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alibeabon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is a good easy read- definitely something to read when trying to get out of a reading slump. It's interesting premise made me want to continue reading despite not LOVING the writing style. I usually don't like books that shift between perspectives, but this one kept my attention and I have to give it props for that! I would recommend to anyone who wants something fun and fast-paced and easy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Miscarriage, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
kylieqrada's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Baby's first 5 ⭐️ thriller!!!!!! This was funnnnnnn!!!! The multiple storylines had me flipping the pages like WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!? It had just enough of a sci-fi twist to spice it up without losing its essential thriller-ness. Highly recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness
Minor: Abortion
krys_kilz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a fast-paced and creative thriller with some surprising twists. I read most of the book in one day, so it definitely keeps you engaged with the suspense.
I liked hearing the multiple perspectives, but Christopher, the serial killer's character, felt a lot less strong than the others. He felt like a tool for shock value and there was some underlying saneism in how he was written. I am just really over the whole "psychopath serial killer" trope in the genre.
The premise of the book is also deeply rooted in cissexism, compulsory monogamy, biological essentialism, and the pedestaling of romantic relationships.
I would recommend this book if you're looking for a page turner with some cross-genre elements. It definitely delivers in that regard.
tw: murder, gore, cancer
I liked hearing the multiple perspectives, but Christopher, the serial killer's character, felt a lot less strong than the others. He felt like a tool for shock value and there was some underlying saneism in how he was written. I am just really over the whole "psychopath serial killer" trope in the genre.
The premise of the book is also deeply rooted in cissexism, compulsory monogamy, biological essentialism, and the pedestaling of romantic relationships.
I would recommend this book if you're looking for a page turner with some cross-genre elements. It definitely delivers in that regard.
tw: murder, gore, cancer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Terminal illness, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
nabaraditi's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
This book started off as all inventions begin: as a boon. But every invention has two sides of a coin and so did Match Your DNA(MYD). And the book was brilliant. The whole time i was reading this book I was hoping that it gets turned into either a series or a movie. (P.S. It already is and I didn't know until I was done reading the book)
I stayed up last night till 1.30am to finish the book. Its un-put-down-able!!!!!
Firstly going through 5 different characters was a good move because we could see how MYD affects different people instead of just one character. Adding serial killer and he finding love was the cherry on top. That got intrigued in the book in the beginning.
While reading the book, I couldn’t stop but wonder how I’d feel if MYD was a real thing in our world. I had mixed feelings about it. I think it would save us so much effort and time (and even trauma in some cases). But this effort and time that we normally put into dating and meeting and dealing with different kinds of people, kissing different frogs changes us (for good or bad depending on the individual). We learn and experience so much. We learn so much about ourselves as well. But with MYD this won’t happen as we’ll just jump to the happily ever after. (other than the whole fiasco that happens in the book cause of human mind and behaviour)
While reading the book, I also thought that as so much weightage is given to the Matches that believe blindly believe it, then there could be placebo effect taking place. And I’m happy to see the book talk about it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, Grief, and Pregnancy
kelly_e's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Title: The One
Author: John Marrs
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.0
Pub Date: July 15, 2016
T H R E E • W O R D S
Inventive • Gripping • Dynamic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
What if a revolutionary DNA test promising to find your ideal partner existed? The One weaves together the stories of five strangers. Mandy, who matches with Richard, but soon finds out he is dead. Christopher, a serial killer on a mission, until he meets his match Amy, a police officer. Jade, whose match, Kevin, lives a world way in Australia and who it turns out wasn't completely truthful with her. Nick who is happily engaged to Sally, and whose match turns out to be a man named Alexander. And lastly, Ellie, the mastermind behind the match gene, who has been matched with Timothy who has secrets of his own.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Wow! What an incredible ride.
