren, and he was the heir apparent. When he meets Avery, he is convinced she is a con-woman who tricked his grandfather. He is determined to prove she doesn’t deserve the wealth.
Jameson Hawthorne is Grayson’s brother, and he thinks Avery is the last puzzle Tobias left his grandsons. He is determined to be the first to solve the mystery of Avery Grambs.
In her new, dangerous world, Avery has to figure out what secrets the Hawthorne family holds and how she fits into the puzzle.
Meeting Details and Members’ Thoughts (contains spoilers)
The club meeting started with the members sharing their favorite characters. Most people agreed that Xander, the youngest Hawthorne grandson, was their favorite character. As the youngest of the Hawthorne grandchildren, he is a break from the drama and a breath of fresh air during scary moments.
Members also discussed their least favorite characters. The club agreed on its dislike for Emily, the deceased ex-girlfriend of Jameson and Grayson. Although Avery never met Emily, Emily is a very important character in the book.
One club member mentioned her indifference towards the main character, Avery. She thought Avery’s personality was too cliché and shallow, stating that Avery was another “not cool person who likes math and doesn’t apply herself.” However, the club member did mention she felt that Avery’s personality got better as the story went on, demonstrating character development.
The book was said to be similar to the board game Clue, the books and movies The Hunger Games, the TV series Succession, and the movie Knives Out.
When talking about the club’s favorite scenes, two scenes came up. The first was when Avery’s best friend called her out for neglecting their friendship. According to the club, the scene shows that she has faults and it lets the readers relate to her. The second scene that came up was when Thea, Avery’s rival, toasted Emily at dinner. The members liked the scene because it was very dramatic when everyone got upset and stormed out of the room.
The discussion shifted to what the club members would do if given a large inheritance like Avery was. The main consensus was that they would feel less stressed and happier overall. However, someone mentioned that she could be targeted and attacked like Avery was. She was referring to when Avery was shot at and injured because of the inheritance. Another club member mentioned she would use it for college tuition, and the majority agreed.
The main consensus was that such a large inheritance can make someone responsible and happy, but it could also make someone spoiled, too comfortable, and greedy.
If they couldn’t keep the money, members said they would try to donate to shelters for the less fortunate or to medical research.
Overall, the club agreed that they enjoyed the first book and would want to read the rest of the series if they hadn’t already.
The next book they’re reading is All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and CL Herman from the fantasy genre. The next meeting will be on Nov. 25 during lunch in room 203.
