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unikornreads's review against another edition
2.0
3-9 Oct 2018
I am disappointed, alright. It was a boring read, alright but I continued because I wanted to know who is the Impressionist, the killer who is impersonating Jasper’s dad, Billy Dent, the serial killer. Even revelation on that is not satisfying at all. And now, with Billy broke out from prison and started his killing already, I was angry that I actually wasted my time and energy reading a book that is not quite fulfilling.
I am disappointed, alright. It was a boring read, alright but I continued because I wanted to know who is the Impressionist, the killer who is impersonating Jasper’s dad, Billy Dent, the serial killer. Even revelation on that is not satisfying at all. And now, with Billy broke out from prison and started his killing already, I was angry that I actually wasted my time and energy reading a book that is not quite fulfilling.
blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
I don't normally do this with my reviews, but in order to properly express my feelings, I kind of have to use GIFS to show you what was happening to my face and body when I got to the last 30 or so pages.
...anyway.
I just had a hell of a time reading this book - in a good way. I felt as though I was on the edge of my seat for a good portion of the pages, just being driven crazy about WHO THE HELL THE MURDERER WAS. I felt like this was a good mix between Silence of the Lambs, Dexter, and Se7en, but I also felt like it didn't steal from any of those stories either.
However, no matter how crazy the murder mystery was driving me, hands down, the best part of this novel was Jazz's struggle with his sanity and morals. It was so incredible to watch his downward slide from "I'm trained to kill, but I won't do it" to actually having homicidal thoughts and tendencies as his frustration with the case (as well as his life in general) grew and grew.
I adored Lyga's style and word choice. Every page was rich with delicious description and imagery and I ate it all right up. When I had the time to read this book, I read it. In the few sittings I managed to set aside to read, I was able to burn through 60-100 pages in the matter of an hour or two at a time.
The only thing I think he could work on in the sequel is to maybe flesh out the secondary characters' personalities, because I often times didn't care what happened to, say, Howie, Connie, or G. William. Howie had a few moments (many more than the other two did) where his smart-ass humor would shine through and give him a little dimension, though.
I would recommend this to nearly anyone, unless you're squeamish. The language is very mild (much more toned down than I expected it to be; I mean, come on, "crap where you eat?" If you're going to use that phrase, at least say SHIT where you eat) and the characters are pretty easy to relate to, even poor, probably-sociopathic Jazz. It's a fun, fast-paced read. I didn't find myself bored with any part of it, nor did I feel like anything moved too slowly.
Can't wait for the sequel!
...anyway.
I just had a hell of a time reading this book - in a good way. I felt as though I was on the edge of my seat for a good portion of the pages, just being driven crazy about WHO THE HELL THE MURDERER WAS. I felt like this was a good mix between Silence of the Lambs, Dexter, and Se7en, but I also felt like it didn't steal from any of those stories either.
However, no matter how crazy the murder mystery was driving me, hands down, the best part of this novel was Jazz's struggle with his sanity and morals. It was so incredible to watch his downward slide from "I'm trained to kill, but I won't do it" to actually having homicidal thoughts and tendencies as his frustration with the case (as well as his life in general) grew and grew.
I adored Lyga's style and word choice. Every page was rich with delicious description and imagery and I ate it all right up. When I had the time to read this book, I read it. In the few sittings I managed to set aside to read, I was able to burn through 60-100 pages in the matter of an hour or two at a time.
The only thing I think he could work on in the sequel is to maybe flesh out the secondary characters' personalities, because I often times didn't care what happened to, say, Howie, Connie, or G. William. Howie had a few moments (many more than the other two did) where his smart-ass humor would shine through and give him a little dimension, though.
I would recommend this to nearly anyone, unless you're squeamish. The language is very mild (much more toned down than I expected it to be; I mean, come on, "crap where you eat?" If you're going to use that phrase, at least say SHIT where you eat) and the characters are pretty easy to relate to, even poor, probably-sociopathic Jazz. It's a fun, fast-paced read. I didn't find myself bored with any part of it, nor did I feel like anything moved too slowly.