The One is one of the genre bending reads I don't quite know where to classify it, or how to put into words my thoughts. Written so smartly in five separate stories (somewhat connected), I loved how each one hooked me right from the very start. The tempo is fast-paced, where I didn't want to put it down, eagerly wanting to know where each part would go. There were many twists and turns - some I saw coming, others I didn't - and the ride was so worth it. The structure is completely different from anything I've read, but it worked brilliantly. Sometimes I can find myself having difficultly keeping track of storylines when there's a larger cast, and/or when the perspectives alternate chapters, yet here each plot line was distinct enough I had absolutely no issues. I enjoyed each of the plot lines, but my two favourites were probably Jade and Mandy's stories. I felt I connected more to both of those stories than the others.
Normally science fiction and/or thrillers aren't my go to, but this one worked for me on so many levels. I wouldn't necessarily classify this as a thriller. Yes, there are parts that add a little thrill, but it definitely wasn't the whole story. John Marrs has written such a thought-provoking and unique novel, which is something I am always wanting in a good book. It certainly opened up dialogue and reflection among my book friends. There is no doubt I will be thinking about the book and what I would do if such a test existed, for a long time. Instantly, adding more John Marrs to my TBR.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• all readers!
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Maybe that was more important than anything else, she thought. Maybe when you took it back to basics, that's what love really was: just being there for someone when the sun rises and sets."
"Sometimes, the grass is not greener on the other side, and we should stay in the field where we belong. And sometimes we just need to take a gamble and hope for the best."
Author: John Marrs
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.0
Pub Date: July 15, 2016
T H R E E • W O R D S
Inventive • Gripping • Dynamic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
What if a revolutionary DNA test promising to find your ideal partner existed? The One weaves together the stories of five strangers. Mandy, who matches with Richard, but soon finds out he is dead. Christopher, a serial killer on a mission, until he meets his match Amy, a police officer. Jade, whose match, Kevin, lives a world way in Australia and who it turns out wasn't completely truthful with her. Nick who is happily engaged to Sally, and whose match turns out to be a man named Alexander. And lastly, Ellie, the mastermind behind the match gene, who has been matched with Timothy who has secrets of his own.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Wow! What an incredible ride.
The One is one of the genre bending reads I don't quite know where to classify it, or how to put into words my thoughts. Written so smartly in five separate stories (somewhat connected), I loved how each one hooked me right from the very start. The tempo is fast-paced, where I didn't want to put it down, eagerly wanting to know where each part would go. There were many twists and turns - some I saw coming, others I didn't - and the ride was so worth it. The structure is completely different from anything I've read, but it worked brilliantly. Sometimes I can find myself having difficultly keeping track of storylines when there's a larger cast, and/or when the perspectives alternate chapters, yet here each plot line was distinct enough I had absolutely no issues. I enjoyed each of the plot lines, but my two favourites were probably Jade and Mandy's stories. I felt I connected more to both of those stories than the others.
Normally science fiction and/or thrillers aren't my go to, but this one worked for me on so many levels. I wouldn't necessarily classify this as a thriller. Yes, there are parts that add a little thrill, but it definitely wasn't the whole story. John Marrs has written such a thought-provoking and unique novel, which is something I am always wanting in a good book. It certainly opened up dialogue and reflection among my book friends. There is no doubt I will be thinking about the book and what I would do if such a test existed, for a long time. Instantly, adding more John Marrs to my TBR.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• all readers!
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Maybe that was more important than anything else, she thought. Maybe when you took it back to basics, that's what love really was: just being there for someone when the sun rises and sets."
"Sometimes, the grass is not greener on the other side, and we should stay in the field where we belong. And sometimes we just need to take a gamble and hope for the best."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Blood, Stalking, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity and Abortion
death of partnertheklutzybibliophile's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
I love how unique each of the characters were. They all went through journeys that were unlike each others. Very good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Abortion, and Death of parent
marchhare89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Violence, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Vomit, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
margauxjullien's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Infidelity, and Death of parent
nahtehreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Loved/hated the multiple storyline’s because when a plot twist happened you had to read the other storyline’s before you got back to the one that interested you but it also created suspense. A lot of plot twists which were unexpected which is definitely what you want in a psychological thriller!!
Loved it!
Loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, and Stalking
Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, and Kidnapping
kblum15's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion