Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus

113 reviews

marigold82's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.75

These are quick murder mysteries to read with my teens. They discuss toxic relationships and how secrets can mess with friendships. The cons are this one glossed over some intense issues.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Bullying, and Murder

Moderate: Child death

rae42's review against another edition

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

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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

heathermarie08's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-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? Yes

3.75

While I enjoyed the book and didn't really see the ending coming, I didn't think it was as good as the first book in the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content

melodyseestrees's review

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.

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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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!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit and Alcoholism

Moderate: Stalking and Cancer

Minor: Suicide, Sexual assault, and Death of parent

readwith_le's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Medical content, Violence, and Sexual assault

steffi_lag's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

sophiabooks6's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

This book was very entertaining and I loved reading it! While the first book, One of us is Lying is better, I found myself very interested in the characters and trying to guess what would happen next. The ending is a bit confusing but it's still very much worth the read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, and Cancer

Moderate: Sexual assault

taelights's review

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