I received a digital arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Spoilers! Not any of the major endings, but some smaller details and plot points.

OH WOW. So do I have mixed emotions about this book.

The story revolves around Signal, a girl who believes she is innocent and was framed for the murder of her best friend Rose. She is given a second chance to live a life outside of prison by joining this secret camp of teen killers.

Right off the bat let me say I really really enjoyed reading this book and I REALLY hope the author writes a sequel. I was so excited for every time I had a chance to read a little more of this book, and to me loving the experience of reading a book is the most important thing. So 5/5 stars for that.

The story was a really unique and interesting one and there was enough mystery to really keep you on your toes. Another thing I really enjoyed was it gave me, oddly enough, Unwind by Neal Shusterman vibes. The whole "group of kids who are hated by society even though they're just kids, now matter what they have or haven't done" thing is an obvious similarity, though of course in this book, these kids are actual former prisoners. But besides that, the talk of the Protectionists and the testing and classifying of individuals just really reminded me of Unwind. In both books, there are definitely those moments where you stop and think about the way we judge and handle those who society looks down on and kids in general. They're obviously very different books, but I loved those little similarities.

That being said, I did have some issues with the book...

While I loved getting to know these somewhat normal characters and this very not normal camp and all of the mystery and suspense that came with them, I am very over the teen book cliches that have once again shown their faces in this book. Love triangles, "The Bad Boy Who Isn't Good For You But Wants to Make Out Anyway", and "I'm Not Like Other Girls" tropes? It's unnecessary and overdone. These tropes by no means keep me from liking a book, but I do think they aren't necessary. Thankfully, after the first quarter of the book or so, the "I'm Not Like Other Girls" dies down a bit. In this particular book's love triangle, we have Erik starring as the guy who is a jerk at least 50% of the time, but because he's infinitely more interesting than good guy Javier who is so very bland (besides his back story), you end up rooting for Erik anyway. Or at least I did.

I also had a couple of moments that just left me confused as they seemed to be convenient plot points that didn't really make sense with the previous information we'd been given. For example, I was so confused about why everyone believed two of the characters were dating, when right after they supposedly broke up, one of them was making out and "dating" another person. I get you're a teenager at camp, but still. No one questioned it. Along those same lines, one of the campers had a huge issue with the main character, Signal, flirting with any guy, more so Erik but also any guy there. But when Signal ends up kissing a guy, suddenly the camper is rooting for her! I understand they had become sort of friends, but people don't just change their feelings like that. I just found it convenient that when Signal is finally openly ready to be with someone, everyone is now okay with it. It's a minor thing but it kind of bugged me.

My biggest issue with the book is probably the camp. I don't understand why they never really taught the kids how to fight. Where were knife lessons and lessons on defensive techniques? Maybe we are supposed to assume that they were taught that in between the scenes we actually read about, I don't know. But Signal sure didn't seem to have actually learned how to kill someone. I mean... what's the point in learning how to dispose of a body if there's no body to dispose?

How the book wraps up, the characters all tie together, and the mystery is solved has me really split. I won't say what happens, because you should read it to find out, but... I love when books tie things together and characters are connected in ways you may not have thought of, but in this book, I feel like some of the endings and connections come off as a little far-fetched and convenient. But then again, it's a book about a Teen Killers Club... what else should I expect?

To wrap things up...

Despite the many issues I had with this book, I really enjoyed it! I demand a second book ASAP! I NEED to know how and why certain people are alive and demand to know Erik's backstory. I was so disappointed that we never got to find out more about his past, but I'm hoping it's because the author wanted to leave room for Book 2.

I would definitely recommend this book as it's a great fast-paced read! 3.5/5 stars!

Thank You to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!!

Seventeen-year-old Signal Deere is convicted of her best friend Rose's brutal murder, she's designated a "Class A", the most dangerous and manipulative criminal profile. To avoid prison, Signal signs on for a secret program for 18-and-under Class As and is whisked off to an abandoned sleep-away camp, where she and seven bunk mates will train as assassins.

But Signal doesn't fit in and neither does she manage to take part actively in the camp because unlike her other campers, she is innocent.

I just loved this book because its so different and unique!! Its an amazing YA adventure which keeps you hooked on till the end. Initially some of the characters creep you out because they are just teenagers who actually like killing but gradually through the book you start liking all of them. The mystery of Rose's death keeps you guessing right till the end. And the ending... what do I say... It just makes me cry out for a sequel.

Highly recommended!!

(Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me an e-copy of the novel for an honest review.)

Given the choice of life in prison or an unknown alternative, what would you choose?

With no chance of an appeal or to clear her name for a crime she claims she did not commit, Signal Deere chooses the alternative. At a camp with other teens who are all convicted murderers, two camp leaders train them to be the "perfect" killers. The teens undergo brutal and gruelling tasks designed to emphasize their lack of empathy and have psychopathic traits to convince them all they are good for is killing.

Signal disrupts this idea with her compassion, empathy, and desire to prove to the camp leaders that she was not born to be a heartless killer. This pushes the teens at camp to change how they perceive themselves and each other. Framed for her best friend's murder, Signal is forced to find the truth of who set her up and blend in as a psychopathic killer or suffer the consequences.

From the moment I started this book, I knew it was going to be a wild ride. Lily Sparks' novel is brilliant, thrilling, and highly addictive. It is a story that offers a respective and humane characterization of teen killers, often showing how easy it is for society to label people they fear and do not understand. "Teen Killers Club" is a perfect mix of everything I love in a story: crime, thriller, humor, romance, and tons of action that should not be missed out on!

I really hope there will be a sequel because I am not ready to say goodbye to the story or characters! This novel will be published on November 10, 2020 and I recommend everyone to save the date and be on the lookout. You will not have regrets!

Other places you can find my review for this novel are goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3343184288

And my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/an0de2b00ks/?hl=en

If it weren't for the homicidal tendencies, then these would be really sweet kids. The logic probably falls apart if you examine it too closely, but it's such a cracking, quick read that you won't have the time.

(not sure if the press is an American or British one, but it seemed as if the grammar was more in the British style, but there were still issues even so. Okay, end of work!brain's two cents. Wait, I take it back. THANK YOU for not using an apostrophe when writing "Class As"!!!! Finally someone else has done it right 💜 )

With the exception of some relationship-related thoughts scattered about (and it's really more about their placement than being relationship thoughts on the first place) in the wrong places in the narrative/not a time when the protagonist (inexperienced as she may be) is not going to be thinking those thoughts when she's also just as inexperienced in killing and life and death situations, and that's where she's finding herself.

Part of me wishes some things were more developed. Like, I really like the idea behind looking into someone's social media, search history, what websites are bookmarked, open watching habits .... Taking all that and using a program to make a classification program to rank how dangerous an offender is and if that offender is likely to repeat (instead of still kinda taking a shot in the dark at it now like we do). Yes, the book shows that Signal was framed, but when you get to the end, you see what really happened. Any normal case and her file would not have flagged as class A.
The other thing as far as development goes: it's hit or miss who we learn about back story and how they got to be an A, and how they feel about it. One of the best passages is when Javier is explaining to Signal what he did - and then ends with how he feels about it. We get glimpses of it with the others but it really could have added so much.

And almost on that same point - I want to know so much more about these characters. I don't know if it's in a sequel, in prequels for.each of them that include their crime(s)... But these were almost all characters I wanted to spend more time with.

I think for now I'm going to say a solid 3.5/5... a couple things could be tweaked in that last edit stage that would benefit (obvi too late to add to it, but that's what new books are for)

Not to sound too much like the SNL character, but this book has it all! Murder, mystery, action, friendship, romance, cults on my! Imagine Dexter went to sleep away camp and learned alongside other killers ... that’s the basic premise of this story. It was a little creepy but kept me guessing throughout. Once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. I secretly hope we get a sequel to find out what happens next.

ARC provided by #NetGalley in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing a digital ARC of Teen Killers Club in exchange for an honest review.

I'm pretty sure I have a type and this book is it. I've read similar premises before, but never this intricately or well done. It feels weird to say this book was fun because yeah, technically its about murder, but oh my god was it fun. You've got your summer camp asthetic+ tough characters who are actually sweethearts+ obviously lopsided love triangles everyone but the oblivious protagonist can see+ found family tropes+ enemies to friends and yet this book still manages to be unique.

Teen Killers Club takes all the best YA tropes and spins them on their head to make a wild, unique, edge of your seat story. Can't wait for the sequel (I haven't actually found proof of one anywhere online one but if there isn't one being written I will personally revolt).

In this action packed YA adventure, Signal Deere must fight all she is to become what the world believes her to be. Her mission in life is to find out who killed her best friend Rose.

One the story starts it doesn't let go and the reader is transported into a new world with danger, action, violence and humor.

Teen Killer Club, surprisingly, is a light hearted story (for being about a handful of teen killers), that asks some pretty pointed questions; not only about society but about people and their motivations, psyche and hearts.

While there are a few gut wrenching moments, nothing is overly graphic and the story is balanced with humor and intelligence.

I really enjoyed Signal and her need to find the truth all without losing her true self, as well as the other teen killers, who all had wonderful depth and interesting personalities. It was a joy to learn more about them as the story went on. The mystery of Rose's death kept me guessing at every turn.

If I had a complaint it is the second half felt like a slightly different story. The way the plot gets redirected feels a bit too out of line with the flow of the first half of the story. It's not bad in any way, just nit where I was expecting it to go.

This is definitely book one in a series as there are many more adventures to be hand and questions to be answered; very fun story. I received an ARC via NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books and I am leaving an honest review.

This book was a total whirlwind! You go into the book not knowing who to trust, main character included, and it just gets worse as you start to like different characters. The book really makes you question everything you thought you knew and really sends you for a loop. There was a point where I didn’t even trust the camp counselors. The characters are ruthless yet at times charming, and that’s what really made the book for me. If you’re looking for a really fast and fun read, this is the book I would recommend. It’s a little creepy and very addicting and I’ll be likely to read this author’s future works!

What can I say..... I have a lot of mixed feelings over this one. The premise is interesting and I love the idea behind it. My one hang up however was the protagonist, Signal, and of course the unnecessary love triangle. Signal is stuck in a camp with other Class A, or rather other teens who are killers, and yet throughout the entire time she barely makes any decisions that would actually help her survive being there. I just couldn’t get behind it, and I mean come on, you are stuck in a place with other people who could kill you and where you could be killed, you should definitely be trying to stay alive. This has more romance drama that was unnecessary and I honestly felt that Signal barely grew as a person. However despite my grips and my negative rambling I did like this book. I adored Nobody and Eric the most and I’m fine with how the story wrapped up. Overall it was a interesting read and fast one to get through.