Let's Hear it for the Boys - Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga

Published: September 9th, 2014

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 464

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Jazz Dent has been shot and left to die in New York City. His girlfriend Connie is in the clutches of Jazz's serial killer father, Billy. And his best friend Howie is bleeding to death on the floor of Jazz's own home in tiny Lobo's Nod. Somehow, these three must rise above the horrors their lives have become and find a way to come together in pursuit of Billy. But then Jazz crosses a line he's never crossed before, and soon the entire country is wondering: "Like father, like son?" Who is the true monster?
The chase is on, and beyond Billy there lurks something much, much worse. Prepare to meet...the Crow King.

Review

When I read the first book in this series, I Hunt Killers, I thought it would be impossible to improve on it.  Then I read The Game and realised I was wrong, it could get better.  Barry Lyga has done it again.  Blood of my Blood exceeded even my very high expectations and had me hooked from page one.

The story starts off immediately after the close of The Game - this is a trilogy that you have to read in order.  It only took me a couple of pages to remember what had happened before and the tension starts building from the get-go.  Mr Lyga does not pull any punches.  His writing is very gritty and he doesn't skimp on the descriptions of blood and gore.  But don't get me wrong, this is not a horror story.  At least not in the traditional sense.  Mr. Lyga manages to get deep into the psyche of a very nasty serial killer and we see the way he manipulates and deceives people.  My heart was breaking, yet again, for Jazz but what an immensely strong character he is.  Without giving away any plot points, Jazz's final ah ha! moment is riveting.  

Connie and Howie illustrate the compelling bonds of friendship in such a way that I was completely convinced by these characters.  Even the adult characters in this one were well rounded and essential to the overall plot.  I keep trying to think of anything I didn't like about this book, or trilogy even, and I can't come up with anything.  Blood of my blood is an edge of your seat, seat of your pants rollercoaster ride from start to finish. If you enjoy tense, compelling thrillers this one is for you.

A word of caution - there is some very graphic violence in all three of these books, so be warned.

Game by Barry Lyga

 

Published: April 16th, 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Pages: 517

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

 

I Hunt Killers introduced the world to Jasper (Jazz) Dent, the son of the world's most infamous serial killer.

When a desperate New York City detective comes knocking on Jazz's door asking for help with a new case, Jazz can't say no. The Hat-Dog Killer has the Big Apple--and its police force running scared with no leads. So Jazz and his girlfriend Connie hop on a plane to the big city and get swept up in a killer's murderous game.

Meanwhile, Jazz's dad Billy is watching...and waiting.

Game is an amazingly complex and exciting YA suspense novel  that really could be enjoyed by any adult who enjoys suspense.  Mr. Lyga does not pull his punches.  He seems to realize and accept that many teens enjoy violent and suspenseful stories and he give it to us in spades.

In I Hunt Killers, we are introduced to Jasper 'Jazz' Dent, son of the world's most prolific serial killer.  In Game, we find out more about him and the way he thinks.  Jazz is a very complex character.  This time around we find out even more about the psychological trauma he had to endure growing up - it's no wonder he doubts himself all the time!  His best friend Howie is back as well, with all the problems inherent with being a hemophiliac.  Connie is there too, providing much needed support and a little sass.

Game is psychological thriller at it's best.  Billy Dent, Jazz's father, is evil personified and a creepier character I have yet to meet.  The man has no conscience - and I do mean zero.  Ugly on the inside but with a regular face and good manners - ugh, I get the shivers just thinking about him. There are twists and turns and puzzles galore and you have to have your wits about you to keep it all straight.  When Jazz finally works out what is going on I thought Wow, that was really clever, this will all tie up nicely - but no.  We are left with cliff hangers - yep, plural.  No one, not two, but three separate instances where something major has to be resolved.  Frustrating doesn't even begin to explain it, but it's brilliant. 

Gritty, edgy. very violent and completely engrossing, this book is well worth trying, but do yourself a favour and read I Hunt Killers first, or you will lose some of the impact.  If we handed out stars, I'd give this one 5 for sure.

Let's Hear It For The Boys - I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Published: April 3rd, 2012

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 361

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could--from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret--could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

I Hunt Killers is a very disturbing book.  Disturbing on so many levels - the subject matter, the violence, the potential for violence, it's underlying theme of Nature vs. Nurture.  Lyga has managed to get into the mind of a killer, or potential killer, and he lays open all the disturbing options and realms of possibility available.  Particularly disturbing is the way Jazz finds himself following his father's teachings just to get by.

'"It was a misunderstanding," he assured her, pouring on the charm.  He allowed his face to relax into a lazy grin, a "nothing's wrong in the whole wide world, darlin'" sort of smile that immediately put people at ease.  He'd learned it from watching Billy, and it was way too effective.  Also, it was far too easy to slip into.' (p181)

My heart broke for Jazz, for all he's had to go through and for his self-awareness - the double life he leads trying NOT to be a killer.  Connie and Howie are true friends, who know Jazz's background and accept him for what he is, not what he might become - a copy of his father.  It is a novel about acceptance - acceptance of colour, background and disabilities - and does not make assumptions.

Lyga has a wonderful way of describing people and events that is a little bit out of the ordinary, but gets right to the heart of the matter:

'He checked her pulse.  She was fine.  She would sleep soundly for hours.  He easily gathered her in his arms; Gramma was made up of skin and bones and hate and crazy - and hate and crazy don't weigh anything.' (p183)

In spite of the above, or because of it, I Hunt Killers is primarily a roller-coaster thrill ride that will have your heart pounding as you try to solve the mystery.  Who is the killer?  And just when you think you've got it all sorted out, think again, Lyga throws in a twist that will have your heart pounding all over again.  An exciting, unusual thriller that will have you begging for more!