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julierambaeck's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was fine, enjoyable, crazy. The romances were great
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual assault, Hate crime, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Suicide and Stalking
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
This is a great, albeit slightly far-fetched, second part of a fun series. I am realising that I really enjoy YA thrillers; there's often more of a funny streak running through them than in an adult thriller, which seems to make me plough through them so quickly. Here we see the next group of high school students after the original Bayview Four (who still have peripheral roles) have moved on.
It's hard not to compare this to the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. Both have plucky, intelligent groups of students solving complex mysteries at an age where I could barely choose an outfit or hair colour. They also both contain enough characters that reading the second book took a bit of flicking back and forth through pages before I could really remember how everyone was connected. And both seem to invite an inordinate amount of death and drama to one small community.
But this is where I'm happy to suspend my disbelief. The plot of One Of Us Is Next is fun, cleverly connected and intriguing, so I can overlook how implausible it is that so much happens in one high school. The way so many sub-plots connect is really interesting, and I was a little blindsided (and upset) by the ending, which I didn't see coming at all.
I've just heard there's a third installment on the way, so I'm looking forward to where things go from here.
It's hard not to compare this to the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. Both have plucky, intelligent groups of students solving complex mysteries at an age where I could barely choose an outfit or hair colour. They also both contain enough characters that reading the second book took a bit of flicking back and forth through pages before I could really remember how everyone was connected. And both seem to invite an inordinate amount of death and drama to one small community.
But this is where I'm happy to suspend my disbelief. The plot of One Of Us Is Next is fun, cleverly connected and intriguing, so I can overlook how implausible it is that so much happens in one high school. The way so many sub-plots connect is really interesting, and I was a little blindsided (and upset) by the ending, which I didn't see coming at all.
I've just heard there's a third installment on the way, so I'm looking forward to where things go from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
luisamw's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Omg, I just looved this book πππ
I also liked "one of us is lying" a lot and I was scared that the 2nd part would be worse, but it absolutely wasn't.
A really big part of the story was the personal life of the narrators and in the first half the crime-aspect was more in the background. I didn't mind that, though that was something that I didn't expect. And I also have to say that that part was very gripping and absolutely not boring.
Then more or less at 50% of the book the murder happens and from that part on, the crime-aspect was more the main part of the story. Then the book got so tense π¨π¨π¨
And then the plot-twists were such a surprise π± And the last pages... π¨π¨π¨ I would have never expected that π±
Now comes a little spoiler for the romance in the book I also really liked, that there were 2 romance stories, but those could have been a little more present.
That there are now new narrators was at the beginning a little weird (mainly because of Knox and Phoebe, because I didn't know them π ), but when I got to know them, I really really loved them π I also loved, that the old narrators were still side-characters and that you learn, how Bronwyn and Nate's story continued πππ I was also so happy for Addy, that she got to know someone βΊπ₯° .
I can't wait to read the 3rd book and I have to pre-order it right now
I also liked "one of us is lying" a lot and I was scared that the 2nd part would be worse, but it absolutely wasn't.
A really big part of the story was the personal life of the narrators and in the first half the crime-aspect was more in the background. I didn't mind that, though that was something that I didn't expect. And I also have to say that that part was very gripping and absolutely not boring.
Then more or less at 50% of the book the murder happens and from that part on, the crime-aspect was more the main part of the story. Then the book got so tense π¨π¨π¨
And then the plot-twists were such a surprise π± And the last pages... π¨π¨π¨ I would have never expected that π±
Now comes a little spoiler for the romance in the book
That there are now new narrators was at the beginning a little weird (mainly because of Knox and Phoebe, because I didn't know them π ), but when I got to know them, I really really loved them π I also loved, that the old narrators were still side-characters and that you learn, how Bronwyn and Nate's story continued πππ
I can't wait to read the 3rd book and I have to pre-order it right now
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Murder, and Vomit
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
rae42's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Cancer, Medical content, Suicide, Death, Murder, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Cancer, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Medical content, Terminal illness, Violence, and Murder
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.
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.rys_readingcorner's review
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!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual assault, and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, Bullying, and Suicide
sarahro's review against another edition
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Alcoholism
Moderate: Stalking and Cancer
Minor: Suicide, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
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.
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
deadgirlwalking23's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cancer, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Bullying
Minor: Suicide and Vomit
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Suicide and Cancer