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A review by literielle
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
it was an enjoyable read, but i think the climax was kind of eh and it was more of tell than show, but i do think the mystery was so good and the plot twists threw me off.
i appreciate the four characters and their secrets aren't that bad, and i think this whole book was about jealousy and envy, but i can't help but feel bad for simon and jake as well since everything could have been so different had high school hierarchy just not exist, where reputations and popularity aren't the main source of our pride, but that's what it's like being a teenager, where we just want that slither of attention and crumble when we don't.
the character development of all four characters were fun to read, but i appreciated addy's development the most, on a personal level, where she really broke free from her shell. i did NOT like jake from the start because it was just icky, and i was so glad they broke it off. in terms of relationships, i loved bronwyn and nate's, it's a cute cliche that i will always eat up and i appreciate that epilogue, but i do think it was kind of rushed especially after everything? and don't get me started on cooper, my fav of all, the absolute saint who did not deserve any of that homophobic treatment!
i think this book was a fun light-hearted ish murder mystery that's a good way to enter the genre, but the dual povs are kind of hard to keep track and obviously there was bias with who i wanted to read the most, but i think the multiple povs made the mystery fall flat? i would have preferred if it was in third pov, but nonetheless it was still enjoyable. i just had a hard time with the dozens of characters in the book.
obvious there's another book after this, but the ending was just kind of cut short for me and as much as i adored nate and bronwyn's cute little blooming relationship, i think cooper and addy deserved a litttle bit more justice rather than that bittersweet acceptance of bare minimum endings. although, generally it was still kind of bittersweet, but not a lot that i feel like it was total injustice.
overall, i'd recommend this book to my friends who're starting out their ya murder mystery journey! pretty decent read and it was fun!
i appreciate the four characters and their secrets aren't that bad, and i think this whole book was about jealousy and envy, but i can't help but feel bad for simon and jake as well since everything could have been so different had high school hierarchy just not exist, where reputations and popularity aren't the main source of our pride, but that's what it's like being a teenager, where we just want that slither of attention and crumble when we don't.
the character development of all four characters were fun to read, but i appreciated addy's development the most, on a personal level, where she really broke free from her shell. i did NOT like jake from the start because it was just icky, and i was so glad they broke it off. in terms of relationships, i loved bronwyn and nate's, it's a cute cliche that i will always eat up and i appreciate that epilogue, but i do think it was kind of rushed especially after everything? and don't get me started on cooper, my fav of all, the absolute saint who did not deserve any of that homophobic treatment!
i think this book was a fun light-hearted ish murder mystery that's a good way to enter the genre, but the dual povs are kind of hard to keep track and obviously there was bias with who i wanted to read the most, but i think the multiple povs made the mystery fall flat? i would have preferred if it was in third pov, but nonetheless it was still enjoyable. i just had a hard time with the dozens of characters in the book.
obvious there's another book after this, but the ending was just kind of cut short for me and as much as i adored nate and bronwyn's cute little blooming relationship, i think cooper and addy deserved a litttle bit more justice rather than that bittersweet acceptance of bare minimum endings. although, generally it was still kind of bittersweet, but not a lot that i feel like it was total injustice.
overall, i'd recommend this book to my friends who're starting out their ya murder mystery journey! pretty decent read and it was fun!