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Kill Call
Dreams do come true. It’s Jude's job to make sure they don’t. Born with the curse of prophetic nightmares, Jude sees violent murders through the eyes of the killer before they happen. His father, who shares Jude’s dark gift, has trained Jude since birth to save the innocent and to kill the killer. A life for a life―it’s the only way. But everything goes awry when Hanna Smith, the young woman he was supposed to save, rescues herself instead, and catches Jude in her home. Fate isn’t inescapable, but it demands balance. While Hanna may be safe for now, Jude knows that the killer will strike again, only next time there will be no warning. Jude must now find the killer on his own, without the visions to aid him, in order to carry out the task he’s been training for before it’s too late.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2024
16 people are currently reading
9535 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Wooten
4 books94 followersJeff Wooten lives in Arkansas with his wife, three kids, and one dog. He is a physical therapist that works with adults and children with orthopedic issues.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
March 2, 2024
So excited to be hosting a spot with @rockstarbooktours @jeffwooten on this booktour, and our tour stop here.
My 👦🏻 review: This dystopian fiction book is mysteriously good. I love Rick Riordan’s books, so this one is an easy read. I enjoyed the action-packed, cool and funny characters, the brave protagonist and the challenging fantastical plots made everything fascinating. Overall, this is perfect for middle-grader boys like me who occasionally choose fantasy genre books. I really recommend this one!
My 👦🏻 review: This dystopian fiction book is mysteriously good. I love Rick Riordan’s books, so this one is an easy read. I enjoyed the action-packed, cool and funny characters, the brave protagonist and the challenging fantastical plots made everything fascinating. Overall, this is perfect for middle-grader boys like me who occasionally choose fantasy genre books. I really recommend this one!
August 17, 2024
4.5 stars. Loved the twisty ending !
February 29, 2024
This thriller kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing til the very end! Highly recommended, especially for teen boy readers and fans of the Scythe series. I help with orders at a high school library, and I added this one to my list because we're seeking more stories with strong, complex male protagonists to recommend to the 9-12th graders who come in looking for something to read. There were lots of different story threads, including romance, unlikely friendships and rivalries, paranormal activitiy, family drama, and football, but they all came together with satisfying closure while leaving the door propped open for a sequel!
February 11, 2024
I received an advanced copy of Kill Call from my local library and I was pleasantly surprised! Usually I don’t read YA thrillers, but this book had me on the edge of my seat.
Kill Call had a great premise where the main character, Jude, has an ability where he can see someone get murdered before it happens. Jude’s main objective is to kill the person who’s going to kill the victim. Jude was very relatable as a character. His introverted character reminds me of some people I know. His storm powers are an interesting addition and I’m excited to see where that leads. Those vultures though ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Jude’s fights were also pretty satisfying. His training made his battles more strategic and less messy, which I appreciate! I also love how Jude doesn’t take himself seriously all the time.
Molly is a different story! I expected that Molly had done the deed, but I didn’t really see how she came to being Josh’s girlfriend. It was really out of the blue and she became so comically evil. And suddenly after she got saved the she didn’t have murderous intent?
The society was a little cliche. They seemed to be the typical people who run everything, but I didn’t really see anything special about them. They were taciturn and not really much else. I’d like to see how they are going to be involved in Jude’s life going forward and what kind of people they are in general.
The pacing was great and kept me invested in the story. I read it quite fast and enjoyed it a lot! Jude’s group of friends slowly got bigger and each of them pulled their weight or did something to help the plot move forward. The characters are well fleshed out and the book isn’t too serious or too funny. It’s a good balance. This book manages to strike a lot of balances like the balance between fighting and sleuthing.
All in all this book was great read and well written and deserves 4 stars!
Kill Call had a great premise where the main character, Jude, has an ability where he can see someone get murdered before it happens. Jude’s main objective is to kill the person who’s going to kill the victim. Jude was very relatable as a character. His introverted character reminds me of some people I know. His storm powers are an interesting addition and I’m excited to see where that leads. Those vultures though ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Jude’s fights were also pretty satisfying. His training made his battles more strategic and less messy, which I appreciate! I also love how Jude doesn’t take himself seriously all the time.
