August 4, 2012

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga {Review}


Publisher: Little, Brown Book for Young Readers
Publish Date: April 3, 2012
Source: Library
What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.
But he's also thew son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could -- from the criminal's point of view.
And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.
In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret -- could he be more like his farther than anyone knows?

I Hunt Killers is sick, twisted, and oh so very good.

If we’re going to be honest, I feel kind of weird saying it’s good. It was so creepy being inside Jazz’s head since he wasn’t just some innocent little bystander who never knew the horrors of his serial killer father. In fact, he knew almost every detail of his father’s kills and was being groomed to take his father’s place someday. I Hunt Killers is the kind of “good” that’ll have you questioning everything you know and occasionally make you want to lose your lunch. Not things I usually associate with good books, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be its own brand of good.

Being in Jazz’s head felt like an intrusion. Seeing the way he struggled with his own thoughts and feelings was almost too much sometimes. I felt simultaneously creeped out and sorry for him. It was weird reading about a character I had basically nothing in common with, but at the same time it was good. I wasn’t really trying to connect with him but I could still see things (to a degree) from his point of view.

I love me a good mystery and it doesn’t really get much mystery-er (sure, that can be a word) than I Hunt Killers­. Not only were we trying to figure out who the killer could be along with Jazz, but the reader is also left wondering what’s locked away up in Jazz’s head the entire time.
The Nutshell: If you’re jonesing for a good mystery that’s anything but ordinary then I Hunt Killers is your book. If you’re squeamish and hate gore, though, you’re probably going to want to stay away. Lyga isn’t afraid to delve into the deep, heavy stuff about who we are on the inside and whether or not it can be changed and that just makes this read all the more unique.

Pages: 359
Series: Jasper Dent #1
Rating: Hit

2 comments:

  1. I've heard lots of good things about this book, but I think this might be the review that makes me actually pick it up. :) I don't read too many creepy/mystery books, but this sounds kind of amazing so I'll have to check it out.
    -Rachel

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  2. I love how uncomfortable and different it was to be in Jazz's head for this one. I loved how disturbing it was, but I can totally understand your hesitation to call it 'good'! Even though it really is. :P

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