Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

16 reviews

vickeyreads's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I LOVED this book!!! You would not be able to guess twist in this story! I loved every character in the book (hated a few however). 
I loved reading each of the varied perspectives. The beginning reminded me of The Breakfast Club which I enjoyed. As both relate to  people from different cliches coming together. That is all I have to say about the book that is spoiler free. If you haven’t read it I 100% recommend that you should read it (even if you do get spoiled but I recommend staying away from spoilers still).

SPOILERS BELOW:

one criticism I had was when Addy cheated on Jake and reflects about it I wish they depict her to show more remorse and moral guilt about her actions I feel as tho, that those character moments of agony are crucial to making her a more well rounded character. Instead her cheating was brushed off because of Jake’s rage and his actions. That he almost kills her and freaks out on her when she admits to him. 
Another criticism I had was Mr. Avery wasn’t questioned enough or suspected enough for Simon’s murder imo. Being the only teacher in the room at the time of Simon’s Death, wouldn’t that make him more suspicious. Though I do not feel as strongly about this criticism.

I will point out another part of the book I did not enjoy was the epilogue because I felt it was very boring and didn’t really add much to the story. 
The book is overall very well done and compelling for anyone to read. Those are my thoughts.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Infidelity, Mass/school shootings, and Car accident

Other Warnings Spoilers below mentions of suicide are quite graphic in the book

renyoi's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

YA fiction that simultaneously does and does not feel like YA fiction. Multiple gasp-out-loud moments and surprising subversions of popular tropes make this book one of the more sophisticated YA titles I’ve ever read. All characters feel well-rounded and representative of real teenagers—who, as the author clearly knows, are agents in their own world and not just victims of or reactions to circumstances. My main complaint? The author doesn’t actually know how Tumblr works. :P

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Car accident, and Classism

badvision's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicide, Murder, and Outing

Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Abandonment, and Classism

hannalizzy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense 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

4.0

I enjoyed this book a lot! I read it in about a day, mostly in one sitting. I felt invested in the plot and characters, and thought the mystery played out well. I felt like the “villian” in the end wasn’t as satisfying as I wanted it to be, but I can acknowledge that this is a YA book and the plot has to be somewhat predictable. I was totally rooting for Bronwyn and Nate the whole time, I’m a SUCKER for a good girl/bad boy trope ❤️

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Cursing

ekmoore11's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Murder, and Outing

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Transphobia, and Mass/school shootings

rhiannon88f5f's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Suicide