REVIEW: I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells (John Cleaver #1)

My Ratings:

5/5 stars
PG-16: Disturbing content and images; some violence; thematic elements involving serial killers; recommend for mature audience.

My Review:
Ain't gonna lie. I Am Not A Serial Killer is on the dark side. It's macabre and morbid; I now know more about the embalming process than I ever knew I didn't want to know (closed casket funeral for me, thanks); it slams you front and center into the mind of a sociopath and, well,

It's absolutely fantastic.

I don't do horror. I don't do slashers and I really don't like scary stories -Alfred Hitchcock thrillers or Shyamalan's The Village is about how high I go on the intensity scale, but Wells has created something compelling and significant here that I could not put down. I started reading at 10pm and didn't let go til I finished around 5am. More impressive, I slept like a baby afterwards. No nightmares here, thanks! I'll, uh, let you decide for yourself how that rates me on your Disturbed scale after you read what is, as far as I'm concerned, a narrative masterpiece.

You want character driven stories?
THIS IS A CHARACTER DRIVEN STORY!

You want amazing character depth and first-rate point of view?
THIS HAS AMAZING CHARACTER DEPTH AND FIRST-RATE POINT OF VIEW.

These are two major traits that will get a book a permanent place in my heart, and I Am Not A Serial Killer has both in spades. I don't even know where to begin.

My Review -The Video!

John Wayne Cleaver is a sociopath. He can't empathize; he doesn't understand emotions; he doesn't experience emotions on a normal level. Worse than that, he possesses several key predictors of serial killers. He knows he possesses the predictors of serial killers and fears that fate for his future. But the skill of Dan Wells' pen is evident because of HOW EASILY I was able to relate to, understand, and empathize with John. He is portrayed expertly as a sympathetic teenager fighting against a horrific burden -a burden that happens to be a desire to cut people open and examine their guts. And I cared about him. I understood. Even if I couldn't relate personally, I understood John.

You have to understand and recognize what a truly masterful job Wells has wrought in creating this character! I still can't get over the fact I not only finished this book about a serial-killer-obsessed, sociopath teen -I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series.

I was enraptured. And, yeah, okay, maybe slightly disturbed by that fact.

I'm intentionally not going into the plot for fear of spoilers; I went into this knowing very little, and I think that's the best way to experience it, and so that is my gift to you. But just so we're clear? As much as I'm raving about the amazing character and narration, the plot is just as deserving of praise. There are really no disappointing qualities here.

I Am Not A Serial Killer is also funny -albeit in a twisted, morbid kind of way. (Am I showing too much of my dark side?)

Bonus? The book doesn't have any swearing or smut and -even when dealing with the grisly events- the descriptions are more straight forward than slasher/gory.

This story is unique, raw, challenging, and beautifully written. Wells manages a good balance between John's own removed emotions toward the terrible deaths and the gravity and reverence with which the other characters treat them to still make it respectable. And he uses this contrast as a building block for both John's character depth and development!

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I PROCLAIMED MY LOVE OF ALL THINGS CHARACTER? Do you need another reason to give this a try?

Speaking of, it's time to introduce my...

Don't be alarmed. This is a new thing. I'm taking it out for a test drive.

John Wayne Cleaver definitely takes home gold in the Most Interesting Character category, but my favorite is Dr. Ben Neblin. He almost wins hands down for this quote alone:

"You are always in control of your own destiny, and you are always the one who makes your own choices -no one else."

Truer words were never spoken, and when you're dealing with material as heavy and real as this does, it's important -nay, vital- to make such a blatant and brutal distinction as to who must stand responsible for the reprehensible actions not only in this story, but in the reality beyond it.

I did waffle back and forth on whether to rate this four or five stars due to the mature content but I realized I had no qualms about this book outside of the question of age range. Plus, I really, really loved it. Therefore -for mature and responsible audiences- this gets a whopping 5 out of 5 stars.

Are you intrigued yet?

REVIEW: The Prince of Korin by Melody J. Bremen

Prince Endomer of Korin is not a hero. Nor does he want to be one.

He spends his days in the royal library, poring over old manuscripts, studying archaic languages and playing chess. He’s never been like Krollis, his fearless twin brother, who is an expert swordsman and hunts wild beasts in the forests.

When an army of vizzens, the fearsome old enemy of Korin, attacks from the east and Krollis disappears, Endomer is left in charge of the country. He struggles to find a way to save his people while his soldiers are dying and his citizens are forced to flee. As he fights to gain the respect of the palace court, he discovers a threat coming from within the palace walls. There is no one he can trust.

He isn’t only fighting for his country – he’s fighting for his life.

Fans of Megan Whalen Turner and Jennifer A. Nielsen will enjoy this story of political intrigue and betrayal.

via Goodreads

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. And boy I'm glad I did!

The Prince of Korin hit that wonderful sweet spot of being exactly the book I wanted at exactly the right time and I love everything about it.

Bremen's tale opens on twin princes, brothers who are polar opposites -and neither know which is to be heir to the throne until their fast-approaching fifteenth birthday. Instead of going the route of rivalry and discord, bookworm Endomer and adrenaline-junkie Krollis have become estranged by their vastly different interests and personalities -a route that, in Bremen's favor, was probably not as easy to write and far, far more interesting to read about.

There's not a drop of sorcery in this tale, but it turns out Bremen didn't need any magic but her own words to tell it. Reminiscent of the master Gail Carson Levine, Bremen spins her tale of fantasy politics, intrigue, treachery, murder, and the rise of an ancient powerful enemy from the eyes of Endomer, a woefully unprepared bookworm of a prince, clever if a little naive, thrust suddenly under the burden of it all.

An easy and enjoyable read for its fast pace and almost effortless flow, The Prince of Korin is a character-driven story with a perfect balance of mystery, action, and intrigue. As the threat of war tears across the country, Endomer is expected to lead his people through the crisis, to either live up to or break under expectations.

Our view is an intimate one as he struggles to find his place, battle his own self-doubt, earn the respect of the court, and -perhaps my favorite of all- find a way to connect with his brother. Their relationship grows and blossoms as they come to understand one another for the first time, to appreciate the others obvious and not so obvious strengths and weaknesses -and not at all in the way you'd expect.

While not unpredictable, The Prince of Korin is still immensely enjoyable and kept me up into the wee hours of the morning.

I'm still trying to decide whether my favorite character is Endomer -bookworm power!- or the intimidating bodyguard Baclen, for his gruffness, tough love, and irreverent sense of humor. As a pair, at least, they're impossible not to love!

"You'll be fine," Baclen said.
I shook my head. "I can't even get on a horse without someone helping me."

"I'll help you get on your horse."

Somehow, I could still smile. "That's reassuring."