lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Books like One Was Lost is one of the reasons why I'm terrified of camping in the woods! (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it...)
One Was Lost follows a group of teens as they are on a school trip in the forest, where they have to survive with the means they have with them. We get to know Sera better than her school mates, as the story is told from her perspective. And one of the themes in this story really has to do with perception and perspective! What do we think of other people, and what do we base our "judgement" of them on? One day, at the beginning of their trip, the weather is getting much worse, and not all of them manage to cross the river. The main teacher, Sera and three other kids have crossed, while the teacher assistant and two girls are on the other side. Because of the rapidly rising water, they have to go to higher ground before they start setting up their tent before it gets dark.
And from then on, One Was Lost becomes spooky, scary and more than a little disturbing. The first morning after the group was separated, the kids all feel strange, and the sun has been up for a while already. And it's impossible to wake the teacher! There is mystery, memories of the creepy story the teacher's assistant told at camp fire the first night, and very weird things happening. Sera and the three other students have to either trust each other or separate, as more strange things happen, and they think they are all being drugged somehow, as they wake up to weird voodoo like dolls, more water, and strange sounds.
One Was Lost is the perfect creepy fall read! I never knew what would happen next, and I was at the edge of my seat with the mystery and the suspense! Since it's written in first present present tense, I felt like I was right there next to Sera, feeling her doubts and fears.
Everyone's tall measured against me, but Lucas is ridiculous. He towers. If there was actually a sun to be found int his Appalachian monsoon, his shoulder would cast a shadow you could hide two of me in. I have no idea what you have to eat to grow like that. Corn? Eggs? Small children?
The forest around us mocks my misery on every level. It's like the whole place has gone Disney. Birds trill softly, and sunbeams slant through leaves just this side of golden. Everything smells fresh and earthy and warm. Well, everything but us. I've met hockey bags that smell better than we do.
Books like One Was Lost is one of the reasons why I'm terrified of camping in the woods! (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it...)
One Was Lost follows a group of teens as they are on a school trip in the forest, where they have to survive with the means they have with them. We get to know Sera better than her school mates, as the story is told from her perspective. And one of the themes in this story really has to do with perception and perspective! What do we think of other people, and what do we base our "judgement" of them on? One day, at the beginning of their trip, the weather is getting much worse, and not all of them manage to cross the river. The main teacher, Sera and three other kids have crossed, while the teacher assistant and two girls are on the other side. Because of the rapidly rising water, they have to go to higher ground before they start setting up their tent before it gets dark.
And from then on, One Was Lost becomes spooky, scary and more than a little disturbing. The first morning after the group was separated, the kids all feel strange, and the sun has been up for a while already. And it's impossible to wake the teacher! There is mystery, memories of the creepy story the teacher's assistant told at camp fire the first night, and very weird things happening. Sera and the three other students have to either trust each other or separate, as more strange things happen, and they think they are all being drugged somehow, as they wake up to weird voodoo like dolls, more water, and strange sounds.
One Was Lost is the perfect creepy fall read! I never knew what would happen next, and I was at the edge of my seat with the mystery and the suspense! Since it's written in first present present tense, I felt like I was right there next to Sera, feeling her doubts and fears.
Everyone's tall measured against me, but Lucas is ridiculous. He towers. If there was actually a sun to be found int his Appalachian monsoon, his shoulder would cast a shadow you could hide two of me in. I have no idea what you have to eat to grow like that. Corn? Eggs? Small children?
The forest around us mocks my misery on every level. It's like the whole place has gone Disney. Birds trill softly, and sunbeams slant through leaves just this side of golden. Everything smells fresh and earthy and warm. Well, everything but us. I've met hockey bags that smell better than we do.
moira32123's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
deathofastrwbry's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a sucker for any horror/thriller that takes place in the woods, forest, mountains, etc. So this one for me was right up my alley.
A very solid 4/5 stars. First time reading this author and I really enjoyed her writing style. Extremely easy to read, likable characters, and most of all - REALLY made you feel like you were lost in the Appalachian.
The only thing that felt lacking for me, was the way it ended. I guess wanted a little more to who/what was causing the mayhem. Otherwise, loved it!
A very solid 4/5 stars. First time reading this author and I really enjoyed her writing style. Extremely easy to read, likable characters, and most of all - REALLY made you feel like you were lost in the Appalachian.
