I Don’t Want to Kill You
Author: Dan Wells
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
Published: April 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7653-2249-4
Hardcover: 320 pages
First of all this will be a short review. I can not say much about this book that won’t give anything away in the other two. If you haven’t read I Am Not a Serial Killer or Mr. Monster then you need to read those before this one. I admit I was seriously freaked out to read these books, (see my review) but I wanted to finish my Whitney reading. Yes, they are scary, a bit gory, and nothing I’ve ever read before. But, that is what makes them as good as they are and unique. I love reading a book and after awhile, taking a break, then realizing that my mouth has been hanging open for who knows how long. That’s what it was like to read this final book.
**Possible Spoiler Alert**
John has been through a lot in the past few months. Killing and speaking to demons is almost like brushing his teeth. More mysterious things are happening in town that he and a friend try to figure out. Young girls are killing themselves and local public figures are being killed. John suspects everyone, but what he gets he wasn’t expecting.
**Spoiler Over**
This is was my favorite book of the series. John really comes to terms with himself and learns a lot, not only about himself, but the people in his life. Some shocking things happen, a couple things I anticipated, one huge thing I didn’t.
4 1/2 stars out of 5.
7 Responses to “I Don’t Want to Kill You by Dan Wells”
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I loved the first book in the series and have purchased the second, too. Everything I’ve heard is that they just get better. That first book was a hard read for me, since I don’t usually read the horror genre, but I’d heard such good things about it I had to give it a try–and got sucked right in. But I had to take an emotional break before beginning “Mr. Monster.” =D
Donna, Mr. Monster was the hardest for me! But, get through it because IDWTKU is worth it. :)
I finished listening to Mr. Monster today and am debating if I should take a break between it and I Don’t Want to Kill You, since they’re emotionally draining for me.
I thought Mr. Monster was fabulous … in a sick, twisted sort of way and Dan absolutely deserved the tie win for the overall Whitney (and I’m a HUGE Way of Kings fan).
I am so impressed by Dan’s ability to make me care about John, root for John. Normally, a character with the kinds of fantasies and dreams he has would completely turn me off, but Dan makes me CARE so much for this kid! I love the way Dan handled the abuse with John’s sister and his mother’s history with his father slowly came out. I loved John’s epiphany toward the end.
Donna, I say just rip off the bandaid, read it and get it done. It isn’t as violent as Mr. Monster. I Don’t Want to Kill You is the best in the series. If you liked John in Mr. Monster, you will love him in this one. He’s an amazing character. I will not be surprised if IDWTKY takes it next year. LMK what you think when you’re done!!
Okay. Like a bad penny, I just keep coming back.
I LOVED this book. I loved them all, but I LOVED this one. I’ve got several people reading it at work. =D It was such a ‘wow’, and while I ached for John’s pain, the growth potential because of it is terribly important for him. I want to say more but I’m afraid of saying too much. All I can say is when I was done with it, I wanted to cry a little (and I did) but I also felt so uplifted and positive. It takes an amazing writer to manage both of those things at the same time.
And I agree. Since Dan tied this year for ‘Mr. Monster’, I would be surprised if he doesn’t get it for this one. Hard read, but very worth it.
Kinda like having a baby. =D
Donna, I tried to email you, but the email I replied is wrong. DM me your email on twitter or I requested to be your friend on facebook. I wanted to share with you all the details of what I thought of IDWTKU, but I don’t want to spoil it for others :)
Oh, my bad. I corrected it. Nothing like combining emails. Ugh.