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kikiargent's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
thejordanjournals's review against another edition
4.0
Much like the previous installment, I was not as riveted by this one as I was by The Naturals. That's not to say this is in any way not enjoyable; however, the three books definitely have three distinct types of murder mystery. It all comes down to personal preference. This installment was much more strategic and used more mind games than I remember in the previous two. Our main characters weren't involved in as much direct action as they were in the previous two books. I like the intense heart-pounding, thriller feel of the first book better.
However, I really really enjoyed what this book set up for the final book. For the first time, the previous book's storyline bleeds into the next directly. Previously the murders and suspects have been very much contained to their individual books. In this installment though, Barnes sets up a riveting concept for the final installment. And that I cannot wait to see unfold.
As with the previous installment, this one delves even further into the relationship of the individual characters and the psyche of our main character, Cassie. Cassie has always been immensely affected by her mother's disappearance when she was a child. With each consecutive book, we explore this more and more. I did feel that it was a bit overdone in this installment. I understand the reason behind why we see more of Cassie's inner struggle with this, and it's completely valid to the story; however, I really just wanted more of the murder plot.
As per usual with these books, the ending was dynamite. Unfortunately though, I was accidentally spoiled for the major reveal of this book. And that definitely took away from the shock factor. However, the next book is going to be crazy, and I am so there for it. I cannot wait to see how these different characters and storylines and past traumas come together in the epic finale. It is going to be insane.
(Check out my full series review here -> https://youtu.be/MyCbIPEsLWs)
However, I really really enjoyed what this book set up for the final book. For the first time, the previous book's storyline bleeds into the next directly. Previously the murders and suspects have been very much contained to their individual books. In this installment though, Barnes sets up a riveting concept for the final installment. And that I cannot wait to see unfold.
As with the previous installment, this one delves even further into the relationship of the individual characters and the psyche of our main character, Cassie. Cassie has always been immensely affected by her mother's disappearance when she was a child. With each consecutive book, we explore this more and more. I did feel that it was a bit overdone in this installment. I understand the reason behind why we see more of Cassie's inner struggle with this, and it's completely valid to the story; however, I really just wanted more of the murder plot.
As per usual with these books, the ending was dynamite. Unfortunately though, I was accidentally spoiled for the major reveal of this book. And that definitely took away from the shock factor. However, the next book is going to be crazy, and I am so there for it. I cannot wait to see how these different characters and storylines and past traumas come together in the epic finale. It is going to be insane.
(Check out my full series review here -> https://youtu.be/MyCbIPEsLWs)
lindseymnippert's review against another edition
5.0
ngl my brain fucking hurts so I will be listening to the long game or heated rivalry or rwrb to soothe this
ameliacsan's review against another edition
5.0
4.5⭐️ This series keeps getting better and better. The case, more intricate. I love that Sloane played such a major role in this book. The relationship between the five Naturals keeps evolving and feeling like a unit that moves and works as one. So glad I bought the fourth one at the same time so I can keep reading without waiting!
lyterially's review against another edition
3.5
Yo I did enjoy it.
But I did have to throw out some of my brain cells to can actually follow this series. Because why the hell it is a little bit too *delusional* ? I understand that Cassie is the main character, thus everything revolved around her, BUTTTTTTTT this is a little bit too much and reaching, aren't they?
Dean is totally useless in this book, lol, homeboy was just there to fill in the void and to hold Cassie hands. It was like because the 2nd book is about his trauma so now we can just toss his character development aside, especially after he won Cassie over Michael. Millions years and I can't still believe she chose him over my boy, literally just because Dean has the some "talents" she had.
Anyhoo, love Sloane like always, that girl should be named Slayone. I'm not shocked though, that in this book it is Sloane's turn to be in the family trauma but somehow Cassie still managed to steal the show, lol, I just wished we get to see more dynamic from her and the deadbeat dad.
Lia still slay, probably next book gonna be about her trauma? I should hope so.
Anyway, wreck my brain over couple of things, and it is all spoiler:
- FBI knows that Michael dad beats the shit out of him, and still allow him to go back to the house? And why would he still wanna go back to the house? The CPS probably does not apply to Natural FBI program? Well if we said it is because he is so sad that Cassie chose Dean, still???? He knew her for couple months and now choose torture and trauma for the plots? Or for couple more money? How powerful of Michael dad that he can get out of it?
- Why don't they bring Lia to the one-way mirrored room why they let Cassie talk to the Nightstand? Or video tape it? Waste the resource like shit.
- Beau is the murder, right, but how the hell did he just slit a man's throat in a room full of normal people and super agents and then nonchalant throws the plastic bag away in another person without them noticing it? Are you kidding me? Don't the police will close down the whole hotel down, search on every inch and dust every single thing, let alone a whole ass bag get through and being disposed and possible has blood on it? Also the blood does not splash into Beau while he killed Aaron? Let's say he cut the power down of the hotel, how? He was in the room with everyone? And even if he did, none of you guys have phone that can turn on the flash like in under 1s, I literally has phone on my hand all time and took me so fast to turn the flash light on, let alone the whole room full of super agents who are expected to see some murdering? I mean the polices in this book are so freaking useless.
- The theory about the whole cult are following murder type of way, and groom people to do it, still does not make sense of how they can just let Beau roamed around and spit out all their details like that? lol the whole process took 100 years just for a random twink tore it all down and Nightstand just said this or that in this investigation room for the fun of it?
