Reviews tagging 'Child death'

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus

37 reviews

kshertz's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This is such an interesting sequel. It was nice to see previous characters and learn more about precious side characters. I love the twists and turns and when everything gets explained. An excellent sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Violence, Child death, Murder, Death, Gaslighting, Body horror, Blood, and Chronic illness

melodyseestrees's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.5

This book is very slow for the first 60%. There is a lot of focus on drama unrelated to the underlying mystery and characters that don't matter past the initial burst of drama. There is somehow not enough focus on any of these characters to pull off a red herring maneuver. You can basically figure out the plot by the 70% mark aside from a few details that were mishandled, in my opinion. There is also a romance between a 17 year old and someone who is old enough to have graduated college.

There is a character blatantly introduced at the 90% mark. He is mentioned two to four times throughout the book but only in passing as the "intense guy." To no one's surprise he is one of the three culprits and not at all a red herring. There are three culprits: Emma, Owen, Jared Jackson. Jared Jackson made a deal with Emma in a revenge board. Emma did this through the use of her sister's phone as she had conveniently lost hers. Emma admits this all from the hospital bed where she is suffering from the effects of alcohol poisoning. When Emma backs out by ghosting on Jared, Owen (the little brother) steps in, steals the pseudonym, and pursues revenge against Brandon for the death of his father. Emma and Phoebe agree to act like Jared fabricated Owen's messages to protect him.

The reveal right at the end of the book is a very cheap gimmick and though it was executed properly, it feels unrealistic to how someone of that age demographic would respond to the info they'd acquired.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Bullying, Violence, Blood, Sexual assault, Death, Alcoholism, Murder, Vomit, Child death, Chronic illness, and Cancer

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Child death, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Stalking

Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Homophobia, and Racism

There is a subplot of a bomb but only one person is injured and they survive but will have scars. There was also a subplot of a corrupt police officer who framed and blackmailed someone for drugs.

taelights's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Bullying, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, Vomit, Cancer, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Chronic illness, Medical content, Murder, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

abbyycadabbyy's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

2.0

    I was so excited for this book and so let down... After finishing the first book I couldn't wait to read this book. I felt like the book was not needed. 

     I can't help but compare this book to the first one. I feel like the mystery and suspense fell short. I was hoping it would be like the first book where it just jumped right into the death and mystery. I felt the book didn’t really get good till like halfway through. 

     I really didn’t like the truth or dare game. I thought the concept was there but the execution again fell short. I thought the “twist” wasn’t all that. To be completely honest I felt this book was really stupid compared to the first book.

      I think when going into a book that I had such high hopes for I will get let down. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Vomit

soph30000's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death

eagerreader2022's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was a thrill ride for the books! (Hehe) I loved reconnecting to the characters and town that McManus built in One of Us Is Lying.

There were a lot of moving parts, and they all came together in the end - with the biggest shocker of the whole book!

Definitely read this if you enjoyed the first one!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

Moderate: Suicide and Cancer

shiroofficial's review against another edition

5.0

Loved the book! Kept me captivated the whole time, it was amazing reading it! Really thrilling and i had great laughs from the book too! Loved the twists in the story. Awesome book, enjoyed it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Hate crime, Medical content, Stalking, Child death, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing

kjm_x's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Cancer, Stalking, Terminal illness, Violence, and Vomit

elananoel's review

lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I really enjoyed the second installment of the “One Of Us” series. It was full of some interesting twists and overall very enjoyable. I really liked the ending, as there was a part I was not expecting. However, I did feel like there were a few plot points that were entirely too predictable, and the writing at times felt very juvenile (even for YA). Overall, a pretty good and lighthearted read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Child death, Sexual assault, Bullying, and Cancer

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Alcohol

readwithsophsx's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Child death, and Suicide