The Naturals
Ratings119
Average rating3.8
Cassie Hobbes is not like most teenagers. Most teenagers don't lose their mother in a bloody, unsolved murder. Most teenagers can't tell who you are, where you're from and how you're likely to behave within moments of meeting you. And most teenagers don't get chosen to join The Naturals. Identified by the FBI as uniquely gifted, Cassie is recruited to an elite school where a small number of teens are trained to hone their exceptional abilites. For Cassie, trying to make friends with the girls, and to figure out the two very different, very hot boys, is challenging enough. But when a new serial killer strikes and Cassie is drawn into a lethal game of cat and mouse, she realises just how dangerous life in The Naturals could be.
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4 primary books5 released booksThe Naturals
The Naturals is a 5-book series with 4 primary works first released in 2013 with contributions by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
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It was an enjoyable book to read. It was written a while ago and has lots of those tropes I don't enjoy that were popular at the time. Like two boys who are in love with the same girl. I had a hard time differentiating between them as well. Only Sloane was really different from the other characters, the rest were very much the same to me.
I did like reading it and it really wasn't a long book but it just felt like there was no substance.
3.8/5
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a captivating YA mystery novel that seamlessly blends thrilling suspense with a touch of the superhuman. This book really had me constantly flipping through the pages because of its fast pacing and engaging story.
The diversity represented within the group of characters is refreshingly modern and relatable. Hailing from various ethnic backgrounds and walks of life, they feel like real teenagers you might encounter rather than book characters. Their differing personalities and abilities not only make for an engaging dynamic but also provide an X-Men-esque vibe that adds a layer of intrigue.
While I enjoyed central plot, I could have done without the romantic love triangle subplot. These clichéd romantic entanglements often feel like forced distractions in an otherwise tightly woven mystery narrative. Thankfully, Barnes more than made up for it with bone-chilling interludes told from the UNSUB's perspective. These disturbing glimpses into a psycho upped the tension and made me dread the fate of Cassie each turn of the page.
Speaking of dread, the ending completely blindsided me. Just when I thought I had all the clues pieced together, Barnes pulled the rug out from under me with a jaw-dropping revelation that reframed everything. However, it also felt a tad rushed and anticlimactic, and it still left me desperate to dive into the next book and hopefully I could unravel the unanswered questions that lingers in my mind.
Do note that The Naturals doesn't shy away from mature subject matter. There are graphic depictions of torture, murder, and other violent crimes, which some readers may too disturbing or triggering. However, for fans of gritty crime media like Criminal Minds or the CSI, you'll surely have an exhilarating experience going into this book.
Overall, this is a must-read for anyone seeking an electrifying take on the YA mystery thriller genre. Just like me, you'll find yourself wanting to reach for the second book as soon as possible.