Molly is a different story! I expected that Molly had done the deed, but I didn’t really see how she came to being Josh’s girlfriend. It was really out of the blue and she became so comically evil. And suddenly after she got saved the she didn’t have murderous intent?
The society was a little cliche. They seemed to be the typical people who run everything, but I didn’t really see anything special about them. They were taciturn and not really much else. I’d like to see how they are going to be involved in Jude’s life going forward and what kind of people they are in general.
The pacing was great and kept me invested in the story. I read it quite fast and enjoyed it a lot! Jude’s group of friends slowly got bigger and each of them pulled their weight or did something to help the plot move forward. The characters are well fleshed out and the book isn’t too serious or too funny. It’s a good balance. This book manages to strike a lot of balances like the balance between fighting and sleuthing.
All in all this book was great read and well written and deserves 4 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2024
This YA Thriller was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read this year so far and I’ve read over 100 books. Jude is a very likable teenager and I was invested in his well being. The plot moved along at a good pace and I was never bored. The cast of characters were excellent. I do not have any criticisms of this debut novel by Jeff Wooten. I kind of thought the person who done it was involved somehow but the reason why surprised me. The storms at opportune times started to become clear towards the end. I loved this book. I really liked that it was occurring in central Arkansas. I ran into the author at his book signing and decided to get his book. It was a very good decision. I ended up getting the audiobook to listen to as I read along. The narrator, Aaron Shedlock, brought the pages to life and added another layer of satisfaction. I highly recommend Kill Call.
July 31, 2024
Thank you to the publishers for providing an ARC of the book through BookBub.
2024 52 Book Challenge - 11) Title Starting With The Letter "K"
I thought the concept of this book was pretty cool, I just don't think the execution in this novel was fantastic. The characters felt pretty flat, and a lot of the secondary characters, I kept confusing which one was which because they all sounded pretty much the same.
2024 52 Book Challenge - 11) Title Starting With The Letter "K"
I thought the concept of this book was pretty cool, I just don't think the execution in this novel was fantastic. The characters felt pretty flat, and a lot of the secondary characters, I kept confusing which one was which because they all sounded pretty much the same.
February 24, 2024
I just got this in the mail yesterday and I literally stayed up almost all night reading it! It was so good!! It has murder, little romance, teenage angst lol- little bit of everything rolled in to a wonderfully exciting read!
As a thriller reader I can also with all honesty say- this was a book that I didn't suspect or figure out the whodunnit and I am always thrilled for a book like that!!
for this ya thriller that kept me up way
to late last night
As a thriller reader I can also with all honesty say- this was a book that I didn't suspect or figure out the whodunnit and I am always thrilled for a book like that!!
for this ya thriller that kept me up way
to late last night
February 4, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, that being said I would absolutely purchase this book. Some things I was able to put together easily and was happy to have them confirmed at the end, others I was completely wrong about.
The story is paced well, enough detail to keep you invested without bogging you down, but not so little that it feels rushed. The same with character development. A few secondary characters were described and didn’t evolve from there as it wasn’t necessary. The main character evolves continuously until the last page.
I would definitely read it again and hope that this might become a series.
The story is paced well, enough detail to keep you invested without bogging you down, but not so little that it feels rushed. The same with character development. A few secondary characters were described and didn’t evolve from there as it wasn’t necessary. The main character evolves continuously until the last page.
I would definitely read it again and hope that this might become a series.
March 3, 2024
Great characters! Great read! Hoping there will be a sequel.
January 15, 2024
I'm a killer. I kill the killers.
Whoa. This guy must be a kickass lethal killing machine, right? Uh...wrong(ish).
Jude is actually a high school senior. He's a likeable character. He's tough and loyal and just the right amount of vulnerable. He's a football player, an avoider of the party scene and crowds, and almost embarrassingly oblivious to being a hunky chick magnet. He drives a junk car, gets excited to talk to his crush, and worries about if he'll actually go to college. Typical high schooler.
BUT (ah yes, there is a big but)...
There's another side to Jude. A side that he didn't get to decide for himself. Jude has recently developed an ability that his dad also has. He's a Dreamer. He has dreams in which he is in the body of a killer and can (in hazy detail) see and feel what the killer is seeing at the time they are killing their victim. These dreams are real and are actually going to happen - unlike my dreams where I'm completely lost in my old high school and can't convince anyone to give me my class schedule or tell me where my locker is (SO STRESSFUL).
Jude has been training with his dad to knock the snot out of these bad people and ultimately kill the would-be killers. The first would-be victim that he needs to save is Hanna Smith, a high school girl who goes to a private school in his town. But who is the person that is going to kill her if Jude doesn't stop the killer at the exact moment he sees in his dreams?
And that is where the story kicks off.
While there is definitely a whodunnit (or rather a whogonnadoit) mystery in this book, it is also sprinkled with funny characters, high school parties, dances, friendships, and testosterone filled fights, football talk (don't worry if you're not a football fan, it's not excessive and it's explained well), action, and even some mysterious/supernatural elements. There are several twists and turns, and I actually gasped at one point. There is a list of potential killers, and it is through this list that we meet a cast of characters - some good and some bad.
This kept my attention, and I often had a hard time putting it down due to the pacing, the short chapters, the constant action/drama/thrills, and my really, really, really wanting to know who the heck Jude was supposed to kill and if he would be able to go through with killing them or not.
Now there were some things in here that weren't perfect. For example, Jude's mom left him and his dad three years prior. When , I would have expected him to have a longer lasting reaction, but it almost takes a backseat to other things going on in Jude's life, including his high school social life and a girl. Like, dude, your flirting can wait. Another thing that threw me was that one of the "bad" people in the book is like a bad guy caricature. Like a villain in Scooby-Doo or an old school superhero comic book.
There was also a LOT going on and sometimes it seemed like too much, like the focus was on the wrong thing. I wanted some things to be circled back on or explained in further detail. There were a number of things that were only lightly touched on, and I'm hoping that this isn't meant to be a standalone and that these things will be flushed out in future books. I liked the story - and several of the main characters - enough that I would definitely continue reading the series if this became one.
I'm also awarding bonus points for this line - I'm no connoisseur of fine dining, my idea of a gourmet meal being panfried potatoes and onions served with an ample supply of ketchup... - because ohmygod YUM.
4 Stars
I received a free arc of this ebook from BookSirens (hey, thanks!). My opinion is completely my own and honest as honest can be.
Whoa. This guy must be a kickass lethal killing machine, right? Uh...wrong(ish).
Jude is actually a high school senior. He's a likeable character. He's tough and loyal and just the right amount of vulnerable. He's a football player, an avoider of the party scene and crowds, and almost embarrassingly oblivious to being a hunky chick magnet. He drives a junk car, gets excited to talk to his crush, and worries about if he'll actually go to college. Typical high schooler.
BUT (ah yes, there is a big but)...
There's another side to Jude. A side that he didn't get to decide for himself. Jude has recently developed an ability that his dad also has. He's a Dreamer. He has dreams in which he is in the body of a killer and can (in hazy detail) see and feel what the killer is seeing at the time they are killing their victim. These dreams are real and are actually going to happen - unlike my dreams where I'm completely lost in my old high school and can't convince anyone to give me my class schedule or tell me where my locker is (SO STRESSFUL).
Jude has been training with his dad to knock the snot out of these bad people and ultimately kill the would-be killers. The first would-be victim that he needs to save is Hanna Smith, a high school girl who goes to a private school in his town. But who is the person that is going to kill her if Jude doesn't stop the killer at the exact moment he sees in his dreams?
And that is where the story kicks off.
While there is definitely a whodunnit (or rather a whogonnadoit) mystery in this book, it is also sprinkled with funny characters, high school parties, dances, friendships, and testosterone filled fights, football talk (don't worry if you're not a football fan, it's not excessive and it's explained well), action, and even some mysterious/supernatural elements. There are several twists and turns, and I actually gasped at one point. There is a list of potential killers, and it is through this list that we meet a cast of characters - some good and some bad.
This kept my attention, and I often had a hard time putting it down due to the pacing, the short chapters, the constant action/drama/thrills, and my really, really, really wanting to know who the heck Jude was supposed to kill and if he would be able to go through with killing them or not.
