The Knife of Never Letting Go by: Patrick Ness

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Science Fiction
Published: May 2, 2013 by: Walker Books
Pages: 528
Rating: 4/5 stars

In the town of Prentisstown, everyone hears everyone else's thoughts in an endless stream of Noise. When Todd and his dog Manchee uncover a town that has complete silence throughout, Todd becomes weary of the life he thought he knew that the people he thought he trusted. Just weeks away from becoming a man, Todd faces great danger, and must choose whether or not to reveal the silent town, or continue as if everything is normal.

Mr. Ness creates some unique books. His books are so odd and yet so cool that it seems like he thinks differently than everyone else. I love his ability to weave fantasy and diversity together so perfectly, and creating truly, one of a kind themes.

This book will mess with your head. It will make you rethink everything you thought about sci-fi, and it reveals it in a whole new light. Like I said before, this book is unreal. I guarantee that you have not read anything like it.

This is kind of a weird thing to love about a book, but I loved that there was a dog as a central theme. I am a huge dog person and I don't read many YA books that have a dog as a fearless sidekick, so I found this so unique and cute too! It was really really special.

Like I said, I loved the diversity of this book and how Ness approaches it. He looks at different sides to all kinds of spectrum's, and he doesn't shy away from talking about serious issues. At the same time though, he also has this great wittiness about him that he manages to put in every book, which I find so comical. He's really a jack-of-all-trades.

The one thing that I didn't like about this book was that I tend to not completely *get* science fiction. It's not really my point of interest, and for that reason, I tend to find almost every sci-fi book a tad boring, no matter what it is. So I will say that for me, there were some slow parts, but don't let that discourage you if you love sci-fi.

Overall, this was a really intriguing read with the wit and charm of Ness that we all know and love.

Have you read The Knife of Never Letting Go? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

A Monster Calls by: Patrick Ness

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Magical Realism
Published: August 27, 2013 by: Candlewick Press
Pages: 224
Rating: 5/5 stars

Conor's mother is going through vigorous cancer treatments, leaving him isolated and alone, with no one but his annoying grandmother to talk to. But then a monster enters Conor's room at night. A terrifying, wild monster. The monster enters Conor's room every night at the exact same time, and it keeps asking for the same thing. Will Conor ever realize what the monster wants, or will the monster keep on coming, until it is too late?

This book was INSANE! I read it in exactly one sitting, I laughed, I cried, and I was completely blown away once again by the legend that is Patrick Ness. Although I shouldn't give him all the credit, as the idea from the novel actually came from author Siobhan Dowd, who died from cancer before she could write the book. So Ness took over, and this book, should be treasured forever.

You really have to think to get this book. Not really hard, philosophical thinking, but this book requires you to go into your emotions to really get the overall metaphor. And once you get it, it will blow your mind. I loved how this book used magic realism to get an incredibly poignant message across.

This book takes on cancer in a new light. It is unlike anything that you have ever experienced when reading books on the disease, and it will completely mess up your perception but in a really good way. This book is very emotional to say the least, but it is also so brave and so adorable that you can't help but fall in love with every single character.

Be prepared to go on one big thrill ride. You will experience a petri dish of emotions, and it may not be easy. But I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, young and old, and especially, those with relatives who have cancer. Prepare to be amazed.

Have you read A Monster Calls? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by: Patrick Ness

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary
Published: August 27, 2015 by: Walker Books
Pages: 352
Rating: 5/5 stars

For high school senior Mikey, his school blowing up is nothing out of the ordinary. That's because there are the indie kids, the chosen ones, the ones who have to save the world from ultimate destruction and are constantly getting into trouble. But for Mikey, he's always been in the background of the madness, just trying to get through life and ask out his long time crush Henna, before she gets taken by someone else. In this unique and inspiring twist to a fantasy novel, we get a glimpse into the lives of the normal kids. The kid's who are usually left in the shadows of the heroes.

This book was probably one of the most unique book I have ever read. I don't know how Ness came up with the concept, but it was cool and funny and nothing like I had ever read before. It had a relatable aspect to it as well, and it proved an amazing message that we are all special in our own way.

The characters in this book were full of flaws, and that's what made this book so amazing! They were average kids; not wizards or werewolves or aliens. It was truly amazing to be able to get to know each of the character's personality types, and each one had their own unique characteristics. Despite the fact that this is ultimately a fantasy novel, these characters were relatable and I could really connect to them. They were perfection in their own flawful way.

I loved how this book had quite a light tone to it, despite the fact that drama is constantly around the corner. It had a very humorous approach, which is not like many fantasy novels, and I think it really added to the mood. I loved how comic relief was weaved into more dramatic parts, and I didn't find this book heavy to read at all. It was so easy to get through.

This book was kept interesting and descriptive without being long and dragging. I think that the idea to focus on the normal kids really worked in Ness' favour, as it took no time at all for me; who can a lot of the times not get into fantasy books, to be fully engrossed and entertained. This book dragged me out of a growing slump and I'm so happy that I chose it.

Overall, if you love fantasy books, or even hate fantasy books, give it a try! There's something for everyone, and I think that this book would be a great read for any teen who feels invisible to the people around them.

Have you read The Rest of Us Just Live Here? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess