Once Upon a Twilight!: Shannon Greenland

Killer Within
Killer Instinct #2
Author: S.E. Green
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery
Released: May 19th 2015
Review Source: Simon Pulse

In the heart-pounding sequel, teen vigilante Lane must face the secrets and unexpected consequences that arise in the wake of her first kill.

It’s been three months since the sadistic Decapitator’s demise, and Lane feels both closer to and more alienated than ever from her united, grieving family. Haunted by conflicting memories, she resumes the role of Masked Savior vigilante—but her heart just isn’t in it. For Lane now knows the rush of deeper thrills. Darker thrills. And a growing part of her wants to revisit its seductive power.

To Lane’s chagrin, the Masked Savior inspires its own fan site, where groupies gather online to praise, document, and debate each delivered act of justice. But then one of Lane’s secret admirers becomes a cunning copycat, assaulting the defenseless with escalating violence. And Lane suspects someone is spying on her, edging closer to making contact-someone who knows her secrets.

Will Lane be able to stop the copycat and keep her identity protected? Or will she give in to the thrills that tempt her? Because as her life continues to unravel, the revelations shake Lane to her core.

My girl Lane is back! Killer Within picks up after Killer Instinct ends, a few weeks after Lane killed The Decapitator. Though she doesn’t want to admit it, the killing of The Decapitator rattled her some, she hasn’t been fully aware of her surroundings, her sights are set on childish revenge, and things are just off.

So while Lane is off trying to get her groove back, someone is stealing her spotlight, well actually they’re stealing her identity. There’s a copycat masked savior, but he or she is doing much worse things to people who don’t truly deserve it. Which then sparks the idea for a masked savior fan club website, everything is becoming too big, too crazy, and still things are off, and Lane needs some answers and she needs them now, so she sets out to find her copycat.

I really enjoyed Killer Instinct, but I truly enjoyed Killer Within SO MUCH MORE. Everything kept me on my toes, and one thing is for sure, I could definitely not be a detective. Every twist and turn, I had no idea it was coming, the reveals were like whoa! I even shed a tear at one part. And then Lane and her sister start to become closer and that just warmed my heart, even if it annoyed Lane at times.

So maybe I’m clueless when it comes to mysteries, or maybe S.E. Green is that good, but one thing is for sure, you’re going to want to check out this series. It was a fast paced, quick read, with some killer twist and turns, literally.

Killer Instinct
Author: S.E. Green & Shannon Greenland
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery
Released: May 6th 2014
Review Source: Simon Pulse

“A zippy, gripping psychological drama.” ~Kirkus Reviews

She’s not evil, but she has certain... urges.

Lane is a typical teenager. Loving family. Good grades. Afterschool job at the local animal hospital. Martial arts enthusiast. But her secret obsession is studying serial killers. She understands them, knows what makes them tick.

Why?

Because she might be one herself.

Lane channels her dark impulses by hunting criminals—delivering justice when the law fails. The vigilantism stops shy of murder. But with each visceral rush the line of self-control blurs.

And then a young preschool teacher goes missing. Only to return... in parts. When Lane excitedly gets involved in the hunt for “the Decapitator,” the vicious serial murderer that has come to her hometown, she gets dangerously caught up in a web of lies about her birth dad and her own dark past. And once the Decapitator contacts Lane directly, Lane knows she is no longer invisible or safe. Now she needs to use her unique talents to find the true killer’s identity before she—or someone she loves—becomes the next victim...

Is it odd that I find serial killers fascinating? Like in a non-creepy way that I don’t admire them or anything, but just the way their brains have been wired for these urges to ensue, totally fascinating. Okay, yeah that it is pretty odd but that’s just me. So when this book was offered to review I was all up for it. And for a young adult book this was pretty darn great. I struggled with the rating, three or four, three or four, and had to settle with three and half, only because I kind of wish there was a little more psychological depth. Other than that though I found this book very entertaining and by the end I could not put it down, at all.

Killer Instinct follows a girl, Lane, who has these urges to kill or harm others. She decides to use the urges to pay retribution towards criminals that have gotten off with their crimes. When Lane follows and pursues her urges she goes to great lengths to teach these villains a lesson, and boy did they learn their lesson. When a serial killer kills his next victim in her hometown she makes it her mission to catch “the Decapitator,” he/she chops the body parts up and delivers them one by one. But once the Decapitator contacts her she knows she is unsafe and has to follow her killer instincts to catch the perp.

Dude Lane is my girl! The justice she served towards basically every evil person in this book was so intense. I was rooting for this girl to become a serial killer and get rid of and give payback to all the evildoers. The hunt for this serial killer was so intense especially coming to the end, obviously, but whoa that ending made me say “Whaaat.” I know this book was young adult and wasn’t going to get too gruesome and I was totally okay with that, but I did wish there was a little more psychological background and not just textbook serial killer motives and thought process. With that aside I was definitely intrigued the entire time and loved the hunt for the killer.

Killer instinct was definitely a fun read and if you’re looking for a quick entertaining ride, read it! Just do it! Now time to watch some Dexter and get my serial killer fix in.

S. E. Green or Shannon Greenland is the author of the award winning Middle Grade spy series, The Specialists, which was an ALA top pick and a National Reader’s Choice Recipient. Killer Instinct marks her debut into the world of thrillers. It’s due out in hardcover 5.6.14 under her pseudonym, S. E. Green.

Shannon is an adjunct professor and an avid adventurer. She can be found mostly in Florida where she’s outside enjoying all the Sunshine State has to offer.