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jennastopreading's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Torture
Minor: Pregnancy
ameydireads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“This is a game. I heard Dean's voice echoing through my memory. It's always a game.”
An episode of Criminal Minds but with gifted teenagers known as ‘the Naturals’. That's what this book reminds me of. These gifted teenagers each have their own Natural skill—really intriguing. Cassie, our main character, is a Natural profiler. She leaves her Nonna's house and by the way, such a pity that we don't see more of Nonna, she deserves more book time! Anyway, Cassie enrols in a special FBI program where she learns to use her gift to eventually solve cold cases but soon finds herself in the middle of an active investigation. It's a cat and mouse game between the FBI and the serial killer.
I couldn't put this book down. The writing, as I have come to expect from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, is so captivating. I liked the twists in this story. I did not expect that our UNSUB would be who it turned out to be. Assumptions are indeed dangerous and misleading…
I can't believe it took me this long to pick up this book. So, if you're a fan of Criminal Minds just like me, don't wait and go read this book!
An episode of Criminal Minds but with gifted teenagers known as ‘the Naturals’. That's what this book reminds me of. These gifted teenagers each have their own Natural skill—really intriguing. Cassie, our main character, is a Natural profiler. She leaves her Nonna's house and by the way, such a pity that we don't see more of Nonna, she deserves more book time! Anyway, Cassie enrols in a special FBI program where she learns to use her gift to eventually solve cold cases but soon finds herself in the middle of an active investigation. It's a cat and mouse game between the FBI and the serial killer.
I couldn't put this book down. The writing, as I have come to expect from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, is so captivating. I liked the twists in this story. I did not expect that our UNSUB would be who it turned out to be. Assumptions are indeed dangerous and misleading…
I can't believe it took me this long to pick up this book. So, if you're a fan of Criminal Minds just like me, don't wait and go read this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
leylaluvy's review against another edition
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
4.5
Loved this book. Kept me on my toes trying to figure out who the killer is. Plot is great and doesn’t drag on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Pregnancy
mikathereviewer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Summary of my review: Nice plot twists that are not predictable (only hard), interesting characters with lots of backstory, no flat characters, perfect pacing, no plot holes, even though everything gets explained we don't get translations for foreign words/sentences, the ending was a let down
‘When you changed one assumption, you changed everything.’
- Cassie
There is foreshadowing of plot twists but very very subtle. You have to read between the lines to actually get them before the plot twist reveal. Which I looove. I hate books that are so obvious with their plot twists, I mean the last foreshadowing of Lia for the first plot twist kinda got me, but it was good nevertheless! And really you have to think. It's not like the typical story you read on autopilot and still get the plot twist 'cause it was way too obvious. These plot twists are fresh!
The last plot twist was so crazy. It was like a double plot twist. And the first one I got it, but the second one? I was close but couldn't decide between two characters but they were alike so guess I theoretically also solved this one before we got the plot twist? But seriously this book deserves to be called; Having a shocking plot twist. As it was (at least for me) not that obvious as most books would do and it was more fun guessing. The plot twists are so cool!!
The whole story was facinating we also have no plot holes and everything gets explained (unless these French words which is a bit annoying). We also get explanations for the conclusion of each chatacters when they investigate. Everything made perfect sense, no stupid decions made by characters and it just felt so good. Good to read something like this in a while. We also had no flat characters and got LOTS of backstory. They are all so interesting and their quirks too (especially Sloan's!).
Lia is actually a useless natural 'cause detecting lies is not always possible. Especially with psychopaths. They have way higher dopamine levels in their brain and they lack any emotions or feelings that can hint/detect a lie. A lie detector is actually only an anxiety detector as people tend to get nervous when they lie as they are afraid to get caught lying. Psychopaths have a smaller amygdala, which is responsible for fear and anxiety and a reduced connections between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), which is responsible for guilt, empathy, etc. Lia is supposed to detect lies from any individual which isn't possible as she can't detect any fear, facial expression changes, et cetera in a psychopath as they show NO remorse and NO fear. So if she is supposed to do it for a psychopath which also have a higher chance of murdering and even becoming serial killers, she would be quite useless.
The whole love triangle was so hard to read. Don't get me wrong, love triangles are actually one of my favourite tropes, BUT Michael just seemed so off and I just didn't like how he kinda played with Cassie's feelings.
I also was a bit annoyed by the fact that we got French and Italian words and even whole sentences but never a translation. That frustrated me a lot, for a book that explaines so much, but not this.
The ending was definitely amazing, but it felt a bit like an actual ending. Like not a 'sequel coming soon' ending. Just an end. And that was a bit of a let down. Like what is supposed to happen in the next book?
What I think of each character in this book
Cassie (Cassandra Hobbes): You're the main character of course we like you. Also, you are smart, don't be insecure about being different!!
Michael (Townsend): I KNEW IT
Dean (Redding): You are soo interesting. Love your backstory!
Lia: You give me mixed feelings
Sloan: You deserve more screen time honestly. We barely see you and you sound interesting to!! (Oh and stop drinking coffee you go nuts girl)
Judd Hawkins: You are such a mood hahahfgahsya
Agent (Tanner) Briggs: Without you we wouldn't have this story. Thank you for kidnapping Cassie 🤭
Director Sterling: Without you we wouldn't even had the sketch of this book. Thank you
Agent Locke: Love how you always win the arguments with Agent Briggs
Lorelai: I know you are the real villain in this story. ADMIT IT!
You: I know that's not just a mind thing. You are real.