Now there were some things in here that weren't perfect. For example, Jude's mom left him and his dad three years prior. When , I would have expected him to have a longer lasting reaction, but it almost takes a backseat to other things going on in Jude's life, including his high school social life and a girl. Like, dude, your flirting can wait. Another thing that threw me was that one of the "bad" people in the book is like a bad guy caricature. Like a villain in Scooby-Doo or an old school superhero comic book.
There was also a LOT going on and sometimes it seemed like too much, like the focus was on the wrong thing. I wanted some things to be circled back on or explained in further detail. There were a number of things that were only lightly touched on, and I'm hoping that this isn't meant to be a standalone and that these things will be flushed out in future books. I liked the story - and several of the main characters - enough that I would definitely continue reading the series if this became one.
I'm also awarding bonus points for this line - I'm no connoisseur of fine dining, my idea of a gourmet meal being panfried potatoes and onions served with an ample supply of ketchup... - because ohmygod YUM.
4 Stars
I received a free arc of this ebook from BookSirens (hey, thanks!). My opinion is completely my own and honest as honest can be.
May 1, 2025
Every once in a while, a debut comes along that makes you stop, take notice, and think, this author is going places. Kill Call by Jeff Wooten is exactly that kind of book. A supernatural thriller with a sharp edge, a fast pulse, and surprising emotional depth, it had me glued from chapter one.
Let’s start with the premise—because it’s absolutely gripping. Jude, the protagonist, is born with a rare and terrifying gift: he dreams about murders before they happen, seeing them through the eyes of the killer. That alone is chilling. But what elevates this story is that Jude doesn’t just witness these crimes—he acts on them. Trained from childhood by his father, who shares the same gift, Jude is expected to prevent these deaths in the most extreme way possible: by killing the would-be murderer before they strike. It's a brutal moral framework—an eye for an eye—and Wooten explores this theme with nuance and tension throughout.
Where many thrillers stick to one speed, Kill Call balances pulse-pounding moments with quiet, thoughtful beats. When Jude's latest mission goes sideways—because the victim, Hanna, manages to save herself—it throws everything into chaos. Hanna is not your typical damsel or plot device. She's smart, grounded, and wonderfully real. Her interaction with Jude turns the book in a whole new direction, shifting it from “murder-prevention mission” to “what happens when fate is disrupted?”
The plot never lags, and the tension builds masterfully. But what I truly appreciated is the internal conflict. Jude is not a typical teenage hero. He’s haunted, conflicted, and constantly questioning whether the path his father set him on is just. There’s something incredibly human about his doubts, his loneliness, and his desire for something resembling a normal life—even as he knows he’ll never have one.
Wooten’s writing is confident and atmospheric. The dream sequences are vivid and unnerving, and the way he crafts suspense without relying on gore or cheap scares is genuinely impressive. The themes—destiny, moral responsibility, identity—are handled with care but never slow the pace. And for a debut, the voice is polished, sharp, and memorable.
This is a novel that feels like it could easily be adapted for the screen. It has that cinematic quality—the kind where you can almost hear the soundtrack behind the words, feel the chill in the air during the nightmares, and see the haunted look in Jude’s eyes.
If you're a fan of authors like Neal Shusterman, Mindy McGinnis, or even early Stephen King, Kill Call is a must-read. It's bold, original, and unapologetically dark—but with just enough light to keep you hoping.
A standout debut. Five stars, without hesitation. I cannot wait to see what Jeff Wooten writes next.
Let’s start with the premise—because it’s absolutely gripping. Jude, the protagonist, is born with a rare and terrifying gift: he dreams about murders before they happen, seeing them through the eyes of the killer. That alone is chilling. But what elevates this story is that Jude doesn’t just witness these crimes—he acts on them. Trained from childhood by his father, who shares the same gift, Jude is expected to prevent these deaths in the most extreme way possible: by killing the would-be murderer before they strike. It's a brutal moral framework—an eye for an eye—and Wooten explores this theme with nuance and tension throughout.
Where many thrillers stick to one speed, Kill Call balances pulse-pounding moments with quiet, thoughtful beats. When Jude's latest mission goes sideways—because the victim, Hanna, manages to save herself—it throws everything into chaos. Hanna is not your typical damsel or plot device. She's smart, grounded, and wonderfully real. Her interaction with Jude turns the book in a whole new direction, shifting it from “murder-prevention mission” to “what happens when fate is disrupted?”
The plot never lags, and the tension builds masterfully. But what I truly appreciated is the internal conflict. Jude is not a typical teenage hero. He’s haunted, conflicted, and constantly questioning whether the path his father set him on is just. There’s something incredibly human about his doubts, his loneliness, and his desire for something resembling a normal life—even as he knows he’ll never have one.
Wooten’s writing is confident and atmospheric. The dream sequences are vivid and unnerving, and the way he crafts suspense without relying on gore or cheap scares is genuinely impressive. The themes—destiny, moral responsibility, identity—are handled with care but never slow the pace. And for a debut, the voice is polished, sharp, and memorable.
This is a novel that feels like it could easily be adapted for the screen. It has that cinematic quality—the kind where you can almost hear the soundtrack behind the words, feel the chill in the air during the nightmares, and see the haunted look in Jude’s eyes.
If you're a fan of authors like Neal Shusterman, Mindy McGinnis, or even early Stephen King, Kill Call is a must-read. It's bold, original, and unapologetically dark—but with just enough light to keep you hoping.
A standout debut. Five stars, without hesitation. I cannot wait to see what Jeff Wooten writes next.
February 20, 2024
This book has a good pace and was a great whodunit! This book has a little bit of everything! Funny characters, friendship, high school drama, even a little bit of the supernatural and plenty of action! There were many times I had trouble putting it down so after one very late night I was done a few hours after work the next day! The characters are ones I definitely enjoyed so hopefully there will be another book! Thank you Rockstar Book Tours, Jeff Wooten and CamCat Books for sharing this wonderful book with me!
November 20, 2023
This book is an original, I've never read anything like it.
It has a unique and interesting story with a lot of depth. My takeaway is go with what you feel is right, not what other people think is right.
No matter what you're taught, you have to live with your conscience. I will be following Jeff Wooten, hoping for more stories like this.
I received this advance review copy for free and this is my honest review.
It has a unique and interesting story with a lot of depth. My takeaway is go with what you feel is right, not what other people think is right.
No matter what you're taught, you have to live with your conscience. I will be following Jeff Wooten, hoping for more stories like this.
I received this advance review copy for free and this is my honest review.
February 1, 2024
First Kill has an interesting and unique storyline.
The main character, Jude, has what amounts to psychic dreams of someone being killed. He has to find a way to save them.
I really enjoyed the book, though I did think there was a bit too much description of the football games.
I'll look for more books by this author in the future.
I'm going to give this book a 4 star rating overall.
Thank you to Booksirens, the publisher, and author for allowing me to read this ARC.
The main character, Jude, has what amounts to psychic dreams of someone being killed. He has to find a way to save them.
I really enjoyed the book, though I did think there was a bit too much description of the football games.
I'll look for more books by this author in the future.
I'm going to give this book a 4 star rating overall.
Thank you to Booksirens, the publisher, and author for allowing me to read this ARC.
January 24, 2024
This is such an intersting and unique idea.
There is a little bit of everything in this YA thriller book; a bit of romance, a bit of murder, a bit of detective-ness, a bit of corruption, a bit of typical teenage drama, a bit of supernatural, and a bit of football??
It sounds like the biggest hodge podge of events, but it was actually super cohesive and an addicting page turner. I had a hard time putting it down between reads. The world and characters created really grasped me.
And the most important part--I did not guess the twist! That's SO important with a thriller.
I really enjoyed this book--I hope others give is a shot.
There is a little bit of everything in this YA thriller book; a bit of romance, a bit of murder, a bit of detective-ness, a bit of corruption, a bit of typical teenage drama, a bit of supernatural, and a bit of football??
It sounds like the biggest hodge podge of events, but it was actually super cohesive and an addicting page turner. I had a hard time putting it down between reads. The world and characters created really grasped me.
