dmagboul's review
5.0
The One
I absolutely LOVED this book. I was sad that it ended. I wish there had been a couple more details answered. However, I continuously recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I loved the MPOV’s I felt it made the book. I loved how it divulged into each characters story and brought them to life.
I absolutely LOVED this book. I was sad that it ended. I wish there had been a couple more details answered. However, I continuously recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I loved the MPOV’s I felt it made the book. I loved how it divulged into each characters story and brought them to life.
forthewyn's review
1.0
I desperately wish I could rate this book more- I was extremely excited when I heard about it and thought it would easily take book of the year. The premise and set up were hooks that dragged me in. Unfortunately, the unintelligent storytelling threw me out.
From bad jokes about gay people, to blatant homophobia, to uncomfortable and just plain bizarre topics that genuinely do not work for such a narrative, The One was a disappointment like no other. I found myself surrounded by amateur writing that relied too much on ending chapters with cliff hangers and jostled me with a new perspective every page.
Instead of being engaging, the stories themselves were boring, predictable, and when they (rarely) surpassed the former two qualities, they became truly bizarre beyond even fictional belief. I spent the last twenty chapters laughing- I have to admit, I’ve never seen an author write quite like this.
I desired giving this book three stars, but dragging my feet through the last 50 underwhelming chapters left me at a one star as I truly do not see a single redeeming quality in this work. I think this author has amazing potential, but until they learn to differentiate between apostrophes and quotation marks, I won’t be picking up another book by them for the foreseeable future.
From bad jokes about gay people, to blatant homophobia, to uncomfortable and just plain bizarre topics that genuinely do not work for such a narrative, The One was a disappointment like no other. I found myself surrounded by amateur writing that relied too much on ending chapters with cliff hangers and jostled me with a new perspective every page.
Instead of being engaging, the stories themselves were boring, predictable, and when they (rarely) surpassed the former two qualities, they became truly bizarre beyond even fictional belief. I spent the last twenty chapters laughing- I have to admit, I’ve never seen an author write quite like this.
I desired giving this book three stars, but dragging my feet through the last 50 underwhelming chapters left me at a one star as I truly do not see a single redeeming quality in this work. I think this author has amazing potential, but until they learn to differentiate between apostrophes and quotation marks, I won’t be picking up another book by them for the foreseeable future.
l_black_33's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
lanipieper's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
michellekiara's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
5.0
indoorg1rl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.0
A decade after scientists discovered everyone had a gene they shared with just one other person who was supposedly their true love, millions had taken the test. The five people we followed found their Match, but even soulmates had secrets, some deadlier than others.
So this was the book that made John Marrs a household name. Funnily enough, I ended up reading some of the later books set in the same world first before this one.
I loved this! The idea was so unique and scarily believable. The characters were all interesting and their stories were all captivating. Unlike The Marriage Act where I had some favourite storylines, I couldn’t choose any with this one because I loved them all.
This was a great introduction to the near-future John Marrs world, and I’m excited to read more books set in this (crazy) world!
janel_bernotas's review
5.0
Absolutely OUTSTANDING!!! I couldn't put it down. So many twists had my jaw on the floor. John Marr has quickly become one of my most favorite authors. I highly recommend his books!
lost_between_worlds's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
opplecopter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
5.0
Imagine if finding your most compatible partner was as simple as mailing off a saliva sample and getting the results emailed to you. Dating would be unnecessary. Going through the awkward phases of getting to know someone or stumbling over your words would be cast aside completely. You wouldn’t have to worry about second guessing anything because on a genetic level, you would have the person who is best suited for you. No other person could ever connect or love you as deeply as your Match could. Not only would this person be your Match, but they would be “the one.” The only other person in the entire world that is perfect for you. Sounds crazy but also kind of intriguing, right?
Let me start off by saying this whole concept is creepy in itself because I can completely see this, along with the absolute chaos that ensues, being a possibility in the future. This is a modern day Twilight Zone tale or I suppose Black Mirror would be a better fitting comparison. We’ve got some psychological thriller/suspense with a dash of sci-fi thrown in. The story follows five people who have been “Matched.” Mandy, a divorcée who just wants to find love after heartbreak, Jade, who is angry and disappointed in her life as a whole, Nick, a man who is planning a wedding with his fiancée, Ellie, a woman of wealth and power, and Christopher, who is a serial killer (not a spoiler, you find this out immediately when he is introduced).
We cycle back and forth between the lives of each of these people, so if you prefer a book with one straightforward storyline and don’t like jumping around, then you probably won’t enjoy this. The chapters are numerous, but very short since each one focuses on one of the five people. Personally, I enjoy the short chapters, some of which are only 2-3 pages, because it helps me remember everything still going on with the other characters. I feel like if they were longer, I would’ve been constantly flipping back to reread so I could keep up. I will be honest and say a couple of the storylines started out boring while a couple seemed to grab my attention much sooner (like Christopher’s), but they all deepen and get better as you go on. Starting off, we get to know their lives and backgrounds before we watch their worlds get shaken up and flipped upside down. There were so many layers, twists, lies, secrets, and betrayals. The ending was so unexpected and changed the entire atmosphere of the book and made you question everything.
I’ve been looking for another 5 star for months, and every time I thought I found one, I was disappointed. I have zero complaints on this one.
Let me start off by saying this whole concept is creepy in itself because I can completely see this, along with the absolute chaos that ensues, being a possibility in the future. This is a modern day Twilight Zone tale or I suppose Black Mirror would be a better fitting comparison. We’ve got some psychological thriller/suspense with a dash of sci-fi thrown in. The story follows five people who have been “Matched.” Mandy, a divorcée who just wants to find love after heartbreak, Jade, who is angry and disappointed in her life as a whole, Nick, a man who is planning a wedding with his fiancée, Ellie, a woman of wealth and power, and Christopher, who is a serial killer (not a spoiler, you find this out immediately when he is introduced).
We cycle back and forth between the lives of each of these people, so if you prefer a book with one straightforward storyline and don’t like jumping around, then you probably won’t enjoy this. The chapters are numerous, but very short since each one focuses on one of the five people. Personally, I enjoy the short chapters, some of which are only 2-3 pages, because it helps me remember everything still going on with the other characters. I feel like if they were longer, I would’ve been constantly flipping back to reread so I could keep up. I will be honest and say a couple of the storylines started out boring while a couple seemed to grab my attention much sooner (like Christopher’s), but they all deepen and get better as you go on. Starting off, we get to know their lives and backgrounds before we watch their worlds get shaken up and flipped upside down. There were so many layers, twists, lies, secrets, and betrayals. The ending was so unexpected and changed the entire atmosphere of the book and made you question everything.
I’ve been looking for another 5 star for months, and every time I thought I found one, I was disappointed. I have zero complaints on this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Torture, Murder, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Medical content, and Cursing
Minor: Pedophilia, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt