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.

Killer Instinct (Naturals #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

A witty, suspenseful story that will keep you turning pages no matter what else needs to be done.  Cassie is an excellent narrator, giving readers an idea what it's really like to get inside the mind of a crazed killer.  The rest of the cast is just as good, even though the first-person narration prevents you from really knowing them.  Each person is unique and easy to relate to, making this a group you'll want to join for more than one book.

I missed the first book in this series, but Barnes is a great writer with unforeseen plot twists.  Although this is the second book in the series, it didn't lag anywhere as others tend to do.  I really enjoyed Killer Instinct, and I look forward to reading more mysteries involving this group of characters in future books.

Killer Instinct (Naturals #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: 4 out of 5 stars.

I am the Mission by Allen Zadoff

Once again we join the nameless assassin on an assignment to end a threat to the nation.  This time, though, he's left hanging by those he trusts the most.  They're not sure he's reliable any more, and he doesn't know if he should blindly follow every directive he's given. 

Zadoff has a talent for writing fast-paced thrillers that delve into politics, activism, and social order.  The most remarkable aspect of this talent lies in creating these awesome stories for the teen set.  I am the Mission is full of action and the reader is taken through every aspect of the adventure by someone who knows what it is to be a modern teen- even if he's partially faking it. 

 Daniel (at least, that's his name for this book) is an excellent narrator and protagonist, voicing doubts and concerns about the program and its leaders.  He is always keeping himself apart, yet finding himself pulled further into the intrigue. 

I am really looking forward to the next installment of the Unknown Assassin.  I'm not sure how Zadoff could possibly make it better than this book, but I do know that I don't want to miss it.

I am the Mission by Allen Zadoff: 5 out of 5 stars.