And the most important part--I did not guess the twist! That's SO important with a thriller.
I really enjoyed this book--I hope others give is a shot.
Read
January 28, 2024I won this book from Goodreads with the promise to review. What a great book! This was a fun young adult thriller with lots of twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it figured out, nope! I loved the characters, the suspense and the general story. I hope more books are written about the main character, I'd love to follow him through life.
February 15, 2024
What a wild ride! The only thing I decided before the end of this book is that I did not want to put it down. Kill Call was an irresistible page turning thriller! While Jude’s prophetic dreams foreshadowing murders are menacing, the writing focuses on a gripping storyline versus gore. This balance pays off with a book that will keep you furiously turning pages and wondering about the role of fate and free will, and how destiny plays out. Kill Call was a wonderfully paced novel that snowballs into one exciting culmination…with hopefully 🤞🏼 more to come!
Want to read
February 20, 2024DNF- for a book marketed as a thriller, this was shockingly slow-moving. Gave up 1/3 of the way through out of boredom.
February 13, 2024
Exciting teen murder mystery thriller!! I loved the entire premise of the book and the characters were very relatable to those we all knew in high school. I figured it out pretty quick but I still enjoyed the ride. I also don’t watch football and am not big on sports but the way the author wrote the football game scenes was sooooo exciting!!! Definitely recommending this one to friends!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 28, 2023
This says it took me 10 days to read, which isn’t exactly right. I started it, got like 10 pages in, then the holiday madness took over my life. Once I got going it took me less than 48 hours (while still working) to finish. I really liked this book and while it has an appropriate ending, I would be happy if it were to become a series. Thanks to BookSirens for the arc to read for free and voluntarily leave an honest review.
July 28, 2024
This book has convinced me to write my first ever book review, so here goes.
I am just getting back into reading after a slump, and I must say Kill Call is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Jeff Wooten has included everything you could ever need in a book: murder, suspense, unexplained phenomena, drama, relationships, friendships, family, sports… the list could go on. There was never a dull moment to say the least.
Jude is a very likable main character that has you rooting for him the whole time.
Each chapter had me second guessing everything I thought I knew, and the ending was very well written; it’ll provide satisfaction and somehow leave you pondering.
As an Arkansas resident, I loved the subtle local references throughout the book. It made the story come more to life from my own experience.
Some of the reviews suggested this book would be a great read for high-school aged boys (probably due to the setting and narrator), but I think Kill Call would be enjoyable for all audiences. I know I loved it, and I can’t wait for Jeff Wooten’s next book!
I am just getting back into reading after a slump, and I must say Kill Call is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Jeff Wooten has included everything you could ever need in a book: murder, suspense, unexplained phenomena, drama, relationships, friendships, family, sports… the list could go on. There was never a dull moment to say the least.
Jude is a very likable main character that has you rooting for him the whole time.
Each chapter had me second guessing everything I thought I knew, and the ending was very well written; it’ll provide satisfaction and somehow leave you pondering.
As an Arkansas resident, I loved the subtle local references throughout the book. It made the story come more to life from my own experience.
Some of the reviews suggested this book would be a great read for high-school aged boys (probably due to the setting and narrator), but I think Kill Call would be enjoyable for all audiences. I know I loved it, and I can’t wait for Jeff Wooten’s next book!
March 10, 2024
Did I read a different book than everyone else?
March 27, 2024
I didn’t think I would care for this one much, but it surprised me in a good way. Dark and very entertaining! 4.25 stars
April 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this book because of how intense and suspenseful it is. I could not put it down at night while I was reading it. I really like the fact that it is set in Arkansas.
April 18, 2025
Here is my review for Kill Call by Jeff Wooten
I really enjoyed reading this exciting thriller that had me hooked from the very first page of the story. It was a gripping read that had an intriguing plot which had me invested in reading the book so much that I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know what happened next. I finished the book in one sitting. It was a terrific storyline which drew me to read this book. Jude was a very intriguing character as he was born with the curse of prophetic nightmares which meant he saw violent murders through the eyes of the killer before they happened. His dad had the same trait so he trained his son in different hand to hand combat so he could be effective at the right time. Also, Jude played American football but he wasn’t very sociable but that was all going to change. The other characters were well thought out as well. The story was well written and well plotted. It was very detailed and descriptive. I liked the plot as it was something totally different to anything I have read before. I liked how the book ended which means the author could always write a sequel which I would love to read. I liked Jude and his little band of friends.
