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katie1031's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book but it lost points. Connie (the girlfriend of our main character) is black and at one point says quite literally that she "doesn't care about slavery like her father and other people in her community" she "cares about the present". This book was written by a white man. There is not a world in which it was okay for him to put those words in a black girl's mouth.
mollywetta's review against another edition
4.0
Originally reviewed on my blog wrapped up in books
First off, I feel it’s important to disclose that my favorite television show of all time is Dexter. I was fairly certain I’d like this book to begin with, and it did not disappoint. Excellent character development, exciting mystery, mature (emotionally, not physically) teen romance, and fabulous writing…there’s not much more I look for in my contemporary YA. It’s certainly convinced me to check out Lyga’s other novels, particularly Boy Toy, because I think he’s a writer who can do justice to the subject matter.
Jazz is not like typical teenagers. Since he was raised by his sociopathic father who taught him how to kill, he’s got some issues. He worries about following in his father’s footsteps because he recognizes how effective his powers of manipulation are and how well trained he is in the art of killing. He also worries about taking care of his crazy grandma and his best friend, who has a condition that makes him bruise and bleed easy. He’s a complicated guy, and I thought he was compelling from the beginning.
When copycat murders start happening in his sleepy town, Jazz feels compelled the solve the case, but despite his insight into a serial killer’s mind, he is always one step behind the killer. In order to track him down, he must confront the demons of his past. It’s a page-turning, chilling thriller that had me guessing way past the point where I normally solve the mystery on my own.
As interesting as Jazz was, the secondary characters, especially his grandmother, Howie, his best friend, and Connie, his girlfriend, were even more surprisingly well-developed. I was surprised by the complexity of Jazz’s relationship with Connie. They had drama in their relationship, certainly, but it wasn’t the driving force of the story, and there was no artificial angst. Though they struggled with typical issues in teenage relationships, like families that disapproved of an interracial relationship and Jazz’s past, they were trying. They cared for one another.
While this is a violent book—it’s about serial killers so of course, lots of bodies turn up—I was impressed with how Lyga portrayed the violence without resorting to lots of descriptions of gore. We even get in scenes from the killer’s perspective, but instead of lots of slash and blood, the horror and fear is conveyed through the lack of description, and it is much more emotional for it.
“Helen, I have to be honest with you now. This is going to hurt. It’s going to hurt a lot.”
She went ahead and screamed. True to his word, he didn’t care at all.
Lyga doesn’t have to show how wicked and evil the killer is by what he does, but instead shows us what he doesn’t do."
Jazz’s dreams, which are at one point portrayed almost as poetry, reveal great insight into his character and are ultimately what I think propels this story into a series. This story is as much about Jazz finding out who he is and how is past has shaped him but doesn’t have to define him as it is about the hunt for a serial killer, and that’s what makes it classic YA. Jazz isn’t done with this journey at the end of the book. He may have helped find the killer, but he hasn’t confronted all the demons from his past. His story is one I anxiously await to be continued.
While I found it unbelievable that even a small town sheriff would give a teenager access to the case like Jazz had, it didn’t ruin the story for me. I did take one issue with a factual error on Lyga’s part—women cannot join a Masonic lodge—and given how accurately he conveyed the mind of a serial killer, this mistake stood out.
This is a great book for readers looking for a mystery or thriller with no paranormal aspects who don’t want romance at the forefront of the story.
First off, I feel it’s important to disclose that my favorite television show of all time is Dexter. I was fairly certain I’d like this book to begin with, and it did not disappoint. Excellent character development, exciting mystery, mature (emotionally, not physically) teen romance, and fabulous writing…there’s not much more I look for in my contemporary YA. It’s certainly convinced me to check out Lyga’s other novels, particularly Boy Toy, because I think he’s a writer who can do justice to the subject matter.
Jazz is not like typical teenagers. Since he was raised by his sociopathic father who taught him how to kill, he’s got some issues. He worries about following in his father’s footsteps because he recognizes how effective his powers of manipulation are and how well trained he is in the art of killing. He also worries about taking care of his crazy grandma and his best friend, who has a condition that makes him bruise and bleed easy. He’s a complicated guy, and I thought he was compelling from the beginning.
When copycat murders start happening in his sleepy town, Jazz feels compelled the solve the case, but despite his insight into a serial killer’s mind, he is always one step behind the killer. In order to track him down, he must confront the demons of his past. It’s a page-turning, chilling thriller that had me guessing way past the point where I normally solve the mystery on my own.
As interesting as Jazz was, the secondary characters, especially his grandmother, Howie, his best friend, and Connie, his girlfriend, were even more surprisingly well-developed. I was surprised by the complexity of Jazz’s relationship with Connie. They had drama in their relationship, certainly, but it wasn’t the driving force of the story, and there was no artificial angst. Though they struggled with typical issues in teenage relationships, like families that disapproved of an interracial relationship and Jazz’s past, they were trying. They cared for one another.
While this is a violent book—it’s about serial killers so of course, lots of bodies turn up—I was impressed with how Lyga portrayed the violence without resorting to lots of descriptions of gore. We even get in scenes from the killer’s perspective, but instead of lots of slash and blood, the horror and fear is conveyed through the lack of description, and it is much more emotional for it.
“Helen, I have to be honest with you now. This is going to hurt. It’s going to hurt a lot.”
She went ahead and screamed. True to his word, he didn’t care at all.
Lyga doesn’t have to show how wicked and evil the killer is by what he does, but instead shows us what he doesn’t do."
Jazz’s dreams, which are at one point portrayed almost as poetry, reveal great insight into his character and are ultimately what I think propels this story into a series. This story is as much about Jazz finding out who he is and how is past has shaped him but doesn’t have to define him as it is about the hunt for a serial killer, and that’s what makes it classic YA. Jazz isn’t done with this journey at the end of the book. He may have helped find the killer, but he hasn’t confronted all the demons from his past. His story is one I anxiously await to be continued.
While I found it unbelievable that even a small town sheriff would give a teenager access to the case like Jazz had, it didn’t ruin the story for me. I did take one issue with a factual error on Lyga’s part—women cannot join a Masonic lodge—and given how accurately he conveyed the mind of a serial killer, this mistake stood out.
This is a great book for readers looking for a mystery or thriller with no paranormal aspects who don’t want romance at the forefront of the story.
celjla212's review against another edition
4.0
This was pitched to be something like the television show Dexter, so in that respect I was expecting out main character to be out there killing killers. In that respect, I was disappointed--Jasper Dent wants to be anything BUT a killer. Instead, he helps the police track down and anticipate the next steps of a serial killer who seems to be imitating the steps of Billy Dent, Jasper's father who killed over 120 people before being caught. But there is enough death in this novel to satisfy those who were expecting it.
Jasper is an interesting case, as he tries so hard to defy the community's expectations of him that it often comes across as self pity. But he's smart, and there's no denying that he has an inside view of serial killing as his father taught him everything he knew. Jasper's poor me facade can be annoying at times, but by the end he toughened up and I was definitely glad to see it.
I thought I knew who the killer was but there was a twist that proved me wrong. This novel definitely ended with a bang and kicks off what is sure to be a chilling series.
Jasper is an interesting case, as he tries so hard to defy the community's expectations of him that it often comes across as self pity. But he's smart, and there's no denying that he has an inside view of serial killing as his father taught him everything he knew. Jasper's poor me facade can be annoying at times, but by the end he toughened up and I was definitely glad to see it.
I thought I knew who the killer was but there was a twist that proved me wrong. This novel definitely ended with a bang and kicks off what is sure to be a chilling series.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
Who am I? I'll tell you. I'm the local psychopath. And if you don't save my best friend's life, I will hunt down every one you've ever cared about in your life, and make you watch while I do things to them that will have you begging me to kill them. That's who I am.
I've had this book on my to-read list for awhile. Barry Lyga is a name I hear a lot via other YA authors. They have this whole group of YA authors who are BFFs, which I love*, and Barry is apparently a very popular man. I've read one other book by him, but when pressed, couldn't remember it until I looked it up on GR.
Finally decided to give this a shot. Hoping for the best, wincing for the worst.
Oh, man, is this so so good.
This is the YA version of Dexter. And when I say Dexter, I mean the show, because the book series is awful. If you watched Dexter and want to read a similar book series, right this way.
Jasper isn't Dexter, though. Jasper is an absolutely fascinating young man raised by a psychopathic serial killer. A super serial killer, no less. And now he lives with his literally and figuratively crazy grandmother (the mother of said serial killer, you should all know how well that turns out), stalks the cops because he wants to solve crime, fights off his inner psychopath, is friends with someone who bleeds when you look at him too hard, and thinks people en masse seem way too expendable.
I LOVE HIM.
I mean, he's one scuffed heel away from mass murder, but I LOVE HIM.
