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A review by paz_books
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
4.0
I honestly knew I was going to like this one because a) marketed as a teen cast Criminal Minds???? Hello???!!! b) Jennifer Lynn Barnes and c) murder mysteries.
All in all, I really liked this one. It is nothing absolutely groundbreaking, but in a way that works in its favour. It is quick, easy, intriguing, engrossing, loveable, and shocking all at the same time. I feel a certain attachment to the series and the characters already.
Character wise, I quite liked our FMC (which sadly can be a rare occasion for me with some YAs) and absolutely adored the rest of her crew. I feel like this book was definitely a set up for future character arcs and relationships so I don't have too much to say about this aspect of the read just yet- other than the fact that I am definitely intrigued.
One (very specific) thing I did enjoy was the fact that the adults/fully trained FBI agents did actually treat our main group as the inexperienced young adults that they are. The adults in this book still look after, care for, and try to protect the children as much as possible in a way that is not presented in a 'grr adults just don't understand us' kind of way (which can happen a lot). It was nice to see our main characters both understand why they were being sidelined but equally fight to prove themselves (or still act out in the way people their age, and with their upbringings, would).
I also won't say much plot wise as I 100% think it is worth going in blind, but I actually could not guess what was going on until it was finally revealed bit by bit. The mystery plot, alongside the simple writing style, might just be my favourite aspects so far.
Overall, excellent vibes, peak Criminal Minds energy, intriguing characters, amazing murder mystery, shocking plot twists, quick/easy writing, and a perfect set up for book 2.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All in all, I really liked this one. It is nothing absolutely groundbreaking, but in a way that works in its favour. It is quick, easy, intriguing, engrossing, loveable, and shocking all at the same time. I feel a certain attachment to the series and the characters already.
Character wise, I quite liked our FMC (which sadly can be a rare occasion for me with some YAs) and absolutely adored the rest of her crew. I feel like this book was definitely a set up for future character arcs and relationships so I don't have too much to say about this aspect of the read just yet- other than the fact that I am definitely intrigued.
One (very specific) thing I did enjoy was the fact that the adults/fully trained FBI agents did actually treat our main group as the inexperienced young adults that they are. The adults in this book still look after, care for, and try to protect the children as much as possible in a way that is not presented in a 'grr adults just don't understand us' kind of way (which can happen a lot). It was nice to see our main characters both understand why they were being sidelined but equally fight to prove themselves (or still act out in the way people their age, and with their upbringings, would).
I also won't say much plot wise as I 100% think it is worth going in blind, but I actually could not guess what was going on until it was finally revealed bit by bit. The mystery plot, alongside the simple writing style, might just be my favourite aspects so far.
Overall, excellent vibes, peak Criminal Minds energy, intriguing characters, amazing murder mystery, shocking plot twists, quick/easy writing, and a perfect set up for book 2.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️