Review Detail
The Killing Jar
Featured
Young Adult Fiction
1667
The Killing Jar
(Updated: February 23, 2016)
Overall rating
4.3
Plot
5.0
Characters
4.0
Writing Style
4.0
Creepy, haunting tale of a girl with a deadly power. Her touch literally can kill. I love YA horror stories and this one totally doesn't disappoint!
What worked: This dark and haunting horror story introduces readers to seventeen-year-old Kenna who has a dangerous secret. As a child she ended up killing another child and finds out a horrific secret that her own mother hid from her. I really felt for Kenna and the cruel twist of fate that had been dealt to her.
Kenna's struggles to make sense of her so-called ability and not kill again really resonate in the beginning of this novel. Her own mother holds her at arm's length and warns her not to succumb to her ability. Kenna's struggles really hit too close to home when she has to hold back from the cute boy she likes. Just her touch could kill him.
The commune Eclipse has a surreal, almost Manson-type of feel only with people that don't age. That includes her age-less grandmother Rebecca. There is something almost too good to be true going on in Eclipse. Within the commune is a group of people that draw life force from things, including people, that are around them. These scenes inside Eclipse are at times hypnotic as we watch Kenna surrender to emotions and desires she's held back. That also includes desires she has to a cute guy with his own secrets.
A huge plus though of this novel has to be the love of sisters. Kenna will do just about anything to save her sickly twin sister even to the point of killing. The love and devotion is strong.
Though fast-moving, I had lots of questions on what exactly was going on in Eclipse. Kenna continues to ask Rebecca and I wanted to scream along with her when nothing was revealed. There was almost too much left unsaid until the climax of the story in which Kenna literally falls into the secret. That reveal had me gasping out loud. Even though I kind of knew it would involve this, it still caught me off guard.
Dark, haunting tale of a commune with deadly paranormal abilities that will take readers on a hypnotic trip. Mostly though this is a story about the power of love and choices.
What worked: This dark and haunting horror story introduces readers to seventeen-year-old Kenna who has a dangerous secret. As a child she ended up killing another child and finds out a horrific secret that her own mother hid from her. I really felt for Kenna and the cruel twist of fate that had been dealt to her.
Kenna's struggles to make sense of her so-called ability and not kill again really resonate in the beginning of this novel. Her own mother holds her at arm's length and warns her not to succumb to her ability. Kenna's struggles really hit too close to home when she has to hold back from the cute boy she likes. Just her touch could kill him.
The commune Eclipse has a surreal, almost Manson-type of feel only with people that don't age. That includes her age-less grandmother Rebecca. There is something almost too good to be true going on in Eclipse. Within the commune is a group of people that draw life force from things, including people, that are around them. These scenes inside Eclipse are at times hypnotic as we watch Kenna surrender to emotions and desires she's held back. That also includes desires she has to a cute guy with his own secrets.
A huge plus though of this novel has to be the love of sisters. Kenna will do just about anything to save her sickly twin sister even to the point of killing. The love and devotion is strong.
Though fast-moving, I had lots of questions on what exactly was going on in Eclipse. Kenna continues to ask Rebecca and I wanted to scream along with her when nothing was revealed. There was almost too much left unsaid until the climax of the story in which Kenna literally falls into the secret. That reveal had me gasping out loud. Even though I kind of knew it would involve this, it still caught me off guard.
Dark, haunting tale of a commune with deadly paranormal abilities that will take readers on a hypnotic trip. Mostly though this is a story about the power of love and choices.
Good Points
1. Creepy tale of a girl with deadly powers
2. Surrealism meets reality
2. Surrealism meets reality
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
Latest Book Listings Added
Every book you’ve ever read. Every story you’ve ever ...
In this riveting, keenly emotional debut fantasy, a Black teen...
Clark thought he knew what grief was. Addie thought...
A gorgeously illustrated collection of twelve “lush and deliciously...
From the acclaimed author of Defy, Sara B. Larson,...
Twelve-year-old Rosie Singer’s mom is missing whatever it is that...
On October 2nd, 1977, Glenn Burke, outfielder for the Los...
Latest Member Reviews
"THE OBSESSION is a creepy and riveting YA thriller. Delilah lives with her mother and her mother's abusive boyfriend, a..."
"Lo Denham, magazine assistant and loner, is looking for her sister, Bea. Six years ago, Lo's parents died in a..."
"I couldn’t begin to express how much I adore this book. This book, magically, soothed my temper and let me..."
"WINGS OF EBONY is a beautifully crafted YA fantasy. A year has passed since Rue's life was irrevocably changed. Her..."
"THE GILDED ONES by Namina Forna is a YA fantasy novel and the first book in the Deathless series. The..."
"UNCHOSEN is a fantastic and completely captivating YA apocalyptic fantasy, filled with feminism, friendship, sisterhood, and romance. Charlotte is the..."
"IN THE PENALTY BOX is a cute YA contemporary hockey romance. Willow is a figure skater heading for the Olympics,..."
"THE AFTERLIFE OF THE PARTY is a YA vampire book for anyone who doesn't want to make out with the..."
"THE ALCAZAR wraps up an intriguing YA fantasy duology. The book continues to follow four main characters in alternating points-of-view,..."
"Super Fake Love Song is about Sunny Dae, a Korean American teenager who is a mega-nerd trying to survive at..."
"Ellie lives in Washington D.C. and attends an elite school, even though the tuition is a stretch for her single..."
"THE CERULEAN is an intriguing start to a YA fantasy duology. The book begins with Sera, a Cerulean who has..."
"TALES FROM THE HINTERLAND is an enchanting, haunting, and deliciously creepy collection of fairytales. Completely new and unlike anything I..."
" *Connor is Deaf and has implants *Alex has light brown skin..."
"I love the Wayward Children series, and the latest installment, ACROSS THE GREEN GRASS FIELDS, is no exception. Here are..."
"Feedback What a difference between book 1 and book 2. I enjoyed this one so much more, and I..."
"THE BROKEN RAVEN is an intriguing YA fantasy that sweeps the reader away to a land of magic, plotting, and..."
"YOU HAVE A MATCH is a beautifully written YA contemporary about family, summer, forgiveness, and best friend crushes. Abby is..."
"THE EVER AFTER is the final book in the YA fantasy Omte Origins series, and it goes out with a..."
"THE QUANTUM WEIRDNESS OF THE ALMOST-KISS is a delightful YA STEM-themed romance. Evie and Caleb have been BFFs since they..."
