aliceinbooklandd's review against another edition
3.0
It was meh. It was the better of YA but still read as a YA, especially in certain moments that especially made me cringe. Not too big of a fan of mixed perspectives. The ending romance w Bronwyn was like having whiplash. Otherwise the plot and twist ending was good.
evee88's review against another edition
5.0
Things need to get worse before they get better
^This book in a nutshell. SO MANY THINGS HAPPENED! So much drama and high school angst. I loved it. After finishing this I feel like I've seen someone's whole high school experience. Let's just say it's way more interesting than mine is ever going to be. I loved the mystery of this story, it was soooo fun and kept me on my toes. Not that I EVER saw/predicted the actual murder before it was revealed. (I feel for the decoy lol) I absolutely adored Addy throughout the book. She was my favorite character even though she is actually the one I relate the least to, in terms of the girls. HER CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT THOUGH! Omg it was sooooo great. I loved this book and all the twists and turns. Definitely going to reread someday. And without further ado, a spoiler filled recap;
^This book in a nutshell. SO MANY THINGS HAPPENED! So much drama and high school angst. I loved it. After finishing this I feel like I've seen someone's whole high school experience. Let's just say it's way more interesting than mine is ever going to be. I loved the mystery of this story, it was soooo fun and kept me on my toes. Not that I EVER saw/predicted the actual murder before it was revealed. (I feel for the decoy lol) I absolutely adored Addy throughout the book. She was my favorite character even though she is actually the one I relate the least to, in terms of the girls. HER CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT THOUGH! Omg it was sooooo great. I loved this book and all the twists and turns. Definitely going to reread someday. And without further ado, a spoiler filled recap;
Spoiler
IT TURNS OUT SIMON COMMITED SUICIDE! OMYYYYY Seriously NEVER saw that coming. Fully thought it was Jake. I seriously HATED Jake. Didn't like him in the beginning, hated him in the end. Bronwyn is the one I actually related the most to. She's total me in all senses, yet THE SHIP! Omg, the ship. I love them soooo much. Also total twist, Kris is actually a guy and Cooper is gay. DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. That was sooo epic though. Total support. I can't believe how messed up Simon was to actually plan all this out. Seriously shook. There wasn't much of a twist to Nate, other than the fact that he was framed instead of Addy since Jenae didn't want to frame Addy. Because of friendship man. Friendship matters. This book was soooo thought out and well planned I loved all the emotions I experienced reading this and just overall, enjoyed this way more than I thought I would.jaraka's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The ending wasn't all together surprising but I didn't figure it out until just before the characters did. I don't recall a lot of cussing or sexual content which I appreciate!
Would totally make a great tv series. I found it refreshingly original. I love YA books but they all seem so similar. This still felt like YA with something extra.
Would totally make a great tv series. I found it refreshingly original. I love YA books but they all seem so similar. This still felt like YA with something extra.
somanytictoc's review against another edition
3.0
The author does a good job of making you care about the characters, even if some of their "secrets" aren't exactly top-tier gossip. I spent most of the novel thinking I might have some clue as to the mystery and was only partially right. The ending did feel a little weak, but it was more about the journey than the destination.
It's VERY Y.A. Just be warned if that's not your thing.
It's VERY Y.A. Just be warned if that's not your thing.
conniepearson20's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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
2.0
larsreads's review against another edition
3.0
I just liked it. Nothing more. Nothing less.
If I'm going to be honest, I really didn't saw the ending coming. It had me shocked about the who, what, where, how and stuff. I also couldn't accuse anyone. I don't know why. My detective brain wasn't on like it was at the AGGGtM series.
Anyways, besides that I liked the plot. I like how it was written, worked out and I enjoy having multiple P.O.V.'s. The group themself gave me a kinda The Breakfast Club vibes. I loved that movie so I also loved the group. Also didn't saw Kris situation coming.I really thought that Kris was fake. An alias...
Also!? Why do boys like to punch the fricking wall then there is a minor setback. Be f-ing for real. Just leave the poor wall alone.
I really enjoyed a certain situationship. Thats all I can say. I just think they're it and I hope I will see more of them in the next book.
Chapter twenty-nine had my heartbeat going crazy. That was intense.
Ehm, yeah. So, overall I liked the book and I'm curious about the second book!
