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I Hunt Killers #0.5
Blood Boy
The author is donating his profits from this story to the Adam Lynch Award, a scholarship established by the Hemophilia Association of New York.
Fan-favorite character Howie Gersten — Jazz Dent’s hemophiliac best friend from the I HUNT KILLERS series — finally gets a story all his own! Set one year before the events of the series, “Blood Boy” takes you inside Howie’s hilariously twisted mind for one night only. Enjoy Halloween as only Howie can, learn more about his relationship with Jazz and Connie…and discover exactly what it is he’s keeping a secret from both of them.
Fan-favorite character Howie Gersten — Jazz Dent’s hemophiliac best friend from the I HUNT KILLERS series — finally gets a story all his own! Set one year before the events of the series, “Blood Boy” takes you inside Howie’s hilariously twisted mind for one night only. Enjoy Halloween as only Howie can, learn more about his relationship with Jazz and Connie…and discover exactly what it is he’s keeping a secret from both of them.
39 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2014
11 people are currently reading
1720 people want to read
About the author
Barry Lyga
71 books2,199 followersBarry Lyga is a recovering comic book geek. According to Kirkus, he's also a "YA rebel-author." Somehow, the two just don't seem to go together to him.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
September 2, 2018
Before commencing the ‘I Hunt Killers’ series, I wanted to round-out my reading experience with this final short story of character development and insight. Lyga has penned a number of them, all of which have proven to be highly useful to wet my feet before taking the plunge. This piece turns the focus on Howie Gersten, best friend to Jasper Dent and an interesting teenager in his own right. Plagued with hemophilia, Howie has been kept in a protective cocoon by his parents, which might explain his forward nature with others, particularly girls at school. However, the constant reminder of his situation while walking around Lobo’s Nod has become tiresome, so he has organized an invitation to attend a Hallowe’en party with Connie and Jasper in another community. While his sarcastic comments have come along with him, Howie seeks to explore those at the party free from his companions. He meets a young girl who is curious to know more about him, particularly as he is from the Nod, where the stories of Billy Dent’s killings still serve as the town’s greatest draw. Howie dares to impress and does all he can to lure this young woman into the web of his teenage mind while not forgetting that he has his own carnal needs. As with much in his life, Howie must come to terms with the fact that not everything goes as planned. Another great Lyga short piece that has given me all I need to better understand the vast array of characters within the series. Recommended for series fans and those who want to enjoy a brief respite from their daily lives.
I am pleased to have heeded the recommendation of my friend, who asked that I give this collection my attention. When a read a short blurb from Lyga about his creation of these pieces as a means of filling in the gaps of backstory, I knew I was right to have taken the time to read them first. Now, I am ready to begin the journey of longer pieces and explore the teenage perspectives of those in Lobo’s Nod. Howie proves to be the typical teenager, whose raging hormones are not satisfied simply by talking. That being said, as with his two other friends—Jasper and Connie—he has his own individualising characteristic that pushes him apart from others. He wants nothing more than to have a ‘normal’ evening, whatever that might entail. The struggle to shed his daily life at the door is overpowering and Howie is able to do that in his own sarcastic manner. He seeks to better understand himself and those around him in this piece, without inundating the reader with too much information. Lyga has armed his series reader with much and left them to draw some of their own conclusions, which are sure to be interesting in regards to Howie. The story works here and provides the curious reader with something on which to build. Some will surely have read the pieces in chronological (published date) order and already know much about Howie Gersten, while others are only really meeting him in depth for the first time here (as I have, choosing to explore the books as they are marketed by numbers in the series). Either way will likely work, though I will have to reserve final judgment until I finish the entire trilogy that awaits. Now, I am ready for those books and will gladly offer up my insights before too long, as I need to get my teeth into some of the more substantive pieces.
Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on another great piece. I have come to enjoy your short pieces and hope I can find the same pleasure in the novels to come.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I am pleased to have heeded the recommendation of my friend, who asked that I give this collection my attention. When a read a short blurb from Lyga about his creation of these pieces as a means of filling in the gaps of backstory, I knew I was right to have taken the time to read them first. Now, I am ready to begin the journey of longer pieces and explore the teenage perspectives of those in Lobo’s Nod. Howie proves to be the typical teenager, whose raging hormones are not satisfied simply by talking. That being said, as with his two other friends—Jasper and Connie—he has his own individualising characteristic that pushes him apart from others. He wants nothing more than to have a ‘normal’ evening, whatever that might entail. The struggle to shed his daily life at the door is overpowering and Howie is able to do that in his own sarcastic manner. He seeks to better understand himself and those around him in this piece, without inundating the reader with too much information. Lyga has armed his series reader with much and left them to draw some of their own conclusions, which are sure to be interesting in regards to Howie. The story works here and provides the curious reader with something on which to build. Some will surely have read the pieces in chronological (published date) order and already know much about Howie Gersten, while others are only really meeting him in depth for the first time here (as I have, choosing to explore the books as they are marketed by numbers in the series). Either way will likely work, though I will have to reserve final judgment until I finish the entire trilogy that awaits. Now, I am ready for those books and will gladly offer up my insights before too long, as I need to get my teeth into some of the more substantive pieces.
Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on another great piece. I have come to enjoy your short pieces and hope I can find the same pleasure in the novels to come.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
May 6, 2025
Guys, it's a Jasper Dent novella. And it centers on Howie, who has made into my book as the "best best friend of a protagonist in the history of ever". Of COURSE I was going to give it five stars.
Even more so once I found out that all the profits from this book are being donated to the Hemophilia Association of New York, and the Adam Lynch award, which provides scholarships for college students who have hemophilia. Barry Lyga is officially awesome. Well, he already was, but you get what I mean!
For those of you who don't know, having hemophilia SUCKS. It's an inherited disease (only males can get it, but the females are carriers) that prevents the blood from clotting normally. For example, let's say you got a paper cut. For a normal person, it wouldn't be a big deal; the bleeding will stop eventually. Nothing a little Neosporin and a Band-Aid won't fix. But when a hemophiliac gets a paper cut, it's life-threatening. Since the blood doesn't clot, the cut will keep bleeding. Any cut, bruise, or injury can result in death for them. That means hemophiliacs are prohibited from doing most things that we normally can enjoy with no problem. Contact sports of any type? Forget it; one broken bone or concussion and you could end up in the ground.
Despite all of this, Howie remains eternally optimistic and humorous despite his condition. And he could not ask for a better friend than Jasper Dent. The most unlikeliest of friends as well, since Jasper's father is a notorious serial killer. I would rate their friendship with that of Stiles and Scott; you just want to cuddle the heck out of them.
So even if you haven't been introduced to the wonderful world of Jasper Dent and his friends, please consider buying this little novella. It costs more than a regular novella would on an e-reader, but just know that every single dollar is going to a wonderful cause. And hey, you might even be convinced enough to try this wonderful, fantastic, awesome-possum series!!!
Even more so once I found out that all the profits from this book are being donated to the Hemophilia Association of New York, and the Adam Lynch award, which provides scholarships for college students who have hemophilia. Barry Lyga is officially awesome. Well, he already was, but you get what I mean!
For those of you who don't know, having hemophilia SUCKS. It's an inherited disease (only males can get it, but the females are carriers) that prevents the blood from clotting normally. For example, let's say you got a paper cut. For a normal person, it wouldn't be a big deal; the bleeding will stop eventually. Nothing a little Neosporin and a Band-Aid won't fix. But when a hemophiliac gets a paper cut, it's life-threatening. Since the blood doesn't clot, the cut will keep bleeding. Any cut, bruise, or injury can result in death for them. That means hemophiliacs are prohibited from doing most things that we normally can enjoy with no problem. Contact sports of any type? Forget it; one broken bone or concussion and you could end up in the ground.
Despite all of this, Howie remains eternally optimistic and humorous despite his condition. And he could not ask for a better friend than Jasper Dent. The most unlikeliest of friends as well, since Jasper's father is a notorious serial killer. I would rate their friendship with that of Stiles and Scott; you just want to cuddle the heck out of them.
So even if you haven't been introduced to the wonderful world of Jasper Dent and his friends, please consider buying this little novella. It costs more than a regular novella would on an e-reader, but just know that every single dollar is going to a wonderful cause. And hey, you might even be convinced enough to try this wonderful, fantastic, awesome-possum series!!!
May 26, 2022
Esta precuela es diferente a las otras, es de alguna forma mas humana, especialmente porque se centra en Howie y no en Jazz o su padre.
No es aburrida pero si que es cierto que no resulta tan interesante como las que estan narradas por Billy, aun asi, es corta y rapida de leer. Estuvo bien.
2.5 Estrellas!
June 21, 2016
Loved getting inside Howie's head, even for a moment. This whole series has taken me by surprise with how much I have liked it so far. I can't wait for more.
April 18, 2017
”I am blood boy”, Howie announced, planting his fists on his hips and striking a super hero pose. “ My power is to bleed on you”
This story set one year before the events of the series, “Blood Boy” takes you inside Howie’s hilariously twisted mind for one night only. Enjoy Halloween as only Howie can, learn more about his relationship with Jazz and Connie…and discover exactly what it is he’s keeping a secret from both of them.
”I am the face of spousal abuse”, Howie intoned with utter seriousness. “ until women stop beating up their husbands, I will wear this makeup in solidarity with…”
“Can you shut him up?” Connie asked Jazz. “ Sure, but I’d have to kill him” Jazz said.
December 10, 2015
Howie sincerely makes my day. If he's not quipping sexual innuendos, he's probably dead. He really has the best lines and his humor is great.
I loved this even more since Barry Lyga is donating every purchase of this novella to the Hemophilia Foundation of America. Since Howie himself has hemophilia, it's not only kind of the author, but great that he can share a character who has what can really be classified as a disability. Because simple scratches and bruises that people receive every day and brush off, could literally kill Howie.
He's had to deal with it all his life. Now it's Halloween and he, Connie, and Jazz are off to a party outside of town. Reading his mind is like reading a dirty romance. He meets a girl dressed up like a goat and they hit it off. It's cute, it's funny, and it's everything I love about Jazz's best friend.
Five stars cause I dig it.
I loved this even more since Barry Lyga is donating every purchase of this novella to the Hemophilia Foundation of America. Since Howie himself has hemophilia, it's not only kind of the author, but great that he can share a character who has what can really be classified as a disability. Because simple scratches and bruises that people receive every day and brush off, could literally kill Howie.
He's had to deal with it all his life. Now it's Halloween and he, Connie, and Jazz are off to a party outside of town. Reading his mind is like reading a dirty romance. He meets a girl dressed up like a goat and they hit it off. It's cute, it's funny, and it's everything I love about Jazz's best friend.
Five stars cause I dig it.
September 30, 2017
This was sooooooo sweet, and so much fun, and sad at the same time. I love Howard, his sense of humour and his positivity, and I am really sad for him, for his disease. I think Lyga had a stroke of genius with him. And I liked a lot to see him and Jazz make the teenager!
March 10, 2022
AYYYY A BOOK ON HOWIE
December 24, 2021
I have always liked howie. This was not one of my favorite reads,but enjoyed it.
August 30, 2014
Hemophilia (and a lack of social grace) can make it difficult to "score" when you're Howie. A fun little read made even better when the author announced that every single penny made from this story is going towards helping an organization designed to help haemophiliacs!
Book #32 of the 2014 Reading Challenge.
Book #32 of the 2014 Reading Challenge.
November 8, 2014
Loved this short little story that covers Howie and "Sexy Kid" at a party he and Connie and Jazz go to. Loved it.
July 13, 2015
im hoping that Howie will be with this Sexy Kid. muehehe
December 6, 2019
Man, it's nice to see that Howie's head is way more interesting than I've expected it to be. You can see in this he's more than just a comic-relief kind of character. To see how Howie has been wanting the feel to be treated like the others, I thought this book's has no character's motivation or its just a mindless spine-off but guess I was wrong.
Hell, now I'll like to have a book about Howie now.
Hell, now I'll like to have a book about Howie now.
March 17, 2024
Not bad
It was nice getting to know a little more about Howie though, never having been a 16 year old boy, there was nothing relatable about it. He was more the type of perv I'd have avoided at 16! However, I really like him in the main books so this was ok. Might have been nice to learn a bit more about him though. Other aspects of him that is because he really is a good friend to Jazz throughout the series
It was nice getting to know a little more about Howie though, never having been a 16 year old boy, there was nothing relatable about it. He was more the type of perv I'd have avoided at 16! However, I really like him in the main books so this was ok. Might have been nice to learn a bit more about him though. Other aspects of him that is because he really is a good friend to Jazz throughout the series
April 22, 2020
A lot of nothing happens and I mean that in a good way. I'm a big fan of slice-of-life content and whenever something in a set genre decides to go for that for a change, you can get something quiet and meaningless that still reminds you why you were invested in the first place. Great characters can do nothing and still keep your interest, it's one of the best things about them.
November 9, 2019
A short story in the I Hunt Killers series by Barry Lyga. The events in this book take place before Book 1. This story is from Howie's POV. Howie, Jasper, and Connie go to a Halloween party. Quick, humorous, and fun. Good read for fans of this series.
January 31, 2024
He was my favorite character, but the fact the chick he’s trying to get freaky with is referred to as a “Kid” the whole time was a little unsettling ngl. I also expected something cooler and not him getting handsy, but hey he’s still my favorite character
April 30, 2025
This is an amazing short story about Howie, it's nice to see things from Howie's point of view and it's great to see him get to be a normal boy even if it is just for a moment!
10/10 would love to see and know more from Howie's perspective!!
10/10 would love to see and know more from Howie's perspective!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2017
Fab
Loved the I hunt killers books. These short prequel books are great for getting the backstory to the main books characters.
Loved the I hunt killers books. These short prequel books are great for getting the backstory to the main books characters.
November 27, 2017
This book follows Howie, Jasper’s best friend. That’s pretty much all I can say. I loved it.
December 22, 2017
I think besides Lucky Day this was my favorite of the prequels.
May 1, 2018
Definitely the funniest of all the prequels. And made me realize how much I love and miss Howie.
August 7, 2018
Howie
It's was nice to read something from Howie's point of view. It was definitely...an interesting short read to say the least ;)
It's was nice to read something from Howie's point of view. It was definitely...an interesting short read to say the least ;)
December 25, 2018
Great short story! Loved being in Howie's head, of his attempts at romance, and all the bruises he gained throughout the night. Great story!
June 7, 2019
Awww, I really like Howie! He's such a sweet kid.
March 11, 2024
What genre is this?
May 16, 2024
I have a feeling that I will enjoy Howie a lot but I will care for Jazz like no other. Let's hope I enjoy the actual series! Consider me excited🤭
June 18, 2024
Howie’s such a little goof
Read
August 26, 2024eh
January 5, 2025
Surprisingly enjoyed Howie's prequel story 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews