In the amazing sequel to the twisted Breakfast Club thriller One of Us Is Lying, there’s a new manipulative gossip-monger at Bayview High School. A group text to all students announces a truth-or-dark game, participation mandatory. Dares seem like harmless teen-movie pranks, while truths reveal horrible secrets in the group text. Obviously, the correct choice is to be pick dare, until a dare kills a student.
One of Us Is Next, by Karen M. McManus, is told in rotating perspective, just like the first book. I don’t love this, because it usually interferes with my ability to connect with a character. This isn’t too bad here, it works in such a plot-focused book, since each person moves the mystery forward. Also the shifting narration means readers can see Maeve and Knox’s relationship from both sides. However, there are a lot of minor-character siblings and classmates in this story, and it can be hard to keep all the relationships straight.
There is one fairly obvious baddie, and one that absolutely stunned me. (Link contains full spoilers, watch out!) I loved how the ending was revealed, in full, wild drama, but with the characters behaving consistently with their established personalities. A great follow-up to One of Us Is Lying.
I tried to get into the first one and I feel like I must have just been in a bad place when I tried to read it. Time to try again.
The rotating perspective takes some getting used to, but it’s worth it!
I loved this one, but I am extra bias and partial to Nate and Bronwyn, as so many are, and I need more of them! I loved that this story was unique, but still felt like OOUIL.
That’s what I love about McManus’ books. She let’s me feel like a super sleuth, because I can usually figure out part of the mystery, but then she surprises me with a different bit of it.
Right?!?! While we’re looking over here at this baddie, another one comes out of nowhere!
[…] of this book may also enjoy the rotating, not-entirely honest narrators in the thriller One Of Us Is Lying, the school secrets in The Most Dangerous Place On Earth or the teenage friendships and rumors in […]
[…] and Delilah, which is a pretty common trend in young adult fiction. (Another high school thriller, One of Us is Lying, also used this rotating POV to dramatic effect.) But here, it just serves to show how differently […]
[…] was already a fan of Maurene Goo and Karen M. McManus, so I was delighted to see their stories in this collection. McManus’ story, Never Have I […]