demonprodigy's review
you know i was going to give the constant lusting after underage girls a pass as like, normal villain POV shit, but i read yet another adult man describing a DEAD!!!! girl's breasts as "big as zeppelins" and dude, i just can't.
livtheninth's review against another edition
4.0
I went into this book expecting it to be a dark tale, but also fearing that it would shy away from getting "too dark". I like being punched in the gut when I read a book, and unambiguously happy endings rarely do anything for me.
One of Us did not disappoint me. Craig DiLouie really, REALLY went there. My gut was definitely punched. Several times.
Sometimes, despite my love of darkness and fictional despair, I actually kind of wished DiLouie HADN'T gone there, because I got invested in certain characters and some part of me just wanted them to fare better, I guess. Nevertheless, this book was everything I hoped it would be, possibly more. I loved the references to real world history, the comparisons between historical scenarios and the book's reality - it added to the world-building, and it didn't feel forced. As previously mentioned, I loved some of the characters... and I loved to hate some of them, as well.
The only reason why this is not a 5 star read for me is I had some hopes for the ending that weren't realized. The book could have been a bit longer, as I would have liked to have seen some plotlines play out a bit further. On the other hand, ending it like DiLouie did certainly has its merits; it is still effective, and it doesn't ruin my enjoyment of the story as a whole.
In conclusion, if you're thinking of picking this up, you should. Just be prepared to have your gut punched, and possibly your heart broken, by the end of it.
One of Us did not disappoint me. Craig DiLouie really, REALLY went there. My gut was definitely punched. Several times.
Sometimes, despite my love of darkness and fictional despair, I actually kind of wished DiLouie HADN'T gone there, because I got invested in certain characters and some part of me just wanted them to fare better, I guess. Nevertheless, this book was everything I hoped it would be, possibly more. I loved the references to real world history, the comparisons between historical scenarios and the book's reality - it added to the world-building, and it didn't feel forced. As previously mentioned, I loved some of the characters... and I loved to hate some of them, as well.
The only reason why this is not a 5 star read for me is I had some hopes for the ending that weren't realized. The book could have been a bit longer, as I would have liked to have seen some plotlines play out a bit further. On the other hand, ending it like DiLouie did certainly has its merits; it is still effective, and it doesn't ruin my enjoyment of the story as a whole.
In conclusion, if you're thinking of picking this up, you should. Just be prepared to have your gut punched, and possibly your heart broken, by the end of it.
victoriaisabel's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of the books you don't put down until it's finished. I really felt like I connected with the characters as if they were real. The story was in certain ways pretty parallel to real problems in the world. I think that is what made it so heart breaking at times and truly soul crushing. Definitely something that should be picked up and read.
queenoftheswarm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
nightlight_reader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
2.0
I could’ve just read To Kill a Mockingbird and gotten the same morals. I think it especially makes a good queer allegory but needed a better hand to tell the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Body horror, Abandonment, and Rape
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Child abuse, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Abortion, Alcoholism, and Death
drakaina16's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
leftylauren's review against another edition
3.0
As I saw another reviewer mention, weird mix of childish language/actions by many of the teen characters, but then more violent story than expected. Way too much time spent on male-gaze stuff.
aisforartist's review
This book talks a lot about slavery when it talks about the monster kids, uses the N name when referring to a black people, that an auto DNF for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Racism, and Racial slurs
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
One of Us was a very compelling, if stressful read. I did have to set it aside a few times, and punches were not pulled. The narrative points of view were interesting, many characters were sympathetic, though definitely not all, and I absolutely adored the setting.
philibin's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great book. Very fun to read and a great touch of reality.