Review of The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My review of The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes looks at this exciting young adult political thriller by the author of The Naturals and The Inheritance Games.
The Fixer (Fixer #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
To be published on July 7, 2015
by Bloomsbury
Source: ARC for review from the publisher
Synopsis from Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Tess Kendrick has spent her entire life on her grandfather’s ranch. But when her estranged sister Ivy uproots her to D.C., Tess is thrown into a world that revolves around politics and power. She also starts at Hardwicke Academy, the D.C. school for the children of the rich and powerful, where she unwittingly becomes a fixer for the high school set, fixing teens’ problems the way her sister fixes their parents’ problems. And when a conspiracy surfaces that involves the family member of one of Tess’s classmates, love triangles and unbelievable family secrets come to light and life gets even more interesting—and complicated—for Tess.
Review of The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
I love thrillers, but I seldom find YA thrillers very … thrilling. So I was beyond happy to find The Fixer! It was a fun, fast-paced story that had me flipping the pages like crazy.
The Fixer had a lot of my favorite story elements. It has a fish-out-of-water feel, as Tess is whisked from her old life in Montana to a fancy Washington D. C. private school after her grandfather needs to go into a nursing home. At the tony Hardwicke school, Tess has to adapt to a completely new environment and get to know her classmates, many of whom are children of the powerful and well-connected.
Not surprisingly, The Fixer also has political elements — the story involving the death of a Supreme Court justice reminded me a little bit of my favorite John Grisham book, The Pelican Brief. Plus, Tess’ big sister, Ivy, is a “fixer” like Olivia Pope in Scandal (or real life fixer Judy Smith, the woman Pope was reportedly based on.)
The Fixer is also a story about family, as Tess and Ivy have to address their strained relationship. But one thing that The Fixer is not is a romance. There are two male characters who could develop into love interests for Tess, but she really doesn’t get involved with either one of them. (I didn’t mind this, but just letting you know. Plus, I think this gives The Fixer a high potential for a love triangle in future installments.)
For me, The Fixer was the perfect gripping summer read.
Check out the Fixer Challenge that Jennifer Lynn Barnes herself has set up for us. What would YOU do?
And check out my Review of The Long Game, book two in the series!
I'm thrilled that you were thrilled, Jen 😀 It's on my list – the political elements were attractive to me from the first moment I found out about this.
Ha, I echo what Ramona said – I'm glad this worked for you, because most YA thrillers are decidedly unthrilling, IMO. I've read another book of the author, and she seems pretty adept at ramping up the tension and action.
Interesting… I like how the book is not focused on the romance. You really don't see many of those books around. Different is good sometimes 🙂
I'm number 1 on the hold list at the library for this book when it comes out this week. I can't wait to read it. I love Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Naturals series. This series sounds so good. I'm actually happy to hear there isn't romance quite yet. Glad you liked it.
That's funny that you don't find most thrillers thrilling 🙂 Sounds like a great one!
I loved her first book (can't remember the name but the wolfy one lol) but didn't like anything she wrote after that. Maybe I'll give this one a shot since it sounds a little unique.
Karen @For What It's Worth
I love how this book mixes politics as well as mystery, thriller, and young adult fiction into it – that combination is a rare thing to see especially today, and moreover the execution seems to be extremely well done for this one. Barnes, I tell you. She has a gift. Also, Jen, I've tagged you for this really fun bookshelf tag, if you're interested. I'd love to see what you come up with.
http://symphofwords.blogspot.in/2015/07/the-bookshelf-tag-excuse-to-take.html
Lots of raving reviews on this one! I'm excited to pick it up 😀
I love the sound of this. I like that it's YA and a thriller but also the political elements and non-romance. Such an interesting mix!
I'm so happy to hear that you had a lovely time with this one Jen! I've only heard good things so far and i love any book that know show to mix in politics with mystery and thrills (while making it entertaining) Lovely review 🙂
YESSS! Glad you enjoyed this one so much, I'm very excited to read it and it sounds so much like Scandal in some aspects. You need to watch Scandal if you haven't. Great review like always 😀
Patrick @ The Bookshelves
J Lynn Barnes seems to be adept at YA thrillers along this vein. Glad you loved it!
Damn!! I really want to read this book! It looks so amazing!!
Haniya
booknauthors.blogspot.com
A perfect gripping read sounds wonderful
I love this feature. Great review as always!
-Jordan @ Jordan's Jewelsl
I AM SO GLAD TO SEE YOU ENJOYED THIS, Jen! I adore thrillers as well but a lot of YA thrillers just aren't as thrilling as I would like them to be! This book totally hit the mark for me though and I had so much fun reading it!
I adored reading about Tess and Ivy especially since they had such an interesting relationship! I hope there will be future books so we can see where things go from here….
Although, like you said, there is potential for a love triangle and that worries me. I feel like I know who would be the best option for Tess but who knows :p
Lovely review, Jen! 🙂
Rashika @ The Social Potato
So excited for this one!!!