Review: The Naturals

Title:     The Naturals
Author:   Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Rating:   ★★★★1/2

Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. I couldn't say it enough. I am so blown away by the twists around and around The Naturals. Going in, I felt like I wasn't reading a YA book geared for teenagers due to the quite detailed content, but I cannot put it down anyway, despite the onslaught of gruesome images I rather wouldn't have in my head. But it was worth it. The Naturals proved to set itself apart from the usual murder whodunit books. And I, a lover of mystery, crime, suspense books, loved every page.

Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But, it's not a skill that she's ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they've begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn't realize is that there's more at risk than a few unsolved homicides - especially when she's sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms close. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

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At the start, I felt like I was reading a James Patterson book, and that the Naturals - Cassie, Lia, Dean, and Michael - was like Patrick Jane of The Mentalist combined. And to be sure, I was amused because I was thinking why is this book like a teenage, female version of my beloved Patrick Jane? But after a couple of chapters, I started to lose The Mentalist imagery and was sucked into The Naturals' world.

The interspersed chapters simply entitled YOU was definitely chilling. It was crazy having an insight into a killer's mind like that, and knowing how he thinks and not being able to say look out!!! I love me a good mystery story, and I am so thrilled that I wasn't able to guess the killer at all. Being able to guess the criminal, after all, takes out the excitement and just makes me bored for the ending.

I wasn't able to relate much to Cassie but I did like reading about her. I mean, really, I wouldn't wanna be in her shoes at all. Except maybe for the really cute guys part. But I was amused with her penchant for profiling people, and Michael's response to that - as being put in a box. Don't we all do that? Look at people when you're out and about, looking if they're single or gay (for guys) or happy or successful. I was amused and, while I don't think that was part of the book's intention, it made me reflect about my attitude of putting people 'in a box.'

Aside from Cassie, the other characters were equally interesting. We've already decoded, Dean, and partly Michael, so my curiosity about them has abated - for now. Adding to the fray and bringing with them a sort of comic relief is Lia and Sloane. I have a huge feeling that Lia has a really nasty background and at some point, I'm going to feel pity for her - but she would hate me for feeling that way. Oops, there I go again, thinking the characters in the books are real.

The cover of the book didn't hold much meaning for me, until I read the book. After that, it makes oh-so-perfect sense and I feel that it's apt. Cool.

The Naturals had several heart-stopping scenes, from the electrifying kisses, the oh-my-god-Michael-no moments, to the confrontation. And I was glad to be on for the ride.

And with that, I leave you with this: What happened to Agent Briggs?