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sigreads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
itsmeyseniab's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was my third experience with a Karen M. McManus novel, and sadly it has been my least favorite so far.
Right off the bat I noticed that McManus follows a pretty clear "recipe" for her novels, which is normally fine (I mean if it isn't broken, don't fix it right?) but one thing I could not overlook was how... juvenile the writing felt. It has been nearly two years since I picked up One of Us Is Next, and since then I've read primarily New Adult and Adult literature (so my reading tastes may have changed), but I truly felt like I was reading from the perspective of 14 year olds and not high school seniors. The character that I had the most issues with in this regard was Ivy - the majority of her plot was her acting out based on petty things and she basically got off scot-free for all the wrongs she committed throughout the novel. Although I didn't necessarily have problems with our other two leads, Mateo and Cal, I just found the trio to be very forgettable, along with all of the supporting characters. Along with the underwhelming characters, I felt the plot to be very lukewarm as well. It was very predictable (specifically the "dramatic" plot points having to deal with Ivy, Mateo and Cal's relationships with one another) and the reveal, albeit fast-paced and exciting, wasn't incredibly shocking to me. The cliffhanger ending didn't really do it for me either - I don't necessarily want to see how to story may continue.
I will say that I read this mostly via audiobook, and I wouldn't recommend it. It was nice that there were several narrators, but I wish each narrator was the voice of their respective character. For example, the individuals reading Mateo and Cal's chapters had really over-the-top voices for and female characters dialogue, and vice versa for the individual reading Ivy's chapters, and it was distracting to say the least.
Right off the bat I noticed that McManus follows a pretty clear "recipe" for her novels, which is normally fine (I mean if it isn't broken, don't fix it right?) but one thing I could not overlook was how... juvenile the writing felt. It has been nearly two years since I picked up One of Us Is Next, and since then I've read primarily New Adult and Adult literature (so my reading tastes may have changed), but I truly felt like I was reading from the perspective of 14 year olds and not high school seniors. The character that I had the most issues with in this regard was Ivy - the majority of her plot was her acting out based on petty things and she basically got off scot-free for all the wrongs she committed throughout the novel. Although I didn't necessarily have problems with our other two leads, Mateo and Cal, I just found the trio to be very forgettable, along with all of the supporting characters. Along with the underwhelming characters, I felt the plot to be very lukewarm as well. It was very predictable (specifically the "dramatic" plot points having to deal with Ivy, Mateo and Cal's relationships with one another) and the reveal, albeit fast-paced and exciting, wasn't incredibly shocking to me. The cliffhanger ending didn't really do it for me either - I don't necessarily want to see how to story may continue.
I will say that I read this mostly via audiobook, and I wouldn't recommend it. It was nice that there were several narrators, but I wish each narrator was the voice of their respective character. For example, the individuals reading Mateo and Cal's chapters had really over-the-top voices for and female characters dialogue, and vice versa for the individual reading Ivy's chapters, and it was distracting to say the least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Car accident, and Death of parent
kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, and Murder
laura_berger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Drug use
astrid421's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Murder
julienicole1106's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. I really liked Karen M McManus’s “one of us is lying” series, and this was another win for McManus in my opinion. Her other books, like “two can keep a secret”, we’re really a miss for me, but this new one was actually very good. I think McManus’s mysteries are far better than anything I’ve read in months. Again, it’s one of those books that you can binge in one sitting. I am a big fan of her writing style. I love the format of a main character group of 3-4 people, and the story is told while shifting POVs between the main characters. It adds a lot of depth and knowledge/understanding to each character that is sometimes missing in books with only one POV.
It had suspense, and some shocking twists that I didn’t expect. I was interested and wanted to keep listening to the audiobook. I really liked how interconnected the characters and plot were, and how McManus tied them all together. I wouldn’t say that it was quite as good the “one of us is lying” series, but it was still very good. The ending was a little ambiguous, and it leaves an opportunity for a sequel, so maybe there will be one. I would read it if there was a sequel.
Age rating: 14+
It had suspense, and some shocking twists that I didn’t expect. I was interested and wanted to keep listening to the audiobook. I really liked how interconnected the characters and plot were, and how McManus tied them all together. I wouldn’t say that it was quite as good the “one of us is lying” series, but it was still very good. The ending was a little ambiguous, and it leaves an opportunity for a sequel, so maybe there will be one. I would read it if there was a sequel.
Age rating: 14+
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug use, and Murder
Minor: Cursing
Maybe 13-14+. There isn’t any sexual content, but there are some heavier relational topics, as well as drug related plot.froggybooks'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
rey_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very typical of the YA genre - the writing was good, but not outstanding. I tend to be drawn towards more poetic writing, or intricate, clever descriptions, and this book didn't really have that.
Interesting mystery and plot idea, but I didn't like any of the characters enough to really connect with it. Minor plot holes. Characters made bad/ ill thought-out decisions throughout, but I'm not convinced they showed any development.
Pacing towards the end was a bit odd and left me feeling unsatisfied.
I did enjoy parts of the book, and the plot was strong enough that it was an overall enjoyable and quick read, but ultimately the characters didn't feel realistic or compelling enough for me to really connect with the story.
Interesting mystery and plot idea, but I didn't like any of the characters enough to really connect with it. Minor plot holes. Characters made bad/ ill thought-out decisions throughout, but I'm not convinced they showed any development.
Pacing towards the end was a bit odd and left me feeling unsatisfied.
I did enjoy parts of the book, and the plot was strong enough that it was an overall enjoyable and quick read, but ultimately the characters didn't feel realistic or compelling enough for me to really connect with the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
ladybug13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Blood