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growintogardens's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Stalking, Sexual harassment, and Classism
bahamyulala's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
flik's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One by One is an adult mystery-thriller by the excellent Ruth Ware. Far from the Christie pastiche some have billed it as, this is a gripping twisty novel full of people you won't mind being bumped off.
Ware evokes the beauty and danger of this snowy retreat with mastery, and it was no surprise to me to read in the acknowledgements that she had visited and skied upon the mountain for her research. (Oh, to be a gifted and recognized author!)
Against this threatening background are the members of Snoop, once a Spotify with extras start up, now a multi million pound company. Each character is well fleshed out, and there are plenty of motive and history reveals dotted throughout the storyline, leaving me feeling that I really knew each person by the end of the book.
It soon becomes apparent that the remote location and the weather aren't all our characters need to worry about, as they start dying off.... one by one. The plot takes as many twists and turns as a salem skier, and whilst you might guess whodunnit, the most compelling chapters arrive after their identity is revealed.
Like any creative thriller there are a couple of leaps in logic or motivation to enable the plot to bear fruit, but Ware handles and explains these with a deft touch.
I very much enjoyed the heart pounding ride One by One took me on, and have rated it 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone looking to escape into a snowy thriller full of contemptible characters.
For ages 15+, content warnings for (major) Death, (moderate) Blood, Cursing, Murder, Grief, (minor) Bullying, Sexual Assault, Sexual Content.
Ware evokes the beauty and danger of this snowy retreat with mastery, and it was no surprise to me to read in the acknowledgements that she had visited and skied upon the mountain for her research. (Oh, to be a gifted and recognized author!)
Against this threatening background are the members of Snoop, once a Spotify with extras start up, now a multi million pound company. Each character is well fleshed out, and there are plenty of motive and history reveals dotted throughout the storyline, leaving me feeling that I really knew each person by the end of the book.
It soon becomes apparent that the remote location and the weather aren't all our characters need to worry about, as they start dying off.... one by one. The plot takes as many twists and turns as a salem skier, and whilst you might guess whodunnit, the most compelling chapters arrive after their identity is revealed.
Like any creative thriller there are a couple of leaps in logic or motivation to enable the plot to bear fruit, but Ware handles and explains these with a deft touch.
I very much enjoyed the heart pounding ride One by One took me on, and have rated it 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone looking to escape into a snowy thriller full of contemptible characters.
For ages 15+, content warnings for (major) Death, (moderate) Blood, Cursing, Murder, Grief, (minor) Bullying, Sexual Assault, Sexual Content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Sexual assault, and Sexual content