Release Date: April 3, 2012
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Bought
IBSN: 9780316125840
Blurb: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 the 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 father than anyone knows?
To be honest with you I really hadn’t paid much attention to I Hunt Killers until the Decatur Book Festival in September. Barry Lyga was there and a lot of fellow bloggers had read the book and told me that I must read it asap! Really, I don’t know why I didn’t already have it on my Must Read list. It has a lot of elements that I love. It’s dark and slightly twisted. It’s about serial killers, which I’ve always had a strange fascination with. I thought that I was going to fall helplessly in love with it. Unfortunately, that wasn’t completely the case.
The high expectations were probably my downfall. One of the things that I had trouble with was Jasper. I liked him, but I felt very disconnected to him. I suppose that’s understandable since he fancies himself a sociopath, but I needed some sort of connection. I also thought he was slightly inconsistent. He thought he was this murder hungry serial killer in the making, but his actions were never anything like that–except for maybe one scene. I just have mixed feelings on Jasper. On the one hand, I feel like I probably wasn’t supposed to have this great connection with him, but on the other hand I wanted that connection.
There were still plenty of things I liked about I Hunt Killers, but the number one reason was Billy Dent. I was completely hooked when it came to him. Hearing about his illustrious murdering career and Jasper’s childhood is what kept me glued to the book. It was so compelling. It was also gruesome and bloody. I’m one of those strange individuals that doesn’t mind gore, and with a serial killer book what can you expect. I was very pleased with how appropriately dark it was.
While I had some issues with Jasper and thought the pacing was a tiny but slow, I still really enjoyed I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga. It was a captivating read and it definitely ended in a way that makes it impossible to not read the sequel. I’m looking forward to it.
We read this for book club before DBF, and I’m sure they were all telling you to read it. Too dark for me, but I think the premise is really interesting. And Barry Lyga was interesting at his signing too! Wish I’d liked it more.
KM recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: This Is What Happy Looks Like, by Jennifer E. Smith
Yes, it was them! They got my hopes all up. I wish I would have liked it more too.
I liked this book too, but if I’m going with confused teenagers mixed with serial killers, then Dan Wells I Am Not A Serial Killer is better. I liked I Hunt Killers, but I had a hard time liking Jazz at times.
I’ll have to check I Am Not a Serial Killer out!
Too bad, the synopsis sounds pretty good.
braine recently posted..Review: Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha
I honestly haven’t ever had the inkling of desire to read this one. Not because it sounds bad or whatever, just not my choice in books. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it as much as you’d hoped, but I’m glad you enjoyed it enough!
I’m still pouty I didn’t get to make it to Decatur!
Candice recently posted..Retro Reads Thursday: Midnight in the Dollhouse
I’m still pouty too! You must come next year!
Is it bad to say that I’m glad you didn’t love this one because I really can’t drum up any interest in it myself? Plus if it’s gory it’s probably not for me anyway! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Melissa recently posted..There are Witches in the Air: Giveaway of A Modern Witch Series with Debora Geary!
It’s not really that gory…I’ve read worse. I don’t blame you for not having interest. It’s not a book for everyone.
I think the premise sounds interesting but it also sounds like a story where connecting to the character would be very important.
Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic recently posted..Guest Post: Valentina Goldman’s Immaculate Confusion
Ahhhhh! But that was exactly why Jazz was so fascinating to me. He was on the edge of the fence the entire time, constantly trying to fight off the sociopathic tendencies but feeling like he has no choice in the matter. I think it definitely made it hard to connect to him. We want to connect to his good side because we see how he struggles, but he isn’t necessarily all good, and that makes it hard to connect.
Billy Dent was my favorite part too! That scene in the prison gave me goosebumps!
Smash Attack recently posted..Smash reviews Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts
I know, but…I didn’t always feel like he was actually struggling. His actions didn’t match his thoughts of being a sociopath. It felt forced for me. BUT that probably directly links to the fact that I never connected with him. That probably doesn’t make sense lol.
Billy was awesome!
I liked this book. I always thought they weren’t going to show Billy Dent at all and he’d just be this presence in the book without appearing, so I was kind of disappointed when he showed up.
Kat C recently posted..Fangs, Fur and Fey Giveaway Hop !
Really? I loved that part! I understand what you mean, though.
I felt really disconnected with Jasper too! I mean, the book was enjoyable, but it wasn’t LOVE for me like it was with a lot of people. Billy Dent really is an interesting character. I don’t know if I will read the sequel but maybe!! Great review, Lori. <3
elena recently posted..(even the flowers are duchesses) review: the girl who fell beneath fairyland and led the revels there by catherynne m. valente
I’m so happy to hear I’m not the only one!
I want to read this one but I see a commenter thought Dan Wells was better. I thought I am not a Serial Killer was fantastic, love love love. You should read if you haven’t already.
Tea Time with Marce recently posted..Monday – Networking time
I’m a tad curious about this but I’m not a fan of gore. But then I do read quite a bit of adult so maybe the gore wouldn’t be too much for me. I don’t think this is a book I would enjoy much but yet I find myself a little curious.
candace recently posted..The Home for Halloween Giveaway: Enter to win an ereader and more!!
It’s not that gory. Nothing that you would read in an adult book probably.
I’ve had this book on my shelf for awhile, and have been wanting to read it since meeting the author at Comic-Con. But for whatever reason, I keep putting it off. Sorry to hear it was a little disappointing and doesn’t quite live up to the hype. It is a great time of year to read this type of book though! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Lucy @ The Reading Date recently posted..Double Book Trailer Reveal: Luminosity and Gravity and eARC Giveaway
It’s the perfect time of year for this! I hope you enjoy it when you read it.
I really want to read this one. It’s a shame that it was lacking the character connection, but it still sounds good. Great review!
Amy @ Book Loving Mom recently posted..Blog Tour: Crash by Nicole Williams Review and Giveaway
YES! I am so pumped up about the sequel.
And holy crap Billy Dent was scary. Perfect reading for October though.