Barry Lyga

I’m probably one of the few people who hadn’t read this book. I don’t know what took me so long since it’s been on my shelf for years. Sometimes book just resist being seen on the shelf...kinda like gold hidden among plain rocks. In case you can’t tell, I think Bang is a fabulous read. I especially enjoyed its unconventionality. I love that the plot was not typical and therefore not predictable and I particularly loved the honesty at the end in the scene with his mom. You know what show more I’m talking about if you e read it. Obviously, due to the talk of suicide, it’s a sensitive book that you wouldn’t just hand out willy nilly, but there’s some super important messages contained in these pages. And if you’re a teacher who has ever asked a student to write about a significant event in their lives... I bet you think twice about doing it now! show less

I was surprised when I realized that this book's genre was considered to be Young Adult. I guess that even a 70 year old like me can like the book. The premise of being related to a serial killer and worrying if you have the same tendencies is fascinating. I imagine that others with criminal parents wonder how much of their mentalities rub off. But they probably have an every day variety of criminal in their families, instead a serial killer. That Jasper Dent worries enough about how much of show more his father is in him to let it impact every aspect of his life be impacted shows just how different he is from his father, one of the most accomplished serial killers that ever existed. Jasper's desire to do the right thing, coupled with his constant worry that he is too much like his father, makes for a plot structure that offers endless possibilities to explore right and wrong, as well as social responsibility. And then, to conclude that you, the son, have to actively resist your own father and reject everything about him, certainly held my attention. A great book! show less

I loved I Hunt Killers, the first book in the Jasper Dent series. As hard as that book was to read in some parts due to my own sensitivity, I found that I could not stop turning the pages to see what would happen next. I was fascinated by the story of this boy who grew up with such a horrible monster of a father and who was trying desperately not to follow in his footsteps. When that book ended I was desperate for the sequel to come out and Game (Jasper Dent, #2) does not disappoint!

Jasper show more ends up becoming involved in trying to solve the murders of a new serial killer called Hat-Dog after a detective from New York convinces him to come see the evidence and share his insights. The murders are gruesome and escalating and have the cops confused. When a direct message to Jasper at one of the crime scenes, welcoming him to The Game, Jasper realizes that somehow his father is involved.

Another page-turner, I think I even enjoyed this book more than the first. It explores more about Jasper's romantic relationship and his introspection about that and his own nature and past. Creepy, but compelling, I'd recommend this book to anyone fascinated by people who become serial killers and what might become of the children they have in the midst of their crimes. show less

Jasper Dent or Jazz lives in the sleepy small town of Lobo's Nod and everybody knows him. It's not an egotistical observation. He is the son of a very prolific and infamous serial killer. His childhood was filled with crime scenes, murder victims, and the sick training of his father. Now, he works to go against his father's teachings and clings to things that are normal. Then a girl is found murdered in a field, extremely similar to his father's own first murder. And the bodies start piling show more up and of course people look to Jazz. Can he figure out who the real copycat murderer is and clear his name?

I love books about serial killers. I find their mentality morbidly fascinating and the books are usually delightfully twisted. I Hunt Killers looks into the nature vs. nurture debate on how serial killers are made the way they are. Jazz has obviously been nurtured practically to death to be a serial killer. His instincts are automatic to recognize people's weaknesses and he recognizes how to exploit them. He knows that he's attractive and uses it to his advantage when he can. His father has been in jail for quite some time, but people still see his father and the crimes when they see Jazz. He knows they fully expect him to be just like his father. However, he works against his own instincts. When he recognizes weakness, he doesn't always try to exploit it to the fullest and obviously hasn't killed anyone yet. He keeps close to his best friend Howie, a nerdy hemophiliac, and his no nonsense girlfriend Connie. They bring normalcy to his life and make sure he doesn't go down that serial killer path. He battles with his inner self constantly and it's a really fascinating read.

One of the best things about the book is that, like Rick Yancy's The Monstrumologist, it doesn't shy away from it's own subject matter: murder. Other YA novels tend to try to protect the reader because of the age group it's aimed at, but this one makes no effort to do so. The events are described in detail and Barry Lyga doesn't pull any punches. If you can't handle pretty gory accounts of horrific murders, turn back now. I appreciate that some YA books are super gory and graphic while others aren't, so people can choose for their comfort level. Despite the dark tone and subject matter, the book is actually very funny. Jazz's narrative is full of humor (mostly dark), making me laugh throughout the grisly plot.

I only had one problem with the book. His involvement with the police is a little unbelievable. At first, the police keep him out as they should because he's a high school student, but after the police get really desperate, they allow him to explore the crime scenes and involve him in the investigation. It's the only kind of meh part of a good book, so I overlooked it. I would definitely recommend this to teen and adult horror fans. show less