Avery is 17 years old at the start of The Inheritance Games.
Many fans dive into the captivating world of The Inheritance Games, eager to unravel the mysteries and relationships. One frequent question that emerges is, how old is avery in the inheritance games? It’s crucial to know where the characters stand in their lives, right?
Avery’s age places her at a critical point, transitioning into adulthood and facing incredibly complex situations. This impacts her decisions and interactions, driving the narrative forward. Her age is important, making her circumstances even more engaging.
How Old is Avery in The Inheritance Games?
Figuring out how old Avery is in “The Inheritance Games” can be a little tricky, but don’t worry, we’re going to break it down for you. It’s super important for understanding her character and the crazy situation she finds herself in. The books don’t come right out and say her exact age, but we can gather clues to get a pretty good idea. It’s like being a detective, just like Avery!
Avery’s Age: The Clues
Let’s put on our detective hats and look at what we know about Avery to figure out her age. The author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, gives us hints, but it’s not like she put a giant birthday cake in the story. Instead, we have to look at her school grade, her ability to drive, and other small details that give us a range for her age.
High School Student
First and foremost, Avery is a high school student at the beginning of the story. We know she is in her last year, which means she is a senior. Now, in most places, kids start high school around age 14 or 15, and graduate around 17 or 18. Since Avery is a senior, we can confidently say she is likely between 17 and 18 when the series begins. Think of it like this, If you are in senior year you are either 17 or 18, not more or less.
Driving Age
Another big clue is that Avery is able to drive. In many countries, including the United States, the driving age is around 16. To have a driver’s license in most places, you need to be at least 16. Since she drives a car throughout the story, this information backs up the idea that she’s at least 16. While a 16 year old could be in their junior year or senior year, the fact Avery is a senior pushes that age higher.
Her Maturity and Life Experiences
Avery isn’t just any ordinary high schooler. She has a lot of responsibilities, and her behavior shows a maturity that lines up with a 17 or 18 year old. She’s been taking care of herself, working, and has her head on straight (most of the time, at least). This level of independence and level headedness is more typical of someone in their late teens, rather than early or mid teens. This adds another piece to the puzzle that points to Avery being closer to 18 than 16.
Why Avery’s Age Matters
You might be thinking, “Why does it even matter how old Avery is?” Well, her age is actually very important in understanding her reactions and her decision-making throughout the series. It impacts everything she does and how she interacts with the characters around her. For example, being a senior in high school means she’s on the cusp of adulthood, which shapes how she views the inheritance challenge. Imagine being in the same situation at 15 – your reactions would be completely different!
Avery’s Perspective: A Teenager on the Edge of Adulthood
Avery’s age puts her in a unique position. She’s no longer a kid, but she’s not quite an adult either. This allows her to experience things with a level of maturity, but also keeps her vulnerable to the complexities of the inheritance game. She’s not a child blindly following instructions, nor is she a fully experienced adult. Her teen perspective is essential for us, the readers, to see the situations through her eyes. It allows us to relate to her struggles, confusion, and triumphs, and makes the story more compelling and engaging.
Legal Ramifications of the Inheritance
Avery’s age also plays a role in the legal aspects of the inheritance. Because she is of legal age to make decisions (in most places, 18, or at least close to it), she’s able to engage with the will and the challenges set out for her. If she were a minor, the inheritance process would likely be significantly different and more difficult for her. Her age allows for her to have a voice and make choices about the inheritance, she is not waiting for parents or other guardians to weigh in on every choice she makes.
The Contrast with the Hawthorne Brothers
Avery’s age is also a helpful point of comparison when we think about the Hawthorne brothers. They are older than she is, and this difference in age creates a dynamic that affects the plot. They see her as an interesting puzzle, and her youth and perspective is a key part of the whole story. This creates a space of conflict, both internally for Avery, and in her interactions with them. Avery’s youth, in comparison to the Hawthorne brothers, also contributes to many of the power dynamics in the book. This age difference fuels the tension and attraction between characters, and allows for many conflicts that are so engaging for the reader.
