Scan barcode
yvo_about_books's review
4.25
"There are some moments in life when you realize, deep inside yourself, that nothing will ever be quite the same again."
I tend to enjoy Will Dean's writing, and I'm still not sure why it took me this long to finally pick up The Last One. This book came at the right time for me though, because it was exactly the suspenseful, exhilarating and simply wild ride I was craving. I went in blind, and I'm SO glad I did because the story had an even bigger impact this way. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but what I can say is that you definitely have to be able to suspend your disbelief in order to enjoy The Last One. The plot is over the top and farfetched, but at the same time extremely entertaining and I simply HAD to keep reading to discover what was going on. I love a story with a locked room element and/or remote setting, and it doesn't get more remote than a seemingly abandoned cruise liner in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Things can be said about the fact that not all characters are exactly likeable, but in a situation this extreme it is no surprise that you will see the worst aspects of a person. I loved how you, like the characters, had no clue what was going to for a long time, and while some of the big twists were a bit too farfetched for me, as a whole it somehow worked. I do have to say that I wasn't a fan of the open ending, and too many questions were left unanswered. That said, if you enjoy suspenseful and unique thrillers that will take you on a true rollercoaster ride, The Last One is a great option. Unless you want a credible and realistic plot that is...
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
cadydlevy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Violence, Dementia, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
1.0
I'm mad I spent hours being anxious and upset for a cheap last page twist. I'm mad that this book had the audacity to inflict such pain on characters and not grapple with the absolute moral failings of the world it presents. To suggests that a scenario like the one in this book would be brushed aside by the world at large - by friends, loved ones, even strangers - is disgusting and angering.
This is essentially The Truman Show meets the dark web. The main character (and some others) is confined on a ship against her will, tricked into staying, forced to complete life-threatening tasks, not allowed to leave, and forced to think multiple people died. All in the name of a "new, bold reality show".
I do not reccomend. In fact, I don't think I'll ever read another book by this author.
I'm so mad that the vague premise made me intrigued and hid all this evilness, and that there wasn't a single trigger warning provided up front.
Trigger warnings for: confinement, kidnapoing, starvation, psychological torture, (apparent) suicide, violence, gore, (apparent) murder, drugging, gaslighting, past parental emotional abuse, addiction, past teen pregnancy.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Dementia, and Pregnancy
lunsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, and Pregnancy
byn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Dementia, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Excrement
Minor: Vomit
haleybre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Blood, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
sharlapeggy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Dementia, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
anacceptablebear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Gore, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Vomit, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
kdheuer's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. If I had been reading a hard copy, I would have chucked it across the room upon reading the first major twist. The pacing kept me going, but I had a big chip on my shoulder for the rest of the book. I felt as manipulated as our main character did the whole way through. After putting the readers through what they did, the twist ending felt like a slap in the face.
Still, I like a thriller, and I was on the edge of my proverbial seat. I just wish I didn’t feel so manipulated.
Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
danscoada's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I realized Dean set the whole thing up in the first two chapters, I was a little worried about how he would maintain the momentum for another 131 chapters of first-person POV on an abandoned cruise liner. My worries were almost as instantly quelled, though, because I could not put this down. If I hadn't made the mistake of starting it right before going to bed, this would've been a book I could've easily finished in one sitting. The chapters were short, breezy, and almost always ended with a cliffhanger that required me to keep reading.
I don't read mysteries or thrillers with any intention on trying to guess the twists or solve anything. Even still, I didn't see any of it coming. Every few chapters the stakes changed and I was left with whiplash. It takes a lot for me to vocalize my thoughts while reading, but I let out a few "Oh my god"s throughout. May others be able to guess what happens? Surely. I wasn't, so I count that as a win.
We follow Caz's point of view throughout, so we naturally get some background information, especially in regards to her family and their issues. I would say we get information in about 60-75% of the chapters, ranging from a paragraph to two pages. With that much real estate, there were times that I felt her stories to be a bit repetitive, but Dean didn't spend long enough to make me bored or feel the need to skip past a paragraph. I can see how it might be problematic for other readers, though.
With most thrillers, the ending is a true make or break point of the book. For me, I felt Dean (almost entirely) nailed it. It did wrap up very quickly and I do wish we got a little more of the after, but overall I was satisfied.
The Last One wasn't entirely perfect, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my time reading it. With the way my reading has gone this year, I anticipate this showing up in my top reads of 2023 list. I anticipate the publication date so I can interact with other readers and see their takes on this gripping thriller.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC ahead of publication.
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Suicide, Blood, Dementia, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Car accident