I came across this book while searching for a new read last year on Amazon, and boy was it a lucky find. I wouldn't normally pick up a book like this, but The One had me GAGGING from start to finish. It's one of those books that isn't very realistic but you don't care because the drama is so enticing.
In the world of The One, scientists have figured out a way to find your one true soulmate. All you have to do is a quick mouth swab and then send your DNA into a lab for analyzing. Not much different than what we do these days with genetics kits like 23andMe or Ancestry--super romantic.
What starts out as a world-changing, cheerful innovation that draws customers from around the globe, ends up being a bit of a nightmare. If you're anything like me, you've already thought to yourself the myriad of horrible consequences something like this could cause.
For example, what if you match to your one true soulmate and it turns out they're terminally ill? What if you and your life partner decide to take the test only to find out that you aren't actually soulmates? What if your soulmate is a serial killer?
Luckily for us, John Marrs hashes out all of these juicy conundrums in this book. Each chapter focuses on one or two characters who have taken the test and how it affects their lives. The characters' stories are spread out through the entirety of the book, so no matter who you're most invested in, you're going to be left wanting more and reading on until you reach their storyline again.
Because the situations in this book are so dramatic, it does read like more of a soap opera. However, I think the true quality of the book is its ability to grab your attention from the start. As a writer, I often have to think about how I'm going to get readers to continue reading: to the next chapter, the next paragraph, or even the next sentence. Marrs's concept for this novel, thus is brilliant, as every chapter ends on a cliffhanger.
One criticism readers may have is that Marrs doesn't take the time to develop characters in as much detail because they're stories are separated into shorter chapters. I can understand this, but it didn't keep me from wanting to find out what happens next throughout my read. It was also refreshing to read a book not bogged down with heavy exposition or pedantic writing. Reading this book was effortless.
If you don't consider yourself an avid reader, this is definitely a book I would suggest. The stories and the drama keep you tied in so much, you will have an easy time following through. If you are an avid reader, I also suggest you add this to your TBR (To Be Read) as it will be a quick and entertaining addition to your Goodreads list.
Comments