A Closer Look: Avery’s Age Across the Series
Since the series involves time passing between books, it’s natural to wonder how Avery’s age changes. While the books don’t explicitly state her birthday or track time perfectly, here’s a general overview of her age progression through the main books in the series:
The Inheritance Games
As we’ve established, Avery starts “The Inheritance Games” as a high school senior, likely 17, or possibly already 18. The initial part of the book focuses on her receiving the inheritance and adjusting to her new life in the Hawthorne House. Not a large amount of time passes in this book, so we can assume she stays close to her starting age, at or near 18 by the end of the book.
The Hawthorne Legacy
In “The Hawthorne Legacy,” more time passes as Avery continues to unravel the mysteries of the inheritance. However, the timeframe still likely fits within the bounds of her being 18 years old during the events of this book. She’s still on the cusp of true adulthood, and the challenges continue to test her maturity. Her age helps us understand why she reacts the way she does, and is something that the reader can relate to throughout the series.
The Final Gambit
By “The Final Gambit”, it is highly likely that Avery has entered her early adult years, still within the range of 18 or 19. However, her time in the Hawthorne house would have changed her and grown her understanding of the world and herself. Although, she is still navigating her identity and what she wants out of life as the series concludes. Although, more time passes in the book, the exact amount of time isn’t mentioned.
A Table of Avery’s Approximate Age Across the Series
To make it easier, here’s a simple table showing Avery’s approximate age in each of the main books:
| Book Title | Avery’s Approximate Age |
|---|---|
| The Inheritance Games | Likely 17-18 years old |
| The Hawthorne Legacy | Likely 18 years old |
| The Final Gambit | Likely 18-19 years old |
The Impact of Avery’s Age on Reader Engagement
Avery’s age is also a reason why many young adult readers connect with her character. She’s in a stage of life where she’s finding herself and figuring out what she wants. This resonates with many readers who are going through similar experiences, such as, discovering their true identity. Her age makes her relatable and approachable, allowing readers to see themselves in her situation. Her challenges resonate with them and her struggles are also their struggles. The book allows the reader to explore those struggles in a safe space and from the safe side of the page.
Why Precise Age Isn’t the Main Focus
It is important to notice that the author does not focus on the exact age of the character. Instead, the series directs the focus on her growth and emotional journey. The books focus more on Avery’s character development and how she deals with the intense inheritance challenge and the various relationships she develops with those around her. By focusing on these aspects, the author creates a much more captivating and character-driven story. It’s not about being a certain age as much as the journey that she goes on.
Putting it all together
So, while “The Inheritance Games” doesn’t give us Avery’s exact date of birth, we can confidently say she’s likely around 17 or 18 years old at the beginning of the series. Her age is a crucial aspect of her character and the series, influencing her perspective, the legal aspects of the inheritance, her relationships with the Hawthorne brothers, and her overall reader engagement. Knowing this age bracket helps us better understand her motivations and how she handles the crazy world she suddenly finds herself in. She is at the crossroads of adulthood, and is a character that most readers can connect to. She is a well-developed character that allows the reader to go on an adventure, from the safety of their own world.
In essence, Avery is a young woman, but she carries a level of understanding that most teenagers don’t have. Her experiences have aged her in certain ways, making her far more mature than most teens her age. It’s less about a specific number and more about her journey and development as a person, which makes her all the more interesting and captivating. It’s what makes her an ideal character for a series that revolves around games, mystery, and a very big inheritance.
My Inheritance Games Fan Cast Part 1
Final Thoughts
Avery is seventeen years old throughout The Inheritance Games series. She enters into the Hawthorne family’s complicated world at that age. Her age significantly impacts her experiences with the challenges of the game.
The narrative repeatedly references her status as a minor, impacting her legal standing. This also affects her ability to manage the inherited fortune without the proper guidance. This ultimately clarifies exactly how old is avery in the inheritance games.



