Review Detail

Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published by: EgmontUSA
On Shelves Now
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: Assassins. Romance. Conspiracy. Need I say More?

Assassins. One of my favorite topics in YA! We’ve been seeing more and more books focusing around assassins in the YA genre, and I love that each one of them is unique in their own way. In Jennifer’s book, nobodies make good assassins because they lack “energy,” which in turn, keeps them from making any lasting mark on anyone. Even further, they are almost invisible to everyone and everything around them. So, of course—perfect assassins.

This book started out with a bang when Nix and Claire see each other in a very intense situation. From there, it does slow down a bit, which was a bit depressing because that beginning was amazing. However, it didn’t slow down so much that I was bored or frustrated. I still kept flipping those pages at a quick pace because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. So, push through the parts that drag because it’s definitely worth the read.

I loved the world that Jennifer created, mainly because I love conspiracies. JFK, Bermuda Triangle, Roswell—they fascinate me, and the organization that Jennifer has created in her book is just like a giant government conspiracy. They have tons and tons of power, and they use that power to manipulate politics to help them. If something doesn’t go their way, enter Nix, seemingly invisible super-assassin. Nobody knows people like Nix and Claire exist, and that makes it all the more intriguing!

I really like Claire as a main character. I felt so sorry for her, seeing the pain and loneliness that she suffered, but she didn’t let it bring her down. On multiple occasions she would start to feel sorry for herself and then straighten up and tell herself, “No pity.” I loved her strength to persevere through that pain, and then when Nix finds her, the world seems to open up. Immediately, they are drawn to each other, and no matter how hard Nix pushes against her, she pushes right back. She takes ahold of this gift of friendship and love, and she doesn’t let it go. It was great to watch her become even stronger in the face of danger.

I really liked Nix, too, because—I mean, hello, assassin! He was one of those guys that can kill you with one punch, so power—he has tons of it (which I love). He did bug me at times because he did let himself fall to pity whereas Claire resisted it. But, those moments didn’t last long. I liked that he was willing to give his life for those that he cared about, even after the organization had brainwashed him into thinking that he would never be loved in return. I kind of wish we would have seen more kick butt and less somberness, though.

The only thing that really bugged me was the dragging pace, like I said before. The book was long, 400 pages, and I think it could have easily been in the 300-325 range had they cut out some of the slower moments. Those moments felt a bit repetitive, so I really think they could have easily been cut out.

Overall, it was a fun and interesting read and I’m looking forward to what’s next. I enjoyed the world and characters that Jennifer created. I would recommend this to actions fans, with a warning that you might have to push through some parts to get to the goods.