by Barry Lyga ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 23, 2013
Even fans may balk at the closureless close, but there is obviously more to come.
Son of a notorious serial killer, Jazz Dent goes to New York City to continue his hunt for killers like his father—and maybe the old man himself.
Seventeen-year-old Jasper “Jazz” Dent and his hometown of Lobo’s Nod have mostly recovered from the predations of the Impressionist, a serial killer who impersonated Jazz’s father, Billy, but Billy’s out there somewhere, killing again. When NYPD Detective Louis Hughes comes to Jazz’s door asking for help in catching the Hat-Dog Killer, Jazz says no—but he can’t deny that he’s an expert on serial-killer behavior, since his notorious father raised him to be one. Jazz and his girlfriend, Connie, head to NYC to help, but they find themselves caught up in a grisly game with no idea of who the players are or whom they can trust. Jazz isn’t even sure he can trust himself. Lyga’s second serial-killer–hunting title is even more open-ended (and overstuffed) than the first (I Hunt Killers, 2012). Chapters from the perspectives of the various killers undercut the mystery aspects of the tale, and extraneous subplots distract from what could have been a complex thriller. Jazz is believable, but the other characters are mostly flat; Billy himself often comes off as more Bozo than Bundy.
Even fans may balk at the closureless close, but there is obviously more to come. (Thriller. 15 & up)Pub Date: April 23, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-316-12587-1
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2013
Share your opinion of this book
More by Barry Lyga
BOOK REVIEW
by Barry Lyga
BOOK REVIEW
by Barry Lyga
BOOK REVIEW
edited by Barry Lyga ; illustrated by Colleen Doran
by Jenny Lee ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 27, 2021
Entertaining.
A tale of love and loss that spans the globe.
Instead of having a carefree summer, biracial (Korean/White) Anna is sent away from the familiarity of New York, her friends, the past school year’s scandal—and the memories of her dead boyfriend, Alexia Vronsky. While struggling with grief, her shattered self-image, and an uncertain future, Anna attempts to reclaim her summer in Seoul, where she knows only her father and grandmother. Beatrice, Alexia’s cousin, juggles her clingy girlfriend and falling for a California surfer even as she represses her grief. Meanwhile, Anna’s brother, Steven, plans for an amazing summer party, although Lolly, his girlfriend, is away at theater camp. Steven’s best friend, Dustin, and Kimmie, Lolly’s younger sister, are equally nervous about their first sexual experience together. This sequel to Anna K (2020) contains fewer mentions of luxury brands, and the characters exhibit an increased awareness of the impacts of wealth and socio-economic status. The novel also touches on issues of addiction, sexism, cultural differences, fame, relationships, love, and mental health; in particular, the portrayals of living with grief and redefining the self after a loved one dies shine. Despite some awkward time skips, the humor, pop-culture references, and characters’ distinct voices strengthen the story. Fans of the first novel will enjoy this follow-up, which is also accessible to readers new to Anna and her world. Some major characters are White; Dustin is Black and Jewish, and there is diversity in the supporting cast.
Entertaining. (cast of characters) (Fiction. 15-18)Pub Date: April 27, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-23646-3
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: March 24, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
Share your opinion of this book
More by Jenny Lee
BOOK REVIEW
by Jenny Lee ; illustrated by Kelly Light
BOOK REVIEW
by Jenny Lee illustrated by Kelly Light
by John Green ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 10, 2012
Green seamlessly bridges the gap between the present and the existential, and readers will need more than one box of tissues...
Awards & Accolades
Likes
38
Our Verdict
GET IT
New York Times Bestseller
He’s in remission from the osteosarcoma that took one of his legs. She’s fighting the brown fluid in her lungs caused by tumors. Both know that their time is limited.
Sparks fly when Hazel Grace Lancaster spies Augustus “Gus” Waters checking her out across the room in a group-therapy session for teens living with cancer. He’s a gorgeous, confident, intelligent amputee who always loses video games because he tries to save everyone. She’s smart, snarky and 16; she goes to community college and jokingly calls Peter Van Houten, the author of her favorite book, An Imperial Affliction, her only friend besides her parents. He asks her over, and they swap novels. He agrees to read the Van Houten and she agrees to read his—based on his favorite bloodbath-filled video game. The two become connected at the hip, and what follows is a smartly crafted intellectual explosion of a romance. From their trip to Amsterdam to meet the reclusive Van Houten to their hilariously flirty repartee, readers will swoon on nearly every page. Green’s signature style shines: His carefully structured dialogue and razor-sharp characters brim with genuine intellect, humor and desire. He takes on Big Questions that might feel heavy-handed in the words of any other author: What do oblivion and living mean? Then he deftly parries them with humor: “My nostalgia is so extreme that I am capable of missing a swing my butt never actually touched.” Dog-earing of pages will no doubt ensue.
Green seamlessly bridges the gap between the present and the existential, and readers will need more than one box of tissues to make it through Hazel and Gus’ poignant journey. (Fiction. 15 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-525-47881-2
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: Jan. 9, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012
Share your opinion of this book
More by John Green
BOOK REVIEW
by John Green
BOOK REVIEW
by John Green
BOOK REVIEW
by John Green and David Levithan
More About This Book
BOOK TO SCREEN
Hindi-Language The Fault In Our Stars Film Coming
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.