Review: KILLER INSTINCT by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: Killer Instinct
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publication date: November 4, 2014
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Source: an ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review.
All quotes may be changed from ARC to publication.

Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a gift for profiling people. Her talent has landed her a spot in an elite FBI program for teens with innate crime-solving abilities, and into some harrowing situations. After barely escaping a confrontation with an unbalanced killer obsessed with her mother’s murder, Cassie hopes she and the rest of the team can stick to solving cold cases from a distance.

But when victims of a brutal new serial killer start turning up, the Naturals are pulled into an active case that strikes too close to home: the killer is a perfect copycat of Dean’s incarcerated father—a man he’d do anything to forget. Forced deeper into a murderer’s psyche than ever before, will the Naturals be able to outsmart the enigmatic killer’s brutal mind games before this copycat twists them into his web for good?

With her trademark wit, brilliant plotting, and twists that no one will see coming, Jennifer Lynn Barnes will keep readers on the edge of their seats (and looking over their shoulders) as they race through the pages of this thrilling novel.

Spoilers from the FIRST book MAY be ahead. Proceed at your own risk if you haven't read the Naturals.

First line: The majority of children who are kidnapped and killed are dead within three hours of the abduction.

Not to sound like an utter psycho, but I felt immediately assured that this sequel would meet my expectations after I read the first page line. 

What made such a strong impression on me when I started Killer Instinct was that it felt like my favorite crime shows. The characters may have dealt with a huge shock in the last book (I almost needed CPR last go-around) and they were still sifting through their emotions, but we were already introduced to a new crime. Just like, say, Blacklist there's a major plot line running through, but we see them dealing with new issues as well. The first case we see in Killer Instinct is not the main one throughout the story, but does a great job of leading us back into the characters' lives. 

The real case, however, deals with college students and a suspected professor. First of all, it seems like college crimes are a must have at least once in a crime series (which I love, don't get me wrong, but being a young female in college makes me conflicted). Fortunately, this book doesn't get carried away with cliches. Instead, it makes this normal college crime scenario anything but normal. 

It also dives deeper into the mysterious Dean's life, specifically his serial killer father. If you thought you had daddy issues, you have NOTHING on Dean. Zero. I won't get into detail about Dean's past because if you read this book (which you should), you'll find out and that's part of the fun. Because of this path that the book takes, we find more about Dean's and even Lia's past. Also, this causes Cassie to think about and help Dean more. Of course, that also makes us more aware of her love triangle at hand, but I really think that Barnes does such a great job with the love triangle that I'm not bothered by it. The love triangle is not a big issue in the plot (hello, they have other stuff to worry about), but there's still enough scenes for it to not become stagnant either. 

While I love (and I mean love) the character development, even the new characters, and plot in this sequel, the twists made me enjoy the sequel even more. Just like the first book, Barnes included some of the best twists I ever read. Not only did I become sucked into the story so much that I forgot I wasn't actually in it, but when the twists came along, I was blown away. I might have rivaled the characters' surprise. 

All of the characters are still dealing with what happened before in the first book, but new conflicts arise, making the plot fresh. More sequels need to learn this. A major theme can carry through the story, but it shouldn't become stalled. There should be progress and analysis even, but something to keep me interested. So once again, I applaud Barnes and Disney-Hyperion. 

Verdict: One of the best (if not THE best) sequels I've ever read. 

Review: THE HUNT by Stacey Kade

Title: The Hunt
Author: Stacey Kade
Publication date: April 22, 2014
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Source: an ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review

Ariane Tucker has finally escaped GTX, the research facility that created her. While on the run, Zane Bradshaw is the only person she can trust. He knows who-and what-she is and still wants to be part of her life. 

But accepting Zane's help means putting him in danger.

Dr. Jacobs, head of GTX, is not the only one hunting for Ariane. Two rival corporations have their sights set on taking down their competition. Permanently. To protect Zane and herself, Ariane needs allies. She needs the other hybrids. The hybrids who are way more alien and a lot less human. Can Ariane win them over before they turn on her? Or will she be forced to choose sides, to decide who lives and who dies?

Disclaimer: Being a sequel, there may be spoilers for the first book, but NOT for this one. Also, any quotes may be changed from ARC to publication.

First line: Until I crawled beneath the designated dumpster behind the abandoned Linens-N-Things and felt the brush of rough canvas against my fingertips, I really wasn't sure that the emergency bag would be there, as my father had promised.

