Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Cosola
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Truth or Dare turns deadly in fun but formulaic mystery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 22 kid reviews
Kids say this sequel is enjoyable, showcasing compelling twists and character developments that keep readers engaged, although some felt it didn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor. Mature themes such as violence, romance, and cursing were commonly noted, with recommendations for readers aged 12 and up.
- engaging twists
- mature themes
- strong characters
- worth reading
- well-written sequel
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In ONE OF US IS NEXT, a high-stakes game of Truth or Dare plays out against a backdrop of high school drama and gossip. Life was finally returning to normal at Bayview High a year and a half after a student's death implicated four classmates and turned many lives upside down. Now, an anonymous bully is taunting the student body by text, threatening to reveal dark secrets unless they choose to do a risky dare. A few students have destructive truths revealed, leading their classmates to decide that taking the dare is a better bet, until the dares turn deadly. Everyone is a suspect, and no one knows who they can really trust. Friendships, family bonds, and romantic relationships will be challenged and possibly destroyed before the game is done.
Is It Any Good?
This fun, soapy sequel follows the same formula as its predecessor but delivers fewer thrills. Much of the enjoyment in One of Us Is Next comes from guessing who will be the game's next target and who is behind the dangerous game of Truth or Dare. Author Karen M. McManus highlights the complicity of the Bayview High student body who can't look away from the game and in the process hand the anonymous bully lots of power, which also seems like a humorous wink at readers who like juicy page turners. The main characters are engaging, if a little bland, and the story's pacing drags at times. There are too many interpersonal, melodramatic story lines to do any of them justice. Readers who loved One of Us Is Lying will likely enjoy this sequel, if they aren't bothered by how similar the stories are.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way the students in One of Us Is Next keep the game of Truth or Dare a secret from the school staff and from parents. Do you think someone should have told the school staff or parents about the mysterious bullying game? Or do you think it makes the stories more fun to not have adults involved?
Would you choose truth or dare if someone was threatening to tell everyone a deep secret about you?
Do you ever judge people based on the group they hang out with at school or gossip you've heard about them? Has there been a time when you got to know someone and found out he or she was different from what you first thought?
Are you completely honest with your family about important things going on in your life? Where do you think the line is between regular privacy and keeping secrets?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : January 7, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate