I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

 

Goodreads synopsis: What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

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?

My rating: 3 stars.

Content warnings: R. Graphic violence, discussion of rape, and a scattered obsession with sex.

Thoughts: It took me longer than I expected it to before I was really invested in this book, and that was slightly disappointing. For the first several chapters, it seemed like a standard, teen crime fare, and the truth of Jazz's upbringing didn't seem to affect him much, like it really should have. But eventually that did come around, and the rest of it was good enough I can forgive this book the slow start because it did get to somewhere worthwhile.

I did also keep opening this book up and expecting it to be in first person narration. The fact that it was in third was somewhat jarring most of the way through. And that comes from someone who usually doesn't notice if a book is in first or third, so I'm not sure why that is. But maybe because I originally accused the book of being an "I Am Not A Serial Killer" knockoff (I take that back (somewhat)) but for whatever reason, it felt odd to have this book be in third person and not first. But it doesn't really change much once you get past it.

The surrounding characters though were what made the book great. Connie, and especially Howie and his fantastic personality. I do have a lot of appreciation for how an aspect of Connie's character was handled in the book too. I noticed something about her from the beginning that stuck in the back of my mind, and made me wonder about it in relation to Jazz's upbringing. I didn't expect the book to be aware enough to realize or comment on it, but near the end there was a moment when Jazz admits to himself the thing that I had been wondering about for the entire book. And the book being that aware of its characters and what it was doing there really impressed me with how the writer knew and chose to handle it.

It wasn't entirely a surprising ending, but for what it was doing, I don't think it needed to be. The focus was more on Jazz and his coming to terms with himself and what his past was, as well as what his future could be, not necessarily the mystery itself. So the killer served their purpose and didn't detract from that, but at some times even played into those self discoveries too.

(spoilers below)

But in the end, I think the story worked against itself in a way I can't really get behind. The line between glorifying killers and having a killer in your story as a force of evil to be fought against should be pretty clear. Admittedly it gets murkier when a killer is the main character's father. But there still should be a line.

And there was. Jazz even went so far as to meet his father, and managed to out think the man in the meeting while searching for answers about the killer. But then. Oh dear, but then.

I think having Jazz's father escape went a little too far. The book tried to make it look dire, like eventually Jazz would have to face his own father outside of the safety of a prison, and bring the man down. I can truly understand why it might have been done, and how it could have been seen as raising the stakes for the sequel that would obviously happen. But it didn't feel right to me. In the end, that's not how it came across, and it was giving the book world's worst killer an out, and more or less a free pass to continue committing gristly crimes for the sake of "story." There are plenty of ways the stakes could have been raised, Jazz could have continued with his newfound purpose and he could continue to fight against what his father wanted and wanted him to be. Unfortunately, that's not how it came out, and it makes me uncomfortable to think about the sequels with that element now added.

All in all it was enjoyable to read. But it had enough flaws, especially in the way the ending theme was presented, that I'm not sure I feel like looking into the sequels just yet.

Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton

 

Goodreads synopsis: Fans of More Happy Than Not, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and It's Kind of a Funny Story will cheer for Adam in this uplifting and surprisingly funny story of a boy living with schizophrenia.

When you can't trust your mind, trust your heart.

Adam is a pretty regular teen--he's just navigating high school life while living with paranoid schizophrenia. His hallucinations include a cast of characters that range from the good (beautiful Rebecca) to the bad (angry Mob Boss) to the just plain weird (polite naked guy).

An experimental drug promises to help him hide his illness from the world. When Adam meets Maya, a fiercely intelligent girl, he desperately wants to be the normal, great guy that she thinks he is. But as the miracle drug begins to fail, how long can he keep this secret from the girl of his dreams?

My rating: 4 stars.

Content warnings: R. A good amount of cursing, and a very sex heavy/sexually natured subplot.

(spoilers ahead)

Thoughts: I didn't expect this book to actually make me emotional, but here we are.

There were things I didn't like about the book. Especially the focus on sex right around the middle of the story, and the almost constant mentions of something related to sex for a bit. And before and after that it was still not an uncommon subject to be brought up, which didn't really add anything to the story, nor did it make it more enjoyable.

But what the book did do well, it seemed to do really well. I'm not going to comment on how accurately it portrayed schizophrenia. It's not my area of expertise, and there was nothing in the book that with my very basic knowledge of the disorder seemed to me to be blatantly wrong. And that being my biggest concern about the book, it was a relief that it seemed like any mistakes made were "good faith" mistakes, and the author did put a good amount of time and research into it before writing a character with it. It didn't seem that she romanticized the disorder, like I was also afraid she would, but presented it with all its pain and hurt, but not in a hopeless way either.

Though even with that, this story's strengths came in places I didn't expect them to. I found it odd that the book was first published in 2017, but the entry dates were back in 2012. Normally when a contemporary book is dated, unless it's expressly written around a certain event, the dates are very close to those of its publication. But then the story mentioned the Sandy Hook tragedy, and it started to make sense. It's not a book about Sandy Hook. It only mentions it for five chapters, if that even. But those chapters are powerful, in their challenging of how neurotypical people look at, and treat events like mass shootings. And how our reaction can make those suffering with mental illnesses feel even more unsafe than their mind already does. It's definitely something I felt deserved more thought, and it deserves to be reevaluated in our society as well.

And my favorite parts of the book were things I haven't exactly seen done very well before. Adam's family and therapist. The unnamed, mostly silent therapist is an ever present figure through the whole book (the format is written as letters to the therapist because Adam doesn't want to talk to him) and even if the POV character is silent and resentful about him, it was easy for me to tell that the therapist was actually very skilled, competent, and patient with his job. By the end, Adam accepts that he does need the man's help, and very slowly begins to open up and let himself receive more help than he had before. We don't see the ultimate conclusion to this, but we see the very beginning, and it's enough to know that it will happen, perhaps slowly but that's okay.

Adam's family is off the top of my head, my favorite YA family so far. Everyone struggles, just as Adam does, but they don't let it get in their way of being a loving, supportive, healthy family for the main character. What got me to tear up though was near the end, Adam's normally somewhat distant stepfather shows how he truly feels in a moment that's filled with love and care. Being used to seeing family presented as something to be gotten away from as much and as soon as possible in other YA books, the time and attention dedicated to Adam's family blew me away and made me a lot more forgiving toward some of the book's other flaws.

Overall I would call it a good book. But unfortunately not one I feel like I can suggest to most people, due to the graphic and repeated nature of the sexual subplot. However if you're willing to skip or look over that, and it's an area of interest for you, it probably would be worth reading.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

 

Goodreads synopsis: Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama.

My rating: 5 stars.

Content warnings: PG. Some cartoon blood, brief mentions of kissing. Those sensitive to dental issues beware.

Thoughts: And I thought my tales of dental woe were bad.

This was my first actual graphic novel, but it was a really good one to start with. The story was equal parts funny, sweet, and relatable, especially as someone who has experienced some dental mishaps of my own. But the story isn't just about what's going on in Raina's mouth, there's the pain and confusion that comes with growing up, the difficulty of letting bad friends go, and the struggles of trying to fit in when you don't feel "good enough."

The ending was so much better than I could have hoped, and the joy and hope it inspires is an important message for any young adult who feels like they don't belong or fit in.

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

 

Goodreads synopsis: The enchantment continues....

The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?

With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

--
The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.
Glitches: In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch….
The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.
Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.
The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit.
After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.
The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a game called The Princess
The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.
Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century...

My rating: 3 stars.

Content warnings: PG-13. Some violence, and kissing.

