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Killer Species #3

Out for Blood (Killer Species #3) by Michael P. Spradlin

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The action-packed series by Michael P. Spradlin returns. Each book covers a genetically engineered superpredator wreacking havoc on the environment.Dr. Catalyst has finally come unhinged. Twice the crazed scientist has released his super predators into the wild to combat invasive species, and twice Emmet Doyle and his best friend Calvin Geaux have exploded his efforts.Now he's out for something more than just snakes and fish. Dr. Catalyst wants revenge.It's a quiet night when Emmet takes his dog, Apollo, out for a walk in the backyard. Until the noise begins. Part batlike screech, part insect buzz -- it seems to be coming from the roof. Suddenly the sky is full of dark, beating shapes, and they're all headed straight for Emmet.Dr. Catalyst's newest creations are hungry, and only one thing will satisfy them. Blood.

Paperback

First published February 25, 2014

17 people are currently reading
191 people want to read

About the author

Michael P. Spradlin

60 books130 followers
Michael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children.

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5 stars
129 (48%)
4 stars
82 (30%)
3 stars
38 (14%)
2 stars
10 (3%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for ashleigh.
11 reviews
April 27, 2021
Creature feature

Love the creatures in this book it’s very unexpected, and I’m a creature feature kind of gal. I also really like the ending, leading me right into the last book of this series which I am about to buy here in a second.

The only thing I could say bad is the first responder stuff in the chase. I was really into the car chase until code response 3 then I busted out laughing, like rolling over crying. Code 3 does not exist. Code 1 is the highest alert, 3 if it existed would be an officer going as slow as possible, I picture an old man walking with a cane up to the scene.

But hey, still a good read even for a 911 operator like me, and I’m still buying the last book in the series, and would still recommend it to others.
Profile Image for Mari Anne.
1,498 reviews31 followers
February 23, 2014
Spradlin got his hybrid, mutant, monster mojo back in this newest addition to the MG Killer Species series. The action is immediate and non-stop and keeps you up reading way too late. If you haven't read the previous books (or even if you have) you might be confused as to who some of the characters are. As in most MG books, character development is sacrificed for speed and brevity. Still, a great addition to this series that keeps me wanting more. Will probably appeal mostly to boys in grades 3-6.
Profile Image for Chris Velazquez.
171 reviews5 followers
January 14, 2023
After the second book of this series disappointed me, I could only hope that the third book picked things up a bit. To my delight, it picked them up and then some.

When I found out about this series, I hoped for creepy mutant critters and thrilling scenes, and this book delivered those in spades. By this point, Dr. Catalyst has grown much more ruthless, unleashing hundreds of his new creations into the city. Half wasp and half vampire bat, the Blood Jackets are creepy and very effective at what they do. So many people get attacked and injured in this book, making the Blood Jackets a very credible threat, and in turn making Dr. Catalyst a bigger threat himself, even though he does commit a certain egregious mistake at one point in the book, though I chalk that up to his overconfidence, so it's consistent.

By the second half of the book, we're treated to sequences full of action, chases and critter attacks that were a lot of fun to read. Not just that, but the book's b-plot, about another character put in harm's way, was also tense and engaging in its own way, really making me feel for this character. And another big positive for me was giving a much bigger role to Emmet and Calvin's friends, Riley and Raeburn, though a bummer that third friend Stuke didn't get to do much, even if the book has a perfectly reasonable explanation for it. And the book ends on a cliffhanger, but does it right, leaving me eager to pick up the next book.

