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devynreadsnovels's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Death, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Racism, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Stalking, Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Racial slurs, Sexism, Alcohol, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Classism, Murder, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Lesbophobia, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cursing, Gun violence, Misogyny, Abandonment, Blood, Kidnapping, Confinement, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual harassment
uranaishi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, Classism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Gun violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Racism, and Sexual violence
Minor: Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Gore, Stalking, Chronic illness, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Rape, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Drug use, Cultural appropriation, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Slavery, War, Ableism, Alcohol, and Sexual content
corrieroe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One of Us Knows is a thriller with multiple mysteries that created a gothic atmosphere but that is also grounded in reality. I ultimately thought it was trying to do too much in its conclusion, but it has a solid foundation and interesting characters that make it an easy read.
I was excited to receive an ARC of this book from the publishers via a giveaway. I read When No One Is Watching in 2020 (also coincidentally received through a giveaway), and thought Alyssa Cole's foray into thrillers was solid and compelling. This book reminded me a lot of When No One Is Watching in its tone and outlook.
Like much of Cole's writing, the story hooked me from the start. It was natural to learn alongside Ken, our protagonist, who has dissociative identity disorder (DID), as she came back to fronting after six years of essentially mental hibernation, when her headmates led them through the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I did not know anything about DID but felt like I learned something through reading this book, and, as always with Cole, through a holistic, compassionate, and humanizing lens. The mysteries of this book were not only what was happening with the historic home where Ken and her headmates have apparently accepted a job, but also with what is going on with their inner world.
In addition to the pandemic, there are some things included / alluded to in this book that may be a no-go for some. I'd check out the readers submitted content warnings and am including those that stuck out the most to me.
Graphic: Misogyny, Mental illness, Hate crime, Homophobia, Death, Kidnapping, Pandemic/Epidemic, Ableism, Death of parent, Confinement, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Murder, Abandonment, Trafficking, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit