The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 26
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with Avery, Max, and Libby in a room filled with shelves of games, reflecting the Hawthorne family’s competitive nature. Avery tries to focus on finding chess sets, diverting attention to Max’s romantic involvement with Xander to avoid her own complicated feelings about Grayson. Max shares her evolving perspective on relationships, shifting from preferring dramatic tropes to appreciating the unexpected connection with Xander. The lighthearted banter contrasts with Avery’s internal tension, hinting at unresolved emotions and rivalries.
As they search, Avery discovers six chess sets but finds no hidden clues despite thorough inspection, deepening her frustration. The arrival of Grayson shifts the dynamic, as Max departs with a humorous warning about his “cheekbones.” Grayson’s presence stirs Avery’s memories of his closeness with Eve, adding to her emotional turmoil. The chess sets remain a mystery, symbolizing the larger game Avery feels trapped in, while her reluctance to confide in Grayson underscores their strained relationship.
Grayson broaches the topic of Eve’s struggles, suggesting she visit Toby’s sealed wing in Hawthorne House—a place laden with secrets. Avery hesitates, feeling protective of Toby’s memory and wary of Eve’s intrusion. Grayson’s empathetic approach, acknowledging Avery’s feelings, reveals his growth and understanding of her perspective. Their interaction is charged with unspoken history, as Avery grapples with trust and the weight of shared memories.
The chapter closes with Avery proposing a deal to Grayson, mirroring their established dynamics—Jameson’s wagers versus Grayson’s deals. This moment hints at Avery’s attempt to regain control amid emotional chaos. The unresolved tension between them, coupled with the ongoing mystery of the chess sets, sets the stage for future confrontations and revelations, leaving the reader anticipating the next move in their intricate game.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter illustrate the Hawthorne family’s competitive nature through the game room scene?
Answer:
The chapter demonstrates the Hawthornes’ competitive spirit through the overwhelming collection of games in their dedicated game room, with shelves containing hundreds—possibly thousands—of game boxes. Avery’s observation that “there was nothing more Hawthorne than winning” encapsulates their family ethos. This competitive drive is further emphasized when Avery worries about her relationship with Grayson potentially turning into another competition, showing how deeply ingrained this mentality is in their interactions. The sheer volume of games suggests the family has engaged in extensive gameplay, treating life itself as a series of contests to be won.2. Analyze how Max’s relationship with Xander challenges her previous romantic ideals.
Answer:
Max initially describes her romantic preferences as favoring dramatic tropes like “star-crossed tragedy” and “enemies to lovers,” valuing intensity over familiarity. However, her developing relationship with Xander—which began as a friendship—causes her to reconsider these ideals. She finds unexpected joy in their “fun” dynamic, exemplified by thoughtful gestures like Xander sending a “book bouquet” before her college test. This contrasts sharply with her previous attraction to epic, high-stakes romance. The chapter shows Max’s evolving perspective as she discovers the value in quieter, more genuine connections that defy her former tropes.3. What symbolic significance might the chess sets hold in the context of Avery’s search and the Hawthorne legacy?
Answer:
The six chess sets Avery meticulously examines represent both the literal game left by Tobias Hawthorne and the metaphorical “games” the family plays. Chess, a strategic battle of wits, mirrors the Hawthornes’ competitive dynamics and Tobias’s penchant for puzzles. Avery’s frustration at finding “nothing” despite using a flashlight (a tool for revealing hidden truths) suggests deeper layers to uncover—just as the family’s relationships and motives are rarely surface-level. The chess sets may also foreshadow future confrontations, positioning Avery as a player in Tobias’s grand design, where every move has consequences.4. How does Grayson’s interaction with Avery reveal the tension between their personal history and current circumstances?
Answer:
Grayson’s cautious approach—lingering at the doorway as if respecting an “invisible line”—reflects the emotional boundaries between them. His mention of Eve (“She’s struggling”) contrasts with Avery’s unspoken jealousy, highlighting their unresolved feelings. When Grayson acknowledges Avery might see Eve as an intrusion, he demonstrates rare emotional insight, recalling how Avery once disrupted his own life. This moment underscores their mirrored experiences: both have been “strangers threatening the ground” beneath each other. The scene balances tenderness with tension, leaving their relationship poised between past intimacy and present complications.5. Why might Tobias Hawthorne’s bricked-up wing be significant for both Eve and Avery, based on the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
Toby’s sealed wing symbolizes buried secrets and emotional vaults within the Hawthorne family. For Eve, accessing it could provide closure about her father’s past, but for Avery, it threatens the exclusive connection she shared with Toby’s memory. Grayson’s request to open it parallels Avery’s earlier intrusion into the family, creating a thematic full circle. The wing’s secrets may force both women to confront competing claims to Toby’s legacy, testing Avery’s loyalty and Eve’s motives. Its exploration could unearth truths that either heal fractures or deepen divides among the characters.
Quotes
1. “There was nothing more Hawthorne than winning.”
This line encapsulates the competitive essence of the Hawthorne family, setting the tone for the chapter’s exploration of games, relationships, and hidden motives. It reflects the protagonist’s understanding of the family dynamics she’s entangled in.
2. “If what we have now—if everything we have now—starts to feel like another competition between Grayson and me, like a game? I don’t trust myself not to play.”
A powerful internal monologue revealing the protagonist’s self-awareness about her competitive nature and complicated relationship with Grayson. This quote highlights the central tension between personal connections and the Hawthorne tendency to turn everything into a game.
3. “You don’t get much more epic than Hawthornes,” Libby told her, and then, as if she’d caught herself, she straightened, turned her attention back to the shelf…”
This moment captures both the allure and danger of the Hawthorne mystique, showing how even peripheral characters get drawn into their orbit. The abrupt shift back to the task at hand mirrors how the characters must constantly navigate between Hawthorne drama and their own lives.
4. “I know you, Avery. And I know what it feels like to have a stranger show up at Hawthorne House and threaten the very ground beneath your feet.”
Grayson’s poignant acknowledgment creates symmetry between his experience and Avery’s current situation with Eve. This quote represents a moment of vulnerability and connection between two characters who understand the disruptive power of Hawthorne family secrets.
5. “I’d been that stranger for him.”
A concise but powerful realization that brings the story full circle, showing Avery’s growth in understanding her impact on the Hawthorne family. This self-awareness marks a significant moment in her character development and relationship with Grayson.