Blurb :
Dreams do come true. It’s Jude's job to make sure they don’t.
Born with the curse of prophetic nightmares, Jude sees violent murders through the eyes of the killer before they happen. His father, who shares Jude’s dark gift, has trained Jude since birth to save the innocent and to kill the killer. A life for a life—it’s the only way.
But everything goes awry when Hanna Smith, the young woman he was supposed to save, rescues herself instead, and catches Jude in her home. Fate isn’t inescapable, but it demands balance. While Hanna may be safe for now, Jude knows that the killer will strike again, only next time there will be no warning. Jude must now find the killer on his own, without the visions to aid him, in order to carry out the task he’s been training for before it’s too late.
I really enjoyed reading this exciting thriller that had me hooked from the very first page of the story. It was a gripping read that had an intriguing plot which had me invested in reading the book so much that I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know what happened next. I finished the book in one sitting. It was a terrific storyline which drew me to read this book. Jude was a very intriguing character as he was born with the curse of prophetic nightmares which meant he saw violent murders through the eyes of the killer before they happened. His dad had the same trait so he trained his son in different hand to hand combat so he could be effective at the right time. Also, Jude played American football but he wasn’t very sociable but that was all going to change. The other characters were well thought out as well. The story was well written and well plotted. It was very detailed and descriptive. I liked the plot as it was something totally different to anything I have read before. I liked how the book ended which means the author could always write a sequel which I would love to read. I liked Jude and his little band of friends.
Blurb :
Dreams do come true. It’s Jude's job to make sure they don’t.
Born with the curse of prophetic nightmares, Jude sees violent murders through the eyes of the killer before they happen. His father, who shares Jude’s dark gift, has trained Jude since birth to save the innocent and to kill the killer. A life for a life—it’s the only way.
But everything goes awry when Hanna Smith, the young woman he was supposed to save, rescues herself instead, and catches Jude in her home. Fate isn’t inescapable, but it demands balance. While Hanna may be safe for now, Jude knows that the killer will strike again, only next time there will be no warning. Jude must now find the killer on his own, without the visions to aid him, in order to carry out the task he’s been training for before it’s too late.
March 11, 2025
To be fair this one gets about a 3.4+ but not quite high enough to round up to 4. It is an interesting read and keeps you turning the pages but is a bit too juvenile for me...it is a Young Adult book for sure. There is nothing in the book that would be objectionable for young adults.
The supernatural elements were a bit to much for me. I like a supernatural element that you can interpret either as being real or the imagination of those involved and this one didn't give me that leeway. you had to accept it or not. I also was not all that interested in all the discussion of high school football.
The story involves and father and son (the football star) who are "Dreamers." They dream that someone is going to be killed in detail and their task as Dreamers is to save the person by killing the murderer (a kill for a kill). There are rule they have to follow bringing no weapons (other than themselves) to the fight. The first Dream and task ahead for the son goes awry when the subject manages to get away from the killer. This sets up the story of the Dreamer trying to identify the would-be killer and resolve the unfinished business. Not a bad story and not a bad page turner, just not the best I've ever read in plot and presentation.
If you have young adult males (or even females) in your book reading family they may well enjoy this book more than I did.
Disclaimer: I won this ARC in a GoodReads giveaway but that in no way influenced my review.
The supernatural elements were a bit to much for me. I like a supernatural element that you can interpret either as being real or the imagination of those involved and this one didn't give me that leeway. you had to accept it or not. I also was not all that interested in all the discussion of high school football.
The story involves and father and son (the football star) who are "Dreamers." They dream that someone is going to be killed in detail and their task as Dreamers is to save the person by killing the murderer (a kill for a kill). There are rule they have to follow bringing no weapons (other than themselves) to the fight. The first Dream and task ahead for the son goes awry when the subject manages to get away from the killer. This sets up the story of the Dreamer trying to identify the would-be killer and resolve the unfinished business. Not a bad story and not a bad page turner, just not the best I've ever read in plot and presentation.
