The Last One

I love the way this left you feeling like you weren't sure what was real. Everything was tense and suffocating. Good stuff!

Bro, this book made me so mad I wanted to throw my kindle out the window. I don't mean this in a good way at all. I wanted to DNF this book so bad, but the combination of still wanting to know where this book was going/I've been in a reading slump and DNFing books lately, made me continue with this awful awful book.
First of all, I was expecting something dark or mysterious to be happening. Aliens, demons, shifting dimensions maybe I don't know, but what it actually turned out to be was the lamest thing I could have thought of. I wanted to DNF it there.
But, I was like no wait, what if this is a hunger games type thing, it could still be dark and eerie in a different way.
What proceeded for the next 200 or so pages was just the most cringy and bad written dialogue I've ever read. I wanted to DNF again, but I resisted again for some reason. Maybe the true horror of this book is that I'm being controlled by some unseen force to keep reading it. During this phase (I'll call it the sunk cost fallacy phase) I basically was skimming every page. Skipping through Caz's inner dialogue about her past, skipping most of their dialogue between each other.
Ok then we enter the third phase of the book. Some twists and turns happen. It actually starts to pick up here and I think, well you know what, I'm glad I kept going. That thought was quickly spoiled though when they revealed what is REALLY happening. I was so mad. Like genuinely mad. I'm like this has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever read. You have to suspend so much disbelief at this point because the whole thing is so asinine.
Then we enter the final phase of this book- when I think ok she gets a happy ending. I'll just keep that in my brain when I think about the time I wasted on this book.
But then the last sentence of the book completely ruined it. I said F this book out loud and resisted the urge to throw my kindle across the room.
Maybe that was the point of this book? I feel like the author was trolling us and this is the reaction they wanted. There is no other explanation as to why this book was written.

This was so good, i loved this!! The last page had my jaw on the floor!!!!!!!

Also I'm never going on a cruise.

oh this was SO good

What did I just read. I was honestly hooked throughout the book, but the ending ruined it for me. The first 80% of the book was exciting and different from anything I've read, then the last 20% took all that excitement and extinguished it entirely. 

3.5
A very slow start, but at about the 30% point it really gets going. I wish it had been edited down a bit, because when it's good, it's GOOD.
I don't want to say anything about the book itself as it's best to go in blind, but that ending...

I loved this book. I can understand where some people dont like it though.
If you read it and get to “the twist” and dont like it then stop reading but i 100% loved it. Gripped the whole way through

Caz sets out on vacation, only to find that she has been chosen to participate in a new reality tv show. But this is far outside the bounds of any show that has been done before.

As she sets out, she is initially alone, but she starts to find some others that were left on the ship, and together, they are determined to get off as soon as possible. But things start to go wrong, quickly, and one by one, their numbers dwindle.
Caz is determined to survive, and get off the ship before the game gets any deadlier.

This was a fantastic read, and one that I really enjoyed. The cliffhanger at the end sort of got me (and if you want to know, you need to read the book), but there were a few things that were not quite tied during the book, and I am hoping that another one will address these - but we will see!

This was the PERFECT book to get me out of a long slump. It was just so different than anything I've ever read, not a formulaic thriller in the slightest. I'm so happy that the synopsis is as vague as it is, because the main big twist was completely unexpected. SO SO happy I did not get spoiled, I would have been so upset. I would have loved this had I known the reality show aspect, it's one of my favorite tropes! It was executed flawlessly. Very much like The Hunger Games/Escape Room. The last twist of the plane I saw coming, and was really like Escape Room. I thought it was super thrilling, I loved the challenges, and there were times when it went super dark. Daniel's “death” was super scary to me, and just the visuals of being alone at sea were terrifying. I loved the pacing of this book. The chapters were incredibly short and most ended on a little twist to keep you reading. I was super tense the whole way through because the wildness never stopped. I read this on kindle and I cannot believe it was nearly 500 pages. So fun, so original, so GOOD! 

This was unfortunately not for me. Boring and I didn't like where it went.

this is one of the most original books i've ever read!!!!! i loved this!!!!

Deceptive Description Mars Otherwise Still Intriguing Tale. Straight up: The description of this book (which can change at any time, but my commentary here is accurate to the one that exists at the time I write this review) is NOT an accurate depiction of what this tale actually is - and this blatant deception is the reason for the star deduction here. The description leads the reader to think this is going to be some kind of ghost ship type story, or at least a far more mysterious adventure than it turns out to be. Instead, we get (without going *too* deep into spoiler territory)... more of a social commentary disguised as a mystery thriller.

To be clear, the story we get is actually *good*. It is a heart-pounding, balls to the wall, never want to stop reading thrillfest where just when you think you know what is happening... you realize you don't have a freaking clue. But just like with the 2010s era "Robocop" movie, don't lead me to believe I'm getting one thing and then give me something that is not only not that thing, but something very different than my expectations were when you told me I was getting that thing.

Even the writing structure is interesting here, choosing for 130+ shorter - sometimes barely a single page long, even in Kindle form - chapters, perhaps as a crutch to help "sell" the pacing. But every single chapter does end on a bit of a stinger/ cliffhanger that entices the reader to actively go into the next chapter right this second... even as smart readers quickly realize exactly the mechanism being used here.

For those who want a mysterious action thriller with a side of social commentary that will leave you breathless and desperately wanting the next chapter (or perhaps even a sequel)... this is absolutely a great escapist Summer Thriller kind of read that would play well in Summer Movie Season on the silver screen - it has that same kind of "you absolutely need to suspend all disbelief, but if you do, you will be rewarded with one *hell* of a ride" quality.

Overall, truly a great read for what it actually is - but what it actually is is *not* what the current description leads the reader to believe. Very much recommended.

The Last One is an adrenaline-pumping, nail-biting thriller that masterfully combines an intricate plot with captivating characters, leaving readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Will Dean has truly outdone himself with this gripping novel, earning it a well-deserved 5-star rating.

From the very first chapter, this book grabs hold of your attention and refuses to let go. The author's storytelling and pacing create a sense of urgency that is present throughout the entire narrative. Each twist and turn is perfectly timed, keeping readers guessing and engaged, desperate to uncover the secrets lurking around every corner.

One of the greatest strengths of The Unseen Conspiracy lies in its well-developed and three-dimensional characters. The protagonist, Caz, is a flawed but relatable protagonist who is driven by a genuine desire for justice. Her determination to solve the mysteries at the heart of the story is palpable, and readers will easily find themselves emotionally invested in her journey.

The supporting cast is equally captivating, with each character adding depth and complexity to the plot. From the enigmatic surf instructor to the seemingly innocent young adult, no one can be taken at face value. Each interaction and conversation is carefully constructed, leading readers on a whirlwind of suspicion and doubt.

Stevens' ability to create and maintain a palpable atmosphere of tension is commendable. The intricately woven web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives is guaranteed to keep readers guessing until the final pages. The suspense is relentless, as the author maintains a delicate balance between revealing enough to satisfy curiosity and withholding enough to maintain a sense of intrigue.

The Last One is an absolute page-turner, one that grips you from the start and refuses to let go until the very last sentence. Fans of thrilling mysteries will undoubtedly be in awe of this incredible piece of suspenseful fiction.

In conclusion, The Last One earns its well-deserved 5-star rating. proves himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the thriller genre. Highly recommended for fans of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy of this book.