Not only did I love this book but I adore this entire series! It was, again, written so well and was consistently interesting throughout. These books are written to be perfect films and I BEG someone to adapt them! I don't know how Barnes keeps coming up with such creative things. It's insane! I know they have over 20 books under their belt, so they definitely have a creative soul, but the kind of miniscule / detailed level of creativity it takes to write something like this is almost unfathomable (and not just a book, a SERIES). This is such an intricate level of creativity that I have such respect for.

This installment played more with comedy and darkness compared to the others, which was unexpected at first; but I also think it was a cool and interesting choice. My heart ached for almost all of the characters for different reasons (Xander deserves the world, there's no changing my mind). The Eve storyline left me super unsettled, to be honest, which was definitely down to some great writing! Eve playing into the Laughlin's grief over Emily left me questioning her intenions; whether she was being manipulative or naively compassionate. It was a similar questions I had with Avery's security in the last book; this author just keeps you second-guessing! Not only that, they kept shocking me throughout the entire novel. I love things like escape rooms and adventure games like Uncharted, so I had a little headstart when it came to puzzle solving, but the narrative outside of the game kept me on my toes. Also, he author creates tension between the characters or in a scene so well without it seeming forced or useleslly manufactured.

Following the gripping start to the series, Barnes ended it perfectly! It did end of cliffhanger, but it was not the sort of one that leaves you pissed off: it is the kind that feels satisfactory and believable but still keeps you thinking about the book, with questions about what the rest of life is going to be like for these characters and all these cool ideas in your head about what Avery's game is going to be like, and how it will either be alike or differ from Tobias Hawthorne's. I so badly want to know about The Grandest Game! The last line being "the game starts right now" was such a enigmatic choice that is extremely effective, as well. The last chapter, the 'one year later' epilogue, was so interesting to read as we got to see a more matured Avery who has a swanky 'interview persona' and has adapted to her new life. I think it was a really smart ending.

One thing that did confuse me was the whole wine cellar narrative, however. It kind of took me out of the reading flow because the author had me questioning my memory and whether I remembered what I had read in the previous books. Turned out that I just had to continue reading to find out what happened, but I think it could have been done in a less confusing way. Also, I did find myself getting egregiously annoyed by the constant repetition of "the old man", ugh. Use a different phrase to describe him! Please!

Side note: Nan is a legend.