I loved the premise of this book, sold as a mystery/thriller about Oxbridge hopefuls competing to win a multi-million pound inheritance. The YA novel draws attention to various injustices, including the struggles of surviving in poverty and striving to live up to hugely competitive academic aspirations, the pressure of trying to bring value to those you love (and who are supposed to love you, unconditionally), the challenges of being queer and a person of colour, and the whitewashing of British history.

After the unexpected death of a beloved professor and his wife, both mentors of five Oxbridge candidates, a carefully selected assortment of young adults are welcomed to the historic residence of the late couple: Kenfield house, to hear the reading of a will, which determines that whoever successfully completes a series of challenges (concocted by the Darnley’s themselves), will inherit their multi-million pound estate. Throw in the complication that several of the students are direct relatives of the Darnley’s and the book’s themes of entitlement and justice are brought to the foreground, as the plot develops.

This was a book layered with detail, that initially built slowly, but then really took off after around the sixty percent mark, where I raced through to the conclusion of the book, which felt both poignant and satisfying, especially after twists that I didn’t see coming, despite my best detective work!

Overall, an entertaining read that I’d recommend if you like a mystery surrounding intelligent characters with complex backgrounds. Perfect for teens!

4⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Scholastic for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book!

I really wasn't expecting this book to hit me the way it did, it wasn't just a story it was thought provoking in so many different ways and I really enjoyed it.

It was full of the complexities of human and familial relationships, and the strengths of those bonds. It had LGBTQ+ rep very much part of the story and the characters, interwoven into their relationships both past and present.

It explored whitewashing of history both in the larger context and within the specific story. It made for thought provoking reading and I especially liked the what ifs that were peppered throughout.

An inheritance up for grabs for those that can solve the games and a disgruntled disinherited family was always going to make for a tense story but having the other aspects of it really sets this one apart from other titles in this genre.

I'm intrigued to read more from this author.

Thank you to the author, Scholastic and Netgalley for my copy.