- Publisher: Orbit (Hachette)
- Available in: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
- ISBN: 0316411310
- Published: July 17, 2018
THEY CALL IT THE PLAGUE
A generation of children born with extreme genetic mutations
THEY CALL IT A HOME
But it’s a place of neglect and forced labor
THEY CALL HIM FREAK
But Dog is just a boy who wants to be “normal”
THEY CALL THEM DANGEROUS
They might be right
Catch an audiobook sample here.
“It’s possible to read One of Us as a treatise on the corrosive consequences of intolerance, social exclusion and inequality. But it’s no less rewarding to treat DiLouie’s novel as a captivating, if sometimes harrowing, foray into a vividly evoked fictional world…” –Starburst Magazine, complete review here
“Its portrayal of hatred feels all too real–and will stay with you long after the book is done.” – The Washington Post, listing One of Us as one of three best sci-fi/fantasy books out in July 2018, review here
“A tense thriller with a social conscience that doesn’t shy away from the violently graphic consequences of its premise.” – The Guardian, listing One of Us as one of five books in its July 2018 “best recent science fiction reviews roundup,” complete review here
Listed as one of the “Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books of July 2018” by the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy blog, complete list here
“It’s quite rare to find a story with this much heartbreaking impact… This is skillful, powerful stuff.” – SciFiNow Magazine
“Some books linger long after being read, some books make you uncomfortable by illuminating the dark side of humanity, and some books are allegories for the relevant social and political issues of today. And some books, like One of Us by Craig DiLouie, cross all of these topics and themes … You’ll be thinking about this twisted and complex world and its characters long after you put the book down.” – Bewildering Magazine, Issue #788
“DiLouie offers something truly unexpected, a cleverly written, beautifully executed story with an unbelievable amount of heart masquerading as your typical science fiction but ultimately proving to be something much greater.” – Books, Vertigo, and Tea, complete review here
“Once in a while, I have a moment of realization that what I am currently reading is not just good, it’s important. It teaches us something about ourselves, and human nature … One of Us by Craig DiLouie is that kind of important.” – The Tome & Tankard Inn, complete review here
(Check out Tome & Tankard Inn’s cocktail inspired by One of Us, “Miss Sally’s Lemonade,” here)
“I greatly liked this book and would recommend it to anyone: well, anyone who likes monsters, blood and gore, Southern Gothic, religion gone wrong, monsters and the end of the world as we know it.” – SF2 Concatenation, complete review here
“This has got to be one of my best reads this year … One of Us doesn’t let up with pacing that verges on perfection. When you add to this a bunch of entirely compelling characters, the result is a book you will not want to put down.” – Literary Titan, complete review here
“One of the most breathlessly engaging but disturbing novels I have ever read… A disturbing and oftentimes shattering read, DiLouie’s dark vision … will haunt and perhaps even anger you… I read this with white knuckles throughout.” – TopShelf Reviews, complete review here
“This is a five-star work that has risen high on my wall of fame! As the book races towards its climax in the last third, One of Us just keeps blowing you away. Your heart will be broken, sensibilities altered, and you will find yourself taking a good hard look at the powers that enforce the rules wherever you live.” – Hellnotes, complete review here
“This book fucking broke me, again and again and again. And I think it’s an absolute masterpiece.” – Grimdark Dad, complete review here
“This novel deserves to be analyzed, studied, and admired for the countless concepts of identity and psychoanalytical confrontations DiLouie makes within its pages. I can promise you heart-wrenching, guttural crying as you read this novel. I can promise you shock and grief. I cannot promise you that you will come out of reading this text as a better person, but I really hope that you do.” – Fantasy Hive, complete review here
“This book made me feel every emotion there is to feel, and those emotions lingered long after I had finished. It’s been a long time since a fantasy book has done that to me.” – The Weatherwax Report, complete review here
“Honest, sincere, engaging, and extremely entertaining … I can’t imagine this not being in the running for my personal read of the year.” – Unnerving Magazine, complete review here
“While it may be a fast-paced page-turner, it is also centered on an intriguing, thought-provoking premise that steers it from typical sci-fi fare to more unsettling territory.” – The Calgary Herald, complete review here
“Very raw, very graphic, and intense … I could barely put the book down.” – The Tip Toe Fairy, complete review here
“A compelling cross between Stranger Things and To Kill a Mockingbird, One of Us is a chilling allegory for the horrifying consequences of intolerance — and a must-read.” – Winnipeg Free Press, complete review here
“A harrowing tale that feels important, is unsettling, is serious, will make you question actions and ultimately, is a thought-provoking story to be experienced.” – The Tattooed Book Geek, complete review here
“Craig DiLouie has crafted something special, with sympathetic characters, tragedy, hope and humor all expertly woven together. One of Us is a stunning achievement in speculative fiction.” – Shelf Awareness, complete review here
“It’s very rare to come across a dystopian novel that is completely unique. But this is what Craig DiLouie has created … It sucks you in and then spits you out, spent and heaving and thinking. If you want to read a book that keeps you thinking about it long after you finish, then this is the one.” – Geeks of Doom, complete review here
“Real, honest, even at times heartbreaking, One of Us is the story to read for those who wish for that next deep and philosophical read. DiLouie has impressed by taking a morbid issue that has been touched upon many times and made it into an alluringly realistic fiction.” – Rollout Reviews, complete review here
“One of Us is the most powerful book I’ve read in recent memory.” – The Fantasy Inn, complete review here
“DiLouie delivers a fresh take on the well-worn story of oppression and rebellion.” – Library Journal
“One of Us is well written and a compulsive read, but it is dark, and I’m not ashamed to say I shed a few tears in places.” – Vampire Book Club, complete review here
“Brutal and thought-provoking, One of Us is Southern Gothic with a touch of the fantastical.” – Books, Bones, and Buffy, complete review here
“The Girl with All the Gifts meets To Kill a Mockingbird.” – Claire North, author of The Sudden Appearance of Hope
“Read this book right now … A story that is addictive, and wrenching, and so utterly readable …This is such an important book.” – Bethan May Books, complete review here
“A compelling read that takes you quite firmly in it’s grip and doesn’t relent until the final page. It’s impossible to put this one down…” – Lynn’s Book Blog, complete review here
“This is not a kind book, or a gentle book, or a book that pulls its punches. But it’s a powerful book, and it will change you.” – Seanan McGuire, author of Every Heart a Doorway
“A powerhouse of a novel. DiLouie continues to be the master of writing the human heart and all the terrors it contains.” – Peter Clines, author of Paradox Bound
“A beautiful constructed tragic tale of prejudice and where it leads… I cannot recommend this book enough.” – Dani of Book Geeks Uncompromised on Goodreads, podcast review here
“You shouldn’t believe there aren’t any truly original stories out there anymore, because One of Us is one of a kind.” – Nicholas Sansbury Smith, author, Extinction series
“As a mother, I found myself often crying throughout the novel … Not only do I recommend this book to fiction fans, but I would love to see One of Us become a part of recommended reading for libraries and schools as well.” – Astradaemon’s Lair, complete review here
“This is a powerful and disturbing morality tale about humanity’s capacity for darkness, but also its fortitude, compassion and willingness to push for change.” – Astounding Yarns, complete review here
“A powerful and heartbreaking tale about hate, fear, and truth.” – Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author
“A fascinating read … Highly recommended.” – David Moody, author of Hater, complete review here
“DiLouie took on huge undertaking and nailed it.” – SFReader, complete review here
“So good … Definitely give this book a read. It will change your way of thinking … which is the best gift a book can give you.” – LitCast of Doom, complete review here (“A Gentle Boy” episode, warning contains spoilers)
“Frightening in its familiarity, One of Us is a tale of human monsters and monstrous humans – authentic, brutal, and inevitable.” – David Walton, author of The Genius Plague
“While it may be a fast-paced page-turner, it is also centered on an intriguing, thought-provoking premise that steers it from typical sci-fi fare to more unsettling territory.” – Montreal Gazette
“An amazing tour-de-force . . . One of Us rattled me to the core. An engrossing, emotionally-charged book and a work of terrible beauty.” – John Dixon, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Phoenix Island
“A character-driven and sometimes heartbreaking story about what happens to those of us who are different, and who the monsters truly are. DiLouie keeps the reader turning pages.” – Megan Hart, New York Times bestselling author
“Craig DiLouie’s One of Us is without a doubt one of the best books I’ll read this year . . . a compelling work of near perfection.” – Bracken MacLeod, Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of Stranded
“This book is not for the faint-hearted… You have been warned.” – British Fantasy Society, complete review here
“One of Us is a masterfully written, thought-provoking dark fairy tale, and one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It will stay with the reader long after they’ve finished the last page.” – Dana Fredsti, author of the Ashley Parker series
“Rich with well-defined characters, sharp writing, and a riveting premise, this is a novel not to be missed.” – Jason V. Brock, author of The Dark Sea Within
“Graphic and raw, yet thoughtful and demanding … A vastly compelling read.” – Paul’s Picks, complete review here
“I think DiLouie took on huge undertaking and nailed it.” – Southwest Book Reviews, complete review here
“One of the brilliant things DiLouie is able to accomplish is to allow the reader to empathize with both sides. There are no heroes in this story, and the only villains are you and me and the definition of humanity… Definitely a recommend from this reader, especially for those who enjoy something a little different.” – The Bergh, complete review here
“This seamless fable of loss, violence, and hope forces us to examine what it means to be different and what it means to be human.” – Patrick Freivald, author of Jade Sky
“It’s one of the few books which I’ve been eager to read from the first page.” – Fenland Tales, complete review here
“This book eats at you long after you’ve finished reading it.” – Ron Bender, author of Shadow’s Fall
“This novel gives a whole new meaning to ‘dark fantasy’ … I’d be shocked if it doesn’t get nominated for some major award. It’s that good.” – My Life, My Books, My Escape, listing One of Us in a top 10 list of reads for 2018
“A strong and powerful book.” – Book Invasion, review here
“This book is heavy, unsettling, and uncomfortably relevant.” – Dear Reader, Love Danielle, complete review here
“One of Us is a dark, brutal read that might not be for everyone, but still I would recommend it, if nothing else because of its ability to make us think, to take a good look at ourselves and wonder if we can do better, or if we want to … This story will remain with me for a long, long time …” – Space and Sorcery, complete review here
“Powerful and important and viscerally realistic in its own brutally unflinching way. Necessary…. Highly recommended.” – To Other Worlds, complete review here
“Craig DiLouie’s prose is eloquent, deeply compelling, and poses a possibility that alerts us to protect our world against such possibilities as depicted in this imaginative story. It touches many chords of recognition, and that is yet another trait of a brilliant writer. Highly recommended.” – San Francisco Review of Books, complete review here