One Was Lost by Natalie D. Richards
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Gist
One Was Lost starts strong. A group of teens heads into the woods for a school camping trip. Then a flash flood cuts them off from their teachers. When they wake up, they find disturbing words written on their arms—like Damaged and Deceptive. One adult is unconscious. No one knows who to trust. It’s the perfect setup for a tense psychological thriller.
The Details
But while the idea is great, the execution misses the mark. The tension fizzles as the story goes on. Much of the middle drags. The characters wander, argue, and worry—but not much actually happens. The big reveals come too late and don’t hit as hard as they should.
Sera, the main character, has a layered backstory, but her narration feels flat. The other teens—Lucas, Jude, Emily—are distinct at first but never fully come to life. The romance between Sera and Lucas feels forced and adds little to the main plot.
That said, there are still things to like. The forest setting is creepy and well-written. There are a few solid suspenseful moments, and the concept of labeling the teens with dark traits is intriguing. The story explores fear, trust, and what people do under pressure—which are always interesting themes in thrillers.
The Verdict
Overall, this book had potential, but it doesn’t reach it. It’s not a bad read, just an uneven one. New thriller readers or fans of survival stories might enjoy it more. But if you’re looking for tight pacing, deep character work, or a shocking twist, this one might leave you wanting more.
