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mrs_a_is_a_book_nerd's review against another edition
4.0
Despite others' lackluster reviews, I thought it was a pretty decent YA thriller. No, it doesn't have a race-to-the-end finale; the end was actually pretty subdued, but that didn't make it BAD. In fact, I thought the premise was original, the characters lively and interesting, and the plot had some decent twists.
Daniel loves his Da, and Da seems to have a special regard for Daniel, so the summer before he leaves for college, Daniel is determined to make the most of his time with "the old man," especially seeing Da is slipping a bit more and more from what his ID bracelet calls "Memory Loss." When Da starts behaving strangely and telling wild stories about a past full of world travels and violent deeds, Daniel first thinks it's the brain disorder in action. Until Da's old "work" friends start making appearances in unexpected places, and Da is convinced it won't be long before they come to silence him for good.
On a gut instinct, the "Young man" whisks his Da away in the dark early morning hours, unsure if Da needs protection from outside threats, or from himself. Their travels take them farther from home and safety, as Daniel tries to discern what's real, and Da seems to be preparing Daniel for what's to come.
This was a quick, sometimes funny, captivating read.
Daniel loves his Da, and Da seems to have a special regard for Daniel, so the summer before he leaves for college, Daniel is determined to make the most of his time with "the old man," especially seeing Da is slipping a bit more and more from what his ID bracelet calls "Memory Loss." When Da starts behaving strangely and telling wild stories about a past full of world travels and violent deeds, Daniel first thinks it's the brain disorder in action. Until Da's old "work" friends start making appearances in unexpected places, and Da is convinced it won't be long before they come to silence him for good.
On a gut instinct, the "Young man" whisks his Da away in the dark early morning hours, unsure if Da needs protection from outside threats, or from himself. Their travels take them farther from home and safety, as Daniel tries to discern what's real, and Da seems to be preparing Daniel for what's to come.
This was a quick, sometimes funny, captivating read.
jshettel's review against another edition
1.0
This book had a great premise, but really fell short on delivery. Plot was choppy and filled with holes. Hated the ending.
2kimi2furious's review against another edition
3.0
This book is weird and dark and doesn't feel like a YA novel as much as it feels like an adult fiction short story. I am giving it a three because I am not sure if I liked it or disliked it. It's very unsettling. It starts off so light (although not exactly light hearted) and ends so so so dark and weird. Blergh.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
Very intriguing premise: what might happen to a retired spy who gets dementia and starts talking about his top secret past to anyone within earshot? In this story, the spy is Daniel's grandfather, "Da," and he and Daniel have a very close relationship. But no one in the family ever knew what Da did for a living; they all think he was a boring bureaucrat. So when he starts telling stories about people he's murdered, at first Dan thinks Da's just gone round the bend and is making stuff up. But then some scary guys start to come after Da, and Daniel decides to go on the run with his grandfather, rather than see him institutionalized or worse. A short, suspenseful book that is as much about father-son-grandfather relationships as it is about Alzheimer's and the action-suspense of the plot.
lemon_drop's review against another edition
4.0
Gritty & provocative, examining the boundaries of acceptable behavior
and human instincts for violence. This definitely isn't for everyone.
I really liked the development of the characters, though
sometimes it was difficult to read about their actions.
and human instincts for violence. This definitely isn't for everyone.
I really liked the development of the characters, though
sometimes it was difficult to read about their actions.
ladygracie13's review against another edition
1.0
The idea behind this book was quite interesting, but Chris Lynch did not execute it very well. The book is dull, and if I'm honest, I was quite confused in many parts. I didn't know who was speaking or what they were talking about. He seemed to be implying things, but I could not figure out what he was implying. In many parts, I wasn't sure if I was reading it correctly. I wasn't exactly sure what he meant. It was confusing and boring. I almost gave up many many MANY many times. But I always stick with a book, especially when it's short like Kill Switch.
Towards the end, Dan ends up leaving Da, and my first thought was, "You couldn't stand to leave him alone the entire book, and now you're just going to leave him in some random town with random people, especially when you know there are people looking for him and ready to 'octo-shush' him?" Plus, Jarrod went who-knows-where. The ending was just terrible, in my opinion, at least.
I would never reread this book. I would never recommend this book.
Towards the end, Dan ends up leaving Da, and my first thought was, "You couldn't stand to leave him alone the entire book, and now you're just going to leave him in some random town with random people, especially when you know there are people looking for him and ready to 'octo-shush' him?" Plus, Jarrod went who-knows-where. The ending was just terrible, in my opinion, at least.
I would never reread this book. I would never recommend this book.
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
2.0
Kill Switch is Chris Lynch’s latest young adult book. It is a character study about two males – one young and one old- and delves into what makes a person flip their switch into violent mode. Daniel, referred to as Young Man is the narrator of Kill Switch. He spends a lot of time with his aging grandfather, Da, referred to as Old Boy.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
msinformation's review against another edition
3.0
This was my choice for a book with bad reviews. If it had been fleshed out some more in certain parts it would have been pretty good. I still liked it though, gaps and all.
claudiaswisher's review against another edition
4.0
Ultimately fascinating, frustrating, thought-provoking. What if we all had a trigger -- a reason we might resort to murder? That's the kill switch...that moment, that motivator, that trigger. Dan is devoted to his grandfather, Da, and grieves as he watches his granddad drift deeper and deeper into dementia. He's losing his hero inch by inch.
But as the condition often does, it seems to highlight long-term memories, hidden memories. Dan begins to realize Da's stories of his long-time job with the Agriculture Department are lies, and he's not sure he can handle the truth.
Dan snatches Da and the two run away, just before something bad could have happened. They find Dan's long-lost cousin, stoner Jarrod, and the road trip takes on a trippy ambiance. But always there's the menace of Da's past and the shadowy men who are trying to silence him...or are they? Is this part of Da's dementia or paranoia or flat-out truth.
The book frustrated me because the premise was so full of promise, but at 169 pages, there wasn't enough time to develop the promising characters, the plot, or the theme of menace. I needed 400 more pages to do this story justice, and I would gladly read them!
I'm troubled and intrigued by the premise...DO we all have that trigger that will switch us into a merciless killer? Man, I hope not!
But as the condition often does, it seems to highlight long-term memories, hidden memories. Dan begins to realize Da's stories of his long-time job with the Agriculture Department are lies, and he's not sure he can handle the truth.
Dan snatches Da and the two run away, just before something bad could have happened. They find Dan's long-lost cousin, stoner Jarrod, and the road trip takes on a trippy ambiance. But always there's the menace of Da's past and the shadowy men who are trying to silence him...or are they? Is this part of Da's dementia or paranoia or flat-out truth.
The book frustrated me because the premise was so full of promise, but at 169 pages, there wasn't enough time to develop the promising characters, the plot, or the theme of menace. I needed 400 more pages to do this story justice, and I would gladly read them!
I'm troubled and intrigued by the premise...DO we all have that trigger that will switch us into a merciless killer? Man, I hope not!