The Naturals Book Review
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes book review and recommendation with NO SPOILERS
Date: 1-04-25 Post Written By: MK Overall Rating: 8.9/10
Book Cover Rating: 8.2/10
(My personal opinion)
Title: The Naturals
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Pages: 308
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Subplots: Thriller, Romance
Series: The Naturals #1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
First Published: 2013
Number of Editions: 55
Goodreads Rating: 4.22/5
Number of Goodreads Ratings: 296,317
Amazon Rating: 4.4/5
Number of Amazon Ratings: 21,044
Common Sense Media Age Recommendation: 14+
Book Type: Standard
Hook: Cassie has always been able to ‘read’ people. She can look at someone and come to accurate conclusions about them, their lives, and their passions. It’s always been an interesting talent she has, nothing more. So, when she is contacted by an FBI agent, Cassie is shocked. She has no idea how they found her, or why they would even be interested. They call Cassie a ‘profiler’ and ask her to join them. Cassie agrees- with no idea of what is to come. She joins a highly secretive group of other teenagers- each with their own talent- called Naturals. Another ‘profiler’ like Cassie, someone who can read emotions, a human lie-detector, and a practical wikipedia. They are assigned closed cases, and the team works well together. Until, there is a new serial killer on the loose. The serial killer's danger is closer to home than any of them could ever guess.
Overall Book Rating: 8.9/10
I would obviously recommend this book
Review: I’m constantly hearing this book called the “YA criminal minds” and I thinks that’s an AMAZING description of this book. This book was well written and had a GRIPPING plot. ALSO, at the end, I was so surprised (but in a “wow I never expected that” way not a “no way, that makes no sense” way). The characters were entertaining and I LOVED not only the main character, but also the side characters. They all had a TON of unique and well built personality. The setting was pretty good too, but nothing I’m crazy excited over. I LOVED how the POV shifted to the murderer too!! It was such a unique way to write the book (it explained things just enough to be clear the killer is a psycho and give a few clues, but without giving away who they are). Overall, I really liked this book (ESPECIALLY the characters and plot), and really don’t have any complaints 😊.
Main Characters:
Cassandra Hobbes- Cassie is the main character of this book. She is seventeen. She’s a Profiler (she can basically look at someone and see the little things they do and decide things about them: job, family, personality, wants, interests). She is kind and truly wants to make people happy.
Dean Redding- Dean is eighteen, and is also a Profiler. He pretends he is the person he is profiling in order to truly understand them. He struggles to get close to people because he thinks he will hurt them.
Lia Zhang- Lia is seventeen. She is basically a human lie detector. She can also effortlessly lie, and often uses this to mask her real emotions. She also had a VERY rough childhood.
Michael Townsend- Michael is seventeen. He can read others’ emotions. Michael rarely (if ever) shares his true emotions. He is daring, and sometimes, stupid with his actions. He tends to purposefully rub people the wrong way, but in reality has a caring side as well.
Sloane Tavish- Sloane is sixteen. She’s basically a human wikipedia. She is constantly overflowing with facts, statistics, and data. She can also remember (almost) everything she sees and hears. She is really sweet, but sometimes insecure.
Character Rating: 10/10
Setting:
This book takes place just outside of Washington D.C. for the majority of book, but it starts in Colorado.
Setting Rating: 8.6/10
Support independent bookstores by buying on Bookshop: The Naturals
Or buy on Amazon: The Naturals
-
She often goes by Jen
She has written over 20 books
She has received degrees from both Cambridge and Yale.
When she was just 19, she became a published author
She has a dual appointment in Psychology and Professional Writing.
For more information, view Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s website: jenniferlynnbarnes.com
-
-
What did you think of this book??