I really had fun reading this book, I can only recommend it. Especially if you like murder mysteries as it reminded me of one strongly. It's also a series so you have more than enough story to read and perhaps fall in love with. Actually got this book recommended too, by someone who has this book as her favourite book and I can totally see why. So far not part of my 'favourite books' yet, but that might change.
20. July 2024
‘When you changed one assumption, you changed everything.’
- Cassie
There is foreshadowing of plot twists but very very subtle. You have to read between the lines to actually get them before the plot twist reveal. Which I looove. I hate books that are so obvious with their plot twists, I mean the last foreshadowing of Lia for the first plot twist kinda got me, but it was good nevertheless! And really you have to think. It's not like the typical story you read on autopilot and still get the plot twist 'cause it was way too obvious. These plot twists are fresh!
The last plot twist was so crazy. It was like a double plot twist. And the first one I got it, but the second one? I was close but couldn't decide between two characters but they were alike so guess I theoretically also solved this one before we got the plot twist? But seriously this book deserves to be called; Having a shocking plot twist. As it was (at least for me) not that obvious as most books would do and it was more fun guessing. The plot twists are so cool!!
The whole story was facinating we also have no plot holes and everything gets explained (unless these French words which is a bit annoying). We also get explanations for the conclusion of each chatacters when they investigate. Everything made perfect sense, no stupid decions made by characters and it just felt so good. Good to read something like this in a while. We also had no flat characters and got LOTS of backstory. They are all so interesting and their quirks too (especially Sloan's!).
Lia is actually a useless natural 'cause detecting lies is not always possible. Especially with psychopaths. They have way higher dopamine levels in their brain and they lack any emotions or feelings that can hint/detect a lie. A lie detector is actually only an anxiety detector as people tend to get nervous when they lie as they are afraid to get caught lying. Psychopaths have a smaller amygdala, which is responsible for fear and anxiety and a reduced connections between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), which is responsible for guilt, empathy, etc. Lia is supposed to detect lies from any individual which isn't possible as she can't detect any fear, facial expression changes, et cetera in a psychopath as they show NO remorse and NO fear. So if she is supposed to do it for a psychopath which also have a higher chance of murdering and even becoming serial killers, she would be quite useless.
The whole love triangle was so hard to read. Don't get me wrong, love triangles are actually one of my favourite tropes, BUT Michael just seemed so off and I just didn't like how he kinda played with Cassie's feelings.
I also was a bit annoyed by the fact that we got French and Italian words and even whole sentences but never a translation. That frustrated me a lot, for a book that explaines so much, but not this.
The ending was definitely amazing, but it felt a bit like an actual ending. Like not a 'sequel coming soon' ending. Just an end. And that was a bit of a let down. Like what is supposed to happen in the next book?
What I think of each character in this book
Cassie (Cassandra Hobbes): You're the main character of course we like you. Also, you are smart, don't be insecure about being different!!
Michael (Townsend): I KNEW IT
Dean (Redding): You are soo interesting. Love your backstory!
Lia: You give me mixed feelings
Sloan: You deserve more screen time honestly. We barely see you and you sound interesting to!! (Oh and stop drinking coffee you go nuts girl)
Judd Hawkins: You are such a mood hahahfgahsya
Agent (Tanner) Briggs: Without you we wouldn't have this story. Thank you for kidnapping Cassie 🤭
Director Sterling: Without you we wouldn't even had the sketch of this book. Thank you
Agent Locke: Love how you always win the arguments with Agent Briggs
Lorelai: I know you are the real villain in this story. ADMIT IT!
You: I know that's not just a mind thing. You are real.
I really had fun reading this book, I can only recommend it. Especially if you like murder mysteries as it reminded me of one strongly. It's also a series so you have more than enough story to read and perhaps fall in love with. Actually got this book recommended too, by someone who has this book as her favourite book and I can totally see why. So far not part of my 'favourite books' yet, but that might change.
20. July 2024
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
lisa07xie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I LOVED it! I ate it up and it does remind me so mich of Criminal Minds!! I loved the plot and I did not expect that person to be the killer like I was so shocked because I actually liked her! And I don't know who I want Cassie to end up with... I can't decide but this book was so addictive omg literally couldn't stop!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
styxx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Pregnancy
kaitlynnnng's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
The Inheritance Games books make up my favorite series ever, so I’ve always been a little nervous about reading more by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, in case the other books can’t compare. However, I finally decided to give The Naturals a try because I saw several TikToks about this series being even better.
The first half of the book felt very slow. I’m not sure if it’s because school just started so I’m back to worth and overwhelmed, or if I genuinely just wasn’t as into the book as I’d hoped, but it took me, like, 6 days to read the first half, and only 1 day to read the second half. Needless to say, it finally got good…halfway in.
I like that this storyline had a solid ending, and the hunt for the killer aka Lacey didn’t carry over into the next book!
I don’t feel very passionate about either boy in the love triangle. I like them both, but I’m not steadily on a team yet.
The whole time, I had a feeling that someone in the program and/or the FBI would be involved, but I did not see it being Lacey. As a matter of fact, at one point, I thought she’d end up being a target because she also had red hair! However, as a result of this, I didn’t really trust any of the characters, so I didn’t get attached to any of them. I hope I feel more connected to them in the next few books.
The first half of the book felt very slow. I’m not sure if it’s because school just started so I’m back to worth and overwhelmed, or if I genuinely just wasn’t as into the book as I’d hoped, but it took me, like, 6 days to read the first half, and only 1 day to read the second half. Needless to say, it finally got good…halfway in.
I don’t feel very passionate about either boy in the love triangle. I like them both, but I’m not steadily on a team yet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
pennywize's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
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