*I received a free copy of One Was Lost from Sourcebooks Fire via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
One Was Lost by Natalie D. Richards Published by Sourcebooks Fire on 4 October 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Damaged. Deceptive. Dangerous. Darling. Are they labels or a warning? The answer could cost Sera everything.
Murder, justice, and revenge were so not a part of the plan when Sera set out on her senior camping trip. After all, hiking through the woods is supposed to be safe and uneventful.
Then one morning the group wakes up groggy, confused, and with words scrawled on their wrists: Damaged. Deceptive. Dangerous. Darling. Their supplies? Destroyed. Half their group? Gone. Their chaperone? Unconscious. Worst of all, they find four dolls acting out a murder—dolls dressed just like them.
Suddenly it's clear; they're being hunted. And with the only positive word on her wrist, Sera falls under suspicion…
Books like One Was Lost is one of the reasons why I’m terrified of camping in the woods! (That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it…)
One Was Lost follows a group of teens as they are on a school trip in the forest, where they have to survive with the means they have with them. We get to know Sera better than her school mates, as the story is told from her perspective. And one of the themes in this story really has to do with perception and perspective! What do we think of other people, and what do we base our “judgement” of them on? One day, at the beginning of their trip, the weather is getting much worse, and not all of them manage to cross the river. The main teacher, Sera and three other kids have crossed, while the teacher assistant and two girls are on the other side. Because of the rapidly rising water, they have to go to higher ground before they start setting up their tent before it gets dark.
And from then on, One Was Lost becomes spooky, scary and more than a little disturbing. The first morning after the group was separated, the kids all feel strange, and the sun has been up for a while already. And it’s impossible to wake the teacher! There is mystery, memories of the creepy story the teacher’s assistant told at camp fire the first night, and very weird things happening. Sera and the three other students have to either trust each other or separate, as more strange things happen, and they think they are all being drugged somehow, as they wake up to weird voodoo like dolls, more water, and strange sounds.
One Was Lost is the perfect creepy fall read! I never knew what would happen next, and I was at the edge of my seat with the mystery and the suspense! Since it’s written in first present present tense, I felt like I was right there next to Sera, feeling her doubts and fears.
Everyone’s tall measured against me, but Lucas is ridiculous. He towers. If there was actually a sun to be found int his Appalachian monsoon, his shoulder would cast a shadow you could hide two of me in. I have no idea what you have to eat to grow like that. Corn? Eggs? Small children?
The forest around us mocks my misery on every level. It’s like the whole place has gone Disney. Birds trill softly, and sunbeams slant through leaves just this side of golden. Everything smells fresh and earthy and warm. Well, everything but us. I’ve met hockey bags that smell better than we do.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: ailynk
this book is perfect excuse not to go camping from the looks of things
such a creepy cover!
Oh wow! I can see why one would never feel the same way about camping again after reading this. I can also see why needing to know what happens would drive me to reading it even if it scared the bejeebers out of me. 🙂
Great review, Lexxie!
I’m glad you enjoyed One Was Lost. I agree it is incredibly creepy and I regretted reading it when I was alone in the house at night.
Lauren @ My Expanding Bookshelf
Glad you liked it. I loved the mystery too and how spooky it was. Didn’t really care for the romance though. Nice review.
Shane @ Itching for Books
Oh boy, do I want to read this. And that cover is awesome. Kind of made me think of he Blair Witch! LOL
What a creepy looking cover! I love books that spooky scary factor. I think I may need to check this one out. Great review!
it sounds atmospheric, being set in the forest and all o.o and it does sound creepy, it does sound perfect for this time of year. I am going to have to go searching for it now.
Twitter: Mollykatie112
Oh I think this one would creep me out majorly. Now I am wondering if it’s supernatural or someone real spooking them. Not sure about this one but it sounds like you liked it! It’s amazing how the older I get the less I want to be creeped out! I am a wuss!
Ohh wow this does sound perfect for this time of the year! I love the element of survival, that is one thing that had me intrigued with this book, so now I am even more so! And I really like that it had you on the edge of your seat, that is always a huge plus for me- especially with this kind of book of course! I am definitely going to need to add this one to my list, awesome review!
Now this really does sound creepy and perfect for reading in October. I know if that was a real case scenario and I was there I would be shaking and scared out of my wits xD I like the idea of getting to know Sera as the story progresses as well. And the cover is gorgeous, which is always a plus in my book 😉
Great review! I’m glad this worked for you because I have to say I didn’t love it — the “twist” seemed really implausible to me but agree that the atmosphere/setting were very creepy!!