Jennifer Lynn Barnes has authored more than two dozen young adult novels. Her first novel, Golden, was published when she was an undergraduate. Before she finished her graduate education, five more of her novels were published: Platinum, Tattoo, Perfect Cover, Killer Spirit, and Fate. While Barnes has authored several stand-alone novels, most of her books are a part of a series. Each series has a slightly different focus: Although all involve elements of mystery and suspense, and most include elements of romance, some (such as the Raised by Wolves series) include paranormal and fantasy elements, and others (such as the series The Naturals, which features procedurals) are more realistic.

The emphasis on psychology and intellectual puzzles in the world of The Inheritance Games and The Grandest Game clearly reflects the author’s academic interests and background: She was a Fulbright Scholar and holds advanced degrees in psychiatry, developmental psychology, and cognitive science from highly regarded institutions, including Yale and Cambridge. A respected expert in the psychological study of fandom and in the cognitive sciences of imagination and fiction, Barnes holds dual appointments in psychology and professional writing at the University of Oklahoma. In The Inheritance Games, characters face two distinct challenges: solving intellectual puzzles and learning to understand their own and others’ minds.