There's a big whodunnit factor running through this book, but truth be told, it's boring and extremely predictable. That's not what this book is about. This book is about Jasper, and his overwhelming, gripping fear that he's going to end up just like his father.
He spends the entire book worrying about this pervasive feeling that soon, he's going to end up murdering people, exactly as his father did. A fear his father even plays on, talking about how when his own father died, it was the catalyst to his start.
This read is just so compelling. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
* Although I wish some of them were a little more selective of their friend group. ::cough::
I've had this book on my to-read list for awhile. Barry Lyga is a name I hear a lot via other YA authors. They have this whole group of YA authors who are BFFs, which I love*, and Barry is apparently a very popular man. I've read one other book by him, but when pressed, couldn't remember it until I looked it up on GR.
Finally decided to give this a shot. Hoping for the best, wincing for the worst.
Oh, man, is this so so good.
This is the YA version of Dexter. And when I say Dexter, I mean the show, because the book series is awful. If you watched Dexter and want to read a similar book series, right this way.
Jasper isn't Dexter, though. Jasper is an absolutely fascinating young man raised by a psychopathic serial killer. A super serial killer, no less. And now he lives with his literally and figuratively crazy grandmother (the mother of said serial killer, you should all know how well that turns out), stalks the cops because he wants to solve crime, fights off his inner psychopath, is friends with someone who bleeds when you look at him too hard, and thinks people en masse seem way too expendable.
I LOVE HIM.
I mean, he's one scuffed heel away from mass murder, but I LOVE HIM.
There's a big whodunnit factor running through this book, but truth be told, it's boring and extremely predictable. That's not what this book is about. This book is about Jasper, and his overwhelming, gripping fear that he's going to end up just like his father.
He spends the entire book worrying about this pervasive feeling that soon, he's going to end up murdering people, exactly as his father did. A fear his father even plays on, talking about how when his own father died, it was the catalyst to his start.
This read is just so compelling. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
* Although I wish some of them were a little more selective of their friend group. ::cough::
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'I Hunt Killers' is the first book in a new series. It's got a completely likeable protagonist, and it's just tough to put down, even if the villain was a bit too easy for me to figure out.
Jasper "Jazz" Dent lives in a small town in a house where he takes care of his grandmother. He's got a small collection of friends and seems like a really likeable kid. The problem is he is the son of notorious serial killer Billy Dent who made Jazz help him with his crimes. Jazz now knows way too much about serial killers and violent crime and he is not convinced he won't be one someday. The local sheriff, who arrested Billy Dent, has taken Jazz in under his wing and believes that Jazz is not who the media thinks he is. When a series of murders happens in this small town, Jasper sees something familiar about them, and sets about trying to stop the killer.
I liked Jazz, his girlfriend Connie, his friend Howie and G. William who seems like a good father figure to Jasper's real father. I thought it was pretty gory for a YA novel, but there was enough humor to keep it from being too dark. The book ends with a pretty serious cliffhanger that will have me coming back for more pretty quickly. Fortunately, the second book is out and the 3rd is almost here. Jazz and his friends kind of reminded me of Odd Thomas and the people of Pico Mundo, but I say that as an extreme compliment. Let's have more Jasper Dent!
I received a review copy of this ebook from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great thriller.
Jasper "Jazz" Dent lives in a small town in a house where he takes care of his grandmother. He's got a small collection of friends and seems like a really likeable kid. The problem is he is the son of notorious serial killer Billy Dent who made Jazz help him with his crimes. Jazz now knows way too much about serial killers and violent crime and he is not convinced he won't be one someday. The local sheriff, who arrested Billy Dent, has taken Jazz in under his wing and believes that Jazz is not who the media thinks he is. When a series of murders happens in this small town, Jasper sees something familiar about them, and sets about trying to stop the killer.
I liked Jazz, his girlfriend Connie, his friend Howie and G. William who seems like a good father figure to Jasper's real father. I thought it was pretty gory for a YA novel, but there was enough humor to keep it from being too dark. The book ends with a pretty serious cliffhanger that will have me coming back for more pretty quickly. Fortunately, the second book is out and the 3rd is almost here. Jazz and his friends kind of reminded me of Odd Thomas and the people of Pico Mundo, but I say that as an extreme compliment. Let's have more Jasper Dent!
I received a review copy of this ebook from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great thriller.
gothamluv's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
5.0
i honestly loved this book read it twice and fast both times i am excited to finish the series i immediately bought the other two. jazz is a very likeable character slow at times but super interesting push through !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Murder, Violence, and Gore
shortcakeriahhh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4saradouglas's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was pretty great. The story was interesting and we got a very fresh perspective. I thought Lyga did a great job getting us into the mind of Jazz, a boy raised by a serial killer. There were so many subtle thoughts and actions that showed perfectly that Jazz is VERY different from us, no matter how hard he fights it. I thought the action towards the middle got just a little slow and the ending was a bit of a confusing rush, but there was the hint at a sequel, so I'm quite pleased. Great book overall!
chemwitch's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't slept, I'm in the middle of a read, and I'm at work. What a great time to write a review!
This book had... a lot going on.
Our MC is Jasper "Jazz" Dent, son of a serial killer. Throughout the book he struggles with the "nature vs. nurture" question that psychologists have been asking for decades. Does being raised by a serial killer mean you'll become one? I didn't necessarily like Jazz. He is whiny and thoughtless and cruel and dark. He thinks he knows everything and everyone else knows nothing. His behavior is occasionally disgusting and he is a great protagonist to this story.
Our side characters are Howie and Connie. Howie is Jazz's best friend and a severe hemophiliac. He's... kind of gross and crude. He's also meant to be a 17 year old boy, so I'll buy it. He means well and tries to keep Jazz from going too dark. He's a comic relief character. Connie is Jazz's girlfriend. She is a total bad ass who keeps Jazz grounded and reminds him that people can be dark without being evil. I love her and would die for her. Connie for President 2020.
The biggest part of what makes this book a three-star read is the plot. I saw the twist coming from a mile away, and I'm not terribly good at guessing twists. The murder felt almost shoe-horned in, between the angst and the romance and the angst. Did I say angst twice? I hated to see Jazz triumph over actual police officers. There was just a lot shoved into a YA novel and it felt like any of these ideas on their own would have been fine.
Also, the entire cast of characters seems fine, just fine with the disgusting treatment of Jazz's grandmother. He literally drugs her. It's gross. Which fine, it can be argued he's an edgy boi or whatever but the whole cast just doesn't give her a second thought. Ew?
1/13/19: 3.5 stars. Decently entertaining. I would die for Connie. Rtc
This book had... a lot going on.
Our MC is Jasper "Jazz" Dent, son of a serial killer. Throughout the book he struggles with the "nature vs. nurture" question that psychologists have been asking for decades. Does being raised by a serial killer mean you'll become one? I didn't necessarily like Jazz. He is whiny and thoughtless and cruel and dark. He thinks he knows everything and everyone else knows nothing. His behavior is occasionally disgusting and he is a great protagonist to this story.
Our side characters are Howie and Connie. Howie is Jazz's best friend and a severe hemophiliac. He's... kind of gross and crude. He's also meant to be a 17 year old boy, so I'll buy it. He means well and tries to keep Jazz from going too dark. He's a comic relief character. Connie is Jazz's girlfriend. She is a total bad ass who keeps Jazz grounded and reminds him that people can be dark without being evil. I love her and would die for her. Connie for President 2020.
The biggest part of what makes this book a three-star read is the plot. I saw the twist coming from a mile away, and I'm not terribly good at guessing twists. The murder felt almost shoe-horned in, between the angst and the romance and the angst. Did I say angst twice? I hated to see Jazz triumph over actual police officers. There was just a lot shoved into a YA novel and it felt like any of these ideas on their own would have been fine.
Also, the entire cast of characters seems fine, just fine with the disgusting treatment of Jazz's grandmother. He literally drugs her. It's gross. Which fine, it can be argued he's an edgy boi or whatever but the whole cast just doesn't give her a second thought. Ew?
1/13/19: 3.5 stars. Decently entertaining. I would die for Connie. Rtc
daggerandrosae's review against another edition
5.0
OH MY GOD THIS BOOK
okay jasper is literally one of the best characters I've ever came across? I laughed and cried and died at the same time. AND THE FINAL PART I WAS SCREAMING AND MY MUM PROBABLY HATES ME RIGHT NOW.
Honestly, if you love dark characters, sociopaths, secrets, criminal minds stuff, strong black girls and funny adorable friends READ THIS!!
can't wait to read the second one!
okay jasper is literally one of the best characters I've ever came across? I laughed and cried and died at the same time. AND THE FINAL PART I WAS SCREAMING AND MY MUM PROBABLY HATES ME RIGHT NOW.
Honestly, if you love dark characters, sociopaths, secrets, criminal minds stuff, strong black girls and funny adorable friends READ THIS!!
can't wait to read the second one!