stephaniestarr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sueotwell's review against another edition
3.0
This one was ok, some twists but for me it was pretty straight forward and what a sluy of characters.
readguy25's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.25
I enjoyed One By One quite a bit. It wasn't perfect, but it was easy to read and had a fun story to boot.
First, this book is absolutely a page turner. I applaud Ruth Ware for creating such an accessible read, as this could easily have became convoluted for the detriment of the story. I was able to breeze through most of this book in one day (mainly due to reading it on a flight, but whatever).
The characters were all pretty unique and I was able to delineate each one from the others. I'd say my favorite character was either Danny or Erin, and I was obviously rooting for them once the story got rolling. Erin, specifically, felt like a pretty good vehicle to drive the plot through.
Liz was a mixed bag for me, mainly because for most of the book I thought she was incredibly annoying. Having to read half the book through her point of view was a bit tiresome at times, specifically hearing about just how anxious she was and how socially inept she was. As the story progresses and the tone shifted, she became a complex character compared to her one note personality in the beginning of her arc, which was appreciated.
Spoiler
I think she ended up being a good villain, for the most part.I felt that the twist was well executed, for the most part. I was doing my fair share of guesswork while reading through One By One, trying to suss out who the killer was, I had small inklings that it could be her, but my focus was obviously on red herrings like Topher.
Spoiler
and the subversion of Liz being the killer was a fun surprise.The writing was a bit simple, and it was admittedly distracting at points. This has the plus side of being a very easy to read book, however, so it really is hardly a knock on the book. I'm not reading books like this to fawn over the prose or try to delve into deeper meaning, these books are meant to be more akin to watching a daytime TV show, and it should be treated as such.
This book accomplished everything it sets out to be, which is a beach read with a gripping story; nothing more, nothing less. If you're on vacation (maybe a ski trip, perhaps), pick this book up to read while you're out there. It'll provide some nice entertainment for you!
jtturpin's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 solid read. Not my favorite Ruth Ware but enjoyable.
rachael_perry's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It reminded me of Agatha Christie, though a bit simpler in plot. While I believe the killer is too easily sussed out (I knew who it was pretty early on, despite the unreliable narrator trope for both narrators, and I’m notoriously awful at figuring out whodunnits), I don’t think that was actually supposed to be a hidden plot point. There’s no way Ware believed it would be a shock to the reader when it is officially revealed. I have to believe that for the rest of my review to be true.
I personally felt like this was one of her better books. It had a clear thread with clear plot points and clear discovery. The narrators both relayed the story fairly linearly, though sometimes they overlapped and repeated. Sometimes it helped aid the reader, sometimes it was literally the same thing. I liked our heroine (a first for me with a Ware book). And I have to give Ware some kudos for finding a way to contain a book in a mostly non-filler way after the killer is revealed. I remember thinking, “I’m barely halfway through. HOW is there still half a book left?” It wasn’t completely annoying, and I’m glad the motive was clearly specified after the killer is revealed. I think the only part I question as relevant to include is the last chapter. Well… on the audiobook, the last chapter is over an hour long (I think it’s several chapters mushed together in print form), and I can’t figure out why the story needed so much time to tie up. There were two parts that repeated almost verbatim, and I thought I had accidentally hit the skip forward button. I had not.
I’ve seen other reviews complaining about certain sequences, like the avalanche and the final scene with the killer, but I actually liked those. I found the action scenes tense, and thought the avalanche scene showed off some of Ware’s writing skills. I don’t agree with others that the characters were mostly left underdeveloped. For all the setup we had, they all fell a little flat. I forgot who some of them were and confused the two narrators often (though that may have been the audioreader’s fault when she forgot to switch voices a few times).
I personally felt like this was one of her better books. It had a clear thread with clear plot points and clear discovery. The narrators both relayed the story fairly linearly, though sometimes they overlapped and repeated. Sometimes it helped aid the reader, sometimes it was literally the same thing. I liked our heroine (a first for me with a Ware book). And I have to give Ware some kudos for finding a way to contain a book in a mostly non-filler way after the killer is revealed. I remember thinking, “I’m barely halfway through. HOW is there still half a book left?” It wasn’t completely annoying, and I’m glad the motive was clearly specified after the killer is revealed. I think the only part I question as relevant to include is the last chapter. Well… on the audiobook, the last chapter is over an hour long (I think it’s several chapters mushed together in print form), and I can’t figure out why the story needed so much time to tie up. There were two parts that repeated almost verbatim, and I thought I had accidentally hit the skip forward button. I had not.
I’ve seen other reviews complaining about certain sequences, like the avalanche and the final scene with the killer, but I actually liked those. I found the action scenes tense, and thought the avalanche scene showed off some of Ware’s writing skills. I don’t agree with others that the characters were mostly left underdeveloped. For all the setup we had, they all fell a little flat. I forgot who some of them were and confused the two narrators often (though that may have been the audioreader’s fault when she forgot to switch voices a few times).
clmills14's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
Cards on the table: Story - 2 stars, if that. Audio experience - 5 stars.
Anyone whose path has brushed mine in recent years knows my favorite fall activity is moody nighttime walks with the incomparable Imogen Church reading Ruth Ware in my ear. That still stands true, but more than ever all credit is due to the always exceptional narration.
Though I was entertained by Ware's earlier books, I firmly believed she had found her true calling in her recent turn to gothic suspense. Her gift for crafting atmosphere and tension along with Hitchcockian characters offered delicious experiences. Unfortunately, she has again changed direction and chose to first lay powder for an adaptation of And Then There Were None mash-up with perhaps The Hunting Party -- but then veered off-piste to...I'm not even certain.
I was all-in at the beginning, and the common complaint about meeting all the characters at once without being able to track them wasn't a barrier for me (thank you, Imogen!). The beats and even perpetrator may have been somewhat predictable, but that never bothers me with these; I come for the ride. However, the last quarter of the book fails to work structurally, narratively, or tonally, and.
audiobook note: All flaws and disappointments aside, it is still a genuine, thrilling pleasure to have Imogen read me a story. I'm well aware my effusiveness is becoming one-note, but the way she adds nuance to characterization and pacing and mood is all that I need. It is for her contributions that I rate this read as high as I do. I can't bring myself to do otherwise.
Anyone whose path has brushed mine in recent years knows my favorite fall activity is moody nighttime walks with the incomparable Imogen Church reading Ruth Ware in my ear. That still stands true, but more than ever all credit is due to the always exceptional narration.
Though I was entertained by Ware's earlier books, I firmly believed she had found her true calling in her recent turn to gothic suspense. Her gift for crafting atmosphere and tension along with Hitchcockian characters offered delicious experiences. Unfortunately, she has again changed direction and chose to first lay powder for an adaptation of And Then There Were None mash-up with perhaps The Hunting Party -- but then veered off-piste to...I'm not even certain.
I was all-in at the beginning, and the common complaint about meeting all the characters at once without being able to track them wasn't a barrier for me (thank you, Imogen!). The beats and even perpetrator may have been somewhat predictable, but that never bothers me with these; I come for the ride. However, the last quarter of the book fails to work structurally, narratively, or tonally, and
Spoiler
the drawn-out denouement is bewildering, especially as the book ends with a whimper. This is not a book that leaves the reader with any sense of satisfaction. Not even a bitaudiobook note: All flaws and disappointments aside, it is still a genuine, thrilling pleasure to have Imogen read me a story. I'm well aware my effusiveness is becoming one-note, but the way she adds nuance to characterization and pacing and mood is all that I need. It is for her contributions that I rate this read as high as I do. I can't bring myself to do otherwise.
veronicalovesjeff's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0