Future Release: I Hunt Killers and Giveaway

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
Publication date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown

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

Let me start off by saying that I Hunt Killers is for a more mature YA audience. Little, Brown recommends it for 15 and up and I would have to agree. With that being said...

I really enjoyed it.

I was sucked in from the very first line:
By the time Jazz got to the field outside town, yellow police tape was everywhere, strung from stake to stake in a sort of drunken, off-kilter hexagon. -quote taken from the ARC

This is the first book in a series of I don't know how many, and there is a lot to set-up for the next book, but I was never bored while reading. The author places many red herrings throughout, so I was constantly guessing and going back and forth as to who the killer was. Lyga does a great job of keeping the reader invested in the story and invested in Jazz. I couldn't help but love him. Jazz, raised by a serial killer and groomed to be one himself, is in a constant struggle with who he is and who he will (or won't) become. The cast of secondary characters aren't as complex as Jazz (nor should they be!), but I found them just as entertaining. On a quick side-note, Jazz's girlfriend, Connie, is African-American and I would like to give kudos to Lyga for including an interracial couple in his novel. It's not something one sees much in YA. Now back to the review:

The book is about serial killers so it has its fair share of gore. Some of the descriptions of the murder victims  are very intense which, I believe, is where the 15 and up rating comes in. These scenes aren't the most disgusting ones I've ever read, but they're still pretty strong for a young adult novel so fair warning. Also, there is a lot of use of  cursing. If you are offended by this (I admit it was a bit too much cursing than I'm comfortable with), I leave it up to you to make your decision. I started the book not knowing that there are going to be more so as I got towards the end and realized it wasn't "ending," I rolled my eyes and heaved a sigh. Another book with a sequel. It's okay, though, because once I reached the end, I didn't mind it. For a cliffhanger, I actually really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one! I'm also looking forward to the television show it is currently being turned into. I'm curious as to how they'll adapt it...

I Hunt Killers isn't for everyone. I think it's for that special audience who is in love with Dexter (I, personally, can't handle that one!) and never misses an episode of Criminal Minds. If this sounds like you, I hope you pick it up in April and give it a read! If not, just know I think it's pretty great.

Please read my contest policy before entering!
This giveaway is US/Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway