The Naturals
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: Nov. 5, 2013
Pages: 304
Source: Audiobook for review, ARC from ALA
Read By: Amber Faith
Audiobook Publisher: Listening Library
Length: 7 hours, 28 mins
About the Book: 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.
My Thoughts: I’m a huge fan of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ books. Her book Raised by Wolves was one of the very first books I reviewed here on my blog. She was also one of the first authors I met when I attended the Smart Chicks kick it tour way back in 2010. So, yeah, I’m a fan. I think The Naturals may be my new favorite!
I am honestly surprised that I actually read this one. That sounds bad but I am such a baby when it comes to crime and serial killer type stuff! Still, it was Jennifer Lynn Barnes and the audiobook excerpt was great. Obviously I had to put on my big girl panties and give it a try. I’m so glad I did. It was one of those books that I just didn’t want to stop listening to! I even listened on my drive home at night. (This, of course, ended with me running from my car to my apartment building to avoid certain death.)
I love the way Jennifer Lynn Barnes crafts a story. The psychological element is always so present. Every book I’ve read by her has had me thinking about it after I put it down. The Naturals was no exception. I loved everything about it. I mean, teens with natural abilities that lend themselves toward criminal profiling and crime solving? Heck yes! And then getting inside the head of a serial killer? **shudder** The characters were interesting, the story well paced, and, the resolution surprising. I guess I just felt really involved in the story. I love it when that happens.
The Naturals is the perfect novel for readers who love crime stories. Heck, I’m not big on them and it was perfect for me too! Fast paced and clever, The Naturals takes the reader on a journey through the twisted mind of a serial killer. Honestly, I’m a little concerned about Jennifer Lynn Barnes after finishing it!
Audiobook Notes: So, so great. I loved the narration. There are bits of the story told from the serial killers point of very and it was appropriately creepy. Nice on differentiating the voices of the characters as well.
Killer Instinct - YA BibliophileYA Bibliophile
[…] kind of book. I tend to shy away from murder mysteries but I loved the first book (The Naturals) and Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a favorite author. She does such an excellent job crafting the story […]