The Gilded Blade (The Grandest Game Book 3) – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Gilded Blade (The Grandest Game Book 3)

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2026

91%

WISE Score

The grand finale of the Hawthorne saga is a high-stakes escape room where the prize is billions and the penalty is... well, losing everything.

The Gilded Blade (The Grandest Game Book 3)

book

2026

91%

WISE Score

The grand finale of the Hawthorne saga is a high-stakes escape room where the prize is billions and the penalty is... well, losing everything.

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Screenwise Verdict

If your kid has been following Avery Grambs and the Hawthorne brothers, this is their Super Bowl. Jennifer Lynn Barnes doesn't treat teens like they're stupid; she writes for the kids who are probably smarter than the adults in the room.

It’s the opposite of brain rot. It’s a mental workout disguised as a page-turner. While there's plenty of 'danger' and 'secrets,' it's all handled with a level of sophistication that makes it a top-tier recommendation for any teen library. If they haven't started the series yet, start with 'The Inheritance Games' first—don't let them jump in here or their head will spin.

Age Fit

Perfect for 12-18 year olds who like mysteries. It's sophisticated enough for adults to enjoy, but 'clean' enough for a sharp 6th grader to handle without issues.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While the plot revolves around cutthroat games and massive wealth, the core of the series is built on loyalty, found family, and the complicated bonds between the Hawthorne brothers. It rewards intelligence and perseverance over brute force.

Imaginative

Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the master of the modern literary puzzle. The book is packed with riddles, architectural mysteries, and complex 'games' that force readers to think three steps ahead. It’s basically an escape room in print form.

Safe

Standard YA mystery fare. There is tension, 'peril,' and the threat of danger, but it avoids graphic violence, gore, or explicit sexual content. It's a 'clean' thriller that focuses on the mental game rather than shock value.

Enriching

It’s a workout for the brain. Beyond the logic puzzles, it touches on the ethics of extreme wealth and the burden of legacy. It encourages critical thinking and strategic analysis in a way few YA novels do.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It's the ultimate 'smart' read for teens who are bored by standard school curriculum.
The puzzles are actually solvable if you pay attention, which is incredibly satisfying.
It wraps up a massive 7-book saga, providing the closure fans have been waiting for since 2020.
The dialogue is sharp and the pacing is relentless—no 'boring parts' here.

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What to Watch For

Characters are often in life-threatening situations, though it's never gratuitous.
The plot is incredibly dense; if your kid hasn't read the previous books, they will be completely lost.
Some mild teen romance and 'will-they-won't-they' tension that stays firmly in the PG-13 realm.

Conversation Starters

"If you had to design a challenge to test someone's character, what would it be?"
"Do you think Avery is better off now than she was at the start of the first book, or was the money not worth the target on her back?"
"Which Hawthorne brother do you think grew the most throughout the series?"
"If you inherited billions tomorrow, what's the first 'game' or project you'd fund?"

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