One Of Us Is Next Book Review 📕
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this book is just not as good as the last. its written similarly but its saving grace is nate fucking macauley. the premise of the book is fine i just don’t believe it.
its one thing for teenagers to keep secrets but once something THAT crazy happen adults should’ve been asking questions. some of them being delusional about the state of the school *cough cough* the principal *cough cough* makes sense. but you’re telling me they’re all just completely fucking oblivious about what all of these kids are doing??
the entire book again was mostly predictable. the ending just seems like a last ditch to be unpredictable but seems almost completely unbelievable to me.
mcmanus should have written in another student because the 3 pov is lack luster compared to the previous book. she also seemed to get lazy with the timeline, not being as neat as the previous, tho obviously still chronological. its a big old woah is me and everything starts way to early.
the biggest “what’s their secret” moment is immediately put out and the rest is them scrambling and doing a terrible job despite maeve having literally already gone thru this, and not even that long ago.
all i can hope is that the 3rd book does a better job and brings back the bayview 4 in more than just auxiliary characters who are also extremely fucking oblivious to everything around them, despite having just lived a similar experience literally a year prior to this. thank god for nate macauley being well, nate fucking macauley.
onto the next.
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As a huge fan of Karen M. McManus's 'One Of Us Is Lying', I dove into 'One Of Us Is Next' with really high hopes! This sequel, described on the cover as 'for us its endgame', promised more Bayview drama, and while it didn't quite live up to my expectations as a perfect follow-up, it definitely offered a rollercoaster read. When I picked up this red book, 'One Of Us Is Next', for my Lemon8 BookClub review, I was ready to see how the story of Bayview Academy continued after the shocking events of the first novel. Let's talk about what this YA mystery is actually about. 'One Of Us Is Next' picks up about a year after the first book, and Bayview High is still reeling from the events. Now, a new game of 'Truth or Dare' starts, but it quickly turns deadly. The core of the plot revolves around new secrets, new threats, and how the original 'Bayview 4' characters are impacted, even if they aren't always at the forefront. It's packed with twists and turns, true to McManus's style, aiming to keep you guessing about who's behind all the chaos. It really leans into themes of how past actions haunt you, the dark side of social media, and the intense pressures teenagers face. The structure, while attempting to be fresh, sometimes felt a little disconnected from the strong ensemble feeling of the first book, which was a bit of a letdown for me personally. For those wondering about the age rating and if it's suitable, 'One Of Us Is Next' is firmly in the Young Adult (YA) category. It deals with mature themes like murder, blackmail, drug use, and intense psychological suspense. While there's no explicit content, the situations are serious and high-stakes, making it most appropriate for readers aged 14 and up. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll find the tone and thematic elements align, just with a fresh mystery. It’s definitely a book that sparks discussion, making it a great choice for book clubs or reading with friends. Despite my 3-star rating for this book review, there were elements I still appreciated. McManus has a knack for pacing, and even when I found the plot predictable or some character decisions frustrating, I still wanted to know what would happen next. And yes, Nate Macauley continues to be a standout character – his wit and presence often saved scenes for me, proving why he's a fan favorite. The way the narrative intertwines the lives of the students, showing how easily secrets can unravel everything, is still compelling. It’s a fast-paced narrative that you can easily finish in a couple of sittings if you’re looking for something to devour quickly. If you're considering 'One Of Us Is Next', especially after reading the first one, I'd say go into it with an open mind. It's a different beast than its predecessor. While I genuinely wished for a less convoluted plot and more active involvement from the original protagonists, it still offers a quick, engaging read for fans of high school thrillers. It expands the Bayview universe, even with its flaws, and sets the stage for future stories. Ultimately, it's a typical Karen M. McManus page-turner, perfect if you're looking for a quick, suspenseful read that keeps you guessing, even if you might see some of the twists coming! It might not be as groundbreaking as the first, but it certainly has its moments and will appeal to anyone looking for more Bayview High drama.
