The Only One Left

Realistic rating 3.8/5

The premise was interesting and I'm glad to say this read didn't disappoint. Not much joy in this one though so be prepared for dreariness and despair that can be a little too relatable IRL. The most interesting character in this book was the one who couldn't actually “speak” but most of the characters were fleshed out well, distinctive and added to the story. The story is told from two different time periods, but this is easy to follow as each period is split between the perspective of the two MCs. S/O to the performers in the audio version of this book, they were excellent and brought these characters to life. I took off points for the two twists at the end. One was like “oh ok, this is kinda dumb but whatever” and the other would probably have made the story even more interesting if it had been revealed before the very end of the book, but I do understand why the author waited to let it close out the story. Overall, I enjoyed this read and will be checking out other titles by this author.

Guys. Guys. Guys. Riley Sager keeps getting better and better with every book he releases in my opinion. 

I really loved the dual timeline in this one, and there were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming. 
Also as a medical professional that side of the book was also very interesting to read about and I feel like was done pretty well. 

I will continue to read everything this man puts out. A staple in the current thriller genre for a reason. 

The ending was too much till then the plot was very gripping.

Holy hell, what a story!

Perhaps one of the best thrillers I'll ever read.

Going into this I went into it with little to no expectations and I was blown awayy. The twists and turns, the gothic atmosphere, the suspensful and thrilling aspect, how fast paced it was; all elements I love in a thriller!
Finished it in a day tooo thats how you know its good

I loved this pretty much up until everything was revealed and then it pissed me off

There were a LOT of plot twists at the end of this book.

Riley Sager just spent 400 pages reminding me that tropes are tropes for a reason. The Only One Left threw me for so many loops that I literally could not put this down—the classic spooky sleuthy energy was absolutely killer...

My first non-fantasy or sci-fi book of the year and ALSO my first disappointing read of the year all in one!

I thought it was stupid, a melodramatic nothing-burger of a book. And this is what yall were hyping up? Damn.

My first note of the book was “I'm 30 pages into the book and I've read the phrase “the only one left” and “the only one alive” near 5 times which I think is excessive. I get it.” and at that point I knew I was not in for a fun ride.

My main issue with this book is that I hated the main character, Kit. She likes to assume peoples thoughts and she never paints anyone in a favourable light. Shes pessimistic, rude, self-centered, and close-minded. Joyless, humourless, dull. She's so bad at her job it's almost comical. She's SO BAD AT HER JOB.

I will concede that there were some good atmospheric moments that were kinda creepy so it gets to keep a star for that as well as SOME of the twists I didn't see coming (because they were stupid and felt like an add on).

I propose a whole new genre for this book, not a Thriller but an Irritator.

This was such a great book! I have to say I really appreciated the writing style. It was descriptive without stalling the story. The twist in the book were great and totally unexpected for me. I do have one critique, there was one reveal in the story that didn't really amount to anything once the rest of the story unfolded. However the story was brilliant nonetheless. This is my first Riley Sager book but definitely not my last. I can't wait to read their other work.

3.5

The Only One Left is the first book by Riley Sager that I am reading, after hearing so much about his books. I was intrigued because of its gothic, Rebecca like mystery narrative.

There was a lot about it I enjoyed. The prose it self was absolutely gorgeous. I loved the way he not only brings out the emotion of scene but also somehow makes it part of the scenery.

The book starts off quite slow, and typical for a modern thriller - a woman with a “past” is thrown into a new job which she is clearly uncomfortable with but has no option but to abide by it. Few days after starting her new job, she uncovers a mystery regarding the one she is caring for.

There definitely are some twisty plot twists in the novel. If you've read enough, you can see some of them coming. But some of the plot twists tend to stretch what is believable, and that didn't really help in the enjoyment of the book.

It's definitely an intriguing book, its gothic setting and prose are definite plus points, but it's the second half and the reveals related to the mystery at heart that disappointed me.


** SPOILER**

I'm not a fan of books where the protagonist has a coincidental connection to the mystery at heart. But it wasn't just that, even the previous Caregiver had a connection to the mystery and the woman (women?) at the heart of it.

All of these connections seemed a few too many to be plausible.

Which led to my diminished enjoyment of the book.
** SPOILER**

How many twists is too many twists?

Sager is the queen of plot twists. However, this book had a few too many. A lot of the twists were very random and just seemed like weird coincidences. I think the twists made the book a little less thrilling. However, many of the plot twists were excellent and well-written. I wish this author would write characters that are a little less pathetic. All of her female main characters, at least in the books I've read so far, are very sad and don't have much to live for. It makes it difficult for me to care about them while reading. Although not being attached to characters does make me more invested in the mystery.

Absolutely one of my favourite book of this year, so many twists!! A cliff hanger!! ( you get it

Had me on the edge of my seat multiple times, with many plot twists I didn't see coming!

4,5*
If you like plottwists, this one's for you

bitch what the fuck

This was going so well! Until suddenly it wasn't.

I'm frustrated with this one. It had so much potential! The gothic vibes were fantastic, I was so invested in the story, and then after a while, I felt like the author just started throwing reveal after reveal and SO MANY DETAILS MADE NO SENSE AT ALL.

I'm baffled by this. But it had me for at least half of the book. And then it all went to hell. Sigh.

It was “I skipped work and laid on couch reading it for 3 hours to finish it” good. I am not easily pleased by murder/mystery, as a junkie I reallyyy enjoyed this book. Didn't see things coming yet it was solvable(ish). Worth the hype.

Such a good book but whyyyy so many plot twists?? I don't even know if I remember all of them and I just finished it

3.75

im so conflicted!!!!!!!! i loved the atmosphere and the premise of this story, there was so many plot twists that i did not predict at all but idk why this was so confusing to me

that was insane. one of my favorite reads of the year for sure

I always love reading Riley Sager! The twist and turns in this story kept me hooked! My best read of 2023 so far!

i really enjoyed this book

the twist in it tho was one I definitely DID NOT see coming!