Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Pages: 304, Hardcover
Source: Audiobook, Library
Source: Audiobook, Library
Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.
What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides— especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own.
Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.
Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.
What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides— especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own.
Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.
Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.
- This is totally teen Criminal Minds with a paranormal twist. And I LOVE Criminal Minds. I can't get enough crime-story-type books and I especially enjoy the darker ones that dig into the mind of serial killers. As appalling as some of these stories are (and how paranoid I've become since watching/reading them) I find them fascinating.
- I loved the gifts that the Naturals possessed - I always enjoy stories involving abilities. I think it was interesting to see how the Naturals used their gifts to solve cases and I particularly enjoyed how their gifts shaped their interactions with each other. Imagine not being able to lie or hide your emotions - yikes!
- I loved the cat and mouse game going on. This is another book that provides the killers POV throughout the story and you all know I love getting the bad guys POV.
- The mystery. I didn't exactly see that ending coming. Really, this book was so fast-paced that I didn't have time to predict anything. I liked how the case was solved but some parts of the story are still left open for later. I imagine there will be more books.
- I believe in coincidences but this book relied on them and when things are too improbable it bugs me. That's all I can say without giving anything away.
- The love triangle. Cassie was all over the place. It felt like all it took was for a boy to look at her for her to develop feelings for him. I wasn't convinced why she liked either boy. The whole romance aspect just felt like a plot extra.
- I wish the Naturals had the chance to actually solve cases as a team. This was mostly about Cassie learning the ropes, stumbling upon a case, and figuring it out in time for the big ending ( with the aid of her two gentlemen). We didn't really get to see the unit work together.
This book was a ton of fun. Despite the romance and the unlikelihood of things, I really enjoyed it. It was a compelling crime story, with a nice touch of paranormal and drama.
This sounds like something I would like. Although I'm not a fan of coincidences... Especially when it involves crime cases. Since this is a series, maybe the teens will "team up" more on cases?? Cause I thought what that is what this book would be.
ReplyDeleteI hope so! I I really want them to do more work together as a unit. I'll be reading the sequel so we shall see!
DeleteI've ordered this one from the library so I'll definitely be reading it. It sounds like a fun read. I just hope the romance doesn't bother me too much, but I do like the Criminal Minds with a paranormal twist description. Great review! ~Pam
ReplyDeleteI think you will like this Pam! Even though the romance is a little eye-roll-inducing, the fun-ness of the rest of the book makes up for it (pardon my made up words).
DeleteI really liked this one too! I loved that they added the parts where you were inside the mind of the killer. It was creepy and added something great to the book. The love story was pretty darn obnoxious though. I agree with you on that one. Great review!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I am kind of fascinated by the way serial killers think so I love when books give us this perspective.
DeleteI'm sad about the love triangle thing, but other than that it sounds good! I have this just sitting on my shelf and I'm not sure why I haven't read it yet. I too am fascinated by crimes and serial killers too...(I watch those programs on tv about real-life ones...I'm weird.) and think I would enjoy this book a lot because of that. Plus, I am a big fan of people with abilities...I'm convinced I will get some and that it just hasn't happened yet. ;)
ReplyDeletePretty sure you'll have fun with this one when you get around to read it!
Deletealthough a little wary about the romance, I am definitely looking forward to this one. I love J.L.B's Raised by Wolves series, and I am looking forward to delving into another of her worlds. And The Naturals just sounds too cool to pass up!
ReplyDeleteThe romance is silly but doesn't bring the rest of the book down all that much. Still a great read!
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