Yes, I would recommend reading it.
- Lars
If I'm going to be honest, I really didn't saw the ending coming. It had me shocked about the who, what, where, how and stuff. I also couldn't accuse anyone. I don't know why. My detective brain wasn't on like it was at the AGGGtM series.
Anyways, besides that I liked the plot. I like how it was written, worked out and I enjoy having multiple P.O.V.'s. The group themself gave me a kinda The Breakfast Club vibes. I loved that movie so I also loved the group. Also didn't saw Kris situation coming.I really thought that Kris was fake. An alias...
Also!? Why do boys like to punch the fricking wall then there is a minor setback. Be f-ing for real. Just leave the poor wall alone.
I really enjoyed a certain situationship. Thats all I can say. I just think they're it and I hope I will see more of them in the next book.
Chapter twenty-nine had my heartbeat going crazy. That was intense.
Ehm, yeah. So, overall I liked the book and I'm curious about the second book!
Yes, I would recommend reading it.
- Lars
brindha's review against another edition
3.0
One Of Us Is Lying had the potential to be a great book. But there so many shortcomings that I considered giving it only 2 stars.
The premise of the story is about four characters of varied personalities accused of murder - alone or together. All of them were in the room, all of them had the motive. So who did it?
It has all the makings of a modern day, teenager-targeted Agatha Christie novel. And for a long while (over half of the book), it even felt that way.
But after some time, the four of them were making no headway in spite of having many sources that the police didn't. They spent a lot of time running around 'investigating', but turned up very little. It was frustrating to read them following vague leads to turn up even vaguer information.
Moreover, the end felt like a cop out. I mean, come on! Firstly, they spent 4/5ths of the book finding close to no information, and then, now that the end is close approaching, one of the characters wrote down all they know in 'short phrases' on Post-its. She even described it as similar to 'Law and Order'. Then she stares at two of the post-its for a minute or so, and pulls the solution out of the air. (Even Poirot wouldn't do that)
Secondly, suicide disguised as murder?? Yes, this warrants two question marks, because I wouldn't feel so cheated if it had been introduced gradually. There was nothing to suggest why Simon did that. He killed himself because he didn't get any attention. Did he have any friends? What about his parents? What caused this sudden decision? Was it sudden, or was it gradual? What was Janae's part in all this? Why didn't Jake stop Simon from killing himself? Did Jake know that Addy cheated on him all the while after Simon's death?
On the other hand, the book portrayed quite well how media is a double-edged sword, and it can make or break or remake lives in an instant. The characters were different, but still believable in their interactions.
So the book gets 3 stars because I really enjoyed some parts of it. It just needed to be fleshed out more, and other parts needed to be cut out.
The premise of the story is about four characters of varied personalities accused of murder - alone or together. All of them were in the room, all of them had the motive. So who did it?
It has all the makings of a modern day, teenager-targeted Agatha Christie novel. And for a long while (over half of the book), it even felt that way.
But after some time, the four of them were making no headway in spite of having many sources that the police didn't. They spent a lot of time running around 'investigating', but turned up very little. It was frustrating to read them following vague leads to turn up even vaguer information.
Spoiler
Moreover, the end felt like a cop out. I mean, come on! Firstly, they spent 4/5ths of the book finding close to no information, and then, now that the end is close approaching, one of the characters wrote down all they know in 'short phrases' on Post-its. She even described it as similar to 'Law and Order'. Then she stares at two of the post-its for a minute or so, and pulls the solution out of the air. (Even Poirot wouldn't do that)
Secondly, suicide disguised as murder?? Yes, this warrants two question marks, because I wouldn't feel so cheated if it had been introduced gradually. There was nothing to suggest why Simon did that. He killed himself because he didn't get any attention. Did he have any friends? What about his parents? What caused this sudden decision? Was it sudden, or was it gradual? What was Janae's part in all this? Why didn't Jake stop Simon from killing himself? Did Jake know that Addy cheated on him all the while after Simon's death?
On the other hand, the book portrayed quite well how media is a double-edged sword, and it can make or break or remake lives in an instant. The characters were different, but still believable in their interactions.
So the book gets 3 stars because I really enjoyed some parts of it. It just needed to be fleshed out more, and other parts needed to be cut out.
marissa133's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
hdzurisin20's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Theory not coming true = -1 star