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enmcurrie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Confused as to why this book has such positive reviews .. it isn’t totally awful - the concept is so interesting, hence why I wanted to read it in the first place, and it felt very Black Mirror which is one of my favourite shows ever. The idea of a scientific ‘soulmate’ is so curious to me and it makes you consider what you would do in such a world.
However, personally I hated the fact that it’s made up of incredibly short chapters and like 5 different POVs. It just felt clunky and distracting and when something interesting happened at the end of one chapter it was slightly frustrating to have to wait for 4 more POVs before you got back to it. I think the author is over-reliant on using short and mysterious one liner cliff hangers at the end of each chapter to get you to continue reading it. Additionally, this book is riddled with cliches. Like sooooooo many. I appreciate a good twist here and there but it just felt comical and unbelievable at a point to be honest.
If I could sum it up I would say it’s one of the silliest and yet most addictive books I’ve read. It was definitely a page-turner but I genuinely wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone other than people that struggle to enjoy reading/are in a slump. The whole thing just felt slightly cringey. While it is a more ‘dystopian’ book, I think it’s important to keep it at least somewhat realistic at times, rather than just throwing a bunch of twists in there for the sake of it.
I think the concept and the tension was absolutely fantastic - the execution was just disappointing.
However, personally I hated the fact that it’s made up of incredibly short chapters and like 5 different POVs. It just felt clunky and distracting and when something interesting happened at the end of one chapter it was slightly frustrating to have to wait for 4 more POVs before you got back to it. I think the author is over-reliant on using short and mysterious one liner cliff hangers at the end of each chapter to get you to continue reading it. Additionally, this book is riddled with cliches. Like sooooooo many. I appreciate a good twist here and there but it just felt comical and unbelievable at a point to be honest.
If I could sum it up I would say it’s one of the silliest and yet most addictive books I’ve read. It was definitely a page-turner but I genuinely wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone other than people that struggle to enjoy reading/are in a slump. The whole thing just felt slightly cringey. While it is a more ‘dystopian’ book, I think it’s important to keep it at least somewhat realistic at times, rather than just throwing a bunch of twists in there for the sake of it.
I think the concept and the tension was absolutely fantastic - the execution was just disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Infertility
Minor: Infidelity
pla_333's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Minor: Miscarriage and Stalking
themoodreader's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, Blood, and Body horror
Minor: Body horror, Cancer, Violence, Vomit, Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gore, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Blood, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Stalking, Abandonment, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
anna_reads_too_much's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I have very mixed feelings on this one. It took me a long time to read, just because I didn't care about the story until about the halfway mark. I loved the short chapters. The topic was extremely interesting, and I kept finding myself wondering what I would do if this technology was available in our world.
I liked the fact that we followed a lot of different characters to see how they reacted to this technology, but I didn't connect with them like I wanted to. They felt very one dimensional.
My rating is for how thought provoking I thought this one was. In the end, I did enjoy it, but it just wasn't as good as I was expecting.
I liked the fact that we followed a lot of different characters to see how they reacted to this technology, but I didn't connect with them like I wanted to. They felt very one dimensional.
My rating is for how thought provoking I thought this one was. In the end, I did enjoy it, but it just wasn't as good as I was expecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Mental illness
sleepybunnyreading's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Murder, Medical trauma, and Cancer
Moderate: Stalking, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Blood, and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Grief
paulaks's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I really wanted to like this book but I don´t know... The writing was mediocre but the pace was pretty fast because of POV switches and short chapters. But holy crap the plot was CRAZY- Everything felt like a fever dream! The topics were interesting and definitely gave different nuances but it was just too much I guess. This is a me-problem and I truly understand the hype it had. I was fascinated by some moments and ideas but it was way too much for me. Check TW!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gore, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Chronic illness, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Cancer, Medical content, and Pregnancy
brandilovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
If a simple DNA swab could find your soul mate, would you do it? What if your soul mate could be the same sex as you? Or a generation older or younger than you? Or be mentally handicapped? Or have severe psychological problems? Would you do it if you were single so you could eliminate all the Mr/Ms Wrongs before you found Mr/Ms Right? What if you were in a relationship that you knew was "the one"? Would you get tested to verify it?
The One takes place 10 years after this groundbreaking test became public. Millions across the world have been tested. The One follows 5 people who get their match. A woman whose match is across the world, a CEO who always puts her business first, a man who is pressured by his fiance to take the test to prove they are soul mates, a woman who attends her match's memorial after getting matched, and a psychopath who is in the middle of a murder spree.
There is so much more I could say, but I don't want to give anything away.
I enjoyed not only the "what if's" raised by the premise but the way each story unfolded. They were all completely different and each had parts that were completely unexpected.
Definitely recommended.
The One takes place 10 years after this groundbreaking test became public. Millions across the world have been tested. The One follows 5 people who get their match. A woman whose match is across the world, a CEO who always puts her business first, a man who is pressured by his fiance to take the test to prove they are soul mates, a woman who attends her match's memorial after getting matched, and a psychopath who is in the middle of a murder spree.
There is so much more I could say, but I don't want to give anything away.
I enjoyed not only the "what if's" raised by the premise but the way each story unfolded. They were all completely different and each had parts that were completely unexpected.
Definitely recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
opplecopter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Imagine if finding your most compatible partner was as simple as mailing off a saliva sample and getting the results emailed to you. Dating would be unnecessary. Going through the awkward phases of getting to know someone or stumbling over your words would be cast aside completely. You wouldn’t have to worry about second guessing anything because on a genetic level, you would have the person who is best suited for you. No other person could ever connect or love you as deeply as your Match could. Not only would this person be your Match, but they would be “the one.” The only other person in the entire world that is perfect for you. Sounds crazy but also kind of intriguing, right?
Let me start off by saying this whole concept is creepy in itself because I can completely see this, along with the absolute chaos that ensues, being a possibility in the future. This is a modern day Twilight Zone tale or I suppose Black Mirror would be a better fitting comparison. We’ve got some psychological thriller/suspense with a dash of sci-fi thrown in. The story follows five people who have been “Matched.” Mandy, a divorcée who just wants to find love after heartbreak, Jade, who is angry and disappointed in her life as a whole, Nick, a man who is planning a wedding with his fiancée, Ellie, a woman of wealth and power, and Christopher, who is a serial killer (not a spoiler, you find this out immediately when he is introduced).
We cycle back and forth between the lives of each of these people, so if you prefer a book with one straightforward storyline and don’t like jumping around, then you probably won’t enjoy this. The chapters are numerous, but very short since each one focuses on one of the five people. Personally, I enjoy the short chapters, some of which are only 2-3 pages, because it helps me remember everything still going on with the other characters. I feel like if they were longer, I would’ve been constantly flipping back to reread so I could keep up. I will be honest and say a couple of the storylines started out boring while a couple seemed to grab my attention much sooner (like Christopher’s), but they all deepen and get better as you go on. Starting off, we get to know their lives and backgrounds before we watch their worlds get shaken up and flipped upside down. There were so many layers, twists, lies, secrets, and betrayals. The ending was so unexpected and changed the entire atmosphere of the book and made you question everything.
I’ve been looking for another 5 star for months, and every time I thought I found one, I was disappointed. I have zero complaints on this one.
Let me start off by saying this whole concept is creepy in itself because I can completely see this, along with the absolute chaos that ensues, being a possibility in the future. This is a modern day Twilight Zone tale or I suppose Black Mirror would be a better fitting comparison. We’ve got some psychological thriller/suspense with a dash of sci-fi thrown in. The story follows five people who have been “Matched.” Mandy, a divorcée who just wants to find love after heartbreak, Jade, who is angry and disappointed in her life as a whole, Nick, a man who is planning a wedding with his fiancée, Ellie, a woman of wealth and power, and Christopher, who is a serial killer (not a spoiler, you find this out immediately when he is introduced).
We cycle back and forth between the lives of each of these people, so if you prefer a book with one straightforward storyline and don’t like jumping around, then you probably won’t enjoy this. The chapters are numerous, but very short since each one focuses on one of the five people. Personally, I enjoy the short chapters, some of which are only 2-3 pages, because it helps me remember everything still going on with the other characters. I feel like if they were longer, I would’ve been constantly flipping back to reread so I could keep up. I will be honest and say a couple of the storylines started out boring while a couple seemed to grab my attention much sooner (like Christopher’s), but they all deepen and get better as you go on. Starting off, we get to know their lives and backgrounds before we watch their worlds get shaken up and flipped upside down. There were so many layers, twists, lies, secrets, and betrayals. The ending was so unexpected and changed the entire atmosphere of the book and made you question everything.
I’ve been looking for another 5 star for months, and every time I thought I found one, I was disappointed. I have zero complaints on this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Torture, Murder, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Medical content, and Cursing
Minor: Pedophilia, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
stephanieluxton's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book.
It's basically 5 books in one as it rotates through five unrelated main characters and their experience with "the one".
There's a lot of little twists and turns and I found myself genuinely not knowing what was going to happen, which is rare and exciting.
The concept felt original, the pace was excellent, the characters all unique and colourful. The concept was well explored and it gives you something to think about. This would make a fantastic book club book.
It's both dark and wholesome.
It's basically 5 books in one as it rotates through five unrelated main characters and their experience with "the one".
There's a lot of little twists and turns and I found myself genuinely not knowing what was going to happen, which is rare and exciting.
The concept felt original, the pace was excellent, the characters all unique and colourful. The concept was well explored and it gives you something to think about. This would make a fantastic book club book.
It's both dark and wholesome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Mental illness, Death, Stalking, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Cancer
One of the main characters is a serial killer whostalks and targets young women and kills them with a cheese wire. It's not too graphic but it's a thing.roseschlumpf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Cancer, and Murder