allibear39's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
audragio's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
babyfacedoldsoul's review
5.0
Even though I fell for the red herring, I really enjoyed this book. Lyga was one of my favorite authors in high school and he still can deliver a solid book.
kristalsty119's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
djinnia's review
5.0
Loved this book. It was a fantastic read.
Jazz is a jumbled mess of a teenager, which makes him vulnerable to his sick childhood and what he thinks is his faults. He did have quite a few mental conversations with himself, but so have I so it didn't bother me.
Would freaking love to win this book for myself. The second one too, which I am in the beginnings of reading.
Le awesome in ogre and creepy serial killer grossness. So I would recommend it for people that don't like violence and gore, torture, or things like that.
Jazz is a jumbled mess of a teenager, which makes him vulnerable to his sick childhood and what he thinks is his faults. He did have quite a few mental conversations with himself, but so have I so it didn't bother me.
Would freaking love to win this book for myself. The second one too, which I am in the beginnings of reading.
Le awesome in ogre and creepy serial killer grossness. So I would recommend it for people that don't like violence and gore, torture, or things like that.
forsakenfates's review
3.0
I have no idea what I expected wit this book, but it was so much darker than I ever imagined it would be. This is considered a YA novel because Jasper is only 17, however, his life is anything but typical. He was raised by a serial killer and with that comes gory details related to the murders. Barry Lyga was not afraid of diving into the gritty details in this book. There are vivid details relating to the murders and thoughts Jasper has.
I was not at all bother by the darkness of this novel, but kind of wish I had been forewarned about how graphic it actually is. I also think you need to be prepared if you want to read this series.
As for the actual characters and plots, I really enjoyed Jasper as the protagonist. He is dealing with a lot with his father being a convicted serial killer. Add to this Jasper's upbringing and his tendencies toward violent thoughts and you have a very complex layered character. We saw the struggle that Jasper goes through with trying to distance himself from his father and his actions. Jasper is also surrounded by people who believe in him in Howie, Connie, and G. Williams.
As for plot, I was engrossed in finding out who was this new killer and what his motivations were. This book had me anticipating and trying to guess what was going to happen. And I can happily say, I was still surprised by the end. Certain aspects I was able to predict, but overall I was left shocked at the outcome. This book also ended in a way that makes me mad I do not have the next book in the series to pick up and see how Jasper and Company deal with the new developments.
I was not at all bother by the darkness of this novel, but kind of wish I had been forewarned about how graphic it actually is. I also think you need to be prepared if you want to read this series.
As for the actual characters and plots, I really enjoyed Jasper as the protagonist. He is dealing with a lot with his father being a convicted serial killer. Add to this Jasper's upbringing and his tendencies toward violent thoughts and you have a very complex layered character. We saw the struggle that Jasper goes through with trying to distance himself from his father and his actions. Jasper is also surrounded by people who believe in him in Howie, Connie, and G. Williams.
As for plot, I was engrossed in finding out who was this new killer and what his motivations were. This book had me anticipating and trying to guess what was going to happen. And I can happily say, I was still surprised by the end. Certain aspects I was able to predict, but overall I was left shocked at the outcome. This book also ended in a way that makes me mad I do not have the next book in the series to pick up and see how Jasper and Company deal with the new developments.
alisarae's review
Jasper Dent is the teenage son of a no imprisoned serial killer. His dad taught him everything he needs to know to be the best serial killer the world has ever seen. When multiple murders appear in his home town, Jas is completely prepared to go head to head with the newest serial killer on the block.
One of the interesting things about this book is that Jas has sociopathic tendencies, and he knows it. He knows he doesn't feel emotions in the same way that other people do, and he knows how he should act to fit in better. He is curious about if he is really killer material, but constantly reminds himself that other people matter, even if he has never met them, even if they are on the other side of the world and have nothing to do with his life (quite frankly, normal people have to remind themselves of that as well). So it raises the question of nature vs nurture—can Jas overcome his upbringing and his genetics? Will he have to fight against those powerful internal forces for the rest of his life? Because I've read quite a bit of non-fic about sociopaths, I can tell you that the author has done his research in this area.
The mystery part of the book—who is the serial killer?—is not that awesome. There is a Scooby-Doo reveal moment at the end that disappointed me because it follows the murder mystery book pattern so strongly. But a lot of people like that about mystery novels, sooo.....
Anyways, it's a cute book and I want to read the rest in the series.
One of the interesting things about this book is that Jas has sociopathic tendencies, and he knows it. He knows he doesn't feel emotions in the same way that other people do, and he knows how he should act to fit in better. He is curious about if he is really killer material, but constantly reminds himself that other people matter, even if he has never met them, even if they are on the other side of the world and have nothing to do with his life (quite frankly, normal people have to remind themselves of that as well). So it raises the question of nature vs nurture—can Jas overcome his upbringing and his genetics? Will he have to fight against those powerful internal forces for the rest of his life? Because I've read quite a bit of non-fic about sociopaths, I can tell you that the author has done his research in this area.
The mystery part of the book—who is the serial killer?—is not that awesome. There is a Scooby-Doo reveal moment at the end that disappointed me because it follows the murder mystery book pattern so strongly. But a lot of people like that about mystery novels, sooo.....
Anyways, it's a cute book and I want to read the rest in the series.
sjj169's review
3.0
Combining two great genre's..Thriller (serial killer shit) and young adult. You would think I would be all over that. I was to a point.
Jasper Dent is one of the world's worst serial killers son. He isn't that family member who swears they never noticed anything being off about his dad. His dad trained him. Trained him to kill, and do it well.
Jasper does not want to end up like Dear Old Dad though, because People Matter.
He teams up with his best buddy Howie (who I simply adore) and his girlfriend Connie to do some investigative stuff on their own when a serial killer again targets their small town.
Enter my problems with the story. There is no way in hell that a police dept is going to allow a 17 year old as much freedom with butting in on their case. Just no way in hell.
The book somewhat reminded me of the Dexter TV series which my husband has completely gotten my hooked on, but still is a fresh new take on it. I'm hoping the other books in the series are a tad bitter more believable than this one for me.
Jasper Dent is one of the world's worst serial killers son. He isn't that family member who swears they never noticed anything being off about his dad. His dad trained him. Trained him to kill, and do it well.
Jasper does not want to end up like Dear Old Dad though, because People Matter.
He teams up with his best buddy Howie (who I simply adore) and his girlfriend Connie to do some investigative stuff on their own when a serial killer again targets their small town.
Enter my problems with the story. There is no way in hell that a police dept is going to allow a 17 year old as much freedom with butting in on their case. Just no way in hell.
The book somewhat reminded me of the Dexter TV series which my husband has completely gotten my hooked on, but still is a fresh new take on it. I'm hoping the other books in the series are a tad bitter more believable than this one for me.