Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

The One by John Marrs

19 reviews

natashalg's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The story was well-written and definitely a page turner. I loved seeing how each characters story unfolded and the book explored some deep and unsettling themes. However, I don't know if I love the ending for a couple of characters

(Mandy - this is creepy to me, Ellie - is everything she learned about opening up just forgotten?)

I also wish the science was explored more especially about genes being passed down/sharing genes with someone (think about twins - how would their matches work?), but I understand this was just a story and not everything has to be 100% logical and fact based. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Kidnapping

Minor: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Dementia, Car accident, and Abortion

gloriouslycrazy104_'s review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

outofthepinksky's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Death of parent

Minor: Animal death, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual content, Vomit, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

lor_nia's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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? N/A

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Misogyny, Grief, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual content

sarah_amy's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Really enjoyed listening to this one. Narrated by a great cast of voice actors that made up the 6 characters featured in this book. It gave very 'Black Mirror' vibes of a future that feels not too far off with technological and genetic advancements not too far-fetched. Loved how it showed the different moral and safety predicaments that genetically-matched coupling could bring. I was drawn in by all the characters, who were both charismatic and incredibly flawed, which made it difficult to know how to feel about them, making them more human. If any flaw, a couple of the endings felt a little rushed. I devoured all 11 hours of this in 2 days. Looking forward to rereading The Passengers next, now that I know it's somewhat part of a series (though both books serve well as stand-alones!).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Torture, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment

pla_333's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt

Minor: Miscarriage and Stalking

paulaks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I really wanted to like this book but  I don´t know... The writing was mediocre but the pace was pretty fast because of POV switches and short chapters. But holy crap the plot was CRAZY- Everything felt like a fever dream! The topics were interesting and definitely gave different nuances but it was just too much I guess. This is a me-problem and I truly understand the hype it had. I was fascinated by some moments and ideas but it was way too much for me. Check TW! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Pregnancy

brandilovesbooks's review against another edition

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

If a simple DNA swab could find your soul mate,  would you do it?   What if your soul mate could be the same sex as you?  Or a generation older or younger than you?   Or be mentally handicapped?  Or have severe psychological problems?  Would you do it if you were single so you could eliminate all the Mr/Ms Wrongs before you found Mr/Ms Right?  What if you were in a relationship that you knew was "the one"?  Would you get tested to verify it?

The One takes place 10 years after this groundbreaking test became public.  Millions across the world have been tested.  The One follows 5 people who get their match.  A woman whose match is across the world, a CEO who always puts her business first,  a man who is pressured by his fiance to take the test to prove they are soul mates, a woman who attends her match's memorial after getting matched, and a psychopath who is in the middle of a murder spree.

There is so much more I could say,  but I don't want to give anything away.   

I enjoyed not only the "what if's" raised by the premise but the way each story unfolded.  They were all completely different and each had parts that were completely unexpected. 

Definitely recommended.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting

roseschlumpf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Murder

leonelle's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, and Grief