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maliha_reads 's review for:
Bad Blood
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
If Criminal Minds had a YA makeover with emotional baggage, cults, and serial killer family drama. Bad Blood would be its chaotic crown jewel. This fourth installment delivers a gripping, twist-heavy finale that ties up Cassie Hobbes’ arc with high-stakes intensity and just enough emotional wreckage to keep us invested.
The Naturals team is deep in the trenches this time, unraveling a multi-generational murder cult while Cassie discovers her mother is alive (plot twist alert). Each character gets their moment: Lia risks everything to infiltrate a cult, Michael confronts his abusive father, Sloane shields herself with logic, and Dean faces his own dark legacy. The emotional depth? Chef’s kiss.
📚 What works:
- The character development is top-tier, raw, messy, and deeply satisfying.
- The plot twists are relentless, especially once the smug serial killer gets booted and the real chaos begins.
- Barnes nails the psychological tension and team dynamics, making every chapter feel like a countdown to disaster.
🌀 Minor critiques:
- The beginning leans heavy on exposition, which slows the pacing until the real action kicks in.
- Some narrative moments feel a bit stilted, like they’re trying too hard to be clever instead of letting the chaos unfold naturally.
Overall, Bad Blood is a satisfying, emotionally charged finale that rewards longtime fans with closure, catharsis, and a few gasp-worthy reveals. It’s not flawless, but it’s fierce and definitely worthy of a solid 4 stars.
The Naturals team is deep in the trenches this time, unraveling a multi-generational murder cult while Cassie discovers her mother is alive (plot twist alert). Each character gets their moment: Lia risks everything to infiltrate a cult, Michael confronts his abusive father, Sloane shields herself with logic, and Dean faces his own dark legacy. The emotional depth? Chef’s kiss.
📚 What works:
- The character development is top-tier, raw, messy, and deeply satisfying.
- The plot twists are relentless, especially once the smug serial killer gets booted and the real chaos begins.
- Barnes nails the psychological tension and team dynamics, making every chapter feel like a countdown to disaster.
🌀 Minor critiques:
- The beginning leans heavy on exposition, which slows the pacing until the real action kicks in.
- Some narrative moments feel a bit stilted, like they’re trying too hard to be clever instead of letting the chaos unfold naturally.
Overall, Bad Blood is a satisfying, emotionally charged finale that rewards longtime fans with closure, catharsis, and a few gasp-worthy reveals. It’s not flawless, but it’s fierce and definitely worthy of a solid 4 stars.