- Pretty sure it would be Jugg the man of it all. Lol, didn't Beau said that the nine is the blood of the killer? Because it is some kind of ritual so I'm not surprised at all, just like how he had to kill his adopted sister because she is his only family, also where the heck is Jugg wife? A man without a woman in his life is just as dangerous as John Wick. Anyway pretty sure that Jugg killed his daughter or order Nightstand to do it for him to be worthy, you gotta earn it remember?
But I did have to throw out some of my brain cells to can actually follow this series. Because why the hell it is a little bit too *delusional* ? I understand that Cassie is the main character, thus everything revolved around her, BUTTTTTTTT this is a little bit too much and reaching, aren't they?
Dean is totally useless in this book, lol, homeboy was just there to fill in the void and to hold Cassie hands. It was like because the 2nd book is about his trauma so now we can just toss his character development aside, especially after he won Cassie over Michael. Millions years and I can't still believe she chose him over my boy, literally just because Dean has the some "talents" she had.
Anyhoo, love Sloane like always, that girl should be named Slayone. I'm not shocked though, that in this book it is Sloane's turn to be in the family trauma but somehow Cassie still managed to steal the show, lol, I just wished we get to see more dynamic from her and the deadbeat dad.
Lia still slay, probably next book gonna be about her trauma? I should hope so.
Anyway, wreck my brain over couple of things, and it is all spoiler:
- FBI knows that Michael dad beats the shit out of him, and still allow him to go back to the house? And why would he still wanna go back to the house? The CPS probably does not apply to Natural FBI program? Well if we said it is because he is so sad that Cassie chose Dean, still???? He knew her for couple months and now choose torture and trauma for the plots? Or for couple more money? How powerful of Michael dad that he can get out of it?
- Why don't they bring Lia to the one-way mirrored room why they let Cassie talk to the Nightstand? Or video tape it? Waste the resource like shit.
- Beau is the murder, right, but how the hell did he just slit a man's throat in a room full of normal people and super agents and then nonchalant throws the plastic bag away in another person without them noticing it? Are you kidding me? Don't the police will close down the whole hotel down, search on every inch and dust every single thing, let alone a whole ass bag get through and being disposed and possible has blood on it? Also the blood does not splash into Beau while he killed Aaron? Let's say he cut the power down of the hotel, how? He was in the room with everyone? And even if he did, none of you guys have phone that can turn on the flash like in under 1s, I literally has phone on my hand all time and took me so fast to turn the flash light on, let alone the whole room full of super agents who are expected to see some murdering? I mean the polices in this book are so freaking useless.
- The theory about the whole cult are following murder type of way, and groom people to do it, still does not make sense of how they can just let Beau roamed around and spit out all their details like that? lol the whole process took 100 years just for a random twink tore it all down and Nightstand just said this or that in this investigation room for the fun of it?
- Pretty sure it would be Jugg the man of it all. Lol, didn't Beau said that the nine is the blood of the killer? Because it is some kind of ritual so I'm not surprised at all, just like how he had to kill his adopted sister because she is his only family, also where the heck is Jugg wife? A man without a woman in his life is just as dangerous as John Wick. Anyway pretty sure that Jugg killed his daughter or order Nightstand to do it for him to be worthy, you gotta earn it remember?
ramona_reads_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kphoenix's review against another edition
4.0
This series keeps exceeding my expectations, 100% feels like criminal minds! Definitely my favorite in the series so far and can't wait for the final one next!!
darmensbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Im so happy I got into this series! I love every book so far but this one takes the cake!!!!
We get answers about Sloane past and some of Lia. We get answers and MORE questions about Cassies mother.
Little cute scenes of Cassie and Dean!
From the beginning, my heart was going to Sloane. My sweet Sloane! I wish nothing would happen to her but we know by know that JLB doesn't care about our feelings lol. Reading about how Sloane deals with everything going on around her and Micheal, Dean, Lia, and Cassie help her was so heartwarming.
Lia is still annoying but she's ok.
The cult thing was just crazy and mind blowing! Like is Cassies mom the "mother" of the cult or just in the cult?
Is the little girl really Cassie's sister?
Why did her mother leave her?
WHAT IS HAPPENING!?
I need Micheal to truly get over Cassie. You knew her for a couple of months, calm down.
The whole book was just good and everything is just connected and it reminds me of the ending of fourth wing and I miss that! All the questions and realizations you have at the end.
I just love everything!
We get answers about Sloane past and some of Lia. We get answers and MORE questions about Cassies mother.
Little cute scenes of Cassie and Dean!
From the beginning, my heart was going to Sloane. My sweet Sloane! I wish nothing would happen to her but we know by know that JLB doesn't care about our feelings lol. Reading about how Sloane deals with everything going on around her and Micheal, Dean, Lia, and Cassie help her was so heartwarming.
Lia is still annoying but she's ok.
The cult thing was just crazy and mind blowing! Like is Cassies mom the "mother" of the cult or just in the cult?
Is the little girl really Cassie's sister?
Why did her mother leave her?
WHAT IS HAPPENING!?
I need Micheal to truly get over Cassie. You knew her for a couple of months, calm down.
The whole book was just good and everything is just connected and it reminds me of the ending of fourth wing and I miss that! All the questions and realizations you have at the end.
I just love everything!
avetee98's review against another edition
4.0
Really good, I did enjoy the first two better but the twist was really something. I’m interested to see how this wraps up in the conclusion. The storyline was interesting and it was impressive how literally everything is tying together, everything is connected! Overall really big fan of this series!