If you have young adult males (or even females) in your book reading family they may well enjoy this book more than I did.
Disclaimer: I won this ARC in a GoodReads giveaway but that in no way influenced my review.
April 15, 2025
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Black Tide Book Tours.
This is a YA thriller, and I was intrigued by its description. The protagonist is Jude, who has the ability to see murders before they take place. I found this ability intriguing and quite mind-boggling, and I found Jude an interesting character. The narrative was full of suspense and to the point, throwing the reader into the action of what was going on.
I found parts of the book a little eerie and unsettling, particularly at the beginning. For the most part, I was entertained by the story, and by the way Jude and the other characters interacted with each other, in a very down-to-earth way that I think readers could connect with.
Thank you to Black Tide Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is a YA thriller, and I was intrigued by its description. The protagonist is Jude, who has the ability to see murders before they take place. I found this ability intriguing and quite mind-boggling, and I found Jude an interesting character. The narrative was full of suspense and to the point, throwing the reader into the action of what was going on.
I found parts of the book a little eerie and unsettling, particularly at the beginning. For the most part, I was entertained by the story, and by the way Jude and the other characters interacted with each other, in a very down-to-earth way that I think readers could connect with.
Thank you to Black Tide Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
March 12, 2024
I loved the beginning sentence of this book, “…Hanna Smith is going to die.” Y’all if you want to read a brand new published YA book, this one is it!
Our MC is named Jude and he can tell when people are going to die. I love the author who wrote this book! This reminds me of a famous Anime I love called Death note and I loved that series too.
The story is very engaging to readers who really want a great read with a supernatural twist. Jude is a well written character and also I loved Hannas character too. And then Jude's dad goes 'missing' and its all up to Jude now.
The end of the book is a very emotional ending that got me right in the feels. I would love to read more by the author as he did a fantastic job keeping the reader engaged in this story about Jude and his dad.
Our MC is named Jude and he can tell when people are going to die. I love the author who wrote this book! This reminds me of a famous Anime I love called Death note and I loved that series too.
The story is very engaging to readers who really want a great read with a supernatural twist. Jude is a well written character and also I loved Hannas character too. And then Jude's dad goes 'missing' and its all up to Jude now.
The end of the book is a very emotional ending that got me right in the feels. I would love to read more by the author as he did a fantastic job keeping the reader engaged in this story about Jude and his dad.
April 19, 2025
I got this book for an honest review. That being said let's start. Jude is a complicated guy. He's a star HS football captain but he doesn't people. He doesn't go to parties or anything. What he IS is a Dreamer. He dreams of murders that are about to happen and it's up to him to save the Chosen victim. But he fails. Now his dad is taken and he's breaking the rules as he goes. With the help of Hailey (the chosen one) Cooper (the fun nerd) Molly (the fresh from a relationship crush), Luis (Molly's exe and Jude bane of contention) they must find whom tried to kill Hailey.
A fast paced story with supernatural elements. A variety of characters and situations and small town life with big town problems. I hope there is a 2nd book.
A fast paced story with supernatural elements. A variety of characters and situations and small town life with big town problems. I hope there is a 2nd book.
July 9, 2023
This breakneck teen thriller is the perfect kind of book to break you out of a reading slump--quick paced, lots of tension, emotionally touching moments at just the right time, and all wrapped up with a smooth pace and a really bang-up mystery plot. It's the kind of book that just whisks you right along, until suddenly you're turning the final page and wondering what the HECK happened to the last several hours?
And I think if you liked MTV's TEEN WOLF (die-hard stan, here), you'll absolutely LOVE this thing--and PS, although there are definitely sports scenes and terminology included, I have like, zero knowledge of sports and followed everything perfectly.
And I think if you liked MTV's TEEN WOLF (die-hard stan, here), you'll absolutely LOVE this thing--and PS, although there are definitely sports scenes and terminology included, I have like, zero knowledge of sports and followed everything perfectly.
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