Thoughts: For the most part it was decent if generally assumed and could have been left better unsaid, one was a neat addition to have, a couple seemed confusing and pointless. And of course, I hated every single mention of Thorne in any way. I could go on a rant, but a few lines in the last story really drove home how gross and possibly manipulative he really is, and how unhealthy his relationship with Cress is. But I won't do that here.

It can be an interesting, if mostly unnecessary addition to the Lunar Chronicles as a whole, but there are certainly worse reads out there, and a couple of them were pretty sweet to read.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Goodreads synopsis: A celebration of nonconformity; a tense, emotional tale about the fleeting, cruel nature of popularity--and the thrill and inspiration of first love. Ages 12+

Leo Borlock follows the unspoken rule at Mica Area High School: don't stand out--under any circumstances! Then Stargirl arrives at Mica High and everything changes--for Leo and for the entire school. After 15 years of home schooling, Stargirl bursts into tenth grade in an explosion of color and a clatter of ukulele music, enchanting the Mica student body.

But the delicate scales of popularity suddenly shift, and Stargirl is shunned for everything that makes her different. Somewhere in the midst of Stargirl's arrival and rise and fall, normal Leo Borlock has tumbled into love with her.

In a celebration of nonconformity, Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the fleeting, cruel nature of popularity--and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

My rating: 2 stars.

Content warnings: PG. Some kissing, and brief danger to a beloved pet.

(spoilers ahead)

Thoughts: I think Spinelli meant well with this story. I'd like to think he did at least. But from the very  beginning, the story of Stargirl is wild, rather unbelievable, and sort of painful to read. And that's before I realized it turned into one of the worst examples of a manic pixie dream girl I've read yet.

The synopsis calls it a celebration of nonconformity, but the ending doesn't really justify that. Nothing changes when Stargirl becomes "normal" and she's even celebrated for changing herself that much. It just felt disingenuous to what should have been the message of the story, and the two main characters dating really did not help that point at all either.

It could have been good, but I spent the entire time thinking about how it could have actually been good, so that's the best I can give it. 

Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle

Goodreads synopsis: "I am confiding this manuscript to space, not with the intention of saving myself, but to help, perhaps, to avert the appalling scourge that is menacing the human race. Lord have pity on us!"

With these words, Pierre Boulle hurtles the reader onto the Planet of the Apes. In this simian world, civilization is turned upside down: apes are men and men are apes; apes rule and men run wild; apes think, speak, produce, wear clothes, and men are speechless, naked, exhibited at fairs, used for biological research. On the planet of the apes, man, having reached to apotheosis of his genius, has become inert.

To this planet come a journalist and a scientist. The scientist is put into a zoo, the journalist into a laboratory. Only the journalist retains the spiritual strength and creative intelligence to try to save himself, to fight the appalling scourge, to remain a man.

Out of this situation, Pierre Boulle has woven a tale as harrowing, bizarre, and meaningful as any in the brilliant roster of this master storyteller. With his cutomary wit, irony, and disciplined intellect and style, the author of The Bridge Over the River Kwai tells a swiftly moving story dealing with man's conflicts, and takes the reader into a suspenseful and strangely fascinating orbit.

My rating: 3 stars.

Content warnings: PG-13. Brief, bloody violence, nudity both sexual and non sexual, a possible rape undertone, thematic elements. 

Thoughts: I honestly would really have enjoyed this except for Nova. But I don't know if I've ever seen a female character so degraded in a story, where the intent was to play it off as a romantic thing. A friend of mine did posit the idea that perhaps Boulle was trying to make a statement by it, and if that was the case it would make it slightly less utterly disgusting. However, on a face value reading, I honestly doubt that was the point of that subplot, and I actually felt gross any time that subplot was brought up in any way.

Beyond that the story was interesting and entertaining. And definitely thought provoking about the use of test animals in science, even if I don't necessarily agree with the conclusion. The main character was an unlikable ass, and painfully arrogant, but it's telling of the genre and time it was written in. 

I honestly wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but it is a quick read and a cultural staple, so from that standpoint it was probably worth the read.