Killer Instinct by S.E. Green Pages: 288
Published by Simon and Schuster, Simon Pulse on May 6, 2014
Genres: Mysteries & Detective Stories, Thrillers & Suspense, Young Adult
Source: Finished Copy from Publisher
Lane is a typical teenager. Loving family. Good grades. After-school job at the local animal hospital. Martial arts enthusiast. But her secret obsession is studying serial killers. She understands them, knows what makes them tick.
Why?
Because she might be one herself.
Lane channels her dark impulses by hunting criminals and delivering justice when the law fails. The vigilantism stops shy of murder, but with each visceral rush, the line of self-control blurs. And when a young preschool teacher goes missing—and returns in pieces—Lane gets a little too excited about tracking down “the Decapitator,” the vicious serial murderer who has come to her hometown.
As she gets dangerously caught up in a web of lies about her own past, Lane realizes she is no longer invisible or safe. Especially after the Decapitator contacts her directly. Now she needs to use her unique talents to find the true killer’s identity before she—or someone she loves—becomes the next victim…
Killer Instinct is the first book in the young adult series by the same name. And right off the bat, I have to say that I love the new covers for the series so, so much. I think they are much cooler looking than the old covers, and I think they fit with the story. Killer Instinct is about a girl that is fascinated with serial killers. And not only is she fascinated with them and with the way their mind works, she thinks that she may fit the profile as one. Lane, the main character, kind of reminded me of the show Dexter. And like Dexter, she has a conscience. She doesn’t want to just go around killing people just for the heck of it. She wants to be a vigilante serial killer of sorts. Killing or torturing only criminals who she thinks deserve it. She is seeking revenge for their victims.
Which I thought was a cool concept in YA because it was different than so many books out there. But then there is a whole other level to the story. Soon a mystery unfolds and Lane finds herself right in the middle of it. I totally loved the whirlwind and crazy journey that Killer Instinct took me on. A serial killer has been on the loose for year, called the Decapitator. He kills victims always in the month of September, and this September he comes to Lane’s hometown and starts sending messages directly to her. On her hunt to find out who the Decapitator really is and what he wants with Lane, Lane finds herself learning more about the secrets of her past.
S.E. Green had me totally enthralled in the story. The writing was was great and made it so easy to become lost in the story. I loved Lane, even though she is a little creepy. (shh, don’t tell her I said that.) I loved how much she loves animals and her younger brother. She has feelings, even when she thinks she doesn’t, and her blooming something with Zach. Even though some parts of the plot seemed a bit too easy and convenient, I loved Killer Instinct and I totally did not see the ending coming. I thought it was crazy! I am really glad that I have the second book, Killer Within, because I need to start reading it ASAP. Fans of the tv show Dexter, and fans of YA looking for something dark, twisted, so wonderfully unique, and more than a little messed up, should check out the Killer Instinct series. The second book was released last month, so do what I am doing and read them back to back!
Come meet the #YA girl Dexter. @BookBriefs #Reviews Killer Instinct by @SEGreenAuthor @simonteen #pulseit Click To Tweet
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
kindlemom1
Okay love the premises of this! Sounds like Criminal Minds and Dexter rolled into one! I think I need to read this!
Megan McDade
This sounds so good. It isn’t something I have seen YA before. I am really intrigued by lane and freaked at the same time LOL great review.
Samantha @ Forest of Words and Pages
Glad to hear you liked this! I’ve been back and forth over trying it or not, but your review makes it sound so cool.
czai
thriller. serial killer. this sounds like my type of read. I really hate myself for missing the free read over at PulseIt… Great review! I’m definitely getting myself a copy of this! 🙂
jazmen
I really like the sound of this book and I love the creepy cover. I haven’t read a YA book in this vein that is compelling but reading this review, makes me hopeful!
sherry fundin
I love it. Gimme gimme. 🙂
Lekeisha
That cover is creepy, as in cool creepy. Definitely my type of read as I love a good YA mystery.
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
Wow is that cover creepy!! I don’t know if this is a read for me but it does sound good!!
Elizabeth Stacy
Cover is creepy but I really would love to read this book sound so intriguing I love good mystery. Thank you for sharing this book cover general book review on here.
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight
This is so creepy, and I kind of love it! I mean, the cover itself is wonderfully eerie, but the plot sounds amazing too. The decapitator, though? My goodness, that is horrible! You have piqued my interest for sure, I am going to have to check this one out! Fabulous review 🙂
Laura Thomas
It’s all about the thrills. I love these kind of stories and read a bunch of them. Love the television shows and movies too. Can’t seem to get enough. LOL
Olivia Roach
Sounds like in this one the reader is really brought along the story here! I love the idea of Lane being interested in something so absurd as serial killers and then winding up in the middle of a mystery herself. I can see this being an exciting read and one I want to try myself eventually as well!