Blood Of My Blood by Barry Lyga (Jasper Dent #3)

Blood Of My Blood is the third (and last) book in the Jasper Dent young adult thriller trilogy by the author Barry Lyga. After finishing Game, the second book, we were left for almost a year waiting for the third one, which was not pleasant due to the 3 major cliffhangers Game left us with. Cruel, cruel, cruel.

But let’s just say that Blood Of My Blood more than made up for this anxious waiting. It answered all our questions, tied up everything neatly and left as full and satisfied, like after a good meal including yummie desert.

Note: possible spoilers ahead for the second book, Game. Read with caution.

In Game all three main characters, Jazz, Connie and Howie were either left for dead, or in the hospital hanging for dear life. We never knew if they would make it back to safety. The story picks up right where Game ended, and it gets into it with full steam, throwing us right into the middle of action and suspense.

We find Jazz’s dad – the horrific Billy Dent – still on the run. Jazz wants to stop him once and for all, but Billy Dent doesn’t make it easy for him. What’s scary is that Jazz knows that the darkness can take hold of him at any time, and we see random bits and pieces of it  in his character traits and actions throughout the book. Yet Jazz fights it with everything he can, and for that he needs the help of his two closest friends.

It is here I realize just how much really good friends mean. Howie, the hemophiliac, has no qualms in putting himself (and his body) into harm’s way to help Jazz. Connie tries to help Jazz in her own way, strongly believing in him. Both of them do it even despite their parents literally forbidding them to hang out with Jazz. He has some seriously great friends and in a way, I was kind of jealous of him that way.

Coming to the story, it is difficult to review this book without giving away spoilers – as some are major ones and they form the conclusion to what the second book was building up to.

There are many twists and turns in Blood Of My Blood – one at least every few pages, and while some are rather predictable, a few had me there with my mouth hanging open. I definitely didn’t see those coming. Suffice to say that the entire plot – every twist and turn – is creepy as hell. The whole trilogy is dark, even with the humorous memorable bits thrown in (especially by Howie).

When I started to read the first book, I thought it would be your typical YA (young adult) book. It turned out, however, to be far from it. I think it’s the darkest, creepiest series of all so far – and I’ve read many.

I compared the first book to a younger version of Dexter (a series which is still one of my most favorites ever). However going into the second and third book, I’ve realized just how different Jazz is from Dexter, who easily gives in to his dark passenger urges, while Jazz fights his dark nature with everything he has.

The characters are all well fleshed out, and in Blood Of My Blood we learn so much more about the notorious serial killer, Billy Dent. We have his own point of view, which allows us to see through is mind and soul. Good and bad, all main characters are real, 3D like. You strongly feel about each and every one of them. Heck I even felt a strong hate towards Doug Weathers, the journalist who – let’s just say, got what he deserved in the end.

The writing style is extremely compelling and beware: once you start to read the book (any of the 3 in fact), you won’t be able to stop. So don’t start reading them at 10 pm because these are definitely not night reads (unless you actually enjoy the thrill, chill and horror of doing so).

Overall I loved loved loved this conclusion to the Jasper Dent series and I am truly saddened to see the book end. Yet, in a way, I am satisfied by it, it was exactly how the ending of a great series should be.