Review - A Monster Calls By Patrick Ness

"The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth." taken from Goodreads

I'd seen this book around for a while and although being intrigued by it, I hadn't taken the plunge and bought a copy.  Well thank god for Bluewater Waterstone's YA bookclub - it was picked as the September read and so I finally HAD to buy & read it.

The cover and all the illustrations inside are just amazing.  Its all so atmospheric and sets the tone for the book so well.  I love that you get to see details of whats happening, but you don't get every tiny detail, so it still gives your imagination time to build on the world.  I understand a new adult version of the book has been released without the pictures, I really feel this will make the story lose some of its impact.  I also think that the pictures in no way make the book child like, so removing them to make it more adult doesn't seem quite right to me.

From the start of this story you know you are in for a heart breaker.  The lead character Conor is going through so much and no matter what happens you feel that things just seem to be getting worse.  Its not long into the book that you meet 'the monster' and Conor's casual attitude about meeting this thing makes it all the more evident how resigned he is to bad stuff happening.

I love that this book offers so much in so many ways to all of its readers, be it young or old.  It really is incredible that a story can be interpreted by different readers in the way it is meant to for them.  I can imagine children being enthralled by the creepy monster, teens relating to Conor, adults picking which senior characters they agree with. 

I thought it was amazing that the meaning behind the story can also be read in the way that you need it, it could be a horror or it could be a psychological tale.  On this front I could almost see factors that related to Pans Labyrinth.  To this day I'm not completely sure what in that film was real or not and this book definitely has some of that going on.

This is a truly clever, insightful & somewhat tragic story that anyone who has suffered a loss in their life could relate too.   It also acts as a great manual for anyone going through a traumatic time, a cautionary tale of the ways to handle it and the ways not to!!

Rating 4 1/2 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Walker Books

This Can Be Purchased Here And From All Good Book Sellers

Here is what Bluewater Waterstones Bookclub thought of the book

Review - The Knife Of Never Letting Go By Patrick Ness

"Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him -- something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd's gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is." From Goodreads

I actually read this back in January, so am relying on my 'interesting' note keeping for the review.  That said this book really packs a punch and will stick with me for years to come.

The cover is quite understated in my opinion.  Obviously the knife is the very key thing and this is really highlighted.  But I didn't feel it told me a whole lot of what to expect.

My very first thoughts of this was 'WOW this is gonna be a unique read'  This is set in a world where people are very uneducated - no books even exist anymore, likewise of women.  The population is dwindling and the last of the youth is about to reach Manhood.
When you start reading the story is littered with very intentional spelling mistakes.  People have evolved and sadly so has speech and it is gotten BAD!!  I must admit the spellings did frustrate me somewhat.  I didn't think I was a huge stickler for good grammar, but it appears I am.
Having said that though all these little touches include you in their world, so after some thought this is such a clever write.

Easily my favourite character in the book is Manchee - Todd's very faithful canine companion.  Todd's relationship with Manchee is even more enhanced by the fact that they can hear each others thoughts.  As Someone that has 5 dogs, I can tell you I would give anything to be able to talk to them.  I adore my little princesses and can only imagine the closeness I would have to them if I could understand their thoughts.  The way Todd sometimes treats Manchee though really upset me.  I can't imagine being that harsh with anyone!

This is a truly heart pounding, edge of your seat read.  I was literally so worried about some of the characters or was deeply shocked by actions, that I couldn't put it down until I had read some sort of resolution to that part of the story.

This is only the THIRD book to ever make me cry.  It really does take a lot for words to effect me that deeply and Patrick definitely accomplished that.
I felt so many emotions on finishing it - I kind of hated Patrick for the roller coaster he put me in, I was shocked, disturbed, depressed, but also wanting to know how the story is going to go from here.  Part of me just wants to read the books already, but another part of me just doesn't know if I am ready to be in THAT place again.  This should come with a reading kit - caffeine, chocolate and tissues - YOU WILL NEED THEM ALL!!!

Rating 4 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Walker

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers

In My Mailbox (44 & 45)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren

Book links will take you to Amazon

 Nice bumper edition of IMM this week.  But  I actually haven't got That many books to report on, sad times!!!  However I did have a great Christmas & am very hopeful that 2012 will be kinder!

My pictures are a bit mixed up today - whoops!

 Daylight Saving By Edward Hogan

This was sent to me by the Fab people at Walker books.  This story sounds fantastic, can't wait to start it

This Is Not Forgiveness By Celia Rees

The fantastic Laura at SisterSpooky: Book Fangirl gave me this - sounds very interesting, totally different to my usual reads

These were also from Laura for Christmas, Really awesome bits.  This journal is a FAB idea!!

These Two were from lovely Jenny at Wondrous Reads for Christmas - been wanting them for ages :D

The Fetch By Laura Whitcomb

Between By Jessica Warman

Patrick Ness - Chaos Walking Trilogy

I treated myself to these - heard great stuff about them

Harry Potter bookmarks from my brother - he knows me well!

The Hunger Games Bookmark from my Mum & Dad - they also know me well

Lastly I got this on Christmas eve

Hana: A Delirium Short Story By Lauren Oliver

I hope you all got what you wanted for Christmas & that 2012 is everything you wish for and more!!

Leanne 

xoxo