Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Series: Book Two in the Naturals Series
Published By: Disney-Hyperion (November 4, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Thriller/Mystery
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a gift for profiling people. Her talent has landed her a spot in an elite FBI program for teens with innate crime-solving abilities, and into some harrowing situations. After barely escaping a confrontation with an unbalanced killer obsessed with her mother’s murder, Cassie hopes she and the rest of the team can stick to solving cold cases from a distance.
But when victims of a brutal new serial killer start turning up, the Naturals are pulled into an active case that strikes too close to home: the killer is a perfect copycat of Dean’s incarcerated father—a man he’d do anything to forget. Forced deeper into a murderer’s psyche than ever before, will the Naturals be able to outsmart the enigmatic killer’s brutal mind games before this copycat twists them into his web for good?
With her trademark wit, brilliant plotting, and twists that no one will see coming, Jennifer Lynn Barnes will keep readers on the edge of their seats (and looking over their shoulders) as they race through the pages of this thrilling novel.
Like I have come to expect from all Disney-Hyperion books and even Jennifer herself, I was not disappointed in Killer Instinct.
Like it's predecessor, this was a fun thrilling and fast paced ride that I loved every minute of.
I loved Cassie, Dean. Sloane, Michael, and Lia in The Naturals and is was without question that when the second book came out, I was going to get it and I was going to love it.
This was even better than the first and I did indeed love every minute of it.
If possible, the whole team of Naturals was better, smarter, sassier, funny, and just down right amazing.
I love their whole dynamic. They might not always like each other but they do all love each other. They have become a family and it was so very nice to see them work together, stick up for one another, and to have each other's backs.
The mystery was better, the writing was better, and the action was better. I can truly see this becoming one of my go to series when I want a good mystery with just the right amount of intrigue, action, and light romance.
I am so very excited for where book three will lead us. So many changes, conditions, friendships and heartbreaks have formed and happened. It is going to be a fun ride.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
It's rare to see the phrase "This was even better than the first" in a sequel review, but if anyone can do it it's Barnes! Her writing certainly sounds like it was firing on all cylinders in Killer Instinct which is exactly what you want to see in a book 2. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCarmel @ Rabid Reads.
Very true, she does have an amazing ability to draw you in.
DeleteYay! Love it when a sequel improves upon its predecessor. That's not always the case with middle book syndrome and all, so it makes me really happy to know this series is one that gets better as it goes:) Can't wait to start it!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think this suffered from that at all Jenny.
DeleteI need to read the first book in this series asap. I love it when sequels are better than the first books and this especially sounds great. I also love the sound of the dynamics between the characters.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! :)
It is fun and they really start to come together in this and be a family of sorts. It was really nice to see.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one. I, on the other hand, was disappointed. I'm just not a fan of love triangles, that's all. Lol.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the love triangle. That was probably my least favorite part but mostly because I love both boys.
DeleteHmmm.... I haven't had a strong urge to read this series, but maybe I need to reconsider!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a fun series with a great mystery.
DeleteGlad to hear the mystery and action is only getting better! I haven't read the first book but I want to. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lauren. :)
DeleteDisney Hyperion books are almost always really good. They usually read like movies for me. I am not aware of this book and it's a series too, I should check this out!
ReplyDeleteThey really are some of the best books out there in YA for sure.
DeleteWow Kindlemom, great premise and wonderful review. I want this one :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie!
DeleteI seem to have missed out on this series. I love fast paced books. Glad to hear you enjoying this Ali
ReplyDeleteYou should try it Lily, it is never too late!
DeleteDisney-Hyperion does tend to have a name you trust, doesn't it? Sounds like a great read and I love the cover!
ReplyDeleteThis is the second middle book that I let slip by me..I enjoyed book one and need to snag this. So glad to hear it is stronger!
ReplyDeleteIf you liked book one I think you will like this even more. :)
DeleteI thought the first book sounded like something I would like, now with this being such a great second book, I know I need to check this series out soon. Glad this was a great read Ali :)
ReplyDeleteGlad I could put it on your radar again Kim and tempt you. :P
DeleteThis one was awesome :) I agree with you about everything being better than the first book. I'm curious to see how the long triangle will finally end up in the last book! Who are you rooting for?
ReplyDeleteGah I love them both, is that awful? They both have their appeal and troubles but I really do like Dean and Michael the same. It is so hard.
DeleteOh I liked the first one but was denied on NG for this one so maybe I'll read it later I don't really know, but I'm happy to see it was a good one again.
ReplyDeleteAww sorry you were denied. I hope you do get around to reading it soon. I think you would really like it.
DeleteI prefer my heroines to be a bit older, but the story definitely sounds interesting. I love a good mystery/thriller, so I'll check it out. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteYou would like this Heidi, it has a great mystery.
ReplyDeleteI love a good thriller/mystery and this certainly sounds like it fits the bill, and even better than the first. Definitely adding this to my wish list.
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad you are going to try it. :)
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