One Word Kill

by Mark Lawrence

hardcover, 204 pages

Published May 1, 2019 by 47North.

ISBN:: 978-1-5420-4283-3

(26 reviews)

In January 1986, fifteen-year-old boy-genius Nick Hayes discovers he’s dying. And it isn’t even the strangest thing to happen to him that week.

Nick and his Dungeons & Dragons-playing friends are used to living in their imaginations. But when a new girl, Mia, joins the group and reality becomes weirder than the fantasy world they visit in their weekly games, none of them are prepared for what comes next. A strange—yet curiously familiar—man is following Nick, with abilities that just shouldn’t exist. And this man bears a cryptic message: Mia’s in grave danger, though she doesn’t know it yet. She needs Nick’s help—now.

He finds himself in a race against time to unravel an impossible mystery and save the girl. And all that stands in his way is a probably terminal disease, a knife-wielding maniac and the laws of physics.

Challenge accepted.

3 editions

ratfactor reviewed One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence (Impossible Times)

Review of 'One Word Kill' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Tough to rate! It's a compelling story that moves right along. It had some great ideas (some better than others). Two things against it: First, it was more somber than I was hoping (I was looking for a fun time) and Second, it did not tie up all of its threads - so I have to assume I'll need to read more books to get more of a conclusion.) (And by "threads", some of the threads aren't plot - they're unused ideas or abilities.) I'm on the fence about whether or not I'll pursue the rest of the series. It's pretty rare that sequels are more fun than the first book - but the ratings on Goodreads seem to suggest that this just might be the case!

Martijn Reintjes reviewed One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence (Impossible Times)

Review of 'One Word Kill' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

The story seemed not very inspired but a mere cash grab to bank on the "nostalgia-movement" stirred up by the likes as Stranger Things and Ready Player One.

Disappointing ...

Noisy Deadlines reviewed One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence (Impossible Times)

Review of 'One Word Kill' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

Time travel and Dungeons and Dragons, what could go wrong? Crazy, fun, and imaginative. It's a trilogy, so I'll definitely grab the next one.

Lord of Candy reviewed One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence (Impossible Times)

Review of 'One Word Kill' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Interesting..

The semi-modern English Goonies is what keeps coming to mind. And of course that Stranger Things and these guys play D&D, and around the same time period helps with echos of archetype links. Not in substance though, sorry, just an observation.

Softer tones, more tuned to life--some good twists, math, physics and a bit more English references than I know what to do with (as an American.) Satisfying and drove me to read the first and second back to back.

YA but not too YA trope-y. Interpersonal relationships felt really flushed out. Everyone fits hand in glove. There is a story, a D&D story, and a meta-story, and they all weirdly link to each other in a seamless way as well.

If you're looking for a break from the insane, or the grim-dark, or the end-of-the-world (or after-end-of-the-world) moments then this might be a good read for you.