The only thing that felt lacking for me, was the way it ended. I guess wanted a little more to who/what was causing the mayhem. Otherwise, loved it!
christina558's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
bookiewookie94's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
avidbookreader7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
ashleysumm's review against another edition
5.0
2 teachers.
6 teenagers.
1 murder...
When Sera and some of her classmates sign up for a wilderness trip, they expect a few days of hiking, bonfires, and camping under the stars. They even expect to potentially spot a bear or two. When they find themselves in treacherous weather conditions and become separated, they assume that they are in the worst-case scenario. But when they wake up in the morning to find their belongings destroyed, they realize that the worst of their problems are still to come. You see, someone is out there and watching. Someone who knows their way around the forest. Someone who doesn't want them to make it out alive...
I absolutely loved this survival thriller. I was very suspicious of a few characters and was pleased to see one of my theories pan out. I loved how limited supplies, injuries, and fear played the characters against each other and found the story very believable. Natalie D. Richards was very detailed in how hard it is to survive in the wilderness, especially when you don't know your way around the land and have limited supplies and survival skills. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves YA thrillers and survival thrillers.
6 teenagers.
1 murder...
When Sera and some of her classmates sign up for a wilderness trip, they expect a few days of hiking, bonfires, and camping under the stars. They even expect to potentially spot a bear or two. When they find themselves in treacherous weather conditions and become separated, they assume that they are in the worst-case scenario. But when they wake up in the morning to find their belongings destroyed, they realize that the worst of their problems are still to come. You see, someone is out there and watching. Someone who knows their way around the forest. Someone who doesn't want them to make it out alive...
I absolutely loved this survival thriller. I was very suspicious of a few characters and was pleased to see one of my theories pan out. I loved how limited supplies, injuries, and fear played the characters against each other and found the story very believable. Natalie D. Richards was very detailed in how hard it is to survive in the wilderness, especially when you don't know your way around the land and have limited supplies and survival skills. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves YA thrillers and survival thrillers.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
In One Was Lost by Natalie D. Richards, a school sponsored camping trip turns deadly for the five teenagers and the two teachers accompanying them.
Plagued by endless rain, the senior camping trip soon takes a dark turn when Sera, Lucas, Jude, Emily and their teacher, Mr. Walker, are separated from Hayley, Madison and the other teacher chaperoning them, Ms. Brighton by flash flood. Planning to meet up the following day, the two groups set up camp and turn in for the night, but when Sera's group wakes up the next day, they are horrified to learn they've been drugged and their camp, along with all of their provisions, has been destroyed. Even more chilling are the words inked on each of the teens' wrists: deceptive, dangerous, damaged and innocently enough, darling. After finding Mr. Walker too drugged to wake up, they attempt to check on Hayley, Madison and Ms. Brighton but they are unable to cross the still flooded river. Climbing to higher ground, Lucas and Sera make a grisly discovery that convinces them the three have met a gruesome, and deadly, fate. The seeds of distrust between the classmates are soon sown, but in order to survive their frightening ordeal, the four teens must pull together if they are going to escape from the deranged stalker who continues to taunt them while leading them into danger.
Initially, Sera's biggest problem with the camping trip (other than the miserable weather and plentiful bugs) is keeping her distance from Lucas. She and Lucas were involved the previous summer until she inexplicably broke things off and began going to great lengths to avoid him. Sera bristles with hostility and their exchanges are rather acrimonious until they are forced to work together to try to save themselves and their classmates. Underlying their interactions is a simmering attraction that flares up at very inopportune moments during their attempts to flee from their attacker. (Seriously, if you're in fight or flight mode trying to evade a deranged killer, it seems somewhat ridiculous and highly implausible that you would even think, let alone actually act, on the impulse to flirt, kiss and moon over one another. Subtracted half a star for this unrealistic attempt to add in a romance.)
A newcomer to town, Lucas started off on the wrong foot during a soccer match and he now has a reputation as the school's resident bad boy. He is constantly in trouble for fighting but this only adds to his appeal for his female classmates. Working with Lucas on a project for a school play, Sera discovered his softer side as they spent time together outside of school hours. Their flirtation culminated in a relationship of sorts, but Sera pulled back without explanation due to her unresolved issues from her parents' divorce. As the situation in the woods becomes more ominous, can they set aside their differences and work together to try to save themselves along with Jude and Emily?
