The Naturals

We've all heard of Quantico, VA, the small town that is home to the FBI Academy, Laboratory, NCIS, and so on. What most of us don't know is that it's also home to a secret training ground for teenagers who are so intuitively good at profiling and other forensically-inclined psychological skills that they're described as “Natural.” Two FBI agents and one retired Marine run this program and house, using the teens to crack cold cases. Sharpening their skills in a safe environment, so that when the time is ripe, they'll be Super Agents.

The Naturals opens with Cassie – being raised by her grandmother while her father's off somewhere with the Armed Services. She's seventeen and can read people like a Richard Scarry book, which makes her a great small diner waitress. Until she's given the chance to join program and she jumps at it, becoming the fifth member of the team.

Cassie jumps into the training, and picks things up quickly. I really enjoyed reading those scenes – she and Dean, the other profiler, sound so much like Will Graham from NBC's Hannibal that I really got into it. Outside Quantico, things are afoot that will keep this from being all training and cold cases – and I bet, for those who survive, the next books will also pretty fresh cases, too.

Walking into a two-guy, two-gal house – and, apparently, being more attractive than she's aware – Cassie complicates things. Soon she's part of at least one Romantic Polygon. It's not too painful at the moment, but I could see it overtaking things in a book or two. It's marketed as YA, so it was likely anyway – still, you should know it's out there.

None of the characters – including Cassie – are much more than groupings of characteristics and tics at this point, but I'd be willing to guess that they could be within another book or two. For now, they're good enough for what the book is. It really is a fun read

A fast, fun read with just enough suspense to keep you moving, but not as much as you'd get in a Thomas Harris or Val McDermid psychological thriller – a great way to cut your teeth on the subgenre. I'll come back for more – and I'll pass it off to my daughter, who will likely eat it up.

My first audiobook ever! Are you guys proud of me?

I listened to most of this while I walked, finished it in a car trip yesterday. It was nice. Solid plot, some captivating characters, good ending. I don't think I'll be following Cassie through her other adventures, but I had fun listening to this one.

3.8/5

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a captivating YA mystery novel that seamlessly blends thrilling suspense with a touch of the superhuman. This book really had me constantly flipping through the pages because of its fast pacing and engaging story.

The diversity represented within the group of characters is refreshingly modern and relatable. Hailing from various ethnic backgrounds and walks of life, they feel like real teenagers you might encounter rather than book characters. Their differing personalities and abilities not only make for an engaging dynamic but also provide an X-Men-esque vibe that adds a layer of intrigue.

While I enjoyed central plot, I could have done without the romantic love triangle subplot. These clichéd romantic entanglements often feel like forced distractions in an otherwise tightly woven mystery narrative. Thankfully, Barnes more than made up for it with bone-chilling interludes told from the UNSUB's perspective. These disturbing glimpses into a psycho upped the tension and made me dread the fate of Cassie each turn of the page.

Speaking of dread, the ending completely blindsided me. Just when I thought I had all the clues pieced together, Barnes pulled the rug out from under me with a jaw-dropping revelation that reframed everything. However, it also felt a tad rushed and anticlimactic, and it still left me desperate to dive into the next book and hopefully I could unravel the unanswered questions that lingers in my mind.

Do note that The Naturals doesn't shy away from mature subject matter. There are graphic depictions of torture, murder, and other violent crimes, which some readers may too disturbing or triggering. However, for fans of gritty crime media like Criminal Minds or the CSI, you'll surely have an exhilarating experience going into this book.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone seeking an electrifying take on the YA mystery thriller genre. Just like me, you'll find yourself wanting to reach for the second book as soon as possible.