by Dan Wells
9.5 out of 10
YA Fantasy/Horror
From my recent book reviews, you may get the idea that I read a lot of horror. I don't. As a matter of fact, these series represent almost the sum total of my horror genre reading, with the notable exceptions of classics such as Frankenstein and Dracula, only one of which I have read in the recent past.
You may also get the idea that I read a lot of fantasy. That one is true. I do read other books, but I prefer fantasy. Young adult, middle grade, adult, military, or post-apocalyptic; if it has fantasy, I'm drawn to it.
This series, of which IDWTKY is book 3, falls in the young adult category. It's intense, though; not for readers with delicate constitutions. I remember reading book 1 alone late at night...I had to crawl in bed with my three-year-old.
Amazingly enough, the series gets better with each installment. By the end of book 3, which is, as far as I understand, the end of the series, I'm ready to read the next twenty books. It had twists and turns I never saw coming. John has some real stand-up-and-cheer moments, and as a reader, you just ache for him.
It's an amazing, horrific fantasy full of adventure, psychology, and drama. Now that all three are out, don't wait. If you haven't read any, start with I Don't Want to Be a Serial Killer and go on John's journey with him. You'll want to have all three...the wait was a killer.
Okay, this was a somewhat crappy review, in that I gave basically no pertinent information. This is what I get for reviewing right after I finish a book: the story is so fresh in my mind I forget that everyone else doesn't know it.
ReplyDeleteBook 1 is titled I am Not a Serial Killer
Book 2 is titled Mr. Monster
The trilogy follows a young John Wayne Cleaver, a young boy who works with his mom, the county mortician. He has the typical profile of a serial killer, and he is obsessed with learning all about them. He creates a set of "rules" that he must follow so that he doesn't turn into a killer. All goes pretty well until a killer comes to Clayton county. John is uniquely able to understand the way the killer thinks, but is focusing on this one going to undo John's ability to cope?
Follow John as he experiences first dates, school dances, and a killer on the loose.
P.S. Be aware there is paranormal activity. Apparently that was a complaint by the critics.