YA Thriller Pick: Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct
by S.E. Green
Simon Pulse
2014
257 pages
ISBN: 9781481402866


Dark and twisted, Killer Instinct is a compelling read for upper grades (high school) and YA.

Lane appears to be  an ordinary high school girl, albeit quiet, maybe too quiet. She likes to watch and listen and doesn't have a circle of friends or a social life. She does enjoy science club and taking aikido classes. She also loves studying serial killers. Gruesome, yet fascinating. It helps when your mother is a director with the FBI and when her job is actually brimming with grisly and sordid details of some of the most fascinating killers ever. Lane has looked over her mother's private papers and case files--secretly, of course. Her mother would never condone anyone outside the investigation seeing her files--let alone her young daughter!

When a serial killer starts practicing in her area, Lane can't wait to take him down. In Dexter-esque fashion, she wants to even the odds...by "taking care" of serial killers. Her first taste of justice is when she captures the "Weasel"--nicknamed by Lane for his short and pudgy frame and his capacity to rape and terrorize women. Lane doesn't kill him, she just scares him and makes him pay.

Lane leads a normal existence by day--school and part time at the local vet and shelter. At night, she secretly stalks her next "victims." 

As the hunt for the serial killer heats up, Lane discovers a dark family secret. One that will change her life. The Decapitator begins to taunt Lane and she can't resist a good thrill. Is she willing to gamble everything--including her life--for a thrill?

Some reviews don't believe or like the character of Lane. I think she's a great character--yes, she's detached, no, she doesn't show emotion, yes, she is awkward, yes, she does seem older and serious, but these are all traits of sociopaths. Can the reader empathize with her? If you can empathize with Dexter, you can certainly empathize with Lane. Is Lane a sweet girl with high school angst and mean girl tweets? Nope and nope. But that's what makes her awesome. She's who she is because of her past and her DNA.

Exciting and twisty, Killer Instinct is a real page turner. Think Dexter as a YA read. With more sex (Daisy).

Recommended grade 9-up. Profanity, violence, teen sex, rape, murder.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Thriller Pick: Killer Instinct (A Naturals novel)

Killer Instinct
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Hyperion
2014
384 pages
ISBN: 9781423105122

Available November 4, 2014
(Cover shown is book one; image of Killer Instinct not yet available on May 21, 2014)


The Naturals is group of teens that possess the uncanny ability to figure out criminal behaviors and patterns. Their presence is a secret and they are kept at a sort of "safe" house by the FBI. The kids have different gifts but work together to solve cold cases. When a new serial killer appears on the scene, the kids are dying (I know, put intended) to get their hands on the case file. Their new "house mother" has no intention of letting the kids in on the case; if it were up to her, their group would be disbanded immediately.

Dean, in particular, has the most interest in the new case. The killer is copying what Dean's own father did to his victims. Cassis and the others vow to help Dean overcome the memory of his father and find the killer. With Lia, Cassie and Michael in his corner, will Dean ever hope for a future and forget the past?

Agent Sterling has secrets of her own, and Cassie makes it her business to find out what they are. Working with the methodical precision of Sherlock Holmes, Cassie begins profiling the agent to understand what makes her tick and why she arrives at their house. Surely the FBI has better things to do other than babysit a few teenagers. What is the real motivation behind Sterling's appearance?

The dynamic between the teens who share a house is at times argumentative but mostly is a tightly woven bond  between explosive personalities who share the common goal of getting the bad guy (or girl).

Barnes manages to keep the banter quick and light even when characters are discussing the MO of a serial killer. Killer Instinct is a cross between "CSI," "Veronica Mars," and "Dexter." Fans of mystery and crime thrillers will love this novel.

Recommended grade 9-up. Mature subject matter.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the arc from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Riveting Thriller Pick: Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct
by S.E. Green
Simon Pulse
2014
272 pages
ISBN: 9781481402859

Available May 6, 2014

Disturbing, dark, and deadly, Killer Instinct will leave readers breathless. This is one YA novel that you will never forget.

"Everyone has a dark side," says the cover, and you better believe it! Part "Dexter," part crime study, part thriller, part YA/adult, Killer Instinct crosses the line between  teen and adult fiction.

 I was riveted From the first line, "I study serial killers."  Lane is a typical high school girl, quiet, kind of shy, preferring to keep to herself. She is fascinated by crime and criminals and makes it a habit of visiting the courtroom for trials that interest her--the worse the crime, the better.

When she watches a rapist walk free, Lane decides to put her plan in action. She knows he is guilty; she will make sure he receives justice--from her own hand. Lane studies the Weasel (that's her pet nickname for him), his comings and goings, and she follows him and gets to know him. When she realizes he's ready to strike again, she gets ready to take him down.

With FBI director mother and FBI agent step-dad, Lane is very careful not to get caught. She barely covers her tracks, but she gloats in her success. Lane is thrilled when a serial killer seems to be practicing his craft in her city. She studies everything she can. She sneaks in to her mother's study and  secretly looks at the case files; she installs a nanny cam in her mother's study to listen in on phone calls.

At first, Lane is fascinated, but when the killer contacts her, Lane is afraid--afraid and fascinated.  A long ago secret surfaces from Lane's past, and her mother begins to reveal details about her father that she never knew. Could her past have something to do with the killer?

Lane is forced into action when her friend Zach is in danger. She won't be able to cover her tracks, but she might be able to save Zach. What will happen when Lane comes face to face with the real killer? Will she make him pay? Or will her  fascination take over?

At first, I wasn't sure I would have empathy for Lane. She seemed cold and distant--either a sociopath or a killer-- but once  I got to know about her past, I empathized with her. She is broken and damaged, but can be whole again...some day.

Highly, highly recommended for readers who like a thrilling read and riveting plot. 

Grade 9-up. NOT for middle school. Violence. Mature subject matter.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

High School Thriller Pick: Kill Switch

Kill Switch
by Chris Lynch
Simon & Schuster
2012
169 pages

Mesmerizing, quick, taut, tense, and terrifying, Kill Switch is a smart espionage thriller full of national secrets and stealthy missions...or is it?


College is just around the corner for Daniel and he knows it's his last chance to connect with his aging grandfather--known as "Da." Da has been a constant in Daniel's life--he taught him to ride a bike, how to pick a horse, they have shared countless adventures together but now Da seems to be forgetting things. He has moments of clarity and then slips off somewhere else in his mind. Daniel knows that this is the last few days they will be able to spend together.

Da begins talking about crazy things--about his missions outside the U.S.--about his secretive career. Daniel knows this can't be right. Da works in agriculture or agri-business, not terrorism, but when a couple of Da's old "friends" and co-workers show up and seem to threaten Da to keep quiet, Daniel knows there's more to Da's rants than fiction.

Could Da really have been a government secret agent? Are his outlandish stories for real? The fact that his crazy stories could possibly be real scare Daniel and he takes matters into his own hands. With the help of his stoner cousin, Daniel flees with Da to a remote college campus. The three of them hide out until their cover is blown.

Da seems to be slipping even farther into his dementia. How long can Daniel hide him? What will Daniel do to keep his grandfather safe?

Kill Switch is a taut and crisp page turner with a rocket pace and savvy cool secret agent tone. Daniel will tug at the reader's heartstrings as he comes to grips with the real truth. Is he just like his "Old Man"?

Highly, highly recommended for anyone who likes a quick and satisfying thriller.

Grades 9-up. Some violence, language, drug use.

FTC required disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

High School Pick: Shift

Shift
by Jennifer Bradbury
Atheneum
2012 (paperback edition)
272 pages

This new edition of Shift will grab readers and not let them go! The hard copy edition was selected ALA Best Books for Young Adults and I have to agree. I wasn't prepared to LOVE a book about bike riding and male bonding, but this is the best young adult book I've read so far this year. The beauty of this read is that it is a quick read that will leave readers spellbound. Jennifer Bradbury is queen of her game and the two characters Chris and Win are spot-on competitive best friends who sometimes hate each other with a passion.

College begins in a few months and the boys plan to bike cross-country from West Virginia to Seattle where Win's uncle lives. At first, everything is roses and sunshine but then Win starts his usual bad behavior. Chris has known his best friend since fourth grade and has put up with all his craziness but they've never been alone away from everyone before. Win starts to unravel and Chris becomes more and more irritated. When Win leaves him on the road, Chris travels to the west coast alone and returns home to his life. He is upset that his best friend would leave him with a flat tire and he doesn't try to fix their fight. Chris goes off to college and forgets about it until...an FBI agent shows up at his dorm asking if Chris knows where Win is.

Now Chris is in real trouble. How should he know what happened to Win? Win left him alone and abandoned. He has no idea where he could be or if he is even alive. Now he has the FBI breathing down his back and he has done nothing wrong.

Riveting storytelling and absolute control over plot and timing, Shift is a real winner.

Highly, highly recommended for grades 9-up. Some language, mature situations.

FTC required disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.