Reviews tagging 'Violence'

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

193 reviews

emquartz15's review against another edition

funny 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

This book is so solid. The writing is effortless and real. The characters, their mannerisms, theirs interactions with each other — it all points to masterful work by McManus. 

I felt like some voices were stronger than others, and I’m not 100% head over heels for the book, so those are the only reasons why it’s not 5 stars from me. Maybe I just haven’t read YA in awhile. 

But I breezed through it and loved the writing! Definitely would recommend to anyone looking for a mystery with lovable characters (with the added tension knowing you’re not sure if you can trust them). 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Violence

annaspeckien's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Abandonment

gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

After reading The Cousins recently, I was inspired to go through the authors backlist of books. 

This was such a great story that had so many layers! I will admit, I was a little nervous getting around to this very hyped book, but it was definitely worth it.

I never expected who would be the culprit in the 'whodunit' plot and I think it was executed really well.

The characters were fully dimensional and I was invested in all of their stories. 

Nate really irked me in the last few chapters! I felt so disappointed by his decisions, it was just mean.

I think my favourite character was Bronwyn. They all had some really problems in there life but for some reason the internal and external pressures of being the perfect everything really hit me. 

This was exciting, immersive, thrilling and had  lot of depth to reflect on the consequences of spiteful rumours and extremism and radicalisation within education.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

julia_jojo17's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Outing

Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism

riverstyx1325's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Outing, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Moderate: Mass/school shootings

Minor: Cancer and Sexual content

violet_viper's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

bkeller48's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide and Violence

ashie_kate's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I quite liked it. Do love how lowkey Karen M. McManus's mysteries are despite them being about murders. I was just a little disappointed on who it ended up being.

I understand that suicide is something that should be in books, and I was not expecting it at all. But I think I would've preferred it to have been Jake is was fully guilty rather than it being a plan because Simon is messed up. My favourite scene however is when Jake comes after Addy and hurts her because he found she was there. It is realistic that this guy who abused her during their relationship would lay hands on her after she finds out that he is an assistant in such a twisted plan.

Overall a really good book and I will continue to read her books. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Sexual content

vivisms_82's review against another edition

dark mysterious

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Excellent. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence

3ch4na's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is really good, I recommend this for people who like Y/A mystery or liked the Agggtm series. Karen M. McManus is a really talented author!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Mass/school shootings, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis