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tauwillow's review against another edition
2.0
The plot was a predictable contrivance that offered nothing new or interesting. The characters, while likable enough, felt more like slaves to the barely sci fi story device, than fully fleshed characters.
twocents's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
1980s setting + D&D + sci-fi, what's not to love?
What a sucker punch of an ending though.
embee007's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
"The magical power of D&D to draw together people who knew things. Who cared about questions that didn’t seem to matter."
Quick read revolving around quantum mechanics, multiverses, time travel, friendship, school bullies, love, cancer, a heist, & D&D.
"You wanted someone to hear you. We all do really."
"We might live in a multiverse of infinite wonder, but we are what we are, and can only care about what falls into our own orbit."
Quick read revolving around quantum mechanics, multiverses, time travel, friendship, school bullies, love, cancer, a heist, & D&D.
"You wanted someone to hear you. We all do really."
"We might live in a multiverse of infinite wonder, but we are what we are, and can only care about what falls into our own orbit."
themanfromdelmonte's review against another edition
4.0
Good book
I read this in one go because it’s remarkably easy to read. The sort of thing you pick up and before you know it you’re on page 70. The characters are all believable, the plot device is credible too. I shall certainly be getting the rest of the trilogy.
I read this in one go because it’s remarkably easy to read. The sort of thing you pick up and before you know it you’re on page 70. The characters are all believable, the plot device is credible too. I shall certainly be getting the rest of the trilogy.
colindalaska's review against another edition
1.0
This is a shame - I loved Mark Lawrence’s Red Sister, but I couldn’t finish this.
This is a time travel story that falls into the awful cliche of “we have to do this thing, because this is the thing I remember us doing” but to add a twist of jeopardy: “I didn’t know that was going to happen because that’s the one thing I hadn’t been told would happen”.
Made it halfway - but I still have no idea what the “thing” is that they’re trying to achieve, and therefore why I should care.
This is a time travel story that falls into the awful cliche of “we have to do this thing, because this is the thing I remember us doing” but to add a twist of jeopardy: “I didn’t know that was going to happen because that’s the one thing I hadn’t been told would happen”.
Made it halfway - but I still have no idea what the “thing” is that they’re trying to achieve, and therefore why I should care.
chaosmavin's review against another edition
4.0
Goodreads had a voting on the best Scifi of 2019 and I essentially used it to create a reading list. This one was one of the highest ranking and is centered around a group of kids that play D&D together...so I had to read it! It is pretty good...I felt like 4 stars was excessive but it really was better than a 3. It reminded me a little of Ready Player One if it was written by someone like Brandon Sanderson...the story and concept are good but the actual writing is simple and straightforward which there is nothing wrong with that I just prefer things to be more complicated with stunning word play. It is a series and I am like 82% committed to the next book. And it is short...listened to it in under 4 hours.
buckeyeordie's review against another edition
3.0
No Spoilers in this first paragraph
This was a cool story that involves time. What was a large misrepresentation is the blurb I saw about the book being "Ready Player One" meets "Stranger Things." It was a cool story and because the books are so short I will probably read the other two but I think this was the largest let down I have seen from a blurb. I am interested to see the dilemma presented at the end of the book and how it plays out in the next one.
Spoilers below
There is no technology like "Ready Player One." Granted there is time travel and rudimentary tech. There is nothing supernatural about the story at all. The only comparison to "Stranger Things" is that there is a group of friends, one of which is a girl and they play D&D.
This was a cool story that involves time. What was a large misrepresentation is the blurb I saw about the book being "Ready Player One" meets "Stranger Things." It was a cool story and because the books are so short I will probably read the other two but I think this was the largest let down I have seen from a blurb. I am interested to see the dilemma presented at the end of the book and how it plays out in the next one.
Spoilers below
There is no technology like "Ready Player One." Granted there is time travel and rudimentary tech. There is nothing supernatural about the story at all. The only comparison to "Stranger Things" is that there is a group of friends, one of which is a girl and they play D&D.
jane_kelsey's review against another edition
5.0
In the winter of 1986, Nick Hayes is 15 years old and find out he has cancer, but things don’t end here because stranger things are happening. Not only having to cope with the reality of his diagnosis, but Nick and his D&D friends have to find a way to solve an impossible mystery and save the girl.
I honestly don’t even know where to start from because this book is so wholesome and sweet and funny. I had a fabulous time reading this and have felt sadness, anger, happiness, laughter all whilst reading One word kill.
Nick has a lot to deal with giving his cancer diagnosis, but what I liked about him that he has the resilience and the capacity to continue to laugh and enjoy life. John, Simon, Elton and Nick’s friendship is was so pure, and when Mia joins their little D&D group things do chance, but the direction in which it went it was so adorable and sweet; needless to say, made me think that I missed out on D&D and maybe I should rectify that.
The plot was entertaining and kept me on my toes the whole time. The writing is recognisable as Mark Lawrence… dark, gritty and full of dark humour. The storyline although easy to follow, it had complex elements of physics and mathematics that should’ve confused my brain, but it was very easy to follow and understand even for the uninitiated like me.
I absolutely loved the blend of fantastical and SF elements in this novel and I cannot wait for the sequel: Limited wish due for release on the 6th of June 2019. This year sounds like an amazing year to me already!
One word kill is described as Ready Player One meets Stranger things and I totally agree but do not let that fool you – it’s mainly a guide because One word kill is it’s own beast. There have been many years since I felt so many emotions when reading a book and I devoured this in a few days.
4h 14min of reading time and I am left with so many feels and things to think about. I loved everything about his book.
RECOMMEND IT
I honestly don’t even know where to start from because this book is so wholesome and sweet and funny. I had a fabulous time reading this and have felt sadness, anger, happiness, laughter all whilst reading One word kill.
Nick has a lot to deal with giving his cancer diagnosis, but what I liked about him that he has the resilience and the capacity to continue to laugh and enjoy life. John, Simon, Elton and Nick’s friendship is was so pure, and when Mia joins their little D&D group things do chance, but the direction in which it went it was so adorable and sweet; needless to say, made me think that I missed out on D&D and maybe I should rectify that.
The plot was entertaining and kept me on my toes the whole time. The writing is recognisable as Mark Lawrence… dark, gritty and full of dark humour. The storyline although easy to follow, it had complex elements of physics and mathematics that should’ve confused my brain, but it was very easy to follow and understand even for the uninitiated like me.
I absolutely loved the blend of fantastical and SF elements in this novel and I cannot wait for the sequel: Limited wish due for release on the 6th of June 2019. This year sounds like an amazing year to me already!
One word kill is described as Ready Player One meets Stranger things and I totally agree but do not let that fool you – it’s mainly a guide because One word kill is it’s own beast. There have been many years since I felt so many emotions when reading a book and I devoured this in a few days.
4h 14min of reading time and I am left with so many feels and things to think about. I loved everything about his book.
RECOMMEND IT
redur's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Rape and Racism