Friday, August 15, 2014

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

At seventeen, Jasper Dent has seen and heard more horrifying things than any person ever should.  As a result, he's an engaging narrator with a small but trustworthy group of friends (okay, two- his best friend and his girlfriend) who takes care of his grandmother because it's the right thing to do. 

G. William Tanner is also an excellent character.  He looks out for Jazz, trying to make sure someone listens to and understands Jazz.  He's a father-figure without being a father-figure.  He offers guidance and lectures aplenty, sure, but he also gives Jazz the benefit of the doubt, treating him as an equal due to his horrific past.  Jazz knows things a teenager never should, and G. William Tanner respects what he knows. 

This galley copy also includes an interview with Barry Lyga, conducted by Libba Bray, that I hope makes it into the finished version of the novel.  In one of the questions Lyga is presented with a question of the gore and violence in I Hunt Killers, and he is a little surprised about it.  I agree with his assessment that it's actually Jazz's memories of the things his father said and taught him how to do that are far more chilling than any of the murder scenes depicted.  Even though you know they're fake, they can haunt you after you've finished reading. 

I am really looking forward to Game, the sequel to I Hunt Killers

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga: 5 out of 5 stars.

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