Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Review: A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness

Where I got it: Library
Rating: 5 stars  
Cover Rating: 5 stars (So dark and amazing.)
Genre: Young Adult 
Publication Date: September 15, 2011
Publisher: Candlewick
Page Count: 206 p.
Buy it: Book Depository / Amazon

Conor has been having nightmares. Terrible, horrible nightmares. So when the Yew Tree Monster comes walking, Conor isn't scared, because his dreams hold worse monsters. The Monster says he's there to help Conor though. Conor sees his mom, sick with cancer, and wants to believe the Monster can help, but doesn't dare to. The Yew Tree Monster says he'll tell Conor three stories, and then Conor must tell him a story. The story the Monster wants though, Conor doesn't want to tell. If he wants help though, he may need to find a way to tell his story, his truth.

Wow. Read this book. Seriously. I can hardly even think of what to put in the review because this book was just phenomenal. Jim Kay's illustrations were breathtaking and creepy. The story was so well-done and laid out and just amazing. This is not a happy, joyful story; it's not really a terribly sad one either. It's right down the middle, heartbreaking but enlightening. Conor is a character you can just feel for, and I was pushing him forward amazed by watching things dawn on him. Watching Conor grow and learn what the Yew Tree has for him was an excellent time for me. This is a remarkable story and probably one of the best I've ever read. Every detail was spectacular. Conor's dad is a perfect twit. His grandmother is sort of a snob, but still very kind at her core. Poor, angry Conor. Just pick up this book and read it as soon as possible. You will not regret it. 

First Lines:
"The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do."

Favorite Lines:
"Stories are important, the monster said. They can be more important than anything. If they carry the truth."

This is one of the amazing illustrations.

2 comments:

  1. Sounds creepily awesome. I really want to read this now. Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't heard one bad thing about this book and, oddly enough, I wasn't all that attracted to it to begin with. After hearing so many great things about it though, I plan on picking it up soon. Great review!

    ReplyDelete

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