One of Us Is Next (One of Us is Lying #2) by Karen M. McManus - Restarting April 12th 2024

[Ryn]

Okay, I'm about halfway through.
And yeah, I'm still getting the different characters mixed up -- you're right, they do all sound the same.

You're not wrong, these are kind of silly little books, but I think they're so fun. I'm so glad I'm NOT a teen any more because SO. Much. Drama.

So I have my suspicions, but they're probably all wrong. I knew someone would end up dead, but I wasn't expecting (view spoiler)[ something that looked so much like an accident. And I am of course, curious that Knox seems to think Sean is full of garbage (hide spoiler)] I am worried about Maeve, though, poor thing. I wish she'd go see a doctor or tell someone about her symptoms.

You're right... glad it's a fast read so we find out soon! (And because I'm a little behind and need to get some things actually finished)

[Ryn]

Through Chapter 24

Still can't quite tell most of them apart but I just like this book. It's an easy read, that's for sure. So apparently, as long as they can keep me turning the pages I can like the book even if it isn't great. Although I don't think this book is quite the train wreck The Jewel was.

Sooo (view spoiler)[ happy for Maeve though! :D Leukemia relapse is so scary. (hide spoiler)]

I don't know what I think. My hunch (and hope) is that McManus is going to surprise us. I think at this point I'm following all the "It looks like it's going this way" that she's tossing at us, but then I was never great at mysteries. Hoping to have this one finished soon because I really do want to know how she's going to play this out.

[Ryn]

Fin
Okay, so I'm finished. (view spoiler)[ I actually had thought it might be Phoebe simply because of what Brandon did to her, but then I figured it couldn't be because we spent so much time in her POV. I guessed it was Emma when the bomb went off - don't ask me why, that's when it just fit together for me. And it made sense and fit well. Owen was a complete surprise to me too, but yeah, it's a little hard to buy that one unless he honestly just thought it was all a game like his video games. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, I enjoyed it just because it was a quick read. I think you're right though; I would have liked to see more of the game itself. I did like (view spoiler)[ all the tie-in to the dad's death; I thought that was a new idea I haven't really seen in YA mystery and it let her bring someone else in (hide spoiler)]

Fun read and a very nice rec for teens who like mystery.

[Alexandra]

I would have hated it if (view spoiler)[it was Phoebe because like you said, we spent time in her POV, so it'd be like she's constantly lying to herself. The Prison Healer did that and I'm still annoyed about it, lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Catrin]

This is my next book to read after My current book.

[Ryn]

Alexandra wrote: "I would have hated it if [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, there's no way that could be pulled off successfully I think.

[Catrin]

I have just started this book.

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting April 12th 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

Excited for this!

[Brandee]

May have to start a day or two late since I am still finishing another one but excited to read this after reading the first one!!!

[Maddie]

I'm reading some other things first as well but I picked up the third today in prep for next month <3

[Maddie]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[This is going well so far, I read these for the drama and slice of life feel I get from our main characters, not really the mystery or the intrigue. I love reading slice of life haha although it does get confusing keeping people separate. Brandon's a big piece of work (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Chapter 14 (view spoiler)[Oohhh I like learning these secrets! I feel sad for Maeve because it was taken the wrong way (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Chapter 27 (view spoiler)[Okay the things with Maeve are stressful but my god I was so happy that she doesn't have leukemia back! Also I need to know what's happening with Emma! (hide spoiler)]

[Brandee]

Maddie wrote: "Chapter 10 [spoilers removed]"

Definitely. It is a bit hard to keep them separate especially if you also have the four from the first book in your head.
This idea of truth or dare seems fun but knowing this series, something is going to go wrong...

[Maddie]

I can't remember the first 4 that well so I don't have that problem haha

I'm going to finish it up in the next couple of minutes!

[Maddie]

Chapter 29 (view spoiler)[Really? A HOMEMADE BOMB?? Wiiild (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Finished! (view spoiler)[I loved the background info we got about Emma! That was such a shock! (hide spoiler)]

[Stacey]

Wait yall, I'm so late. I am starting this today

[Maddie]

No worries Stacey haha there's still time you're not that late

[Stacey]

Chapter 5:
I am a fan of Karen McManus, so I always will have bias to her stories. But I am enjoying this book so far. I am very disappointed that Phoebe did that

[Stacey]

Chapter 8:
Brandon is trash. I feel like we, at some point, have all dealt with a Brandon, someone who just thinks their looks grant them everything and they don't have to be a good person