Middle books are difficult. Trilogies are super popular, but authors still have a hard time trying to get from Point A to Point C because they have to cross Point B without falling to the death. I'm sure there's a lot of planning, groaning, headaches, and coffee involved when writing book two. For the most part, I think Kade succeeded in this one. She avoided the alligators and all that jazz. Mostly, what I loved about this book was that at times it felt like Kade knew me. She seemed to know the littlest things that, if fixed, would make a book so much better for me. Below is proof.

Exhibit A: No rehashing. If you're like me and forgot to reread the first book, keep in mind that you may feel a little lost at first. Some people demand recaps in sequels and depending on the book, I might too. Most of the time, however, I wish authors wouldn't recap so much. I already read all that, come onnn, you know? Well, the characters rehashed some, of course, making references to what her father and GTX did and what happened with Jenna and Rachel from the first book. That's to be expected since everyone makes references to the past. But we weren't overwhelmed with boring recaps of the previous book, basically being given a summary to what happened in The Rules. "But what if I forgot what happened?" You can 1. Reread The Rules, 2. Ask someone, or 3. Just read The Hunt and everything will come back to you. I remembered some of what happened, but since it was a year ago since I read The Rules, I did forget a couple specifics. Once I started reading, though, my memory was restored. 

Exhibit B: Characters addressing their tropes. I've come to realize that in fiction, tropes will be made. Characteristics, dialogue, and plot points are all aspects of the story that seem to make a little visit into Tropeland. This book wasn't swimming in Lake Tropey, but a couple elements seemed to veer into that area. What separated this one from other books I've read is that the characters realized it and tried to fix it. I repeat, they addressed the tropes. 

"This isn't your problem," she said finally. "I can't ask you to take any more risks."

"Here's the thing: you didn't actually ask me anything. You just left." 

Ariane and Zane found themselves thinking or acting a certain way sometimes and addressed it. The trope of pushing away someone you care about so they won't get hurt? He called her out on it. 

Exhibit C: Conversational tone. This whole review is subjective, obviously, but this exhibit is even more so. Each book is different and each book has different elements involved. Some are narrated first person, some are third person. Some are spoken conversationally, some a little more proper. Certain narrations are needed for certain books. With this one, I felt like my current need for a book with an informal, conversational tone was met. Parentheses and inner musings were involved, and I liked it. (That first sentence is really long though.)

Because I always want to know the negative before I jump into something, I thought it would be only fair to give a warning of the negatives I came across. One was the middle book syndrome. "But I thought you said that she succeeded with this sequel?" Oh, she did. At the same time, this drifted into the Land of Middle Book Bridges. You know what I'm talking about. When the pacing is a little wonky in parts and it feels like you hurried to eat the pre-meal salad so you could get to the MEAT or the breadsticks before the pasta although Olive Garden breadsticks can hold their own. Characters on the run are a hit or miss for me, depending on a variety of things. With The Hunt, it wasn't a miss, but I didn't feel as satisfied as I did at the end of the first book. 

With that said, once I finished it, I instantly wanted the third book. SO WHERE IS MY COPY?

Verdict: Not as good as the first book, but still very worth reading.

Waiting on Wednesday #2

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Lady Thief

Author: A.C. Gaughen

Publication date: February 14, 2014

Publisher: Walker Childrens (Bloomsbury)

Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again

Why I'm wanting:

I adored Scarlet. It definitely became one of the best 2013 books I read this year. Gaughen took a different approach to Robin Hood by making Will Scarlet a girl and there was action and romance and—well, my review will be here soon. 

I'm experiencing that blogger jealousy when I see this popping up on my Twitter feed. *fingers twitch* 

Have you read Scarlet yet? What are you wanting?

Wishlist Wednesday #9

Hosted by Pen to Paper

Title: Unravel Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Publication date: February 5th, 2013

Publisher: Harper Collins

tick, tick, tick, tick, tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

Tahereh Mafi is amazing. I fell in love with Shatter Me, I still have to stop being lazy and cheap and get Destory Me which is from Warner's perspective, and why else wouldn't I LOVE to get this? The author writes so beautifully and from what I see, February 5th is the ultimate release date for amazing books.

I also look longingly at my screen with jealously whenever I see someone has an ARC of it.

What are YOU wishing for?

Review: WINTER WHITE by Jen Calonita

Isabelle Scott and Mirabelle Monroe are still reeling from the revelation that they share more than just the roof over their heads. The media has pounced on their story and the girls are caught up in a flurry of talk-show appearances and newspaper interviews. They've put on a happy public face, but someone is leaking their true feelings to the press, and while it seems like the world is watching their every move, at least they have each other.

But with cotillion season right around the corner, Izzie and Mira have barely had time to process their newfound sisterhood. Mira has dreamed of making her debut in a gorgeous white gown forever-now, if only she could find an escort. Izzie, meanwhile, is still struggling to find her place in Emerald Cove and it's seeming ever more impossible with EC mean-girls, young and old, doing their best to keep her down. As cotillion preparations heat up, though, there are dance steps to learn, manners to perfect... and secret initiations to complete? As if sophomore year wasn't hard enough!

It's time for the gowns to go on and the gloves to come off.

*WARNING* This is a sequel. If you have not read the first book, you might not want to read this review. So go buy it/borrow it/get it from the library/steal it (okay, don’t do that one!). Then come back here.

First off, I adore Jen Calonita. I've read every one of her books, own a few, and get them from the library constantly. Her books are ones that I love to just curl up and relax with. Her characters feel real and amazing and I want to be like them. I stinking love her books.

Her first book in the series, Belles, was great. I loved the plot and how she created the characters. I didn't have just one main girl character to enjoy, I had two. When you have two main characters, it’s easy to not feel connected with them, especially in third person. But I didn't feel that way at all with Izzie and Mira. I read it once then got it for my birthday a couple months ago. Right when I found out there was a sequel, I pre-ordered it. My day got even better when it arrived early. Who doesn't love getting books in the mail? Finally, I dove in.

Mira and Izzie found out about their true relationship with each other at the end of the last book. Their father is one and the same. In this book, they’re trying to deal with it all. Since their father Bill is running for Senate, he’s trying to clear away the “scandal” while others are popping up all over the place. Both girls don’t want to talk to him, much less be in the same room as him. Added on to all of that, they’re also participating in the famous cotillion. Mira has been dreaming about it for her whole life, while Izzie is only sticking with it for two reasons: to please Aunt Maureen and Mira and to do the initiation while watching Savannah Ingram suffer.

Along with the scandals and cotillion, both girls are having boy trouble–of course. Mira is confused about her relationship/friendship with Kellen while Izzie wants Brayden to step up and be a man. He couldn't stand up to his mommy, but he did yell at his sister a couple of times. His sister was another character that was introduced this book. Dylan is the black sheep of the family and dislikes her parents greatly. She even has a few problems with her brother. She manipulates him which then causes him to lose it with her. He tells her to stop, even though he can’t even do that to his mother where evil Savannah is concerned. I was with Izzie on this one. If he liked her so much, why couldn't he defend her and their relationship?

Mira did start creeping up on my nerves in one area. I felt that Mira was angrier and more unforgiving toward her father than Izzie was. That didn't settle right with me. In my mind, Mira had some right but not all. Her brothers forgave him. Why not her? I know it’s wrong, but Izzie was the one who had the most right to be angry. She didn't know who her father was! Mira did. So Mira and her “poor me” act grated on me in pieces of the book. I did sympathize with her in some aspects, but Izzie will always be my favorite by far.

"A person's a person no matter how small."
Horton Hears a Who

Now, if you are like my sister, I don’t recommend this book for you. She doesn't like contemporary and she would be very annoyed at the mysteries since they were easily figured out. It is also not a dystopian, mystery, action, or historic novel. This is a contemporary YA fiction book. Got that? And I personally love that there’s no cursing or sexual innuendo. And it still felt realistic. Not every contemporary book has to be a Sarah Dessen novel. Not every YA book has to have a PG-13 rating. Jen Calonita does a great job of being herself and writing amazing books. Books with enjoyable characters and dynamics. Every problem is a problem, no matter what it is.

I felt as if I could be friends with these characters. I could picture their world. It might not have been dystopian, but their world was different than mine. These teenage girls might not have undermined a government, but they do go against some pretty mean people.

The great part of this book was that it was very light and easy. There were conflicts, but I had a great time reading it. Jen Calonita even mentioned a character from her other series! That made me extremely giddy. It’s great when a character you love is mentioned somewhere else.

Did I mention how much I love Jen Calonita?

Word to Parents: I really don’t see why it wouldn't be fine, it was clean.