Returning to The Naturals series with Killer Instinct was like diving back into a world of psychological intrigue, gripping suspense, and unforgettable characters. I first discovered The Naturals in October 2020 and was captivated by the concept of a group of gifted teenagers working alongside the FBI to solve crimes. Life and new books got in the way, but now, with Books #2 and #3 waiting on my shelf, it was time to revisit this thrilling world.

In Killer Instinct, seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes continues her work in the elite FBI program for teens with exceptional crime-solving abilities. After the harrowing events of the first book, she’s hoping for a quieter experience, focusing on cold cases rather than facing active threats. However, danger has other plans. A brutal new serial killer emerges, mirroring the methods of Dean’s incarcerated father—a connection that shakes the team to its core.

The stakes in this sequel feel higher than ever. The Naturals must delve into a murderer’s mind, facing dark truths that test their abilities and relationships. The emotional weight of Dean’s past and the implications of the copycat killings add layers of complexity, making this more than just a whodunit. It’s a deep dive into trauma, manipulation, and survival.

While Cassie remains the central focus, Killer Instinct allows more insight into the lives of the other Naturals, particularly Dean. His internal struggle with his father’s crimes makes him one of the most compelling characters in the book. I also appreciated glimpses into Lia, Michael, and Sloane’s backgrounds, hinting at secrets I hope will be explored further in later installments.

Overall, Killer Instinct is a fantastic sequel that deepens the mystery and strengthens the emotional ties between the characters. If you loved The Naturals, this book will not disappoint. Now, I’m eager to continue with Book #3 and uncover more of the secrets lurking in the shadows.

While I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first one as the mystery felt rushed. I do fee like we got to know the characters a little better.

I unfortunately was not able to read this book. I was excited when ever I had chosen to download or pick this book up on Netgalley. However, time moves by so quickly and I never got to read it.

The Naturals was so nearly brilliant. It was smart, original, exciting but there were a couple of things that made me mark it down a star which was a real shame.

I have never really seen anything like The Naturals in YA before it was very dark but I really liked that side of it. Jennifer Lynn Barnes is not afraid to take this book to some gruesome and dark places and I commend her for it. This is a book about serial killers and it doesn’t take the subject lightly. I really liked the idea, it reminded me a lot of Criminal Minds which is not a surprise considering they are both about criminal profiling but despite the similarities it still manages to be original and different.

At first I wasn’t sure if it was going to work. The whole idea of teens being hired by the FBI because they are naturally gifted in profiling, statistics, lie detecting and reading emotions seemed a little to bizarre but the author handles it really well and in the end it worked for me.

There is not much action in this but the story is paced nicely and is more thriller than anything else. I liked the cat and mouse game towards the end and loved it when this went somewhere I didn’t expect at all. I love it when there is a twist that I never saw coming and The Naturals really managed to surprise me.

The characters could have been a bit more dynamic. There was a range of personalities but they tended to stay in the typical YA stereotypes. There were two boys) the cheeky one and the brooding one) and three girls (the smart one, the bitchy one, the quirky one) there was nothing new with the characters and they could have walked out of any other book. Unfortunately, the main character Cassie is the least interesting of the bunch she had an interesting past but lacked any real personality.

My main issue with this book was the unneeded love triangle. I felt like it added absolutely nothing to what was an exciting and interesting storyline. It felt really gratuitous and did nothing for me. I am not like some readers who hate the love triangle but it has to be done well for the right reasons and I felt that this one was forced and not natural. I thought that this would have had a lot more depth if the romance had just focused on Cassie and Dean. Dean is an interesting character with a lot of complexities and the interaction between them was great. Michael was a good character but I didn’t like him as a love interest especially as he already has an on again, off again with another one of the characters which makes this more of a love square than anything.

If there was no love triangle this book would have easily got four stars from me and I really wish I could give it those four stars but I cannot. Despite the love triangle there is a lot of good things to be found here, I thought this was a gutsy book with a lot to recommend it. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.

Killer Instinct is the second book in Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Naturals series which basically follows a group of teens who are naturals at solving crimes. In this book, a murder has happened in connection with Dean’s father who is in prison. Meanwhile, Cassie is trying to decide who she likes more – Dean or Michael. Also at the same time, the Naturals program is getting oversight from a new agent, Veronica Sterling. It almost feels as though the walls are closing in on Cassie.

Still, she does what she must with the help of the others – Lia, Michael, Sloane, and Dean to solve the latest series of murders. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book. I have been putting it off FOR years. However, with this renewed dedication to clear my Netgalley queue, I decided to get to Killer Instinct FINALLY. Also, I feel like these books could have a resurgence now. It might just be me, but I feel like thrillers are everywhere these days.

Anyways, this book kind of feels slow paced. Like, it took me what felt like a long time to get through. Yet, by the end I was sucked in and excited to find out who the killer was. Maybe it is because that is when some major action happened, as well as character development for Cassie. Plus, a hint at romance. I think that readers who are into thrillers should definitely do a throwback and give this series a shot. They’re compelling and will draw you right in.

At this point, I actually think I am going to seek out the next book in the series (I own a copy of the final book) and actually finish it. I found Killer Instinct to be THAT compelling.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes can do no wrong in my book. Her writing is fast-paced and I'm love her approach to this series. I was sad to see it come to an end, but am looking forward to the next one.

This series is intense and not for the faint of heart. If you are a fan of serial killers and the thrill of finding the, then this is just right for you. The characters have many layers and the author is not quick about revealing those layers. A thrilling and roller coaster of a read!