[Maddie]

Stacey wrote: "Chapter 5:
I am a fan of Karen McManus, so I always will have bias to her stories. But I am enjoying this book so far. I am very disappointed that Phoebe did that"

I have a like-dislike relationship with her books. I've read all of them apart from the third in this series, and I'm about half half on what I've enjoyed and not

[Maddie]

Stacey wrote: "Chapter 8:
Brandon is trash. I feel like we, at some point, have all dealt with a Brandon, someone who just thinks their looks grant them everything and they don't have to be a good person"

Brandon is total trash. The level of bullying at all of these schools I read about in American novels are insane. In New Zealand we don't have anything like this that i know of

[Stacey]

Maddie wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Chapter 8:
Brandon is trash. I feel like we, at some point, have all dealt with a Brandon, someone who just thinks their looks grant them everything and they don't have to be a good..."

Tbh, this is honestly not far off. Bullying is an epidemic in America. Like I'm not surprised by the bullying that is featured in these books

[Stacey]

Maddie wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Chapter 5:
I am a fan of Karen McManus, so I always will have bias to her stories. But I am enjoying this book so far. I am very disappointed that Phoebe did that"

I have a like-di..."

I like that they are easy to digest and remember that they are based on the teen experience, so it keeps it more of a slice of life type of mystery. Like Nacny Drew Energy

[Stacey]

Ok I definitely think I figured out the whodunit aspect

[Maddie]

Stacey wrote: "Ok I definitely think I figured out the whodunit aspect"

When I read I don't think at all about the mystery elements haha what's your theory? Put it in spoiler tags haha

[Stacey]

Maddie wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Ok I definitely think I figured out the whodunit aspect"

When I read I don't think at all about the mystery elements haha what's your theory? Put it in spoiler tags haha"

I finished the book, BUT (view spoiler)[ at the time when I made that post, I had put together that it had to have been Emma who gave out the tea on Phoebe, Maeve, and Knox. But now that I have finished while I was right about the first part about Emma spilling the tea about Phoebe, I was so DEEPLY shocked by Owen. Karen always does that so I should have known better, but even then I was not expecting it to be him(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Stacey wrote: "Maddie wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Ok I definitely think I figured out the whodunit aspect"

When I read I don't think at all about the mystery elements haha what's your theory? Put it in spoiler tags h..."

I know! I was so shocked by that, I wonder if the next book will base around Owen's age group? Guess we'll find out! I like not knowing anything going into my books so don't say anything haha

[Ashley W]

Maddie wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Chapter 8:
Brandon is trash. I feel like we, at some point, have all dealt with a Brandon, someone who just thinks their looks grant them everything and they don't have to be a good..."

Oh gosh, this is mild compared to a lot of real life bullying in America. There's a reason we have so much violence in schools and it's sad.

[Ashley W]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ This one isn't as good for me as the first one was, but I usually don't like the sequel as much. I feel like if Phoebe told Emma she was drunk, the conversation would be much different. I like how this one has the Dare element to it instead of just gossip. It builds up the anticipation. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ I'm so glad that Knox is getting some recognition at his work, since his dad doesn't seem interested. At least he has his sisters. Jules is so dramatic. I hate that she dropped her friend like that. I can't wait to see what they have Maeve do. I hope her cancer isn't back! (hide spoiler)]

[Stacey]

Maddie wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Maddie wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Ok I definitely think I figured out the whodunit aspect"

When I read I don't think at all about the mystery elements haha what's your theory? Put it in..."

Honestly I hope so it would be interesting to see it go down that route

[Ashley W]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ Poor Knox. I don't think that was her secret though. It was his. It would affect him way more than her, so it was totally unfair. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[ I'm glad Nate has someone who appreciates him, but I feel bad for Knox. He and his dad really need to communicate more. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I love how they silently agreed to protect Owen. Normally, I feel bad for the victim, but Brandon obviously didn't feel guilty over anything he did. I don't like to say he deserved it, because he was only a teenager, but I don't feel sorry for him either. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Stacey wrote: "Maddie wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Ok I definitely think I figured out the whodunit aspect"

When I read I don't think at all about the mystery elements haha what's your theory? Put it in spoiler tags h..."

(view spoiler)[ Right! And she dropped the Owen bombshell right at the end when everything had wrapped up so nicely too. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacey]

Ashley W wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Maddie wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Ok I definitely think I figured out the whodunit aspect"

When I read I don't think at all about the mystery elements haha what's your theory? Put it in..."

RIGHT just wild