Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - One of Us Is Next

Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus

132 reviews

rys_readingcorner's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was an AMAZING sequel to One of Us is Lying! The only issue I ahd with it was that the "who done it" at the end was a lot harder to follow and digest than the first one. I found myself pausing on reading and sorting out what the author was connecting before continuing on. But the plot twist on the literal last TWO PAGES was wild. Anyways....Bronwyn and Nate 4EVEA!!

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sarahro's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Great sequel that picks up 18 months after book 1 and thankfully still includes the original Bayview Four as minor characters. I wouldn't have enjoyed the novel as much as I did without the Nate/Bronwyn snippets here and there.
But I have to admit that Maeve was a perfect mc and even though I struggled with Phoebe and Knox in the beginning I liked their character development throughout the story. My favourite character turned out to be Luis, which was completely unexpected since I didn't even know he played a role in the sequel.

The mystery was okay but not as thrilling as Simon's ploy in book 1. The ending felt a bit rushed and I think the very last chapter was not as satisfying as it could have been.
Still, I flew through the pages and feel at home in Bayview, despite its dark side and revenge forums. I am looking forward to part 3 this year!

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steffi_lag's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes

3.5

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taelights's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No

3.0

Personally I didn't like this one as much as the first book until the very end because I just disliked all the characters so I just couldn't get into it. I think this author is just not for me and I should just stick the the tv adaption but i will be giving the next book a read.

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deadgirlwalking23's review against another edition

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4.0

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graceev's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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_polly's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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tsnhjhn's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I was not expecting to like the sequel (or more of a spinoff, since this book focuses on a different cast of characters related to the Bayview four) as much as I did.

18 months after the events of the original story, comes a knockoff Truth or Dare game inspired by Simon's page. I was initially disappointed that the sequel wouldn't be focused on the original loveable cast, but I quickly grew to love this new cast: Maeve (Bronwyn's younger sister), Knox (Maeve's ex and best friend), and Phoebe. All of the cameos from the other four were super satisfying.

Bronwyn is at Yale and she and Nate are now in an on-and-off relationship

but they are endgame omg so so good

, Cooper is amazing at college baseball and is still with Kris, and Addy is still in town and her sister, Ashton, and Eli (the lawyer from Until Proven) are getting married!!

The mystery part was, admittedly, not as thrilling as the first book because we spend time just catching up with old characters and reading all the drama play out between the new ones, but I honestly didn't mind at all. McManus is GOOD at fleshing out characters and making you root for them, and there was no shortage of character flaws here (Addy and Phoebe are foils to each other in their questionable actions), but the character and relationship development (not just romantic, but platonic ones--Phoebe and Maeve, Maeve and Knox, etc,--and familial ones--Phoebe and Emma, Knox and his dad--were done so well).

This book was also just a step up from the last one in terms of humor and writing; there were some moments in the last one that just felt slightly dated and cringe, but this book was not like that at all.

Now for the actual mystery plot twist oh boy:

Jared being the one sending Eli death threats but also being Unknown and Intense Guy was just wow. I admit, I kinda didn't like that he wasn't a Bayview student bc I was like what is the point then, but his motives made sense, and Emma kinda satisfied that itch of having a traitor in the midst. And the brief moment where everyone was like oh no is Phoebe really the one is she not who we thought she was--THAT got me I absolutely did not want that to be true and I'm glad it wasn't. BUT OMG WHO saw the Owen thing coming?? The whole bizarre/bazaar thing--my jaw dropped when I saw that, now THAT was an amazing plot twist and one that needed few words (only a single one) to reveal who continued where Emma left off. I am just so so sad for their father that was a tragedy that never should have happened and tbh? Brandon's death felt like an eye for an eye and a part of me felt satisfied. But Phoebe is way more mature than me when she was like no that wasn't right. The other thing is that these kids are really emotionally mature for their age regardless of the mistakes they make at the beginning, and it's nice to read.

Honestly, I just really appreciate all the full circle moments McManus adds to tie up every loose plot thread because she never adds a single little scene without it having some greater significance later on (e.g. endgame, bazaar).

Can't wait for Book 3!!

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dariana12's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

WOW!! I think I like this book better than the first. I love that the characters from the last book are involved and they are more relatable and likable in this book. I loved all the characters so much and the ending!! I seriously could not believe it. I love the relation ship between Knox and his sisters and I love the whole book and the concept of the truth or dare game. I laughed out loud many times

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nataliapassos's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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