Review: Killer Within (Killer Instinct, #2) by S. E. Green

Killer Within (Killer Instinct, #2) by S. E. Green

Publication Date: May 19, 2015
Page Count: 304
Published by: Simon Pulse
Source: eArc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In the heart-pounding sequel, teen vigilante Lane must face the secrets and unexpected consequences that arise in the wake of her first kill.

It’s been three months since the sadistic Decapitator’s demise, and Lane feels both closer to and more alienated than ever from her united, grieving family. Haunted by conflicting memories, she resumes the role of Masked Savior vigilante—but her heart just isn’t in it. For Lane now knows the rush of deeper thrills. Darker thrills. And a growing part of her wants to revisit its seductive power.

To Lane’s chagrin, the Masked Savior inspires its own fan site, where groupies gather online to praise, document, and debate each delivered act of justice. But then one of Lane’s secret admirers becomes a cunning copycat, assaulting the defenseless with escalating violence. And Lane suspects someone is spying on her, edging closer to making contact-someone who knows her secrets.

Will Lane be able to stop the copycat and keep her identity protected? Or will she give in to the thrills that tempt her? Because as her life continues to unravel, the revelations shake Lane to her core.

Killer Within was a really great follow up to Killer Instinct. It was fast paced with some very sick twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

It came as no surprise that Lane struggled after what happened at the end of the first book. She was so distracted by the past that she became very sloppy in her actions. She had so many doubts that it caused her to make mistakes. I sort of liked seeing the more human and feeling side of her come out. It showed that she wasn't as uncaring as I thought she was. She still had her murderous impulses, but as the story progressed she was a bit more restrained when carrying out her actions. Lane also had a lot of emotions to deal with in trying to be closer to her family. She struggled to keep up some semblance of 'normal' in her real life while her alter ego and the copycat killer were being scrutinized by the media and hunted by the police.

More of Lane's past was revealed in this book, but it was a lot of information to take in, and most of it felt off to me. I can't figure out if her 'new' memories were meant to be unreliable to throw the reader off. I don't see how Lane could have the same memories from a different perspective that include another person. That part was all a bit confusing to me.

The mystery in this book certainly kept me guessing who the copycat killer was. I never would have guessed it! If you enjoyed reading Killer Instinct, then you should definitely read Killer Within!

My rating: 3 of 5 stars