Despite being classmates, neither Lucas nor Sera knows Jude or Emily very well. Although Sera and Emily share a tent during the trip, they do not exchange confidences and Emily keeps mostly to herself. Jude is well-known for his musical talent, but he is a rather enigmatic figure. He and Emily gravitate toward one another due to their suspicions of the other members in their group. Will they be able put aside their mistrust long enough to help Sera and Lucas find their way out of the increasingly dangerous situation?
With plenty of suspense, a sense of urgency and shifting allegiances, One Was Lost is a fast-paced and compelling young adult mystery. The isolated setting is extremely creepy and the sinister events ratchet up the tension as the teens try to figure out who is targeting them and why. Despite having a fairly good idea about who is behind the attack, Natalie D. Richards throws in just enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing both the perpetrator's identity and the motive for the nefarious scheme. With pulse-pounding action and an adrenaline filled final showdown, the novel comes to dramatic and mostly satisfying conclusion.
Plagued by endless rain, the senior camping trip soon takes a dark turn when Sera, Lucas, Jude, Emily and their teacher, Mr. Walker, are separated from Hayley, Madison and the other teacher chaperoning them, Ms. Brighton by flash flood. Planning to meet up the following day, the two groups set up camp and turn in for the night, but when Sera's group wakes up the next day, they are horrified to learn they've been drugged and their camp, along with all of their provisions, has been destroyed. Even more chilling are the words inked on each of the teens' wrists: deceptive, dangerous, damaged and innocently enough, darling. After finding Mr. Walker too drugged to wake up, they attempt to check on Hayley, Madison and Ms. Brighton but they are unable to cross the still flooded river. Climbing to higher ground, Lucas and Sera make a grisly discovery that convinces them the three have met a gruesome, and deadly, fate. The seeds of distrust between the classmates are soon sown, but in order to survive their frightening ordeal, the four teens must pull together if they are going to escape from the deranged stalker who continues to taunt them while leading them into danger.
Initially, Sera's biggest problem with the camping trip (other than the miserable weather and plentiful bugs) is keeping her distance from Lucas. She and Lucas were involved the previous summer until she inexplicably broke things off and began going to great lengths to avoid him. Sera bristles with hostility and their exchanges are rather acrimonious until they are forced to work together to try to save themselves and their classmates. Underlying their interactions is a simmering attraction that flares up at very inopportune moments during their attempts to flee from their attacker. (Seriously, if you're in fight or flight mode trying to evade a deranged killer, it seems somewhat ridiculous and highly implausible that you would even think, let alone actually act, on the impulse to flirt, kiss and moon over one another. Subtracted half a star for this unrealistic attempt to add in a romance.)
A newcomer to town, Lucas started off on the wrong foot during a soccer match and he now has a reputation as the school's resident bad boy. He is constantly in trouble for fighting but this only adds to his appeal for his female classmates. Working with Lucas on a project for a school play, Sera discovered his softer side as they spent time together outside of school hours. Their flirtation culminated in a relationship of sorts, but Sera pulled back without explanation due to her unresolved issues from her parents' divorce. As the situation in the woods becomes more ominous, can they set aside their differences and work together to try to save themselves along with Jude and Emily?
Despite being classmates, neither Lucas nor Sera knows Jude or Emily very well. Although Sera and Emily share a tent during the trip, they do not exchange confidences and Emily keeps mostly to herself. Jude is well-known for his musical talent, but he is a rather enigmatic figure. He and Emily gravitate toward one another due to their suspicions of the other members in their group. Will they be able put aside their mistrust long enough to help Sera and Lucas find their way out of the increasingly dangerous situation?
With plenty of suspense, a sense of urgency and shifting allegiances, One Was Lost is a fast-paced and compelling young adult mystery. The isolated setting is extremely creepy and the sinister events ratchet up the tension as the teens try to figure out who is targeting them and why. Despite having a fairly good idea about who is behind the attack, Natalie D. Richards throws in just enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing both the perpetrator's identity and the motive for the nefarious scheme. With pulse-pounding action and an adrenaline filled final showdown, the novel comes to dramatic and mostly satisfying conclusion.