Rating: 
Summary: An incredible book...for those who can appreciate it.
Review: I stayed up until four in the morning to finish Kill Me First. Once I was hooked, I couldn't put it down. But what I found even more rewarding than the non-stop action, was the fact that this book delivered on a deeper level. Kate Morgenroth's debut novel delves into human nature, and forces us to look both at ourselves and the society we have created. Although she paints a sometimes bleak picture of the violence which seems so central to our culture and the media which glorifies it, at the same time Morgenroth gives us hope in the form of the "heroine" Sarah Shepard. While the story is a true page turner, the real power of this book lies just below the surface, in the messages Morgenroth whispers to us between the lines.
Rating:
Summary: Smart, gripping thriller with a fascinating older woman
Review: I was drawn into buying this by reviews that described it as a smart thriller, and it certainly lived up to that. Both Sarah and Merec are fascinating, with this pervasive sexual tension that I'm not sure the author even intended. I couldn't put it down, even though I have to say I flinched away from some of the more graphic scenes. And the violence is not strictly gratuitous and always serves to keep the plot marching steadily forward. Call me shallow, but I thought the climax was positively cinematic, and I kept imagining what actress "of a certain age" would be right to play Sarah. Hurrah for an author who has the guts to make a convincing heroine who's over fifty--especially when I looked at the photo and saw how young the author is. If you like gripping, well-written thrillers and you're tired of all the fake-y women and "sexy" thugs who tend to people this kind of book, Kill Me First is definitely for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Pulling Strings
Review: I was visiting my local library when I originally saw Kill Me First. The premise looked promising and the price was right so I borrowed it. Serious book lovers, beware. Kill Me First isn't a novel, it is an outline for the novel. The characters are hastily sketched in one dimension, lacking any personality or motivation. The various scenes in the book come and go so fast with so little description that you'll feel like you're watching a television commercial for high-speed internet access. There is no one in the book to identify with; the characters exist purely to dig their spurs into the anemic plot. For example: at one point Merec, the bored killer, hands his pistol to Sarah, the chain-smoker-in-a-day hostage, so that she can finish off one of his henchmen who's been shot but is still alive. Sarah, who's never even fired a gun before, seems calm, even excited as she blows off the man's nose. Why? Why doesn't she kill Merec? Why doesn't she kill herself? Why doesn't she feel the least bit nauseous at the sight of brains, bone and blood splattered all over the room? Maybe there is some clue hidden in Sarah's childhood that would, if it were even hinted at, explain her ridiculous behavior throughout the book. Unfortunately, motives are in high demand and the manufacturer seem to be out of business. I returned the book (minus an hour and a half) to my friendly librarian with the suggestion that, before being shelved, he should paste over Kill Me First with Just Shoot Me.
Rating:
Summary: Surprising, intelligent thriller with a message
Review: Loved it. A well-written book about a dark and clever villian and his captive - a woman self-actualizing in a surprising and disturbing way. Combines a great sense of action with a moral message and humanity. Worth reading as a commentary on morality, violence, and (for lack of a better term) awakening.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting Philosophical Investigation
Review: One of the most haunting characters I have ever come across in fiction: Merec, the philosophical killer for hire. Merec likes to add a dash of his own style to his contracts - a philosophical investigation. He tests his victims' morality and delivers a fatal judgement if they fail. I loved the irony of it, and the deeper questions the author asks about humanity in general. The clipped writing style only serves to make the subject more chilling for being presented in such a matter-of-fact way. I can tell I loved the book because the characters have lingered with me, as have the questions Morgenroth has posed. I look forward to reading her next book!
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing and Chilling
Review: Shall I say, "the next Tom Clancy" only better looking in a dress. This was one of the most complex stories that I have read in a while. The chilling coldness of Merec -the villian- reminds me of the killer in Seven, he totally believes what he is doing benifits mankind. I am looking forward to her next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting premise, weak execution
Review: The premise of this book is very compelling...I can't think of any other very similar books out there. However, I just couldn't believe the characters here...it felt like the author didn't really know her own characters - and she created them - so how could the reader understand their thoughts and motivations. The Sarah Shepherd character was so all over the place - not only was she not at all believeable but she seemed like about 5 different people. In some novels that might be a strength, but here i think it was just poor writing. The book was also written for the lowest common demoninator reader...written like the reader had no attention span. The author obviously is creative and has great story ideas, but she'd be wise to spend some more time working on her execution before her next novel.
Rating:
Summary: WARNING: You need to think to appreciate this book
Review: This is a thriller that makes you think. This book takes a cynical look at human nature. It is not your typical thriller, as the book is without a "true hero". As in life, there are no clear cut heroes or villains, and this book depicts the fine line between right and wrong which governs our actions and keeps us in check -or not.
Rating:
Summary: WARNING: You need to think to appreciate this book
Review: This is a thriller that makes you think. This book takes a cynical look at human nature. It is not your typical thriller, as the book is without a "true hero". As in life, there are no clear cut heroes or villains, and this book depicts the fine line between right and wrong which governs our actions and keeps us in check -or not.
Rating:
Summary: Page turning psychological roller coaster!!
Review: This is one of the finest fiction books I have read in years. I traditionally only read non-fiction and biographies...fiction usually doesn't interest me because chracters are so uni-dimensional...Kill Me First breaks new ground in demonstrating the multi-faceted nature of human beings when they are faced with difficult situations. This is an entertaining and thoroughly intelligent read!
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