The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Posted 28 October, 2013 by Danny in Blog, Book Review, Heather / 12 Comments

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn BarnesThe Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Series: The Naturals #1
Published by Disney Hyperion on November 5th 2013
Genres: Mystery and Suspense, Paranormal, Thriller, Young Adult
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
4.5 Stars

Seventeen-year-old 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.

Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. 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

I’m a big fan if Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Her “Raised by Wolves” series managed to grab me even though I wasn’t a werewolf  fan and I absolutely loved “Every Other Day”. “The Naturals” sounds fantastic and comes right into a time where everyone seeks for these kind of X-Men like stories..

Being a Natural meets what? Being naturally supernaturally gifted!

Cassie always knew she was different, she was able to judge people character and intentions super easy. for her, it feels naturally, yet is has a definite supernatural touch, with kids being able to use their mind in ways other people could not imagine. Now, the FBI is about to gather these kids and help to train them instead of leaving them fighting their life and ability on their own.

This is how Cassie ended up in a home with 4 other kids who are talented like Cassie, each having a slightly different ability.

A Murder on the loose and some kids out to catch him!

Even though the FBI is trying to keep the kids out of actual cases, they cannot restrain out bunch of kids completely and soon they were all determined to catch a vicious serial killer! The whole murder part was thrilling and eerie! Especially since each chapter begins with little glimpse into the murders head. It’s both disturbing, unsettling and fascinating and added a cutting edge to the whole story!

A colorful Cast of Characters!

I loved the bunch of kids and I especially loved the variety of characters Jennifer Lynn Barnes introduced here! Each of the kids had a different talent and a different background which made them all fascinating, interesting and a colourful mash-up. As we get the story told from Cassie’s POV , we feel especially close to her. But, she’s a great character! She’s fierce, determined, kick ass and strong – yet has a girlish vulnerability when it comes to the boys that made her wonderfully genuine!

Wonderful sweet genuine Romance!

Let’s start with Dean who is by far my favourite character among the bunch. He’s the mysterious, vulnerable, tortured kind of boy who is silent, so when he does speak up we do listen even more carefully! Dean is also a major kick ass boy, who’s strong and level-headed when we need him to be! Especially the aura of mystery surrounding Dean was one of the most fascinating aspects of the book.

I loved the chemistry and slow (very slow) developing romance between Cassie and Dean! There was no denying the tension between them and both felt and feared that there was indeed something honest between them. Yet, each of them had a hard time trusting the other with their feelings (awwwwee). Even more, they are bound to work with each other which created a wonderful and interesting dynamic between them. They had to figure out how to work with each other, trust each other and learn that they complement each other!

There is a small Love Triangle, but it was done nearly perfect in my opinion! It was the usual choice, between the Good Boy and the other boy, the one who will make you swoon and excite with his kiss! The Love Triangle was carefully played and I truly liked it!

Bewitched Rating

Rating 4.5

Bottom Line

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes was a thrilling and exciting story about psychic kids who are out to catch a murder! There were lots of mysteries that kept the plot moving and never left room to be bored! I wholeheartedly loved and enjoyed the book and I am eager to read more from them!

 

 mysterythriller  

Additional Info

So far, no sequel info is out yet. But I’ve come to anticipate this from Disney. It seems like they just want to see how a book goes before deciding on a sequel. Makes sense – but also leaves me a little hanging as I’d love to see “The Naturals” being made into a series! Jennifer Lynn Barnes says on her website that there is going to be a next book – but I trust this when I see it announced:)
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Danny

Obsessive Reader by Night - Scientist at Day! You can also find me on goodreads. I'd love to get to know you so, don't be shy and say Hello!

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12 Responses to “The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes”

  7. Jenny @ Supernatural Snark

    “He’s the mysterious, vulnerable, tortured kind of boy who is silent, so when he does speak up we do listen even more carefully!”

    And that’s all I really need to know about this book Danny! I’m not super excited about the love triangle you mention as I’m already solidly in Dean’s camp, but it clearly didn’t bother you all that much so I’m thinking I’ll be fine with it. My desire to meet dean trumps my wariness of the love triangle! Can’t wait to read this:):):):):)

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