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Blood of My Blood | September 24, 2014

by Barry Lyga (Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers, September 2014)

Two years, three books, and several novellas later, Barry Lyga brings his YA serial killer trilogy—which began with I Hunt Killers—to a close. If the words “serial killer trilogy” did not make it clear, this series has always been known for its dark subject matter and its willingness to push conventional YA limitations in protagonist Jasper Dent’s hunt for serial killers. Blood of My Blood, however, goes much further than previous entries, not only in the violence on display, but with the psychologically disturbing revelations; many of which were set up in the first book.

For the first time, Jasper Dent is on the wrong side of the law. In the fallout of the second book, Jasper is implicated in the murder of an FBI agent and doesn’t have time to explain himself as he chases bread crumbs in a mad trail left by his father, the most notorious serial killer in history. To explain any more of the story would be to spoil the many twists that stand between Jasper and the final showdown with his parent. As in previous books, Jaspers best friend Howie and girlfriend Connie both have their moments to shine and add a little light and normalcy to the otherwise dark proceedings. If you find yourself drawn to well-crafted villains and anti-heroes, to the Hannibal Lecters and Dexters of fiction, you owe it to yourself to get caught up on this series—possibly in a well lit room.

 

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