The book's not perfect, of course. The same problems with dialogue that were in the first two books continue here, and Emmet continues to be a not particularly likable or engaging main character, especially when compared to Calvin or even Riley and Raeburn. But honestly, the book was so much fun to read that those issues didn't matter to me this time. This was by far the best book in the series, and I hope the final book is just as thrilling.
1 review2 followers
May 9, 2022
Dr Catalyst made an invasive species called Blood Jacket by combining the DNA of Bee and Bat and they built nest and started attacking people in the night. Emmet and other kids got attacked and were hospitalized. One time the blood jackets attack kids in the school concert. Four kids including Emmet and Calvin were trapped inside the school building. While escaping Calvin was able to see Dr. analyst’s face. So he went to look for Dr. Catalyst without telling anyone. At the end Calvin’s friends went out to look for Calvin and found him. Now Calvin knows who Dr. catalyst is. I like this book because it is scary and very interesting and can’t wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for Dayna Smith.
3,283 reviews11 followers
March 22, 2023
The third book in the Killer Species series. Dr. Catalyst is at it again. This time he is sending a hybrid of vampire bats and hornets after Emmet and his family and friends. This time he wants vengeance; he is not even pretending to want to save the Everglades anymore. Can Emmett, Calvin and company stop him again? Can they figure out his identity before it's too late? Fans of the series will enjoy this action packed installment.
Profile Image for Kailey.
1,009 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2024
Read for Battle of the Books. I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed this—I want to read the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Oznasia.
407 reviews6 followers
February 15, 2017
I realise these books are intended to appeal to reluctant readers but I doubt that any of the 5th to 7th graders (it’s stated audience) in my life would be attracted to them. The horror level is full-on. Between the horrible chapters there is some good narrative but nothing is actually resolved in the book. All it can do is entice the reader to buy or borrow the next title in the series. Personally, I won’t bother.
7 reviews
January 6, 2015
So he's made it All pteregator murecudas but he is at it one more time. In Michael p spradlin's last book dr catalyst is back and annoyed of emit and Calvin so he decides to "eliminate the threat" this time it is a mixture off complete different species. As his new blood jackets target and attempt to kill emit Doyle. An they race to get to doctor catalyst one more before he succeeds. In this novel you follow emit Doyle and Calvin guex the main characters. The elements to this book is what makes it just so much fun always pulling you into chapters there are a lot of elements but the main ones are action adventure and intensity the mixture of those and the smaller ones make it so you want to read and read and then it usually leaves a cliffhanger which pulls you on farther for the people that like lots of story elements intensity action and adventure I recommend this book series
Profile Image for Star Shining Forever.
647 reviews28 followers
November 29, 2016
Dwr. Catalyst is a hyper-environmentalist who crossbreeds crazy animals mutations to corral the invasive species in Florida, doesn't care if and when they hurt people, and has it in for a small group of friends and their parents who are always thwarting him. This time he targets the kids' school with his newest monstrosity, a combo of the vampire bat and hornet. The result of an insatiable flying terror interrupts a school concert, trapping the friends in closets. Dr. Catalyst himself prowls nearby, bent on success of his creations and willing to hurt people in his quest.

Barring a couple crush remarks and an ongoing romance between the widowed parents of 2 of the kids, it's really clean and good for kids who like action, adventure, and some intense and/or scary moments!
Profile Image for Barbara Mittelstadt.
378 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2016
I LOVE this series. As soon as I finish a book in the series, I have 5 boys in my class-who don't "like" reading, fighting over who gets to read it next! I usually am able to engage in great discussion with them. This science fiction thriller series is a wonderful collection. If you live in FL, it adds to the creepy sounds you hear at night! Quick easy read.
Profile Image for Victoria.
162 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2014
Gave it a five stars

Gave it a five stars

I gave this a five stars on this book and it was an awesome book. I love the characters in this book and I think you would like this book.
Profile Image for Linda  "The Book Lady" Warner.
215 reviews15 followers
January 16, 2015
This was a fast spaced book. My kids at school will like it. Though not a lot of character development and at first I didn't know who were girls and who were the boys. This is the third book in the seties and didn't readthe first two and that might make a difference.
6 reviews
September 9, 2014
Another amazing amazing book by Michael p. Sprawling.
Profile Image for Ethan.
43 reviews
October 13, 2014
a blood jacket: mix with a baldheaded yellow jacket and vampire bat. dr. catalyst will never seem to die.
9 reviews4 followers
Read
October 1, 2018
i thought ut was great and i would recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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