Can't wait for the sequel!
paigedevallwatts's review against another edition
considering teaching it for YA class but i think there’s just too much grey area consideration of serial killer-ish thoughts. the book is making a good point, but i think it would be insensitive to teach it to students without knowing how it would influence their thinking/triggers. also the discussions about race are uncomfortable coming from a cis white man.
djohan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lauralee012's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I started reading this because of a recommendation that claimed the comparison between The Naturals Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Honestly, this book was disturbing in the best way. This is way more intense than anything mentioned in that compared series.
I'm rating it three stars because I enjoyed how the story started and where it was going, I experienced a lot of tension during my experience and I'm glad that happened. The ending was a bit rushed and underwhelming, but I intend to continue this series.
I'm rating it three stars because I enjoyed how the story started and where it was going, I experienced a lot of tension during my experience and I'm glad that happened. The ending was a bit rushed and underwhelming, but I intend to continue this series.
reader4evr's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, I was amazed by this book and how much I actually really enjoyed it. This is my first book by Barry Lyga.
Jasper aka Jazz is a great male character and it is hard to find one that you can like on one side and dislike at the same time because you don't want him to go "dark" like his father. I was surprised that Jasper wasn't thrown into jail because he was trying to "help" the police with trying to solve the murders. Howie was a perfect best friend/side kick, he cracked me up especially when he was making fun of himself.
The book was clever and it had me guessing "who dunnit". When the serial killer was revealed I totally gasped! I didn't see it coming but I feel like I should have. Some of the murder scenes were gross and some people with the faint of heart might have to skip over them.
The only reason why I gave it 4 stars was because I felt at the end when the serial killer was revealed the plot went really fast and I felt like things were developed way to quickly.
While reading this, I thought Jasper and Cas from "Anna dressed in blood" would be friends maybe if there books were to come together some how.
Readalike for people that like the shows Dexter and CSI plus I think boys will just gobble this book up. I'm interested to hear what other people say about the sequel and if I will read it when it comes out.
Jasper aka Jazz is a great male character and it is hard to find one that you can like on one side and dislike at the same time because you don't want him to go "dark" like his father. I was surprised that Jasper wasn't thrown into jail because he was trying to "help" the police with trying to solve the murders. Howie was a perfect best friend/side kick, he cracked me up especially when he was making fun of himself.
The book was clever and it had me guessing "who dunnit". When the serial killer was revealed I totally gasped! I didn't see it coming but I feel like I should have. Some of the murder scenes were gross and some people with the faint of heart might have to skip over them.
The only reason why I gave it 4 stars was because I felt at the end when the serial killer was revealed the plot went really fast and I felt like things were developed way to quickly.
While reading this, I thought Jasper and Cas from "Anna dressed in blood" would be friends maybe if there books were to come together some how.
Readalike for people that like the shows Dexter and CSI plus I think boys will just gobble this book up. I'm interested to hear what other people say about the sequel and if I will read it when it comes out.
stormyharper's review against another edition
4.0
Right so I had this on my shelf for a long time picked it up and put down a few times as well so when I decided to finally read this I thought it would be like the other times I pick it up and put it back down no but this time was different I listen to the first few chapters and it just gripped me I can't exactly tell you why I love this book I just know I do it so different to anything I've ever read and a lot of times I felt sorry for jazz at the end of the day he didn't ask for this it wasn't his fault that his dad was a serial killer and there was a copycat killer out there trying to make it look like him also you go through this book in a bit of confused just like the character that's the best way I could say it howie was one of my favourite characters him me laugh and I loved it that Jazz would get tattoos for him to look at
redvelvetpenguins's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very intriguing! Extremely different than anything else in the genre. It was a quick and flowing read. The build up was very well written but the conclusion seemed to come all at once. It was good just didn't match the pace the rest of the book set. Character was abit *too* self loathing for my taste but I guess that's the point for a serial killers son? It gets repetitive but not so much so that you don't still hungeredly read each page.
Can't wait to find out what happens next!
Can't wait to find out what happens next!
windfire_sky's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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? Yes