One Of Us Is Next Paperback – 9 January 2020

I can only give four stars as the book has a bend on the right hand top corner apart from that the book is in good condition. Recommend this buy

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After racing through book 1 and really enjoying it, I was excited to get started on this one. I wasn't sure what to expect or where the author could take it as the first book wrapped up quite nicely, but I was invested and ready to find out so I had some time yesterday to sit and read so I started. Within 3 hours, I had finished - I basically devoured this book in one sitting, reading quite fast because I had to know what was going to happen next, I was totally absorbed that I couldn't stop for a second.This book starts off a year after the first, we have some new characters and the reappearance of some of our original four. Maeve (Bronwyn's sister) is now one of the main narrators, along with a girl named Phoebe who works in a local coffee shop where Maeve and Addy like to hang out. We also now have Knox - who is Maeve's best friend and ex-boyfriend. I loved getting to see more of Maeve and seeing her develop as a character in her own right. Knox is so sweet and a bit of a nerd, always just on the outskirts but still caring and thoughtful and willing to help others. Phoebe is sassy and funny but also sweet, we also see her sister Emma and find out about her background which helps her to be relatable.Of course we have appearances from Bronwyn and Nate, Addy is around a lot with her sister Ashton and the lawyer Eli, and Copper makes start appearances but isn't a full focus of the story.I was nervous how the dynamics would be different with new characters and old ones going off to college but it worked really well, I liked the new groups and found myself wanting to know all I could about them.Simon has been gone for a year now, but some people are trying to keep his gossip alive, there have been some copycat blogs and messages, but most of those have been shut down - but then a text goes out. The biggest game of Truth or Dare in history is going to be played. Everyone in Bayview High is glued to their phones - who will be the first to pay? If you text back Truth, your worst secret will be revealed, if you text back Dare, you will be given a task to complete. If you don't reply - your worst secret is revealed anyway.The pace of this book is perfect, the perfect mix of action, dialogue and information. Considering the most tragic part is about halfway through, you think it would then drag, but then things start to get even more serious and our group have to find out who is behind it all before something else blows up in everyone's faces. Hopefully no one else will get hurt, but this player is very clever and he has revenge on his mind.In my opinion this book was even better than the first and I wish there were more from this series. I haven't been this absorbed in a book for a long time, something that can just grip me and carry me away.The only thing I didn't like as much was that the ending was a little bit open ended, I wanted to know what would happen next and if there would be anything further, but overall I can see why she ended it this way, and it didn't destroy my enjoyment of the book as a whole.A definite must read!

I have given One of Us Is Next by Karen M, McManus four out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A very intriguing, entertaining and suspenseful book that had me gripped right up until the last page. I’m definitely a sucker for YA mystery thrillers, especially if there are games involved and in this case, Truth or Dare is our deviously dangerous game that this story is revolved around.I really liked how the characters from the first novel, One of Us Is Lying, had been incorporated into the sequel. I had only read that book at the end of last year however, it’s easy to forget events that happen sometimes so it was great to revisit being back at Bayview High School. The characters that we focus on in this multi-narrative story are: Maeve, Phoebe and Knox. I really enjoyed reading about all three protagonists, I thought these characters and their backstories had been developed incredibly well, all unique to one another.I would love to see this sequel gain another book in this series as I really love the characters that we meet and learn about. McManus is very talented in her writing when it comes to creating characters and building up their relationships with one another.The only reason why I didn’t give this book the full five stars was due to the main plot twist that takes place, as I started to cotton on to who it’s most likely to be. Which I guessed correctly, however there were still elements of surprise which I didn’t expect from this novel that made me thoroughly enjoy it.I would say that this book could be read as a standalone but it does include a lot of information and characters from the first book so it might be best to read that one first before moving onto One of Us Is Next then you’ll be clued up on all the events that took place. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of YA mystery thrillers, fast-paced and suspenseful novels.

M.McManus is the first author in a long time to officially get me out of my reading slump and for that alone I would have given five stars - however the ending just didn't particulary sit well with me and felt almost rushed and not so much of a cliff hanger...The author has a great way of throwing the occasional hint to the main culprit whilst still managing to address each protagonists individual storylines and home life which i'm yet to find in other books, so again definitely five star worthy! However without spoiling too much for future readers, I do feel like half way through the book it's made clear who the culprit is...I did like the final twist within the last chapter too, but as i said already it just seemed rather rushed... a whole 300 page read and only 2/3 pages on who the main culprit is... nevertheless I was definitely gripped throughout the two books and completely fell in love with the characters - so for that, thank you Karen McManus!

This is Karen's third book and it's the third I've absolutely devoured.I love the build up, the drama and the teenage angst but by the time it starts to unravel, I've already guessed the ending. Even though I can guess 'who dunnit' it never spoils the book.I really can't reccomend these books enough.More from Bayview please.Scrap that, just more books please Karen!! I could read your writing style all day.~ Ams

Set a year after the events of the first book, Bayview sees someone start a lethal game of Truth or Dare. Maeve, Knox, and Phoebe are caught in the cross-fire of the game and they need to work together to find the culprit.The long-awaited sequel to One of Us Is Lying is a bit of a damp squib. Although the original characters had peripheral roles, the story was told from the viewpoints of Maeve, Knox, and Phoebe. I didn't really warm to these characters and the story dragged too. All the girls are predictably gorgeous (even those who think they aren't - yawn) and I thought it was rather cheesy how everyone paired off by the end. I know it is a YA book but sometimes the romance-aspects are a bit much. A disappointing 2 stars.