Jessica (HDB)

Okay friends, it's time. I've had plenty of time to sit back, think about a coherent way to say what I need to, and stop feeling utterly crushed. No spoilers, I promise. Just be prepared for a lot rambling.

Where do I begin? I'll tell you right now, when I started this journey I wasn't expecting to become so deeply immersed. I was simply excited about the prospect of reading something new. A book from the perspective of a notorious serial killer's son sounded intriguing and original. I wasn't expecting to fall so in love with Jasper. Wasn't prepared to become so involved in the story that the very well-being of these characters would actually cause me emotional pain. Looking back now, I don't know what I was hoping for from Barry Lyga. What I found though, was a trilogy that was destined to become one of my absolute favorites.

I started this with some trepidation. I was so gutted at the end of the last book. Blood of My Blood picks up precisely where I left off, and it's almost like I never stopped reading in the first place. All the nervous energy, anger and rage I felt at the end of the last book came back full force when I opened this to the first chapter. I was honestly anxious to see that these characters were safe. I wanted more of the their story, and at the same time I was terrified to see what awaited them. This book is very Billy Dent oriented. It's bloody, violent, and downright disturbing in places. If you thought the first two books were tough to stomach? This one might just set a new bar for that. Poor, poor Jasper.

As last books go, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about what Lyga has offered up to his readers. While this is a much darker book than the last two, it's no surprise. Lyga neatly lays out all the remaining cards on the table, sets up all the things we've known were coming around the bend, and then ties everything up with a black satin bow. I was on edge the whole read. Constantly having to keep myself from skimming ahead. This story pulls no punches. It has no problem with reaching inside you to pull at the emotional strings it needs to. It's visceral, and expertly done. I can't deny, I loved every single damn minute of it.

Since I met first met Jasper Dent, he's become firmly cemented as one of my favorite male characters of all time. There's something about Jasper that's just more. He's not your normal teenage boy. The child of a serial killer, the product of a horrible environment, he still attempts to rise above. Jasper's duality is terrifying and beautiful at the same time. There is a darkness that dwells inside him, constantly rattling around in his brain, urging him to break. It battles against the part of him that just wants to be a blissfully normal member of society. I have followed him for three books of pain, suffering, loss and love. I'd have followed him for at least that many more. I'll miss you Jasper. Thanks for the journey.